"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
The meeting, originally scheduled for two hours, stretched into three due to an unexpected change midway. By the time it finally concluded, Alexander shut his laptop and glanced out the window. Night had fallen completely, and the cityscape shimmered with golden lights, illuminating the skyline in a breathtaking display.He had informed Jonathan earlier that he would be driving himself tonight, so his assistant had already left. Now, the only person remaining in the office with him was Ava.Alexander rose from his chair and made his way toward her. She was curled up on the couch, fast asleep, her breathing soft and even. For a moment, he hesitated. She looked peaceful—almost fragile—under the warm office lights, and he didn’t want to wake her. But he had to.“Ava,” he called gently.Dressed in his impeccably tailored suit, he reached out a hand and nudged her lightly with his long fingertips. Instead of waking up properly, Ava instinctively reached out and grasped his hand, her finger
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
When Ava woke, a dull, aching pain gripped every inch of her body. The unfamiliar ceiling above her slowly came into focus, and in a sudden burst of anxiety, she sat up — only to gasp as a sharp tug at her waist forced her back down.The clock on the wall showed it was already noon.The room was empty. Alexander, of course, was long gone.Her body still ached, a cruel reminder of what had happened — and worse, it hadn’t even been cleaned up. She felt like nothing more than a discarded toy, used and left behind.Ava curled her fingers into the sheets, biting down on the surge of bitterness rising in her throat. A hollow laugh escaped her lips, humorless and self-mocking. So this was what she’d allowed herself to become.She drew the blanket up, covering herself, her breath trembling.Pushing herself to the edge of the bed, she winced, gripping the mattress for support. Her calf muscles trembled weakly beneath her, and when her eyes fell on the crumpled, torn remnants of her clothes sc
When Alexander ignored her call, Serena had no choice left. Gritting her teeth, she drove straight to Vanderbilt Headquarters.Though it was already past 7 p.m., the towering glass building gleamed against the night sky, every window lit up like a constellation. Power never slept here — and neither did those who served it.She made her way to the top floor, her heels clicking softly against polished marble. At the reception desk, Jonathan looked up, momentarily surprised to see her at such an hour.Serena forced a faint, polite smile.“I’m here to see Mr. Vanderbilt.”Jonathan hesitated.“President Vanderbilt has an overseas meeting tonight — he just entered the conference room. It’ll be about two hours.”Serena had waited before. She knew how long Alexander’s meetings could drag. Quietly, she took a seat nearby, feeling the sterile quietness of the office press in around her.B
When Serena arrived back at the Morales family villa, she froze at the sight that greeted her.Alfonso was home.For a moment, she thought she was imagining it. But there he was — seated at the long dining table, a thick stack of documents spread out before him. His once-dark hair had turned almost entirely grey, his posture slouched, his face lined and weary. He looked like a man who had aged ten years in the span of a week.He must have discharged himself without a word. The hospital had clearly tried to keep him, but they’d also kept something else from him — his terminal liver cancer. They probably thought it would be cruel to tell a man in his state the truth.Serena’s heart ached at the sight of him.Alfonso now wore a pair of reading glasses, squinting down at the contract in front of him, coughing every few minutes as his frail body struggled to keep up. Each shallow breath, each racking cough, felt heavier in the silence of the room.She watched as he slowly turned page after
Serena made her way down to the underground garage, her heels clicking against the cool concrete. The dim lighting reflected off the sleek cars lined up in perfect rows, the soft hum of engines echoing in the still air.She was just about to unlock her car when she noticed something strange — the window of the car parked right next to hers was rolled down.Then, out of the shadows, Ryan Kuzmin’s pudgy, smug face appeared.His bloated features barely fit through the window, and without even the decency to veil his intentions, he shoved a glossy black card toward her.“One billion for a hundred times. If you’re game, get in.”His voice was thick with arrogance, a disgusting blend of money, power, and entitlement.Serena’s stomach turned. She felt physically ill.But Ryan, clearly full of himself, just grinned wider.“Kyrill used to talk about you,” he leered. “Said you were a real stunner. I saw your photo back then, but in person?” His beady eyes swept over her like she was something o
Hugo raised a brow, watching Alexander carefully. The fact that Alexander didn’t deny it told him everything he needed to know.“Did you get her?” Hugo asked, half-teasing, half-curious.Alexander barely lifted his gaze from his hand of cards. He flicked one onto the table with a casual flick of his fingers. “Just a kiss.”Hugo let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “Man… never thought I’d live to see the untouchable Alexander Vanderbilt fall for a married woman.”At that, Alexander’s hand hesitated for a beat, his brow tightening in the dim light. His voice was cold, but the edge of warning wasn’t sharp enough.“Don’t talk nonsense.”But Hugo wasn’t finished. He smirked, leaning back in his seat, swirling the liquor in his glass. “It’s the truth, though. Sure, she’s beautiful—but can you really stomach sharing her with another man? I mean… she kisses her husband, then turns around and kisses you. Doesn’t that turn your stomach a little?”The mental image made Alexander’s stomach kn
Alexei, sensing the atmosphere starting to thicken with tension, quickly tossed a few playful jabs Quinton’s way to ease the mood. The snark-laced banter between him and Alexander had started to turn razor-sharp—too sharp for Ava’s comfort.She felt the invisible rope tightening around her, pulling her into their unspoken power play. Not wanting to become collateral damage, she quietly slipped out of the room under the guise of needing the restroom.But instead of heading there, she veered into the hallway, drawing in a deep breath of cooler, quieter air.To her surprise, Liam was standing nearby, lingering with the nervous energy of someone who didn’t quite belong but was doing his best to stay invisible.When he saw her, he perked up and walked over, holding out a tall glass of lemon water.“Here,” he said with an awkward smile. “Might help clear your head a bit?”Ava hadn’t had much to drink—just a single glass of wine back in the private room—but the gesture was appreciated. She a
Serena arrived at exactly seven o’clock, dressed to stun.The restaurant’s entrance gleamed with crystal lights and golden accents, a favorite among New York’s elite. It was the kind of place where whispers of billion-dollar deals floated over champagne flutes and polished silverware.Alexei’s luxury sedan pulled up just moments after she arrived. The car hadn’t even come to a complete stop when his eyes locked on her—and widened.Serena, usually understated and fresh-faced, had taken a different approach tonight. Her makeup was light but refined, enhancing the elegant sharpness of her features. She wore a tailored, dark-toned women’s suit that hugged her frame with a sculpted precision—polished, powerful, and stunning.Alexei, no stranger to beautiful women, nearly forgot how to breathe. He jumped out of the car and strode toward her like a moth to flame.Serena offered a graceful smile as he approached. “Alexei.”He gave her a slow, appreciative once-over, then let out a dramatic sig
As soon as Serena stepped through the doors of her quiet penthouse on the Upper West Side, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Alfonso.Alfonso: Serena, I'm sorry. I was wrong.Alfonso: I’ve taken back the shares from Araminta. Tonight, I’ll review the contract with PW Group. I won’t let you suffer anymore.Her breath caught in her throat.Serena stared at the screen, the words blurring as her vision clouded. Back at the hospital, she hadn’t shed a single tear—not when she was insulted, not when she was hit, not even when the truth unraveled. But here, in the silence of her own space, with the city lights blinking outside her windows, her heart cracked.She sank onto the velvet sofa and let the tears fall. Alfonso… he had once been her hero. Her anchor. If he had always treated her coldly, maybe this wouldn’t hurt so much. But he hadn’t. He had once carried her on his shoulders, told her bedtime stories, made her feel like the most cherished girl in the world.And that version of h