The threat was real, and everyone in the room knew it. Kyle’s jaw tightened, his fists clenched in barely contained rage, but it was Richard’s reaction that mattered. And for the first time since Nathan had walked in, Richard looked rattled. His composure cracked as the realization set in: Nathan was in control, and there was no way out.The silence that followed was thick, and suffocating, as Richard slowly leaned back in his chair, his gaze hardening, but there was no more fire in his eyes. Nathan had him cornered, and he knew it. The room felt as though it might explode with the tension, but before anyone could speak, Nathan rose to his feet.As the tension in the room thickened, Richard Stones shifted uncomfortably in his seat, eyes darting between Nathan and me. His hand gripped the arm of his chair, knuckles turning white. His firm expression cracked for just a moment, revealing the conflict raging within him."I’ll tell you," Richard finally said, his voice low but strained, "b
As we drove back to the hotel, the silence between us was thick with unspoken thoughts. The city lights blurred by outside the car window, but my mind was focused on one thing. Jesse Cain. I couldn’t stop thinking about how Uncle Jesse had betrayed Nathan, about how he had played a part in the Stones’ move against him. I turned to Nathan, studying his face, the sharp angles of his jaw clenched in thought. His eyes, always calculating, now seemed distant.Finally, I broke the silence. "What are you going to do about Uncle Jesse?"Nathan didn’t look at me right away, his fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel as he thought. His response came after a long pause, his voice low and controlled. "Nothing.""Nothing?" I echoed, unable to hide the surprise in my voice. "He betrayed you, Nathan. He gave them everything. How can you just - -"Nathan cut me off, turning to glance at me for the first time since I asked the question. "Jesse’s not worth it," he said calmly, but there was a sh
Pachi's revelation hit like a thunderbolt, shattering the room's fragile calm. "Carlos has joined the Sanchez gang," he announced, his voice heavy with concern. "They're planning to target Don Chappo and Nathan's clubs and casinos."For a moment, the words hung in the air, their full weight not yet sinking in. I felt Nathan's grip on me tighten, his body tensing as the implications registered. "You're sure about this?" Nathan's voice was low, edged with a steely resolve.Pachi nodded, his expression grave. "I've got reliable information. Carlos is deeply involved with the Sanchez gang now, and they're plotting to undermine your operations."A surge of emotions threatened to overwhelm me. Carlos, the man I once loved, now entangled with a dangerous gang, aiming to destroy the very establishments that had become my sanctuary. I glanced up at Nathan, searching for guidance, for reassurance.Nathan's eyes met mine, a storm of determination brewing within them. "We need to act swiftly," he
As I walked into the office, I immediately spotted Rose. She glanced at me as I approached, a subtle smile forming on her lips, though it was clear she had something weighing on her mind. Rose had always been a key figure in the company, the go-to person for anything related to its inner workings, especially with her direct ties to Steve. But today, I had a different agenda."Rose," I said, softly but firmly, as I sat across from her. "I need to talk to you."Her eyes flipped with curiosity. “Of course, what is it?”“So how’s Steve?” I asked.“Since when did you start caring about him?” she asked jokingly, and I knew I had to go straight to the point with her.I leaned forward, lowering my voice even though we were alone. “I know you work for Steve, but I need to know where your true loyalties lie. Things are getting... complicated.”Rose leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. There was a moment of hesitation before she spoke, but her voice was resolute when she finally answered
The atmosphere in Café De Royal's VIP section was filled with tension. The soft golden lights reflected off the dark leather seats, and the faint hum of jazz music in the background seemed almost mocking, given the gravity of the conversation about to unfold. Pachi was discreet as he personally escorted us to the section, aware that this wasn’t a casual meeting. His eyes met mine briefly before he left, a look of concern flashing across his face. I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself as I sat across from Carlos. We were no longer ordinary customers because of the people we now work for.He leaned back in his chair, looking far too relaxed for someone who had just turned his life over to a gang. His posture screamed arrogance, but beneath it, I saw the same man I had once loved—someone now lost in a world of false promises and dangerous alliances.“Carlos,” I started, my voice steady, though my insides churned. “You need to leave me alone. This, or whatever you're doing with
Lisa smiled at me, her expression brightening in a way that caught me off guard. "I’m so glad to see you two working things out again," she said, her tone light and cheerful as if we were old friends reconnecting.I stared at her in disbelief, my mind racing. Did she really think that? Did she not see how frail the threads of our past were, how easily they could snap? “You really think this is ‘working things out’?” I replied, incredulous. “When you’re done screwing Carlos, you can call me to continue the conversation.”Carlos shifted beside me, his jaw tightening. “Stop,” he said, his voice low and commanding.I raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. “Stop what, exactly? Being honest? Or are you saying I should stop calling out your bullshit?”Lisa shifted uncomfortably, her confident smile faltering as she glanced between us. The atmosphere was charged with tension, her earlier joy dissolving into a thin veneer of awkwardness. “Maybe I should just- -”Pachi stepped out from the back
