Andrei's POV. “Regrettably, the acquisition has stalled. We were on the cusp of finalizing the purchase of the Carter industry's shell with all key components in place. However, the sellers unexpectedly withdrew from the negotiations.” I hear the news and my jaw clenches, muscles tensing with frustration. I scan the paperwork, my dissatisfaction growing. Everything appears flawless, meticulous. “What's their justification for pulling out?” I ask Paul, “No explanation whatsoever. They simply withdrew without justification.” I shouldn't be dealing with this nonsense. Liam's theft is clear-cut. He leveraged my stolen shares to launch his own company. Why must I navigate this labyrinthine process to retrieve my rightful property? “Paul, I believe it's time to escalate this matter. Involving the authorities is our best course of action. Assemble our legal team and prepare for a comprehensive counterattack. We'll pursue all available avenues to protect our interests and hold Liam
Brielle's POV “Trading champagne toast for coffee breaks, a 9 to 5 maybe?” Andrei raises an eyebrow intrigued, I nod contemplating, his expression turns thoughtful, “I admire your desire to change. What sparked this?” “Just feeling unfulfilled I guess.” “Carter Industries is always open for you, Brielle. It could be a VP position, or a marketing role, or a board membership – whatever you desire.” I know Eva's doing her sabbatical at Carter Industries, and frankly, I want no part in the drama that comes with it. I'm trying to escape the trophy wife trap, not get sucked into more dysfunction. Why did Andrei even mention Carter Industries? Does he not get it? I want to start fresh, not navigate Eva's manipulations. I swear, that woman has a radar for vulnerable moments. She'll sense my uncertainty and pounce. I've had enough of her condescending smiles and veiled insults. Andrei thinks I'm just being stubborn, but he has no idea what it's like to be in my shoes. Eva's prese
Ivy's POV. “Last time I showed up at the Carter industries, I had to put sunglasses on. Courtesy of that little bitch sitting right there.” Eva points at me. My eyes narrow, but I manage to maintain an outward cool, smirking as I mentally stick my tongue out at her. “You're lucky Liam intervened,” I sneer. “Otherwise, I would've gouged out both your eyes. Let's see if you'll still have targets to aim for next time.” The moment the flashlight's beam dances across Eva's swollen eye, I lean back, content to let the nurse do her thing. I'm no doctor, but even I can tell that thing's more messed up than it looks. The nurse's face screws up, probably wondering how to patch up that mess. “Alright, let’s get you fixed up,” she says with the professional grace of someone who's seen much worse. “Fixing that eye, Mariah?” I bark, incredulous. “I took it out for a good reason. That witch deserved every bit of it.” I fix Eva with a glare. She responds in kind. Mariah, caught in the middl
Brielle's POV Andrei holds me close, his rhythmic heartbeat calming my fears as he whispers, “I know this seems crazy, Brielle, but trust me – it's necessary.” Trust. Such a fragile thing. Easily broken, hard to repair. But what's love without trust? I think that's what I've been missing – faith in Andrei, in us. Time to take a leap of faith. This feels scary, but also…liberating. Like I'm finally letting go of all the doubts and fears. Accepting Eva back into the family has left me uncertain. I don't want to be selfish, but if Andrei has a child with her, I worry about the dynamics… “Starving, are you?” Andrei inquires, his brow furrowed. I nod. “I'll bring dinner. You bring… your appetite.” “And my willingness to tolerate your cooking.” I quip. Why am I already assuming he's a bad cook? Never seen him in the kitchen, never tasted his food… but something about that grin makes me think “culinary catastrophe.” For some reason, I’m already convinced he’s gonna burn d
Brielle's POV Andrei's intense stare pins me. “You seem uneasy, Brielle What's wrong?” My eyes dart away, taking in the breathtaking view. The rolling hills, lit up by the moon, are like a velvet painting come to life, and the Carter estate glows like a lantern against the dark backdrop. Beautiful scenery, but I'm getting bad juju. Something's off, and it's freaking me out. Andrei's gaze snaps back to mine, his eyes narrowing. “Don't conceal your fears, let me know if something's amiss.” His hand slips behind the hem of his coat, his fingers vanishing from view as though he were tucking something away within its folds. It’s a discreet movement, almost imperceptible, but there’s an undeniable weight to it. I shrug, eyes still scanning the surroundings. “Nothing, Andrei. Just paranoia.” His eyes, dark and intense, bore into mine, questioning my sincerity. I nod, trying to convince myself more than him. “Yeah, I'm good.” “Sure?” “Honestly, it's just a weird feeling I have,” I
Ivy's POV. After hanging up with Andrei, I take a look around and shudder at the creepy atmosphere. The peeling paint, dusty furniture, and flickering lights make this place feel like a haunted house. But my gaze keeps drifting back to the door. It's a behemoth – thick, metal-reinforced, and intimidating. More like a gate than a door, really. I recall trying to secure it earlier… struggling to lift that heavy metal bar and slide the bolt into place. . I'm still catching my breath from that crazy escape. Liam and Eva were too busy arguing to notice me making a run for it. I took off like a shot, pounding up the stairs two at a time. That was either genius or madness. Eva went ballistic, firing three shots that narrowly missed. The woman's got a serious screw loose – Locking myself in here, I've temporarily dodged the bullet, but the clock's ticking. How soon can Andrei rescue me from this hellhole? Each passing moment feels like an eternity. Liam and Eva's fury intensifies, th
