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
Ava made her way to Le Châteauesque Manor today. It had been a few days since she last checked in on Rex, and the thought of how his surgical wound was healing gnawed at her.As she stepped through the grand iron gates, the scent of freshly trimmed hedges and late-blooming roses filled the crisp afternoon air. The estate's sprawling gardens, once a place of quiet solace, felt strangely empty without Rex bounding through them.Aunt Torres's face lit up the moment she spotted Ava, her warm smile deepening the wrinkles around her eyes. "I just took Rex for a walk," she said, brushing her hands against her apron. "Rex has been restless."With Alexander still absent, Aunt Torres hadn't dared let Rex roam freely. Instead, the loyal dog had been confined to the spacious back room, his days spent pacing within its walls.As soon as Ava entered, Rex's ears perked up, and the sound of his frantic barking echoed through the manor. He recognized her instantly.Her heart ached.She hurried over, cr
The nurse hesitated for a moment but then entered Alfonso’s hospital room, pushing the small stainless steel tray in front of her. The overhead fluorescent lights cast a sterile glow over the stark white walls, and the faint scent of antiseptic filled the air.The two bodyguards stationed outside barely spared her a glance. She was the same nurse who had been tending to Alfonso’s care for days, her presence routine and unremarkable.Inside, Alfonso lay motionless on the hospital bed, his breathing slow and mechanical. His face was gaunt, his skin sallow under the artificial lighting. The machines beside him hummed a rhythmic yet fragile tune, a constant reminder of his precarious condition.With practiced hands, the nurse reached for the syringe, carefully drawing the medication into it, preparing to inject it into the IV bag.But just as she brought the needle close to the drip chamber, Alfonso’s eyes shot open—wide and filled with sudden panic. His body convulsed, his chest heaving
The night was quiet, the air thick with the crisp scent of freshly cut grass and damp earth. A gentle breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves in the vast garden of Le Châteauesque Manor.Rex stood at the door, his tail wagging wildly, thudding against the frame in rapid succession. Ava paused mid-step, frowning slightly. Aunt Torres must have forgotten to shut the door again.Before she could take another step, Rex bolted towards her, nearly knocking into her legs as he circled frantically. His body trembled with restless energy, his paws scuffing against the polished floor as if pleading with her for something. He let out a soft whimper, then barked—loud and insistent."Shh," Ava hushed him quickly, glancing toward the dimly lit hallway. The last thing she needed was to wake Aunt Torres.Rex, however, was having none of it. He planted his feet, resisting her grip on his leash, his entire body taut with tension. It was strange—normally, he was obedient. But tonight, he
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
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
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
The night was quiet, the air thick with the crisp scent of freshly cut grass and damp earth. A gentle breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves in the vast garden of Le Châteauesque Manor.Rex stood at the door, his tail wagging wildly, thudding against the frame in rapid succession. Ava paused mid-step, frowning slightly. Aunt Torres must have forgotten to shut the door again.Before she could take another step, Rex bolted towards her, nearly knocking into her legs as he circled frantically. His body trembled with restless energy, his paws scuffing against the polished floor as if pleading with her for something. He let out a soft whimper, then barked—loud and insistent."Shh," Ava hushed him quickly, glancing toward the dimly lit hallway. The last thing she needed was to wake Aunt Torres.Rex, however, was having none of it. He planted his feet, resisting her grip on his leash, his entire body taut with tension. It was strange—normally, he was obedient. But tonight, he
The nurse hesitated for a moment but then entered Alfonso’s hospital room, pushing the small stainless steel tray in front of her. The overhead fluorescent lights cast a sterile glow over the stark white walls, and the faint scent of antiseptic filled the air.The two bodyguards stationed outside barely spared her a glance. She was the same nurse who had been tending to Alfonso’s care for days, her presence routine and unremarkable.Inside, Alfonso lay motionless on the hospital bed, his breathing slow and mechanical. His face was gaunt, his skin sallow under the artificial lighting. The machines beside him hummed a rhythmic yet fragile tune, a constant reminder of his precarious condition.With practiced hands, the nurse reached for the syringe, carefully drawing the medication into it, preparing to inject it into the IV bag.But just as she brought the needle close to the drip chamber, Alfonso’s eyes shot open—wide and filled with sudden panic. His body convulsed, his chest heaving
Ava made her way to Le Châteauesque Manor today. It had been a few days since she last checked in on Rex, and the thought of how his surgical wound was healing gnawed at her.As she stepped through the grand iron gates, the scent of freshly trimmed hedges and late-blooming roses filled the crisp afternoon air. The estate's sprawling gardens, once a place of quiet solace, felt strangely empty without Rex bounding through them.Aunt Torres's face lit up the moment she spotted Ava, her warm smile deepening the wrinkles around her eyes. "I just took Rex for a walk," she said, brushing her hands against her apron. "Rex has been restless."With Alexander still absent, Aunt Torres hadn't dared let Rex roam freely. Instead, the loyal dog had been confined to the spacious back room, his days spent pacing within its walls.As soon as Ava entered, Rex's ears perked up, and the sound of his frantic barking echoed through the manor. He recognized her instantly.Her heart ached.She hurried over, cr
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
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 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 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