The hospital room door swung open just as Victoria stepped out, her eyes immediately catching the bouquet in Alexander’s hand. Her expression lit up, and she reached out to take them eagerly."Xander!" she said with delight, lowering her head to inhale the scent of the roses.Behind her, Michelle watched the exchange with barely concealed jealousy. She knew better than to let it show, though, and quickly signaled for someone to fetch a vase. Soon, the deep crimson blooms were placed neatly on the bedside table, their delicate petals bright against the stark white hospital linens.Victoria ran her fingers lightly over the velvety petals, her heart warming at the thought that Alexander had brought them for her. What she didn’t realize was that he had grabbed the bouquet from a random florist on his way over—an afterthought rather than a heartfelt gesture. He simply hadn’t wanted to show up empty-handed."Feeling any better?" Alexander asked, his tone polite but distant.With him firmly o
"Why did you hit Victoria?" Alexander’s voice was calm, but there was an edge to it, an unspoken demand for clarity.His grip on the steering wheel was loose yet controlled, the soft glow of the dashboard casting sharp angles across his face. He didn’t know Ava well enough to predict her every move, but she never struck him as someone prone to violence. Yet, the security footage had told a different story—Ava’s strike had been swift, deliberate, and unrelenting. A broken rib wasn’t something minor, and while Victoria had shown aggression first, her slap hadn’t even landed. Ava's retaliation, on the other hand, had been brutal.Sitting in the passenger seat, Ava shifted uncomfortably. The smooth leather was cool against her palms, but her skin felt oddly warm. The pain in her arm was a dull throb, a constant reminder of her own injuries. But what had truly set her off that night had nothing to do with Victoria alone—it was the weight of everything: the betrayal, the secrets, the presen
Dear Gentle Readers,apologies for delay, please enjoy...---------Back at the Upper West Side, Ava had no time to rest. She changed into a fresh outfit—an elegant but sharp beige blazer paired with fitted trousers—and headed straight for the Morales family’s company.As soon as she entered the sleek, marble-clad lobby, a low murmur spread among the employees. She ignored the curious glances and strode toward the reception desk, her heels clicking with purpose. The receptionist, a young woman with neatly pinned hair, gave her a hesitant smile before quickly picking up the phone.In the CEO’s office, Kenny sat in Alfonso’s chair, his fingers tapping idly against the dark oak desk. At the mention of Ava’s arrival, a flicker of amusement crossed his face, quickly replaced by a glint of malice.He had expected her.With Josh too preoccupied with his own troubles—his humiliating condition and his burning obsession with revenge—Kenny had smoothly taken the reins of the company. Araminta had
The sterile scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, mixing with the faint hum of medical equipment monitoring every breath Alfonso took. The dim lighting in the hospital room cast long shadows, making the space feel colder than it already was.Ava sat beside the bed, her fingers curled around her father’s frail, calloused hand. She had spent the last few days in a relentless cycle of worry, exhaustion, and hope, unsure whether he would wake up at all.Then, finally, a flicker of movement.Alfonso's eyelids fluttered before slowly, painstakingly, opening. His eyes, bloodshot and rimmed with exhaustion, locked onto Ava’s face. There was something in them—something urgent, desperate, almost pleading. But when he tried to speak, the oxygen mask stifled his words, reducing them to shallow gasps.Ava’s heart clenched at the sight."Dad," she said softly, squeezing his hand. "Please don’t push yourself. You're still recovering. You need to take it slow."Tears welled up in his eyes, spillin
With his passport, bank card, and phone securely in his pocket, Kenny was just about to leisurely step into his car when—out of nowhere—a rough burlap sack was thrown over his head."Who?!" he shouted, his voice laced with sudden panic.There was no answer. Instead, a pair of strong hands grabbed him, dragging him backward into a dark alley. Before he could struggle, blunt blows landed on his body—hard, merciless strikes from what felt like wooden clubs. A dull, sickening pain spread through his limbs as the world around him became a blur of agony.Kenny's mind raced. He was supposed to be on a flight out of the country tonight. The money had already been transferred, and Alfonso could wake up at any moment. If Alfonso identified him, everything—years of careful scheming, countless manipulations—would be ruined. Who the hell was doing this? And why now, at the worst possible moment?Damn it!Fear coiled in his gut as he tried to bargain. "Stop hitting me! I'll give you fifty thousand d
Ava's forehead furrowed deeper as she scanned the document in front of her. It outlined a five hundred million dollar collaboration between the Morales family and PW Group, yet it was frustratingly vague on specifics.Her fingers tightened around the paper. What kind of deal required such an astronomical cash flow? Even during the last round of financing, the Vanderbilt family hadn’t invested this much. This project was larger than any she had seen before.A cold sense of unease settled in her chest. Something wasn’t right.Without wasting another moment, she picked up her phone and called Alexei Volkov. After acquiring Mr. Thompson’s company, Alexei had gained considerable insight into PW Group, far more than Rachel would know.When he picked up, there was an unmistakable smirk in his voice. “Ava, really? You only call me when you need something? What happened to our friendship?”His tone was teasing, but she didn’t have time for games.“Mr. Volkov,” she said, trying to keep her voice
