“Eva’s bad news, Brielle. She killed a patient, and now Sanjay’s the fall guy. It’s like she’s holding the truth hostage, making it look like he’s guilty when he ain’t. It’s a stitch-up…"***I stab at the button for Andrei's floor. The elevator whirrs and the doors slide open. My feet hit the hallway, and before I can even think, I hear Eva’s voice floating from inside the bedroom_“You’re not thinking straight, Andrei. You’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment. You can’t trust Brielle, not with your company. What if she’s working for someone else? What if she’s a mole, here to take you down? You’re not dealing with just some naïve girl."“I want a close eye kept on Liam,”“Then I could have handled that. You should have entrusted me with your company, as you did your health. My Sabbatical is a chance to prove my devotion. I could have been your partner in business and in life. I still love you. Andrei. I still have feelings for you.”“”Feelings? Eva, I thought we left all t
The following day, a new doctor, fresh-faced and eager, arrived from afar, ready to take on Andrei's care. Eva's just hanging around, trying to act all legit still wearing that doctor’s coat, like that means thing. My phone buzzed, and I step out to answer it, leaving Andrei in the hands of his new doctor, who’s all focused on checking up on him. “Just checking in—have you already made it into the office?” Ivy's asks over the phone. I glanced down at my watch, a calculating look passing over my face. “I'll be on my way in the next forty minutes, give or take a few.” “Did you get the chance to chat with Andrei about what's going on with Sanjay and Eva?” “I haven't had the chance to discuss the situation with Andrei yet. Merely speaking with him won't suffice, Ivy… we need some cold, hard proof. Andrei’s still blindsided by his trust for Eva, which makes things a bit trickier.” “Honestly, Sanjay’s been good to us in the past. We can't just let him get thrown under the bus
“Brielle, you should not go by yourself.” Andrei responds when I tell him about the mysterious call I just received.After a few seconds, his text flashes on my screen: “Do not go until I arrive. On my way.”"Andrei, I got this," I text back. “I'll let you know when I reach the Café...”Keys in hand, I head straight out of the office. ***I had made it to Coffee shop. Its warm, earth-toned brick and large windows framed by an elegant wooden sign proclaiming “The Coffee Club House” in curved, elegant letters. The clear blue expanse above me was dotted with a few cotton-candy clouds.As my eyes traveled beneath the shade of the café's canvas canopy, My heart nearly stopped. Jamie.There she was, standing just a few feet away. It felt like the universe was playing some kind of sick joke, placing the last person I'd expect to be involved in all of this right in front of me.Her cold, calculating stare shifted rapidly between me and the Audi Parked behind me, like she was deciding whic
After the ordeal with Jamie, I finally made it back to the house, my mind reeling as I tried to make sense of the warnings she had given me. I had to tell Andrei. I had promised to tell him everything, even though he sounded a little upset over the phone at my stubbornness earlier in the day. “It's either I'm put in charge of Carter Industries, or I walk.” Liam's voice rang out. Stunned by his outburst, I stood frozen in place, unable to move as he continued, "I've poured my heart and soul into this company for years, and I'll be damned if I let some outsider come in and reap the benefits of all my hard work." “Fine” Andrei retorted, "That’s the door. Walk away. Walk out of my life, and don’t you dare come back.” “But Carter Industries needs me. Without me, you're nothing but a two-bit huckster with a pretty face and a silver spoon up your ass. I make you look good, just like that whore you keep on your arm." “Keep deluding yourself. You think you're indispensable, but t
Baffled, I blurted out my confusion, "Why did Edna leave so suddenly?” “She thinks it’s high time we start having babies,” Andrei answered with a teasing lilt to his voice.And in that moment, he was offering me his hand, as if expecting me to take it. I was half tempted to slap it away.“Isn't that something we both want to have on our to-do list?” He smiles at me and I take his hand.It feels warm and inviting, and before I know it, I'm nestled comfortably on his lap. I forced my gaze away from Andrei's body and turned to look at him. He was gazing at me with a smile so bright. I felt my cheeks flush pink and my hands dropped to my lap, fiddling nervously with my fingers.“Last couple of days have been off the hook,” I reflected, glancing towards him. The events of yesterday alone were more than enough for a single day: It has been a wild ride to say the least.”“Yes, it's been quite an eventful few days,” Andrei murmured, his hands gently settling on my waist as I sat sideways on
Carter industries' launching new technology and revamping their e-commerce platform. Andrei's planned a commemoration and his celebratory mood is the last thing I want to mess up, but what I saw last night was seriously weird. I'm freaked out by the idea that Eva might want to harm me. The memory of her standing at my doorway still unsettles me. It's giving me major chills just thinking about it. “What's wrong, Brielle?” Andrei rolls into my bedroom, his face etched with concern. “Not sure what to wear?” My gaze flickers to the wardrobe, filled with a luxurious array of high-end clothing. I inwardly curse myself, realizing that I hadn't even thought about what to wear for the event. “This will be our first official public appearance as a couple. You need to get ready.” Andrei moves to the wardrobe, a determined look on his face. “Come on, seriously we need to find something for you," he urges, already sifting through the bountiful selection of outfits. I watch him with a m
