ALANNAA lot was running through my mind, I had more questions than answers. I wanted more answers. Why was Chloe at Brad's house by that time of the night?I know Brad had explained but something about it didn't just sit right. I had a gut feeling that one of them was lying. Was it Brad or Chloe?But Brad had no reason to lie to me. I could see the desire in his eyes when he sat across the table from me, it was raw, he longed for me, he wanted me, there was an adulterated thirst in his eyes. Every part of him wanted every part of me.“I am glad she interrupted you, God knows what kind of stupid decisions you would have made yesterday,” Angela sneered as we made our way to the elevator, I grinned at her, her hatred for Brad was uncanny. “Is that all you can take out of this story?” I teased as the elevator door flung open and we began making our way to the courtroom. I hated being back downtown, there was a lot about downtown that smelled like privilege. This was one place in th
CHLOEI hate my life, I truly do. I glanced down at my phone, half-distracted, half-hoping for something that might divert my thoughts from the mess my life had become.The message blinked insistently, demanding my attention. It was from my informant at the court, the one I had tasked with keeping an eye on things. My eyes widened in disbelief as I read the update: someone had leaked a picture of Brad and Alanna on a date.Alanna. The name alone was enough to sour my mood. I knew I was the only one privy to that information, which meant Brad had lied to me, he had other plans. Again. I reminded myself, for the umpteenth time, that trusting Brad was akin to believing in fairy tales — all glitter and no substance.Before I could even process this latest betrayal, Lucas appeared, his presence startling me out of my thoughts. He leaned in and planted a kiss on my cheek, a gesture so effortless it made my heart skip a beat despite myself. Damn Lucas and his charming ways.I had come to v
ALANNAA LOT OF QUESTIONS AND SPECULATION RAN THROUGH MY MIND. I stared at the screen in the courtroom and it seemed like the world stood still for me to analyze and take in all that was going on that particular moment.I gulped, reminding myself to breathe. I need to inhale and exhale. “Ms. Alanna, is that you in the picture above,” Mr. Collins asked and I kept staring at him, “Ms. Alanna please answer the question,” he instructed and I nodded. “Yes, that is me,” I acknowledged and Nolan glared at me, my hands were intertwined with Brad's in the picture, while we were having dinner and from the angle at which it was taken, it was taken through the see-through glass outside his penthouse. CHLOE. That bitch!I knew she was up to no good coming to Brad's house, and acting like she came there for some stupid Lawyer’s contact. She knew her play, she knew what she was orchestrating, her plan was flawless, even Brad didn't see through it.“Can you please tell the court what is going
NOLAN There, on the screen, was Alanna, her hand intertwined with Brad's. A sickening certainty gripped me. They were on a date. In his damn penthouse, no less. My muscles clenched, the image replaying in my mind.Was that why she looked so damn radiant that morning? Was the lingering scent of her perfume a leftover from their rendezvous? Had they…? The thought sent a fresh wave of anger crashing over me.The rest of the hearing faded into a dull roar. My lawyer's words, the judge – none of it registered. All I could focus on was the image of Alanna, seemingly carefree, enjoying Brad's company. My mother, a smug smile playing on her lips, intercepted me before I could reach Alanna."Well, that went well, wouldn't you say?" she purred, her voice laced with a satisfaction that grated on my nerves."What the hell was that, bringing that picture to court?" I spat, my voice low and dangerous."Oh, come now, Nolan," she countered, the smile widening into a smirk. "It simply highlighted
NOLANIt wasn't a date," she snapped, her eyes flashing defiance. "And even if it was, it wouldn't change anything.""Ask Chloe about it," she said, her gaze hardening."Chloe?" I repeated, bewildered. "What does Chloe have to do with this?"A ghost of a smile played on her lips, fleeting but sharp. "She just happened to show up at Brad's house that night," she said, her voice a husky whisper before she turned and walked away.I knew I had to be at the board meeting. Today was the day they voted to see if I kept my position as CEO or if my loathsome stepbrother Brad took over. But first, I needed to get to the bottom of this. Chloe. What the hell was she doing at Brad’s house?I got into my car and drove home to the Westbrook Mansion. My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than usual, knuckles white with suppressed anger. Chloe and I were on the verge of separation and divorce, but that didn't mean I didn't have the right to know what she was doing.I entered the mansion, the fam
ALANNAI hate being in the position of choice. I hate having to choose. Brad, impeccably dressed and radiating practiced charm, entered the sterile boardroom. "Alanna," he purred, his voice smooth as silk. "Looking lovely as ever today."A tight smile pulled at my lips. "Thank you, Brad.""And I trust you'll be making the right decision today?" he continued, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper."After all, we both know the company will be in better hands with me at the helm."My stomach churned. The blatant self-interest in his voice left a bad taste in my mouth. "We'll see what the vote reveals,Brad," I replied coolly.The door creaked open again, and Nolan stormed in, his face a mask of thunder. His disheveled appearance, Behind him, his mother, Mrs. Westbrook, swept in like a malevolent force of nature, her icy glare landing on me with pinpoint accuracy.As the board members trickled in, whispers and speculative glances filled the air. Mr. Raina, the weasel-faced board
CHAPTER 92CHLOEFEW HOURS AGOBrad's smug self-righteousness was starting to wear thin. His little act of the devoted "almost family man" with Alanna reeked of desperation and it wouldn't be long before someone saw through the facade. He was playing his own game, manipulating everyone like puppets on a string. And me? Well, I wasn't about to be another pawn in his twisted chess match.Across the plush hotel room table, Lucas fiddled with his cufflinks, a frown creasing his handsome face. "Chloe, this is a bad idea," he muttered, his voice laced with nervous energy.A low chuckle escaped my lips. "Nonsense, darling," I purred, leaning closer. The scent of his expensive cologne tickled my nose, a heady mix of confidence and something more primal. "This is exactly what we need.""Buying shares from the Westbrooks? That's practically poking a sleeping bear with a rusty spoon." He shot me a wary glance. "My mother, the Vogue Lady, will have my head."A sharp laugh erupted from me. "Mama'
NOLANThere were so many things to say and do but I knew it was going to backfire.All because of Alanna. Yes, Alanna.When I sold the shares to the anonymous shareholder, who turned out to be Alanna, a lot of board members weren't in support, they didn't want a new majority shareholder. But I had imposed and now the same act was going to come and bite me in the ass. “Let’s continue, since you are the new majority shareholder of the Westbrook empire, you have the right to stop the vote or go with it,” Mr. Reuben glanced at me even though he was talking to that prick Lucas, I could see through his attempt to buy me more time. “Why prolong the inevitable, I am going to vote Brad as CEO of the Westbrook empire,”The word echoed in my ear repeatedly ‘Brad as CEO of the Westbrook empire’All my hard work, all my battles just for him to take over, I clenched my fist, it was still my company but it stung so hard to be booted out as the CEO. Everything I had worked for, to keep the comp