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
Ava reached for the car door handle but hesitated, her fingers lingering against the cool metal. With a deep breath, she sank back into her seat, turning to Alexander. "Mr. Vanderbilt, if Miss Victoria Laurent comes after me again… can I still count on you for help?"Her voice was steady, but there was an unmistakable weight behind her words. She wasn’t asking lightly. The Morales family couldn’t compete with the power and influence of the Laurents, let alone the Vanderbilts. Victoria was his girlfriend, and with his support, she could become even more ruthless.Alexander’s hands rested lightly on the steering wheel, his gaze unreadable. A silence stretched between them before he finally spoke. "Why do you think I would take your side?"Ava met his stare, determined. "It’s not about taking sides. It’s about doing what’s right. At least I never provoked Miss Laurent. She’s the one who sees me as a rival—even though, between you and me, Mr. Vanderbilt, there’s nothing going on."The mome
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 si
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
The following morning, Serena returned to the hospital, her steps light but purposeful. The building’s cold sterility wrapped around her, but she kept moving, eyes scanning every corridor. Once she was certain Araminta and Valentina weren’t lurking nearby, she quietly slipped into Josh’s room.Her gaze immediately landed on the table where she had left the voice recorder disguised as a pen. It was gone.Her heart sank a little. Araminta and Valentina had been so consumed with their own drama yesterday, they probably hadn’t even noticed the device. It must’ve been picked up by a nurse. Serena asked around, trying to stay calm, but every nurse she spoke to simply shook their head. No one had seen it.As she walked past Alfonso’s room, lost in thought, she accidentally bumped into him. He was stepping out, looking weaker than ever, clutching his cane tightly. They exchanged a tense glance before she moved on, unwilling to stir up a scene.Inside the room, Araminta had been watching Alfon
If Ava hadn’t stepped back in time, the car window would’ve caught a fistful of her hair. The breeze from the speeding vehicle brushed her face as she watched it roll away down the street. She couldn’t help but let out a laugh—half amusement, half disbelief.She quickly pulled out her phone and typed a message to Raphael:[Just saw him. Alexander told me not to get too full of myself. You should look for Victoria—she’s riding shotgun with him right now.]Raphael didn’t hesitate. He called Victoria immediately. On the other end, Victoria picked up with a bright, amused smile on her face. “I’ll check,” she said before hanging up and turning toward Alexander.“Raphael called me too,” she said casually, her voice playful. “Looks like he’s really into his girlfriend this time. Maybe he’s serious, Alexander. What do you think—should we let her come back?”Alexander said nothing. His gaze remained fixed on the road ahead, expression unreadable. Though his face was composed, there was somethin
Ava stepped out of the hospital, her emotions wound tight like a storm that had yet to pass. Her hands trembled as she held onto her purse, and she knew—there was no way she could drive like this. So, she walked. No destination in mind, no plan. Just walked.The midday sun beat down relentlessly, baking the pavement beneath her feet. Her vision blurred, not from the heat, but from the tears that slipped down her cheeks, uninvited and unchecked. She didn’t bother to stop them. Instead, she drifted toward a nearby bench tucked beneath a skeletal tree that offered little shade. She sank onto it, clutching her bag in her lap as though it were the only thing holding her together.With shaky fingers, she tried wiping the tears away, but they kept coming. Her small frame hunched forward as if trying to shrink away from the world. The sun bore down on her mercilessly, its rays highlighting every fragile line of emotion on her face. She looked heartbreakingly vulnerable—an open wound in the mi
Serena’s phone buzzed just as she was leaving a meeting. The hospital's name flashed on the screen. The voice on the other end was clipped, urgent. Josh had fallen into a coma.The doctor had been reaching out to everyone on Josh's contact list, one by one—standard protocol in emergencies, but the kind that never felt routine.By the time Serena arrived at the hospital, the sterile hallways echoed with sobs. Araminta was already there, curled in on herself like a grieving wraith on one of the stiff waiting room chairs, her eyes puffy and red, her cheeks streaked with mascara. She clutched Josh’s phone as if it were his lifeline.The moment Araminta spotted Serena walking through the glass doors, her sorrow twisted into rage.“You bitch!” she screamed, eyes blazing. “Did you set him up? You murderer. I’m calling the cops on you!”Before Serena could say a word, Araminta charged like a fury unchained, arm raised to slap. Serena’s reflexes kicked in. She caught Araminta’s wrist mid-air a
Bridgitte’s face drained of all color, as if she’d just been slapped in front of a crowd. Her lips parted in disbelief. “Mr. Vanderbilt…”But Alexander didn’t spare her a glance. His cold eyes swept over the rest of the room instead, voice firm and devoid of emotion. “Consider this a warning.”His tone cut through the air like a blade. Not once did he acknowledge Bridgitte’s presence or feelings, making her humiliation all the more bitter.Trying to salvage her pride, Bridgitte stammered, “I—I’m Raphael’s girlfriend. Things have been going really well between us lately, so if you could just—”Her words trailed off as Alexander finally looked at her—his gaze so cold, so piercing, that she froze mid-sentence. In that moment, Bridgitte’s resentment toward Ava deepened, festering quietly beneath her skin.Without another word, Alexander turned on his heel and left, his tailored coat fluttering behind him.Jonathan remained, stepping forward with his usual composed demeanor. He looked ov
Dear Gentle Readers, Let’s play a game of guessing which character said the quote on the chapter title... Comment who you think say "I want Ava. And I want her now!" before you read this chapter...E.C. ---------Josh's bloodshot eyes locked onto the car speeding ahead of him, his grip on the steering wheel tight enough to turn his knuckles white. Fury coiled inside him like a viper, ready to strike. He wanted nothing more than to crash into her, to force her to a stop—to make Ava his, no matter the cost.But Ava was faster. It was as if she could anticipate his every move, her driving precise, calculated. He floored the gas pedal, ignoring the blaring sirens that suddenly erupted behind him. Police patrol cars closed in, their flashing red and blue lights reflecting off his windshield, but Josh was beyond caring. He wouldn't let them stop him—not before he got Ava.The problem was, she had already slipped through his fingers.Le Châteauesque Manor had strict speed restrictions, and
Alexander finished his breakfast at a leisurely pace before heading straight to the Vanderbilt Group. The crisp morning air held a slight chill, though it did little to cool the storm brewing beneath his composed exterior.As he arrived at the entrance of the sleek, glass-fronted headquarters, a familiar figure stood waiting. Ava.She looked exhausted—her usually bright eyes dulled with fatigue, the shadows beneath them betraying a sleepless night. The soft fabric of her blouse was slightly wrinkled, her posture tense with urgency."Alexander, about Rex..." Her voice was hoarse, carrying the weight of concern.He didn’t break stride, his polished dress shoes tapping against the marble floor as he passed her without a glance. "I was drunk last night and made a mistake," he said coolly. "Rex wasn’t with me."Liar.Ava remained frozen in place, watching his retreating back. If she hadn’t seen Rex at Le Châteauesque Manor with her own eyes, she might have believed him.Why on earth would