I bite down on my lips, thinking of the right words to come up with Mom's glaring at me, demanding answers, and I'm coming up with nothing. “Brielle, I never thought I'd have to say this, but I am beyond disappointed in you.” The words cut deep. “Why you would keep us in the dark like this? We were planning a surprise for you and Dad, Brielle. A family trip, just something to bring the whole family together. But now, I can't even comprehend what you're telling me.” I swallow hard, trying to gather my thoughts. “It just sort of happened. One minute I was living my life, the next I'm married. I know it sounds crazy, but it's the truth. I don't know how to explain it any better than that.” “How could you go ahead and marry someone like that? Money? Is that what it is? Did you marry some rich guy for his money?” “No, no. Not that.” I shake my head,“ There was a contract saying I had to be someone's wife, and I couldn't go back on it. I never meant to keep this from you, I ju
“Bait? What exactly do you mean by that, Brielle? You're not seriously considering putting me in harm's way just to catch a criminal, are you?” “Liam stole from our company while I was responsible for overseeing everything,” “Oh, hell no. There's got to be a smarter way to handle this, one that doesn't involve me being the scapegoat. Why not involve the cops? Let's come up with a plan that doesn't put my neck on the chopping block. I got my own stuff to deal with, like the fact that Liam ghosted me without explanation.” “It happened while I was supposed to be keeping an eye on things. Andrei made it clear that I had to make sure Liam didn't mess up, but somehow he managed to pull a fast one on me.” Ivy's curiosity is piqued, and she sets down her drink to listen. I explain to her that Liam and Andrei don't get along, and that's why he took the shares. I don't want to go into too much detail. Liam has said some pretty nasty things about me and Andrei in the past. He talke
His eyes meet mine, and it's like he's snapped out of a trance, and I'm doing everything possible to not look at Eva, who's has her arms wrapped around him. My heart's pounding. Hard. Andrei tries to call out my name, but before he can even finish the first syllable, I'm turning on my heel and heading back towards elevator. I'm trying to keep it together, but inside I'm a mess of emotions, and it's taking everything in me not to just break down. The elevator doors start to slide shut, and I see Andrei bolting towards me, but it's too late. The doors shut with a satisfying ding and I let out a long breath. Desperate to put some distance between me and the hot mess that is Andrei and Eva, my hands are shaking as I turn the key in the lock, sealing myself safely in my room. I plopped my ass down on the bed, take my shoes off, undo a couple of buttons on my shirt. My toes curl and my palms dig into the mattress, holding me up as I brace myself for the inevitable. His words are
“How's your life going as Mrs. Carter?” Ivy asks, her eyes meeting mine through the rearview mirror as she smooths on a rich, berry-wine lipstick.I laugh, but there’s a nervous edge to it. Even with all the bravado, I can’t shake the jitters I’m feeling about our little scheme “Mrs. Carter life's pretty crazy. Ivy it's chaos. One chaos after another." Ivy and I are twinning tonight, decked out in floor-length, black, glittery gowns that twinkle under the lights. Her own gown takes things up a notch with a daring, high slit that shows off her toned leg.“Here's the tea, Brielle,” she expertly seals the lipstick and tucks it away, “You and Andrei are like two different planets orbiting each other. Yeah, sometimes it's all rainbows and sunshine, but other times, it's like a freaking asteroid belt.”Her analogy is spot-on, and I nod, recognizing the truth in her words, as we drive through the city.“Three years,” Ivy says with a grave sincerity. “That's the timeline, Brielle. If things
Andrei's POV. 'Liam, you son of a gun.' “Must be using all my money to throw a party like this,” I think to myself, glancing around at the extravagance on display. I wave off the valet's offer to park my car, preferring to handle it myself. After all, I'm not officially on the guest list, but that hasn't stopped me from showing up. Liam's a master thief, and those shares are the key to sabotaging Carter Industries. I won't let that happen – the stakes are too high. With Brielle's unpredictable plans, I'm counting on her and Ivy to get it right. Our sole objective is securing the shares. Once that's done, we can put this ordeal behind us and head home. Upon entering the ballroom, I accept a flute of champagne, only to be met with a jaw-dropping spectacle. There’s Brielle, twirling around the dance floor with some random bloke. She's got her arms around him, laughing like she hasn't got a care in the world. I wonder if this is all part of the plan to retrieve my prop
Andrei's POV There's loads of work at the office, but I don't spend much time there today. I grab my keys, and I'm off, very quickly. As I exit my office and stride down the corridor, Sarah’s voice echoes behind me.“Sir, you have a meeting at one o’clock,” “Cancel it.” I don't break stride as I continue on my path to the elevator. “Sir?” I pause, my jaw tightening as I consider her. She's loyal, efficient, and good at her job. But she doesn't know what I'm dealing with right now. “Cancel the meeting, Sarah,” I repeat “We'll reschedule.” She nods, a slight dip of her head that conveys her acquiescence. I’m already moving again, my focus fixed on the exit. Just as I’m about to round the corner, a flurry of footsteps alerts me to the fact that Sarah is hot on my heels. What gives? Thought I made myself clear back there? As I pivot to face for the second time, she halts in her tracks, her expression urgent, "Mr. Adams was just here, Sir." "Mr. Adams?" I echo, m
Andrei's POV Brielle's slumber is a fragile thing, her breathing steady but uncertain. And standing over her, his brow furrowed with concern, is Doctor Corey, a man whose appearance seems almost too stereotypical for the seriousness of the situation. “How's she doing?” I ask. He meets my gaze, his expression serious. “Her condition is troubling.” I take a step forward, “Troubling? What does that mean?” “The sedative should have worn off by now, but she's still showing signs of grogginess. Whatever she may have been drugged with was stronger than we initially thought.” “Stronger? What does that mean for her? Will she be okay?” “It's difficult to say with certainty. We'll need to monitor her closely and run some more tests. There's a chance that the sedative could have left some lasting effects, but it's too early to say for sure.” I take a deep breath, my gaze flitting to Brielle's sleeping form. “The blood work is underway, Mr. Carter. We should have results by tom
Brielle's POV I attempt to deflect, my words tumbling out in a sarcastic rush. "Oh, great. Because what I really need right now is you stripping down in front of me. That's exactly what'll help me focus on finding Ivy." I force a dry tone, trying to conceal the flutter in my chest. I cross my arms, adopting a defensive stance, and meet his gaze with a challenge. "This isn't helping, Andrei. We need to focus." “Liam's got his issues, but harming Ivy isn't on his radar. Trust me, I've known him long enough. The police will track her down, they're working around the clock. And if it turns out Ivy's playing both sides with Liam, she's out. They'll both be singing to the cops.” I gasp. What? No way. Andrei can't be serious. He cocks his head to the side, a wicked smile spreading across his face. “Trust me, I've done this rodeo before. I protect my business at all costs.” Ivy's in trouble… again. And honestly, I'm not surprised. She's never exactly been the poster child for selfl
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