As I grabbed my bag and headed toward the car, Nathan looked at me with surprise. He raised an eyebrow as if to question my decision, but the glint of approval in his eyes made it clear he wasn’t about to object.“You’re skipping class?” he asked, a slight smile curling at his lips as I slid into the car beside him.I met his gaze and nodded confidently. “If there’s an emergency meeting, I want to be there with you. Whatever’s going on, I’m not letting you face it alone.”His smile widened and softened, and he reached for my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine. He gently squeezed my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “Thank you,” he whispered, the warmth in his voice adding a touch of reassurance to the tense anticipation filling the car. I was glad I was with him.We didn’t need many words. In the silence that followed, I felt his appreciation, and he knew I wasn’t backing down. We were facing whatever awaited us together.“Go ahead and message your lecturer,” he said, h
As we walked through the different hallways leading to the lift, I could sense the tension in the building. Though no one spoke to us, it was as if they knew what the board members were up to. Nathan was calm as usual, but I could see that his steps and pace had increased, and I was playing catch up.We got to the conference room and Nathan pushed open the door, catching Uncle Jesse mid-sentence, his voice booming throughout the room, “Then, let’s proceed with the votes - -”But before he could finish, Rose’s voice cut through, firm and sharp, “I’m afraid you can’t call for a vote, Jesse. Nathan is here now.”A hush fell over the boardroom as all eyes snapped to us. Nathan’s gaze was steely as he scanned the room, settling finally on Jesse, who appeared surprised but didn’t back down. Jesse’s mouth twisted into a sly smile, his tone smooth as he replied, “We’ve been waiting for you, Nathan. The board has already decided we can’t delay the vote any longer.”Nathan’s jaw tightened. “Wai
The members of the board were expecting to hear from Nathan but he stood calm and reserved, looking at each one of them straight into the eyes. Some of them could not return his gaze and acted like they were busy or going through documents.Leaning close, I whispered softly, “Nathan, this board... it’s informal, remember? They only have shares of about 35% collectively, and none of them hold more than 5% on their own. You have a solid 55%, so technically, they can’t vote you out.” Nathan’s jaw tightened, but he listened, his eyes not leaving Katrina as she shifted uneasily in her seat across the room.“And there’s more,” I added in a lowered tone. “Katrina has already filed for divorce, so technically, she’s no longer part of the board. She can’t vote, no matter how determined she looks.”A slow, amused smile crept onto his face, barely noticeable but there, shining in his eyes. Nathan straightened and looked directly into my eyes for a brief moment, a glimmer of satisfaction flashing
Nathan’s eyes shone with a calculated intensity as he straightened, about to respond, but at that moment, the room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for his next words, the words that could very well decide the fate of them all.Nathan leaned forward, his tone calm but carrying an unmistakable edge. "My plan is simple," he said, his eyes locked onto Jesse. "Effective immediately, I am suspending Jesse Cain indefinitely for his collusion with the Stones to undermine this company."A stunned silence fell over the room, shattered only by the sound of Jesse rising from his seat, his face flushed with indignation. “You can’t suspend me based on accusations! You don’t have any evidence,” he spat, his voice a mixture of anger and fear.Nathan didn’t flinch. Instead, he met Jesse’s defiance with a firm gaze, unwavering. “Don’t make this harder than it has to be, Jesse,” he replied, his voice low and steady, with a hint of warning. “The evidence is there, documents, communications. All of it.
As Nathan and I stood just outside the boardroom, away from prying eyes, I turned to him, my expression serious. “Nathan,” I began softly, “I think I need to speak to Katrina separately. While you’re handling things with Kyle, I’ll try to reason with her… maybe there’s a way to bring her around.”Nathan’s brows knitted in concern, but he didn’t interrupt. He listened intently, his eyes scanning my face for a hint of what I was planning. Though I could see the expression on his face meant disapproval, I was not backing down from my idea.“I just feel like this is our best chance,” I continued, choosing my words carefully. “If she sees that we’re genuinely trying to secure the company’s future, maybe she’ll back off on some of her demands. But… I think you should handle Kyle alone.”Nathan nodded slowly, as if weighing the idea. “You’re sure about this?” he asked, his voice low. “Katrina’s been difficult, and she’s not exactly looking out for our best interests, I am sure you know that.
As I stepped into Nathan’s office, I was taken aback by the sound of laughter coming out of the room. It was a rare sound in these tense times. Nathan and Kyle were seated across from each other, each wearing an easy smile, their usual guarded expressions softened. For a second, I wondered if I was in the right place if somehow I’d wandered into an alternate reality where alliances held no bitterness or rivalry.I was sure that something must have triggered their laughter and not that they had something in common. Or they would actually be laughing at the threats they had issued each other.Kyle noticed me first, his face lighting up even more. “Well, if it isn’t Nathan’s brain box,” he greeted me, his tone both playful and respectful. There was no sarcasm, only an unexpected warmth that caught me off guard.Nathan looked up and smiled, that familiar, reassuring grin of his. “You’re just in time,” he said, waving me in. “Kyle and I were just... sharing a good laugh about old times.”C
Nathan’s expression remained calm, though I could see the steely resolve behind his eyes. “I’m expanding our empire, Steve,” he said plainly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “That means seizing opportunities when they come, even if it involves the Stones.”Steve’s brows knitted in frustration. “The Stones? So, Kyle was here, wasn’t he? And you think a deal with them will expand the ‘empire’?” His voice was filled with sarcasm as he took a step closer to Nathan, his voice low but filled with accusation. “You’re just making deals left and right, aren’t you? Or are you just trying to one-up the rest of us?”Nathan held up a hand, cutting him off before he could continue. “Kyle and I have an understanding,” he said, his voice cold and measured. “I’m buying shares in Stones Corporation. We both benefit. This isn’t a game, Steve, it’s called business. It’s about making sure this company, our company, stays ahead.”Steve shook his head, scoffing. “Is it? Or is it about you? Look aroun
As Steve stormed out, the door closed behind him with an audible thud, leaving an uneasy silence in its wake. Nathan turned to me, his eyes narrowed, his face still tense from the confrontation.He took a breath before saying, “Next time, don’t interfere when Steve and I are talking.”His words stung, a wave of disbelief rising in me. I had only tried to help, to keep things from escalating. I could not believe what Nathan just told me. I felt offended but kept my cool as I looked at him, unsure whether to hold back or push back.“Cut me out too, then, Nathan,” I replied, my voice low but charged. “I thought we were in this together, that you wanted me by your side. But lately, it feels like every time I try to help, you shut me down.”Nathan’s gaze softened, but he kept
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