Losing to My Substitute (Katerina and Joshu)
Substitute 44

Chapter

15

He wasn't addicted to smoking and barely smoked at all, often finding himself coughing until his head spun when he did.

But now, he didn't want to stay clear-headed.

Over the past few days, he had repeatedly wondered-if he died, would Linda come back to see him one last time?

But he didn't dare. He was afraid that even in death, he wouldn't see her.

Thankfully, Linda hadn't disappeared from the world entirely.

They still had the company they built together. Every game was the product of both their efforts, a culmination of their shared dedication.

Each game was like a child Linda had poured her heart and soul into.

He needed to stay alive to care for them, to protect their legacy. Someday, she would return.

As the cigarette burned down to its end, he leaned back against the driver's seat, staring up at the

ceiling.

"Linda, I'll take care of the company. I'll wait for you to come back."

He exhaled deeply, just about to start the car when his phone suddenly rang.

"Ring-ring-ring-"

The urgent tone pierced the air, almost like a warning.

He slid his finger across the screen and answered, only for his secretary's panicked voice to come through the line-

"Mr. Martin, bad news! Madam donated all her shares in the company-you need to come and see

this!"

"What?"

Ivan's mind exploded, the news crashing into him like a thunderclap.

15

Losing to My Substitute

44.3%

Chapter 1%

Linda had donated all her shares in the company?

Do By

Without another thought, his body moved on instinct, starting the car and heading straight for the office.

Elsewhere.

Linda sat cross-legged on the sofa, laptop perched in her lap as she worked on designing a game framework.

Rachel, holding a bag of chips, crunched noisily like a snack-hungry hamster, stealing glances at her from time to time.

After typing the last line of code, Linda flexed her fingers and stretched before turning to Rachel "What is it you want to ask?"

Rachel set down the chips, hesitating before finally blurting out, "Did you really sell the company? That's your life's work!"

Linda smiled faintly and explained, "Technically, I don't own the shares anymore, but it's not exactly a sale. I used the shares under my name to set up a charitable foundation."

The company will continue operating as normal, but the dividends from those shares will go directly through the foundation to help orphans in need."

I "While I despise Ivan's betrayal, I won't drag The One Tech's employees down with me just to get

revenge on him."

"As for Ivan, it's just that I personally don't want to have anything to do with him anymore. But I can't deny he's a capable manager. If he can lead The One Tech to greater success, it will benefit the foundation too."

"I knew you weren't that ruthless," Rachel said with a knowing nod, her expression smug as if she'd' predicted Linda's actions all along. Then, with a satisfied crunch, she resumed munching on her

chips.