As I sat on the edge of the bed with Nathan, the soft glow of the lamp casting a warm light over us, my phone buzzed. I glanced down and saw a message from Pachi."Don Chappo wants to see me," I said, breaking the comfortable silence.Nathan looked up from his tablet, his expression calm yet attentive. "He’s probably very pleased with how you handled the situation with the Stones." He paused, studying my face as if reading the mix of emotions there. "You can go see him in the morning. No need to rush."I nodded, relieved that Nathan didn’t seem alarmed by the message. But there was something else weighing on my mind, something I knew I needed to tell him before the night went on. I shifted, pulling my legs up beneath me, facing him fully.“There’s something else I need to talk to you about,” I said quietly.Nathan raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift in my tone. He set his tablet aside and gave me his full attention. “What is it?”I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “I had an inci
Walking into Don Chappo’s office, I could feel the tension in the air, though I kept my expression neutral. Nathan had insisted I bring bodyguards, and they were waiting just outside. But, as always, Don Chappo preferred private discussions, and I found myself standing in the dimly lit room with just him.The Don sat behind his massive oak desk, leaning back in his chair with a half-smile as I entered. "You’re becoming quite the force to be reckoned with," he said, his voice smooth but carrying an underlying edge. "Nathan’s lucky to have you on his side."I didn’t respond immediately, taking a seat across from him. His eyes followed my movements, assessing, calculating. "What did you want to discuss, Don Chappo?" I asked, cutting through the pleasantries.He chuckled, the sound deep and unsettling. "Straight to business. I like that." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "I’m having... difficulties with a few of my bankers. They’re being more difficult than usual about s
Everything had settled into place like the final pieces of a grand puzzle. What once felt like an insurmountable storm had passed, leaving behind a new world, one where Nathan remained the undisputed king, but this time, with order and stability.I had been called back to school, a sign that my life was finally returning to normal, or at least something close to it. The weight of uncertainty that had once loomed over me had lifted, replaced by a newfound sense of freedom and direction. Katrina had received 30% of all the clubs and hotels I owned as per the agreement, securing her future and allowing her to walk away from the chaos without regrets.Nathan, ever the strategist, had made swift work of tying up loose ends. With Don Chappo’s assistance, he had not only removed every trace of the gang that had threatened our lives but had also found a way to put Carlos to good use. Carlos had been given a fresh start—an actual career, a legitimate one—working under Nathan and Don Chappo’s g
The boardroom was thick with tension. Every eye was on Nathan, Alex Sommer, Steve, and Uncle Jesse as the battle for control of Cain Corporation reached its climax.Alex Sommer, ever the smooth talker, stood up, adjusting his perfectly tailored suit with an air of confidence. He glanced around the room and smirked, his voice dripping with condescension."None of this matters," he declared, his eyes locking on Nathan. "You can throw all the accusations you want, but it's not enough to stop the change of leadership. The majority of the shares are in my control now. That is all that matters."Blake, Nathan’s sharp and calculating lawyer, was quick to respond. He stood with an easy grace, his expression unreadable."Tell me, Alex," Blake began, "is fraud, not enough grounds to stop another fraud?"Alex narrowed his eyes, shifting his weight slightly."What are you implying?"Blake’s gaze swept the room, ensuring that every board member was listening before he continued."The very people w
The tension in the boardroom was suffocating. The air was thick with silent power plays, unspoken accusations, and the weight of the decision that would determine the fate of Cain Corporation. Nathan sat at the head of the table, his posture calm but commanding, his piercing eyes scanning the room. He wasn’t here to beg, he was here to remind them exactly who he was.My only fear was that I hoped he knew the game he was playing. A lot of things don’t favour him at the moment, but I think he can appeal to the Board members so that they can stand by him. A lot of them worshipped him, yet this was a tough call.Uncle Jesse cleared his throat and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the polished mahogany table. He clasped his hands together in a gesture of authority before addressing the board members."Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice smooth and practised, "we have gathered here today for an important matter, one that affects the very future of this company." He took a moment t
