The massive iron gates ahead groaned and slid open with a mechanical hum, and as they parted, the men in black suits stationed around the compound dipped their heads in unison, a synchronized bow of respect. The SUV gilded forward, the gravel crunching softly beneath the wheels before they rolled onto the smooth asphalt road.The gates closed behind them with a resounding clank, sealing them away from the sanctuary of the estate.The ride was cloaked in thick silence, broken only by the soft hum of the engine and the faint whisper of wind against the windows. Penelope sat stiffly, her arms crossed as her gaze flicked from the road ahead to the man beside her. She hated how composed he looked—one hand on the wheel, his eyes steady on the road, his jaw set in that familiar, unreadable line.Her mind raced. He hadn’t told her a thing—no destination, no reason, just get in.Her eyes narrowed slightly. She had played this silent game long enough.Finally, she broke the quiet, her voice
Her lips trembled slightly. “You…” She swallowed. “You’re not going to leave me here, are you?”Brayden’s brows pulled together, and a flicker of something—offense?—crossed his face. “No,” he said firmly. “I’d never do that.”Penelope felt her chest tightening, her pulse roaring in her ears. She searched his face, his expression—so calm, so steady. No lies. No malice.Her lips parted again, and after a shaky breath, she gave the smallest nod.“I…” She hesitated, then her voice steadied. “I trust you.”A flicker of something unreadable—relief?—passed through his eyes, but he only straightened and stepped back, offering his hand toward her.“Then come with me,” he said quietly.Penelope’s fingers hovered in the air, uncertain, before they slowly found his. His large, warm hand closed around hers, firm but careful.As their fingers touched, something strange pulsed through her chest—something she didn’t have time to understand.The path was barely visible, the ground soft with moss an
The afternoon sun beamed down on the Giovanni mansion.Inez, having finished tidying up the entire mansion, stepped outside, her sharp eyes scanning the area. She spotted Darla near the fountain, deep in conversation with another bodyguard.“Darla,” Inez called firmly, her voice steady but demanding attention.Darla turned immediately, her eyes softening with respect. “Yes, Inez?”“I’m heading in for a nap,” Inez stated, her tone clear. “I don’t want any disturbance. Make sure no one knocks or calls me.”Darla gave a firm nod, understanding how highly Brayden regarded Inez. “Understood. I’ll make sure you aren’t disturbed.”Inez’s lips curled slightly in approval. “Good.” Without another word, she turned and strode back into the mansion.The moment she entered her room, Inez locked the door, twisting the key with a sharp click. She paused for a second, listening—no footsteps, no voices. Satisfied, she rushed to her wardrobe, her heart pounding with an excitement she hadn’t felt in
Inez’s heart pounded as she sprinted through the dense forest, her lungs burning with each sharp breath. The cold night air cut through her, but she couldn’t stop—not now. Not ever. The flash drive pressed against her side, a tiny piece of plastic and metal that held the information they were willing to kill for.And they were right behind her.The crunch of heavy boots against the damp earth sent a spike of adrenaline through her veins. The men were getting closer, their sharp voices cutting through the silence of the trees.“She’s heading north!” one of them barked. “Don’t lose her! We have to get her before she escapes!”Branches whipped at her arms and legs as she ran, her body sore from the relentless escape. Every step was a gamble—one wrong move, one misstep, and she’d be dead. But Inez wasn’t the type to roll over and accept defeat.She darted through a clearing, but a bullet zipped past her, embedding itself into a tree trunk just inches from her head. She barely had ti
Inez crouched low behind a fallen tree, her pulse hammering in her ears. Her muscles ached from the endless running, and the cut on her arm throbbed, warm blood trickling down her sleeve. She clenched her jaw against the pain and forced herself to focus. The men were still searching for her, their flashlights slicing through the darkness like blades.“She has to be close!” one of them barked.Inez heard the sound of a gun being cocked. They weren’t playing around.She gripped the damp earth beneath her fingers, forcing her breaths to slow. She had to get to her van. It was parked on the dirt road just beyond the thick trees ahead, but the men were in the way. She needed a distraction.A few feet to her left, she spotted a thick, moss-covered rock. Quietly, she reached for it, her fingers curling around its rough surface. Holding her breath, she flung it in the opposite direction. It crashed against a tree with a loud crack.“There!” one of the
Inez moved through the mansion’s backyard like a shadow, her breaths coming in short, sharp gasps. The pain in her side was getting worse, but she ignored it. Every step she took sent sharp jolts through her body, her wounds stinging from the dried blood clinging to her skin.She had to get back inside.Her eyes darted around, scanning for guards or any signs of movement. The mansion was still—too still. She knew the security team took shifts, but Darla and the others were sharp. If they suspected anything, they would double back.The window she had climbed out of earlier was just ahead. It was still slightly open, exactly as she had left it. She exhaled in relief. That was her way in.But just as she reached out to grab the ledge, the sound of footsteps sent her heart slamming against her ribs.She ducked.A flashlight beam swept across the yard.Damn it.One of the guards was making rounds. If she moved now, she’d be spotted. She pressed herself against the cold stone wall, bare