THIRD PERSON "You're abandoning ship, Liam? Coward!" Eva's tailing Liam, her feet pounding the ground. He whirls around, his face set in a determined grimace. “This place is a death trap. Every minute we waste, we're one step closer to prison – or worse. You can stay here and rot if you want, but I'm not sticking around to take the fall for all this." “Our plan, our company — we've just started building this thing from scratch! What's going to happen to it all? It's all on the line_” “Fuck it! If you're gonna stay behind and babysit everything, then go for it! You do that shit! I'm ghosting,” Liam walks out, leaving Eva seething. She shoots him a parting glare, accompanied by a scathing curse. But she's not done yet. She's hot on his heels, her feet moving swiftly. “You think you can just bail on me? Think again, Liam.” He storms out of the dilapidated building, slamming the creaky door behind him. The place is a total dump. The surrounding woods are super eerie, wi
Andrei's POV. Whoever shot at wife better start praying to whatever god they believe in, 'cause they're gonna need all the divine intervention they can get once I get my hands on them. The estate's on high alert. I've reinforced the perimeter, stationed extra men around and sealed off all exits. Brielle's staying put, no arguments. I know she can be stubborn, but I won't budge. She'll remain safe at home while my team and I tackle this Ivy situation, no matter how deadly it gets.However, the latest update has my gut twisting. The location's been rigged with explosives. It's absolute chaos unlike anything I've ever witnessed. Events unfold at breakneck speed, but nothing could've prepared me for this. Paul and the explosives expert assured me they'd defuse the bomb, but now I'm gripped by doubt, “How long until extraction?” I ask, eyes fixed on the road ahead. Paul's voice crackles through the earpiece, “Three minutes, tops. We're still working on disabling the security feeds.
Brielle's POV “I'm not saying you were dating the devil himself, Bri, but Jeremy's got some serious 'bad boy' credentials. How did you manage to overlook all that?” “Oh no… He seemed so genuine. I mean, he won my mother's heart over, which is no easy feat. And now I'm finding out that all of your assets are in his name?” “Including The two companies that secured your freedom… Jeremy's got them in his back pocket.” “That can only mean one thing: He's the architect of this entire debacle.” “My brother still won't own up to it, keeps denying any wrongdoing. I've done everything in my power to bring him down, scoured every inch of his operation… Jeremy's always slippery, always one step ahead.” “Why does he hate you so much?” Andrei looks all introspective, his eyes shadowed by some deep thoughts as he raises his glass to his lips. “I've got zero patience for Jeremy's entitled BS. We clashed as kids, but when Dad passed away, Jeremy's sense of ownership went into overdrive.
Brielle's POV “We could have a lovely tea party, Ms. Monroe… that is, if you're still reigning supreme as the monarch of Scotland, of course.” I dead pan, “I'm… I'm not Scotland royalty, Andrei. I'm just a normal person. Whatever gave you that idea?” “Are you sure? You sounded pretty convincing back there. I believed you were.” “I was being facetious. It didn't mean anything.” “Oh, I was convinced it was genuine. I thought you were finally confessing your royal roots.” My lips compress into a thin line. “Now, now, Your Majesty, that scowl is not very regal. I’m just an innocent bystander, trying to bask in the radiance of your presence.” I manage a small, ironic laugh. It's a momentary distraction from the uncomfortable truth that still hung in the air. My face falls. I fumble for words like a blind person searching for a light switch. “I… I was hurt. Really hurt, you're seeing someone else. Seeing you with her… it feels like you've moved on without even looking bac
Brielle's POV “Brielle, we've got a story to tell, and it's a wild one. We were kidnapped in Hawaii. It was scary, but we're safe, and that's what counts.” I'm in a state of shock. All I can muster is a faint, disbelieving “What?” “Unfortunately, yes… We were held hostage.” Mom affirms. Basic human decency. It's not that hard. If your life is in danger, tell your children. “Why didn't you report it to the authorities?” I ask, unable to fathom why my parents would have kept this ordeal to themselves. “You were held captive, potentially in danger—that's not something you simply move past.” Mom's eyes fog with uncertainty, and she hesitates before speaking, “We couldn’t say anything, Brielle. Not if we wanted to remain safe. Andrei, however, guaranteed our protection. He vowed to take care of everything, and we believed him. After treating us to that incredible getaway in French Polynesia, I thought he was just being generous. Perhaps it was his way of making sure we had a gr