The city stretched out beyond the vast floor-to-ceiling windows of the Vanderbilt family’s office, its skyline glowing against the velvet night. The twinkling lights reflected off the polished mahogany desk where Alexander sat, a stark contrast to his cold, impassive demeanor. Shadows from the skyscrapers flickered across the glass, but he remained motionless, focused on the papers before him.Jonathan entered the room, a stack of documents in hand, his expression tinged with hesitation. "Sir," he began cautiously, "I heard that PW Group has signed a cooperation agreement with the Morales family."Alexander didn’t even glance up. His fingers tapped idly against the edge of his pen, his attention still fixed on the contract before him.Jonathan hesitated before continuing. "Five hundred million dollars. That’s the Morales family’s two-year order volume, and they have to complete it within six months. If they fail, they’ll face severe penalties—possibly even bankruptcy."The silence tha
Ava furrowed her brows slightly. Was losing her position such a devastating blow to Michelle?Tears streamed down Michelle's face, her expression twisted with rage and humiliation. "He actually sided with you—he actually sided with you! There must be something unspeakable between you two! You seduced him, you wretched woman! I hope you rot in hell!"Ava found the accusation almost laughable. Now, she fully understood—Michelle’s fury wasn’t just about losing her job. Alexander must have dismissed her personally, delivering a blow to both her career and her pride.Watching Michelle unravel, Ava decided she had tolerated enough. Striding forward as the security guards held Michelle back, she landed two sharp slaps across her face.The sound echoed in the tense air.Michelle stood frozen, her wide eyes filled with disbelief as she slowly raised a trembling hand to her stinging cheek. "You dare to hit me?"Ava smiled, a slow and deliberate curve of her lips. "Yes. I do."She leaned in slig
Alexander couldn't focus, his thoughts scattered and restless. As his phone rang with a call from a business partner, he seized the moment and stood up.“Grandpa, the business partner is calling. I need to go over the details of this morning’s meeting,” he said, already moving away.Grandpa let out a long, weary sigh. To him, it looked like Alexander was just eager to escape. “If you put that much effort into Serena,” he grumbled, “you two would have had a house full of kids by now. Go on, but no matter how busy work gets, don’t forget the wife waiting for you at home.”Alexander didn’t answer. He slipped into his car and glanced at the dashboard clock—8:00 PM. Ignoring the call still ringing on his screen, he turned the key and headed straight to the hotel.By the time he arrived, it was 8:30.His phone buzzed again. It was Jonathan, this time with more urgent news—Ryan had been arrested, and sensitive information about PW Group had been leaked. By morning, the media would be ablaze w
The Vanderbilt building was unusually still for a Friday evening. Outside, the city buzzed as it always did, but inside Alexander’s top-floor office, silence reigned.The only light came from the city skyline pouring in through floor-to-ceiling windows. Alexander stood by the glass, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a thick, official envelope.The divorce had been finalized. Her name — Serena Ava Morales Vanderbilt — would no longer be linked to his. And yet, the weight in his chest hadn’t budged. If anything, it had settled deeper.The quiet was broken by the buzz of his phone.Hugo.He answered with a low, “Yeah?”“Finally!” Hugo’s voice crackled through the speaker. “You’re free. About damn time, man.”Alexander didn’t respond.“So,” Hugo continued, voice laced with mischief, “how about some celebratory drinks? I’ve got a private room at 230 Fifth, and I might’ve invited a few… distractions.”“Hugo—”“Come on, don’t be boring. Half the city would give their left arm for a
Ava sat cross-legged on the floor of her apartment, Rex’s warm head resting against her knee. The golden retriever let out a soft, contented sigh, completely unaware of the life-changing moment that had just arrived.On the table before her lay a sealed envelope.Her name printed clearly beneath it:Serena Ava Morales Vanderbilt.She knew what it was. In fact, she’d been waiting for this moment for years — though not in longing or hope.She had never begged for Alexander’s attention. Never sought his approval.Not five years ago, when she signed that marriage certificate under the cold gazes of the powerful Vanderbilt family and Alfonso, her father’s watchful eyes.Not when he had left the country right after signing the marriage certificate without a word, abandoning a marriage neither of them had wanted.She had lived alone since then.Alone with the Morales debt, the fading reputation of he
