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
As I turned to leave, sensing the weight of the conversation that was about to unfold between Nathan and Katrina, her voice stopped me in my tracks. “Wait!” she exclaimed, her tone shifting from urgent to contemplative. “On second thought, you should stay. I want you here.”I hesitated, glancing at Nathan, who looked equally surprised. “Katrina, are you sure about this?” he asked, scepticism evident in his voice. “This is personal.”“Yes, I know,” she replied, her gaze shifting between us. “But if we’re going to figure this out, I want you both involved. Nathan, what are you thinking? What deal is on the table?”Nathan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly torn. “I’m not ready to discuss specifics yet. There are a lot o
The club was something else. I don’t know how Nathan does it, but it looked more vibrant than it was. The music was everything anyone would wish for. The crowd surely enjoyed it and the club's mood would certainly want you to put every worry away and buy in.Nathan and I danced, laughter spilling from our lips, and the weight of the world felt lighter for a while.As we moved together, I was acutely aware of how Nathan’s presence brought joy to the evening. He twirled me around, his laughter ringing in my ears, and I found myself swept away by the music, forgetting, even if just for a moment, the complications that awaited us in the outside world.But then, just as the music shifted to a more sensual tune, I caught sight of Steve making his way through the throng of bodies. My heart raced, not enti
As we stepped into the chilly night air outside the club, the warmth and laughter from the dance floor evaporated in an instant. Carlos and his men appeared out of nowhere, their intense expressions signalling immediate danger. In that split second, the carefree night transformed into chaos as they advanced toward us, their determination radiating a chilling threat. Fear gripped me as the gravity of the situation settled in, leaving Nathan and me no choice but to brace ourselves for whatever was about to unfold."Nathan!" I exclaimed, instinctively grabbing his arm as the confrontation escalated. The sheer number of Carlos's men made my heart race, and I instinctively knew that we were about to be engulfed in a violent storm."Hold still and relax," Nathan said, his voice low and steady, though I could see the tension etched in his features. He stepped in front
“Nathan, we need to get out of here!” I urged, feeling the adrenaline drain away, replaced by a dizzying wave of weakness. The fight was still raging around us, but I could see the concern etched on Nathan’s face, the urgency of our situation pressing down on us.“No, I won’t leave you!” he insisted, his voice fierce yet panicked. “You’re hurt!”I shook my head, trying to focus. “Just… just hold on. We need to get to safety. We can’t stay here.” I could feel the world tilting around me, my vision blurring as the realization of the gunshot's consequences began to settle in.But Nathan didn’t move. He was still transfixed, his eyes locked on Carlos, who had backed away, uncertainty flickering across his face. “You want to play with fire, Carlos?” Nathan said, his voice low and threatening. “You don’t know what you’re getting into.”Before I could protest, Nathan turned fully toward me, his expression shifting from anger to desperation. “We need to get you help. Now!”I felt his grip tig
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