As we stepped into the office, a hushed tension blanketed the room. It was as if everyone had already caught wind of the chaos unfolding behind closed doors. Employees who normally went about their business were suddenly stealing glances at us, some filled with curiosity, others with thinly veiled concern.Nathan walked beside me, his expression unreadable, his steps measured and confident. I, on the other hand, could feel the weight of every stare pressing into my back. This wasn’t just another board meeting. This was a battle. A battle for control, for power, for survival.Blake was the first to greet us, standing just outside the boardroom with an air of quiet authority. He gave us a tight-lipped smile, his eyes scanning Nathan’s face for any signs of hesitation.“They’re waiting for you,” he said in a low voice. “Uncle Jesse, Steve, Alex… they’re all inside. They’ve wasted no time.”Nathan let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. “Of course they haven’t.”Blake’s expression hard
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains of Nathan’s penthouse, casting long golden streaks across the room. I stirred beneath the silk sheets, the warmth of last night’s intimacy still lingering on my skin. For the first time in what felt like forever, I had slept soundly, wrapped in Nathan’s arms. But as I opened my eyes, the weight of reality crashed back onto my shoulders.Nathan was already up, standing by the window with his phone pressed to his ear. His posture was tense, his back rigid as he listened intently to whoever was on the other end of the line. I could only catch snippets of the conversation.“…Yes. Make sure it’s all filed before the meeting… No, I don’t care what Alex Sommer thinks he’s planning,” He paused, exhaling sharply before adding, “Just do it.”I sat up slowly, watching him as he ended the call and turned around. His piercing eyes met mine, but they weren’t filled with the warmth I had seen last night. Instead, they were sharp and calculating. H
As the warm water cascaded over my body, I let out a deep sigh, letting the steam wrap around me like a comforting embrace. The tension of the past days had been suffocating, and for the first time in a while, I allowed myself to relax.I ran my hands through my hair, washing out the last traces of soap, my eyes closed as I let the water cleanse not just my body, but my mind as well. When I finally opened them, my breath hitched.Nathan stood before me.He was completely bare, his chiselled form illuminated by the dim, misty light of the bathroom. Droplets of water clung to his skin, accentuating every curve of his muscles. His deep blue eyes held mine, dark with something I couldn’t quite name, something raw, something undeniable.For a moment, neither of us moved. The sound of the water filled the space between us, the steam creating a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere. My heart pounded in my chest, my skin prickling with awareness.Then, he stepped forward.His fingers trailed up my arm,
As we stepped into Nathan’s penthouse, the tension from the boardroom still lingered in the air. Nathan’s jaw was set, his mind clearly working through everything that had just happened. I had barely settled onto the couch when the doorbell rang.Nathan didn’t even need to guess who it was. He strode to the door, exhaled deeply, and pulled it open.Katrina stood there, her sharp gaze moving between the two of us before she stepped inside as if she owned the place. She was still dressed in the same impeccable blazer from the board meeting, her posture poised, but there was a flicker of unease in her expression.Nathan shut the door and turned to face her. “Alright, Katrina. Let’s cut to it. What deal did she offer you?”Katrina tilted her head slightly, then smirked. “You seem impatient.”“I don’t have time for your games,” Nathan replied, crossing his arms. “Tell me.”Katrina’s gaze flickered toward me as if debating whether to say it out loud. But then she shrugged and leaned against
As Nathan and I stepped into the conference room, an unmistakable tension filled the air. Every board member was present, their eyes shifting between one another, some avoiding Nathan’s piercing gaze, others openly hostile. But what caught me off guard the most was the sight of Katrina seated confidently among them. She was dressed in a sleek black blazer, her expression unreadable, but there was something steely in her gaze as she met Nathan’s eyes.Nathan’s posture stiffened. He scanned the room, his piercing eyes locking onto each individual before settling on Katrina for a moment. Then, in a voice dripping with restrained fury, he asked, “What is going on here? Who gave the authority to call a board meeting in the middle of the night?”A slow, deliberate chuckle broke the silence.It was Uncle Jesse. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the polished mahogany table, and clasped his hands together as if he had all the time in the world. His smug expression made my stomach twist
The revelation that Steve, Uncle Jesse, and Alex Sommer had called for an emergency board meeting sent a chill through me. This wasn’t just a power move, it was a calculated strike, and if Nathan didn’t act fast, he could lose everything.We grabbed our things but instead of moving towards the door, we stood there looking at each other. I wondered how we got here, to the point where we are almost losing everything we hold dear. Our love, my school, and Nathan’s empire seemed to be crashing down with n solution.I turned to him, my voice firm despite the panic bubbling inside me. “Nathan, if they’ve called a board meeting without you, it’s not a good omen. You know what this means.”Nathan clenched his jaw, running a hand through his dark hair as he exhaled heavily. “I know,” he said, his voice laced with frustration. “But what do you want me to do? Sit here and watch everything I built get handed over to Alex Sommer on a platter of gold?” His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, a sto