“Three hours already?” I mutter, glancing at my watch before berating myself with a mental eye roll. 'Chill out Brielle. Not every little thing is a conspiracy. Quit being so paranoid.' I try to convince myself that Eva is just messing with my head. Yeah, she is manipulative, but that doesn't mean she's going to pull something crazy in the next few hours I turn my attention the flurry of handshakes, polite smiles, and forced small talk, but the sense of unease refuses to abate, and I'm glancing over my shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of Eva amidst the crowd. Her threats linger in my mind, 'Just stop being paranoid, Brielle!' I reprimand myself, trying to shake off the mounting dread. 'Get it together, or tell Andrei what a demon Eva is and that's setting you on edge.' With guests filtering out of the hall, I scan the room for any trace of Eva, but she remains absent. Andrei and I take pictures with associates, his grin shining through behind that mask. He's so obviously
The car's headlights are still on, glaring right at us. Andrei, who's supposed to be confined to a wheelchair, turns to face the headlights with a look that could kill. I turn my head to see who is behind the wheel, and the answer is all too clear: it's Eva. She's gripping the steering wheel tight, her eyes wide with shock. Andrei rises to his feet, a single-minded determination in his eyes as he storms towards the car. With one swift motion, he yanks open the driver's side door, revealing a petrified Eva behind the wheel. She's frozen in fear, her eyes darting between Andrei's furious glare and the two perfectly formed limbs supporting his towering frame. I shift my weight, propping myself up on my elbows, my own disbelief mirrored in the shock on Eva's face. It's impossible, yet undeniable—the man we thought was confined to a wheelchair is standing before us, whole, broken. Eva finally steps out of the car, her movements stiff and awkward, her eyes never leaving Andrei'
Jeremy's POV Enter Jones. Don't let his age fool you – the man's a certified brainiac. He settles in, and We get down to brass tacks, discussing the details. “I'm cutting ties with Andrei for good and taking full control of the two companies I snatched from him. I'm consolidating my ownership with a vertical integration strategy, aiming for a 100% stake with zero ties to the Carter empire. I'm expecting Andrei to try rallying his allies or attempting a hostile takeover, but I'm ready. I've got my lawyer drafting a bulletproof shareholder agreement and setting up a poison pill strategy to block any takeover attempts.” The old man listens intently, demonstrating a clear grasp of the situation. He takes meticulous notes as I outline my plan. “I'll be darned, Jeremy. You're one of those 'new-fangled' thinkers, aren't ya? I swear, you're so smart, you make me feel like I just fell off the turnip truck.” A lopsided grin spreads across my face, oozing self-assurance. I've got all th
Jeremy's POV All nonsense put aside, I slam the map onto the table, “Eyes on me,” I bark, “I don’t have time for screw-ups. “ My hand jabs into the tabletop, each thrust an exclamation point to punctuate the severity of the situation. These morons can be as dumb as a box of rocks sometimes, and the effort it takes to get through to them has my temper running hotter than a desert sun. '“At 0200 hours, the target will land at the Kahului Airport, Maui. The airport is primarily a regional hub, with limited security, which should make our operation smoother than a freshly ironed aloha shirt." I inform my crew, their faces intent as they listen to my debriefing. “Our scouts will monitor the flight’s arrival, keeping a constant line of sight on the target as they exit the plane and enter their transportation. We’ll have an unmarked SUV parked nearby, with the windows blacked out to prevent recognition. The driver will be wear a chauffeur's uniform, his ID on display for anyone wh
Brielle's POV Marcus brings the car to a smooth halt, his courtesy never faltering even in the dark of night. With a gentle gesture, he opens the door, his eyes following my every step as I emerge from the car. The night air is cool and still, with only the stars and the moon to light my way. The darkness seems to swallow the surroundings, obscuring the path ahead. But I know this is an outdoor venue, a garden maybe Because it's like a perfume bomb went off — roses, jasmine, lavender… it's heavenly. My eyes are glued to this one spot in the distance, where a warm light is shining softly. There's something about it that's just so inviting… I feel myself being pulled towards it, Just as I'm transfixed, I sense someone behind me. I don't need to turn around to know it's him — Andrei. His cologne is unmistakable, it's just… him. It's familiar, comforting, exciting all at once. I'm anticipating a sweet, gentle gesture, but Andrei throws me a curveball. He wraps a blindfold arou
