Alexander sat at his expansive desk on the top floor of the Vanderbilt building, his expression unreadable. His earlier trip to Westchester Manor had left a sour taste in his mouth. He had been stood up, which only cemented his already low opinion of the Morales family.Jonathan entered, balancing a stack of files in one hand. “Sir, I received a call from the doctor abroad. The old man has completed the procedures and will return to the country within the week.”Alexander leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. “That’s quicker than expected.”Jonathan waited for further instructions.“Draft a new contract,” Alexander said after a moment. “The Vanderbilt family will assist the Morales family with their second round of financing, but only if she—my so-called wife—plays her role convincingly.”He used the term “nominal wife” with a note of derision. He didn’t even know her full name. To him, she was merely Serena, as his grandfather always called her. Whether her name had two syll
Michael’s smirk deepened as he reached out to pinch Valentina’s chin, clearly enjoying her trembling fear.Valentina squeezed her eyes shut, her long lashes quivering as tears threatened to spill.“Take the little beauty away,” Michael instructed his bodyguards, his voice dripping with arrogance. Then he turned to Serena, gesturing toward the stairs. “As for you, come upstairs with me. I’ll show you something... exciting.”Serena understood Michael’s game. He wouldn’t dare hurt her, not in a place like 230 Fifth. This bar had a reputation for being fiercely guarded by its private security, who wouldn’t hesitate to intervene if she called for help. But the thought of causing a scene made her stomach churn. This was a playground for New York’s elite, her potential clients. If she ended up as gossip fodder, her professional reputation could be irreparably damaged.Feigning composure, she asked, “By ‘exciting,’ does Mr. Murray mean the casino upstairs?”Michael raised an eyebrow, his grin
Taking a deep breath, Michael was about to let the conversation drop when Alexander’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.“Deal.”The dealer, who had been waiting patiently, hesitated and looked at Serena. “Miss, it seems that you don’t have any chips…”In the casino, it was standard to exchange checks or cash for chips, and waiters were always nearby to assist. But Serena had been brought here on a whim and didn’t have any money prepared.Michael signaled for an assistant to exchange chips for him and turned to Serena, his tone dripping with contempt. “Since you’re married, why don’t you go home and take care of your child? Leave this seat for someone who knows what they’re doing.”His voice carried an edge of disdain, and his expression made his thoughts clear. Bringing her here was supposed to restore his dignity. Instead, she had turned the tables and embarrassed him. The more he looked at her, the more irritated he felt.She wasn’t suitable for anything—not as a mistress a
The atmosphere at the table grew increasingly tense, but Michael, having already embarrassed himself, decided not to engage further with Serena. Continuing his conversation with her would only make him angrier. He clenched his jaw and looked at the dealer. “Deal the cards.”The dealer nodded and quickly shuffled, dealing the first round. Around the table, curious spectators leaned closer, eager to witness the drama unfold.Serena’s presence had become the center of attention. Many were amused by her audacity, while others couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. The way she confidently promised to pay Hugo back double without even knowing the value of the chips—it was reckless, if not outright naive. Did she even realize she might owe him four billion? And now, sitting at an unlimited bet Texas Hold’em table as a novice, she seemed entirely out of her depth.Serena remained calm, her posture straight, even as the murmurs around her grew louder. The two players on her right had alrea
Michelle sensed something was amiss. Everyone present held influence and status, and most hoped to build or strengthen ties with the Vanderbilt family. With Alexander recently returning to the country, fresh business opportunities would inevitably arise. She couldn’t risk ruining her reputation or tarnishing Alexander’s by causing a scene.In this world of elite men, women were often accessories—decorative, compliant, and unobtrusive. None of the women accompanying the men tonight dared to gamble recklessly like Serena. Yet under the sharp scrutiny of the crowd, Serena’s demeanor remained steady and unaffected.Her composure made her intriguing. Her card skills, however, were another question entirely.But what of the woman, Michelle, who had been incessantly making noise since the beginning?The casino wasn’t a place that welcomed disruptions.Panic mounting, Michelle pointed accusingly at Serena. “Don’t you know me? We met at the Vanderbilt office last time. Aren’t you Mr. Vanderbil
Michael pondered as he hesitated as he considered his next move. His last bet in the last round of one hundred million loomed in his mind, a weighty reminder of what he had already risked. The murmurs from the onlookers didn’t help either —they only fueled his growing uncertainty.His gaze darted to Serena, searching for a clue, a weakness, anything to justify his next decision.But Serena remained maddeningly calm. Her face was unreadable, her posture steady. When she noticed his gaze, she turned her head slightly, her expression serene, and asked, “Mr. Murray, the last round, no?”Her voice was casual, almost indifferent, but the implication was clear: if he folded, the money in the pot would be hers. She wasn’t taunting him; she was stating a simple truth. But to Michael whose heart was already in turmoil at the moment, it felt like a deliberate provocation, as if she was purposedly taunting him. It wasn’t about the money— the eight hundred million was a drop in the bucket for him
The two billion chips she had won sat neatly stacked on the table. Her calm demeanor, even after such a shocking win, caught everyone’s attention. Most people would be reveling in their triumph, yet here she was, poised and focused on her word.Hugo hesitated. Letting go of a billion dollars so easily wasn’t something even the wealthiest people did. Did she really value a promise more than the money?But Hugo knew the dangers Serena had likely foreseen. Winning such a large sum as a newcomer, and a woman no less, would inevitably attract trouble. Her way back home could be unsafe. By giving away the winnings, she was transferring that burden—and it also allowed her to leave the table with her dignity intact.Finally, Hugo accepted the chips with a complicated expression. He turned to Alexander, patting him lightly on the shoulder. "Married people. Isn’t it about time to go home?"Hugo emphasized the words "married people," glancing briefly at Serena as she returned to her seat. He see
In all honesty, Alexander didn’t know how to respond.It wasn’t as if he hadn’t received admiration before, but this time it was different. The woman in front of him wasn’t just anyone; she was someone he had shared an intimate moment with. Though he had had relationships before, that kind of closeness made it impossible to treat her like a stranger.Now, this same woman seemed to be showing feelings for him. Rejecting her like he did others felt unnecessarily cruel, and he hesitated before speaking."You know I’m married, right?" he said, his tone even.Serena raised her eyebrows slightly, confused. Of course, she knew he was married. Wasn’t their conversation supposed to be about the layout of the project?Alexander caught her puzzled expression, and a faint awkwardness crept into his chest. He continued, "Actually, my wife and I are... very much in love."The word “wife” tasted foreign in his mouth, and the phrase “in love” was even more awkward. It felt so unnatural that he had to
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