Brielle's POV French Polynesia was a slice of paradise straight out of a travel brochure, with the kind of crystal-clear waters that'll make you want to chuck your phone into the ocean and never look back. Like all good things, our little island escape had to come to an end, leaving me with a serious case of wanderlust. I'm still wrapped in the warmth of tropical sunsets, the sweetness of frangipani, and the gentle lap of crystal-clear waters. We're back to our typical lives as the Monroes “Brielle, darling, breakfast's on! And by 'on,' I mean it's a masterpiece that'll make your taste buds sing!” I swear, Mom's like a big kid sometimes. I love her for it, though. Post-vacation life is all about prioritizing. And, right now, my priorities are twofold: Taming this mane, which has morphed into a wild, wavy beast during our travels, and Satisfying my rumbling tummy with a hearty breakfast. The suitcase, filled with the remnants of our adventure, will just have to wait patie
Jeremy's POV I storm into my lair, bellowing at the top of my lungs. “Odessa! Where’s that woman when you need her? ODESSA!” The echo of my voice ricochets around the cavernous space, bouncing off the ornate columns and marble floors, before finally fading into silence. Odessa's screw-up is going to get me killed. I hired her to cast a spell on my brother, not to let him stay lucid enough to keep haunting me. What's the point of having a witch on the payroll if she can't even get the job done? She better bring her A-game, or she's out. I don't tolerate dead weight. Andrei's on a warpath, and I need pros who can keep up. Like a blind man suddenly gifted sight, my gaze lands on the gleaming glass orbs of the CCTV cameras, their little black bodies poking out from every corner like curious meerkats. One's above the door, another's near the water cooler, and a third's hiding behind a potted plant. Well, this is a fine mess. I'm not a patient man, and I don't like surprises. That's
Jeremy's POV Andrei's still got fight in him, I'll give him that. But it's a futile effort, really. It's like watching a toddler throw a tantrum – entertaining, ultimately pointless. I'd almost admire his tenacity if it wasn't so pathetic. Warning signs are flashing: he's regrouping, rearming, and preparing to unleash hell. He's summoned me to the Thunder dome of Corporate America: a high-octane meeting with the suits who called the shots. Board members with bottom-line mentalities, shareholders with a demanding expectation of returns, investors with itchy trigger fingers, and lawyers with razor-sharp instincts — all gathered to scrutinize me. “Gentlemen, ladies,” I address the audience, meeting the skeptical eyes of the gathered dignitaries. “You know me as a man of integrity, of honor. I’ve never done a shady deal in my life. And I certainly don’t have the time or inclination to stoop to Andrei Carter’s level of scumbaggery. I’ve got more than words to back me up. I’ve got proo
Andrei's POV. I glare at Odessa, expecting her to get with the program, but she looks at me like I'm crazy. Her eyes are blank, her expression unreadable. I'm starting to feel like I'm talking to a wall—a very attractive wall, but still, a wall. I curse under my breath, feeling like a world-class jackass. “Yes… I think we have to try. Expose Jeremy's truth, I mean. We'll… we'll do everything we can.” her gaze wavers, and I see the fear lurking beneath. It's a fleeting moment, but it's there. “Come on, Odessa, put some heart into it. I need to believe you, even if you don't.” She nods. “So, where do we start? You're the expert, right? I'm all ears. My fiancée thinks we're together, and that's like pulling the wrong block. Everything starts to unravel. I'm trying to find a way to put it all back together without making a mess. And then there's Jeremy's case, which is like… well, that's like someone pouring gasoline on the whole thing and lighting a match. Time to douse Jeremy’s f
Andrei's POV Boardroom meetings, presentations, pitching ideas to the suits—all that business crap feels like sand in my shoes these days. I built this company from nothing. Now, all I see is how empty it’s become. The Carter building stands like a cold, dead heart, pumping out emptiness and despair. And I'm not much better off. Time to blow this popsicle stand. I knock back the last dregs of coffee, feeling the caffeine jolt my system. Hit the stairs, step out of the building, into the bright, unforgiving light. The sounds of the city – car horns, chatter, wailing sirens – they're all fading into the distance as I fire up my car and hit the road, heading north. Maybe I’ve got a touch of psychosomatic something-or-other. You know, where your mind takes your fears and spits them out in the worst possible way. These dreams feel so real. I see Brielle slipping away from me. Not exactly the most alpha feeling. Trust me. And I’ll be damned if Odessa doesn’t give me some answers. Did
Brielle's POV “I-I don't think that's something I'd ever consider…" I admit. Hopefully, Ivy doesn't notice me turning into a human tomato, complete with the bright red face, or if she does, she'll never let me live it down, and I don't need her poking at this particular hornet's nest. “Bri, we all have our little fantasies, our little moments of weakness when our hearts start racing and our minds start wandering. It could be the sexy, sweaty mailman, delivering your packages. It could be the charming barista at your local coffee shop, serving up more than just lattes and cappuccinos. There's no shame in having a little crush, even if it's on someone you shouldn't be crushing on.” “You may as well be confessing to a crime with that sassy little act.” I tease. Ivy nibbles on her lip like, her face a maelstrom of emotions. It’s pretty clear she’s got something juicy cooking in her head, something that’s about to blow the roof off this little chat...“Lane? He’s like… catnip for my