The drive back to the Giovanni Mansion was quieter than usual.Penelope sat beside Brayden, staring out of the window as the car moved through the dimly lit streets. The tension between them was thick, making every second stretch longer than it should. Neither of them spoke, but she could feel the occasional glance Brayden stole in her direction.She knew exactly why.The kiss.The memory of it burned fresh in her mind, making her heart hammer against her ribs.She swallowed hard, shifting slightly in her seat. Maybe it was just the heat of the moment. Maybe he wasn’t thinking straight when he kissed her.But then why hadn’t he said anything about it since?She snuck a glance at him. He looked composed, as if nothing had happened. His hands rested on the steering wheel, his gaze focused ahead, his jaw tight.Penelope exhaled softly and looked away again.It was fine.She would pretend it never happened.By the time they reached the mansion, it was already late. The butlers opened
Penelope walked into the dining room that morning, feeling slightly anxious. After what had happened the previous night, she wasn’t sure how to act around Brayden. Would he bring it up? Would he pretend it never happened?She had barely slept, replaying the moment over and over in her head. The way he had kissed her. The way she had responded. The way she had asked him to leave.Now, as she sat down, she immediately felt the cold tension in the air.Brayden was already seated, his expression unreadable, his posture stiff. He barely acknowledged her presence, his gaze focused on his plate as he ate with an air of irritation.Penelope hesitated before taking her seat, casting a quick glance at Mrs. Giovanni, who was sipping her tea calmly, pretending not to notice the awkward atmosphere. Anya was swinging her feet under the table, humming softly to herself as she played with her food.Penelope swallowed, picking up her fork. Maybe she was overthinking things. Maybe—“You’re late,” Bra
Brayden was seated in his office, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand, when his phone buzzed on the desk. He glanced at the screen, his eyes narrowing at the blocked number.Without hesitation, he picked it up and swiped to open the message.“Tick tock, darling. Every second wasted is a second closer to your precious Penelope’s last breath. Make the right choice. Let’s not make this messy.”Victoria.His jaw clenched so tightly that a sharp ache spread through his temples.She was playing with fire.Brayden took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. Anger clouded judgment, and he needed his mind sharp.He quickly forwarded the message to Luca, adding a simple yet deadly instruction.“Find Penelope within 24 hours or your head will roll like a dice on the floor.”Luca’s response was instant.“Already on it, boss. I won’t fail.”Brayden exhaled sharply, setting his whiskey aside. He didn’t have time to sit here drinking. There w
Brayden had barely stepped away from the chaos of the gala when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out, his sharp gray eyes narrowing as he saw the name flashing across the screen.Victoria Monroe.His jaw tightened as he accepted the call, bringing the phone to his ear.“What do you want, Victoria?” His voice was flat, laced with irritation.A soft chuckle echoed through the line, her tone dripping with amusement. “Oh, Brayden, is that any way to greet your future wife?”His fingers curled into a fist at his side. “You’re delusional.”“Am I?” she mused. “Because I think you’ll find yourself very much engaged to me in the next few hours.”Brayden’s brows furrowed. “What the hell are you talking about?”Victoria hummed lightly. “Check your messages, darling. I sent you something interesting.”Brayden pulled the phone away from his ear and tapped into his inbox. A new message awaited him, and as soon as he clicked on it, his breath still
Brayden stood near the back of the grand ballroom, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd as he mentally prepared himself for what was about to unfold. The night had been running smoothly so far, but the real event was just about to begin.The host of the gala, an older gentleman with graying hair and a distinguished presence, stepped onto the elevated stage at the far end of the room. He tapped the microphone twice, gathering the attention of the guests as the classical music in the background faded into silence.“Ladies and gentlemen,” the host began, his voice carrying across the room, “tonight, we celebrate not just wealth and power, but partnerships that shape the future of our industries. And to begin this prestigious evening, I would like to invite the man of the hour, our gracious host, and one of the most influential businessmen of our time—Mr. Brayden Giovanni.”A round of applause echoed through the room as all eyes turned toward him. Brayden adjusted his