Brielle's POV Ivy shoots me a curious glance as we wait for the traffic light to turn green. “Where are you off to, all dressed up?” she asks, her voice competing with the sounds of the morning commute – car engines, chatter, and the wail of sirens in the distance. I chuckle and say, “Just a meeting.” Ivy gives me a skeptical look. Luckily, the traffic light changes, and I drop her off, cutting our conversation short. Today is a whirlwind of meetings. After dropping Ivy off, I kick things off with my accountant, who somehow makes finance fascinating, I know, I'm surprised too. Next, I meet with a business buddy to brainstorm, bounce ideas, and possibly create a few new ones. Post-meeting, I need a caffeine intervention, so I grab a coffee on my way to collect Ivy. We arrive home, and she's having a major stare-down with her reflection, analyzing every strand. Girl's checked herself out so many times, I'm starting to think she's trying to set a new record. Been there, done
Brielle's POV The countdown to our family trip to paradise is on… Mom and Dad flit about the house like over-caffeinated hummingbirds, filling suitcases with swim trunks, sunscreen, and flip-flops. Me? I'm trapped in a vortex of second-guessing. With their anticipation bubbling over, this conversation's going to be a pit of lava. The truth is, it's not that I don't want to go—it's just…well, Ivy. She's like the world's most unexpected surprise party. You're not sure if you're going to love it or hate it. Mom’s descent down the stairs takes on a new intensity as she catches sight of me at the staircase’s midpoint, “Brielle, What’s the holdup? You should’ve been packing hours ago.” Dads glued to his watch like a limpet on a rock, his gaze fixed on the relentless march of time as he hustles after Mom. Meanwhile, I’m standing at the end of the stairs, frozen with indecision. My smile is more of a grimace, a thin line of discomfort stretching across my face as I scramble for an e
Andrei's POV. My fingers hover over the keyboard, ready to dish out another serving of banter, when a sixth sense alerts me to Paul’s presence. Instinctively, my face shifts from its usual mask of irreverent charm into a serious, professional veneer. Shutting my laptop, I gaze at Paul with interest, “New York… did you conquer the city, or did it conquer you?” Paul chuckles, “I think the city won this round. I got lost in Times Square for an hour, but, it… It was worth it.” “Don't worry. Getting lost in Times Square is just the city's way of saying, 'You're welcome to come back anytime'.” Paul's laughter trails off, and I swiftly shift gears, my expression transforming from amusement to intensity. “Brief me,” “It's not good, boss. Ms. McCarthy's has somehow managed to get on Valtor's radar, and now she's facing some very real and very serious threats.” “They're on her tail?” “More like they're closing in. We're running out of time.” What was she thinking? Getting mixed up wit
Brielle's POV Coffee in hand, I glance out the window, checking out the morning view… and my gaze lands on that super creepy spot. I could've sworn I saw someone watching me from there last night. It's just so unsettling. I keep replaying it in my head, trying to make sense of it, but it just leaves me with this creepy, crawly feeling that refuses to go away. I shudder, shaking off the uneasy feeling. I set my coffee down, refocus on my screen, and begin typing out my email, “Dear Mr. Carter, congratulations. You've managed to turn me into a millionaire with no idea how to spend it. I've dreamt of this day my whole life, and now that it's here, I'm just… stuck. My bank account is overflowing, and I'm starting to feel like Scrooge McDuck, swimming in vaults of gold coins. Help?" I hit send and wait, my eyes fixed on the screen. Minutes later, my email pings. Andrei's response has arrived. "Spending money is an art form, Ms Monroe. I recommend starting with something clas
Brielle's POV Marcus's gaze meets mine as I step out of the vehicle, his head inclining slightly in a formal nod. “Ms. Monroe.” “Marcus,” I say, deadpan, and he nods solemnly. It's a ridiculous game we play, but I've grown fond of this little dance, this familiar back-and-forth that never gets old. A realization strikes me, a sudden epiphany that halts my journey to the front door. “Well, isn't this a pickle in a jam jar?” I mutter to myself. “This morning, I strode out of this house on a mission—to become a free woman by sundown. Instead, I’m returning, engaged.” The diamond ring on my finger sparkles. I glance at it, feeling a flutter in my chest. No, I won't take it off. It's a symbol of belonging – to someone who's stolen my heart. I spin around, and there's Marcus, waiting. I don't want to keep him hanging around, so I head inside, trying to be all graceful and stuff. Let's just say I'm feeling delightfully… rumpled. As I swing open the front door, a symphony of sizzles
Brielle's POV “She said you'd betray me,” Andrei responds, and feel the tension rolling off him. He's clearly got some pent-up emotions brewing beneath the surface. “You believed her.” The words slice out of my mouth, my tone more accusatory than I meant it to be. “Somewhat…" He shakes his head as if to dispel the memory. “I don't want to believe her. I don't want to think that you'd ever do that to me.” He rips off the black pants he'd put on just moments ago and strides over to his wardrobe. He yanks out a fresh pair of distressed denims and slides them on. The jeans are perfectly faded, with ripped knees and frayed hems that give Andrei a rough-around-the-edges vibe. “Oh, Andrei, I’m not surprised. Those accusations didn’t come from thin air, did they? Someone put them in your head, someone gave them life. Someone twisted your faith in me.” My stare falls, settling on the knotted sheets tangled around my legs. “Enough of this nonsense. We've got business to attend to. Mr