Alexander didn’t remember much of the drive back. The city was a blur of lights and shadows, his thoughts tangled and restless. The tight knot in his chest refused to ease.The image of Ava — Serena — standing by that window lingered with painful clarity. The hollow look in her eyes. The way her voice had cracked when she spoke of dignity, safety, and the things he’d stripped from her.He’d always considered himself a man in control, measured and strategic in every move, every decision. But tonight, for the first time, he felt powerless.And ashamed.He’d broken something he had no right to touch. Now, all he could do was try — maybe hopelessly — to repair what pieces remained.By the time he arrived at the Vanderbilt estate, the staff were long asleep, and the house was quiet. But he didn’t stop there. He headed straight to his private study, locking the door behind him.He pulled out his phone and made a call.Jonathan picked up on the second ring, sounding slightly groggy. “Sir?”A
The city lights blurred past as Alexander sped through the streets, his grip tight on the steering wheel. The cool night air seeped through the slightly opened window, but it did nothing to calm the restless storm inside him.For the first time in years, his usually sharp, calculated mind was clouded — not by business, not by rivals, but by a woman.His wife.And how badly he’d wronged her.Ava. Serena.Every time he said either name in his head now, it twisted something deep in his chest.He thought back to her messages — not a single word of accusation, not one plea for sympathy.Even after everything, she hadn’t used his name.She called him Mr. Vanderbilt.Professional. Distant. Like a stranger.And wasn’t that what he’d made himself?As he pulled into the underground parking of the hotel, he sat in the car for a long moment. His reflection in the windshield stared back at him — polished, cold, successful. A man respected, feared, envied. But none of that meant anything now.He gr
Alexander let out a sigh, leaning back in the chair as his grandfather rifled through a worn leather photo album placed neatly beside the chessboard. The old man flipped through its pages, mumbling to himself. The room felt heavier somehow, the air thick with nostalgia and something Alexander couldn’t quite name.Alexander leaned back against the worn leather chair in the grand sitting room of the Vanderbilt Mansion, pretending to sip his tea while his grandfather, Cornelius Vanderbilt Sr., dug through an old photo album. The scent of aged paper and tea leaves hung in the air, mixing with the warm, familiar atmosphere of a home built on old money and endless pride.He didn’t want to be here.His mind had been elsewhere all evening — on Ava.The hotel. The time. Her waiting.She’d agreed to meet him there, not because she wanted to — but because she had no choice.Because of Ryan Kuzmin.Alexander had promised her that if she surrendered to his terms — ten nights, no conditions — he wou
Dear Gentle Readers, Thank you for your support from the beginning until this point. This author really appreciates it. Never thought this story will have these many readers...This author understands your wish for this story to end therefore there will be 2 branches of the story from here onwards. The first branch is for Alexander to realize that Ava is Serena and the story can conclude there.The second branch is what the author has already prepared from the beginning. All good things must come to an end at some point...Please enjoy the ride and if you wish to read other story, please check out "Taming the Wild CEO" which has the following premise :For nearly four years Ella Stanford has been working as a secretary to Javier Summers, and for most of that time, she has been fighting her own feelings for him. Javier was undeniably sexy but she knew she should never fall for a ruthless playboy. He has never paid heed to her, so this has not been a problem but a struggle on her own
When Ava pulled up in front of the boutique, she sat frozen in her car for a long minute, her fingers clutching the steering wheel, her heart pounding. The neon lights reflected off the windshield in lurid pinks and reds, making everything feel surreal.With a deep breath, she opened the door, keeping her head down as she briskly walked toward the entrance.Inside, a burst of artificial floral perfume and soft pop music hit her. The boutique was dimly lit, with shimmering silk and lace displayed under glowing spotlights. Ava didn’t dare meet anyone’s eyes.The sales clerk approached — a middle-aged woman with shrewd eyes and a practiced smile that brightened the moment she saw Ava.“Beautiful lady, what kind are you looking for?” the woman asked warmly.Ava’s mouth opened, but the words wouldn’t come. She had no experience here — none of this belonged in her world. “A-anything is fine…” she stammered, avoiding the clerk’s gaze.The woman’s expression turned stern. “How can you be so c
By evening, after back-to-back meetings and an unrelenting day of negotiations, Alexander finally stepped out of the conference room. The moment he entered his office, his sharp gaze landed on Ava, quietly seated by the window.She looked pale, her skin almost translucent under the soft light, but her eyes held steady — calm, guarded, as though nothing from the night before had ever happened. Not a flicker of hesitation, not a single ripple.Alexander moved to his chair, sitting down with the unhurried grace of a man who always controlled the room. His eyes swept over her.She had a scarf wrapped snugly around her neck, a strange choice for this mild evening. It couldn’t hide everything though — a hint of bruising peeked from beneath the fabric. A turtleneck would’ve made more sense, but in this weather, it would have drawn too much attention.“Mr. Vanderbilt,” Ava said evenly, breaking the heavy silence.“I won’t back out from the remaining nine times. But can you give me Ryan’s info