Victoria Monroe stepped out of the steaming shower, the soft glow of candlelight flickering against the marbled bathroom walls. The scent of lavender and vanilla filled the air as she wrapped herself in a plush robe, letting her damp blonde curls cascade over her shoulders.As she stepped into her bedroom, her gaze landed on a small white envelope resting neatly on the glass table near her bedside.Her brows lifted slightly. She hadn’t heard anyone come in.Intrigued, she walked over, plucking the envelope between her manicured fingers.The wax seal was embossed with the emblem of Giovanni Industries.A slow smirk curled at her lips.So, they had pulled through after all.Victoria slid her finger beneath the seal, tearing it open with practiced ease. Inside was an elegantly designed invitation, the golden lettering spelling out the details of tonight’s grand gala.Her blue eyes flickered with satisfaction.Of course, she was already attending
Penelope entered her room, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting a golden hue over the walls. She let out a quiet sigh, slipping off her heels, her body aching from the long day.But the moment her gaze landed on her bed, she froze.A neatly wrapped black box sat in the center of the mattress, its sleek ribbon tied in a perfect bow.Her heart skipped a beat.Slowly, she approached it, her fingers hesitantly reaching for the small white note placed on top.‘Wear this tonight.’The handwriting was bold, sharp, and unmistakable.Brayden.She exhaled, setting the note aside before carefully lifting the lid of the box.Inside, the most breathtaking dress she had ever seen lay folded perfectly. Black silk, smooth as water, adorned with delicate silver stones that shimmered under the light. The fabric felt cool beneath her fingertips as she lifted it, its weight luxurious yet light.Resting beside it were matching silver heels, diamond earrings,
Victoria Monroe sat on the plush couch in her penthouse suite, one leg crossed over the other, a glass of wine balanced delicately in her hand. The soft glow of the city lights filtered through the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, but her focus was entirely on the television screen in front of her.A news anchor was mid-sentence, speaking with enthusiasm as images of Brayden Giovanni flashed across the screen.“During a press statement earlier today, billionaire CEO Brayden Giovanni clarified his relationship with socialite and businesswoman Victoria Monroe. Despite the circulating rumors, Mr. Giovanni stated that their interactions were purely business-related, putting to rest any speculation about a romantic connection.”Victoria’s fingers tightened around the stem of her wine glass.Her striking blue eyes darkened with anger as she replayed the words in her mind.Purely business.That bastard.She had spent so much time, carefully weaving hersel
Brayden stepped into the sleek conference room of the company, his sharp eyes scanning the table where his media team sat waiting. The air was thick with tension, each member sitting up straighter the moment he entered. The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow over the polished glass table, but no one was relaxed enough to admire the view.Without a word, Brayden slid into his seat at the head of the table, adjusting the cuffs of his tailored suit. He exuded control, his every movement precise.“The gala,” he started, his voice calm but firm. “I want it scheduled for tonight.”Murmurs of surprise rippled through the room. One of the senior planners, a middle-aged man with glasses, hesitated before clearing his throat.“Tonight, sir?” he asked, shifting in his chair. “It was originally set for next week. Some of the arrangements—”“I don’t care about the original schedule,” Brayden interrupted, his tone clipped
Penelope stepped out of the cab, her heart still pounding from what she had overheard at Desmond’s house. The cool night breeze did little to calm her racing thoughts as she made her way toward the villa’s entrance.She had to tell Brayden.She hesitated at the door, gripping the cold handle. Part of her still burned with resentment toward him for how he had treated her earlier, but this wasn’t about her. This was about Anya. If those men went through with their plan, Anya would be in danger, and she couldn’t live with herself if she didn’t do something to stop it.Exhaling shakily, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.The house was quiet. The usual staff had already retreated for the night, and the dim lighting cast long shadows across the marble floor.She walked up the grand staircase, her fingers gripping the railing tightly as she debated her next move.Would he even believe her?Would he care?Her hands curled into fists as she
The room was suffocatingly dim, the only source of light coming from the flickering candles placed at the center of the worn wooden table. Shadows danced along the cracked walls, making the two cloaked figures sitting across from each other appear even more ominous.They had been waiting for the arrival of their third partner.The silence was thick, tense. Neither of them spoke, but the rhythmic tapping of one’s fingers against the wooden surface echoed softly in the space.Then, the heavy metal door groaned open, indicating someone was coming in.A figure stepped inside, dressed in a crisp black suit. Unlike the cloaked men, he wore no hood to conceal his identity, but his features remained shadowed in the dim lighting.His polished shoes barely made a sound as he strode forward, his movements exuding quiet confidence. He reached into his coat and pulled out a sleek tablet, placing it in front of them before sliding it across the table.One of