Serena hobbled into the hospital, her footsteps uneven on the crutches provided by the nurse. After getting her ankle bandaged, she stepped out with a frown clouding her face. Her current condition posed a major problem—tonight was the much-anticipated banquet where Grandpa Fu planned to formally introduce her to influential people in the circle. Showing up with a limp and a bandage would not only embarrass herself but also disappoint the old man, something she absolutely wanted to avoid.She regretted her decision to rush back to meet Alexander. If she had just let things be, perhaps this mess could have been avoided.With a sigh, she pulled out her phone and called Aunt Torres. "Aunt Torres, could you send someone to pick up Rex?" she asked, trying to keep her tone composed despite the frustration simmering within her."Of course, Miss Morales," Aunt Torres responded immediately.Serena ended the call and mulled over her predicament. She needed a way to reduce the swelling quickly s
The chaos in the alley had subsided, leaving a tense silence in its wake. The gangsters lay sprawled across the pavement, groaning in pain. Alexander stood among them, composed and untouched, his tailored black suit immaculate despite the brief scuffle.Ava’s breath caught in her throat as she watched him. The sheer efficiency of his movements had left her stunned. He didn’t just handle the situation—he dominated it.But before she could process what had just happened, a flicker of movement caught her eye."Jared, are you okay?" she asked, concern pulling her toward him.Jared’s face was pale, and his eyes widened with fear. In that split second, Ava’s instincts screamed a warning. The glint of a blade caught in the dim alley light.There was no time to react.The sickening sound of metal piercing flesh sliced through the air. Ava’s heart lurched as she spun around, horrified to see the dagger embedded in Alexander’s palm. Blood gushed from the wound, staining his hand and dripping on
Alexander pressed his lips into a taut line as he answered the call with his uninjured hand, already contemplating how to handle the conversation. The steady hum of hospital equipment filled the room, a stark contrast to the warmth emanating from the phone."Alexander, you did well this time," Mr. Vanderbilt Sr.’s voice came through, brimming with unexpected relief. "You've finally grown up. If you don’t come tonight, it’s fine. Grandpa won’t blame you."Alexander’s brow furrowed, a flicker of confusion passing through his sharp features. That was not the tone he had expected. The old man rarely missed an opportunity to bring up Serena within three sentences. But tonight, it seemed he had no intention of mentioning her at all. Was it the recent acquisition that had put him in such high spirits?It was rare for his grandfather to concern himself with the intricacies of the Vanderbilt business empire these days. The old man had long shifted his focus to treatments and leisurely activitie
The hospital corridor buzzed faintly with the occasional murmur of nurses and the distant beeping of medical equipment. The cold, sterile air prickled against Ava’s skin as she pressed the phone tightly against her ear."Uncle," she said urgently, but the voice that responded was hoarse and weary."Ava, it’s your Aunt Mona," the woman said, sounding utterly defeated. "I didn’t want to call, but I have no choice. We don’t have Mr. Vanderbilt Senior’s contact information, and the police won’t release your cousin-in-law. We don’t have that kind of money. Things have gone from bad to worse. Your uncle…his leg is broken, and he’s bleeding from his head. He’s still in the hospital, and we can't even afford the surgery right now. We already used up the money trying to help Tania, and now she’s locked up in the police station. Everything's falling apart."Ava’s chest tightened, her breath catching. The hospital’s whitewashed walls seemed to close in around her as she absorbed her aunt’s despe
The hospital’s parking lot was dimly lit, the faint glow of overhead lights casting long shadows across the sleek cars. The cool evening breeze carried the scent of antiseptic from the hospital’s entrance, mingling with the distant hum of city traffic. Do anything for him? Available at his beck and call? Deliver three meals a day to the Vanderbilt family? No matter who it is, Alexander wasn’t very interested.But he caught a glimpse of the slight embarrassment on her cheeks and knew that she was doing it to compensate. Seeing Ava in such a humiliated state, Jared at the door couldn’t bear it. Ava is a top student, a prestigious graduate of Harvard University. Even if this man is wealthy, he shouldn’t insult her like this, right?Ava stood rigidly beside Alexander, her nerves fraying as Jared, clearly agitated, lashed out. His voice echoed across the empty lot. "Ava, what are you doing? You’re a Harvard graduate! And now you’re offering to be some rich man’s nanny?"Her face tightened
The soft glow of the hotel suite’s ambient lighting cast a warm contrast against the cool night outside. The air carried the subtle scent of leather and polished wood, mingling with the crisp antiseptic aroma from the freshly opened medicine box.Ava barely noticed Alexander’s gaze lingering on her as she focused on tending to her swollen ankle. Now that her delicate heels were off, the full extent of her injury became clear—her foot was a mess of bruised purples and reds, swollen unnaturally. It throbbed relentlessly, a dull, pulsing ache with every slight movement.Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached for the pain-relieving spray. The cold mist soothed the raw skin, bringing a fleeting moment of relief. She bit her lip, trying to concentrate on wrapping the bandage properly, but the material was unfamiliar—this wasn't the usual medical gauze but a professional ankle support wrap, designed for stability rather than simple protection.She struggled with it, trying to secure it
Alexander’s expression remained cold and indifferent as Patty eagerly introduced herself."Ava and I work in the same studio. Didn’t I mention it before? Whenever Ava works with clients, their wives always seem to request a replacement. And tonight, I just happened to run into her at this hotel. I don’t know if she specifically came here to confront you, Mr. Vanderbilt."Alexander barely reacted. "Hmm."His disinterest was evident, but Patty pressed on, unwilling to let the opportunity slip."I work with her, so I know all about her dirty tricks. She’s just used to deceiving people with that pretty face of hers."Alexander didn’t respond, nor did he slow his steps. By the time Patty finished speaking, he had already reached the elevator and stepped inside. She hesitated, debating whether to follow him in, but his icy demeanor made her stop in place. The doors closed, cutting off any further conversation.Inside the elevator, Alexander’s gaze darkened.Ava was skilled at deceiving peop
The night was silent, save for the rhythmic hum of the city outside. The faint glow of a bedside lamp cast a dim light over the hotel suite, its warmth unable to reach the exhausted figure curled up on the couch.Ava stirred. A dull, persistent pain in her ankle jolted her from sleep, pulling her from the haze of fatigue. Blinking, she rubbed her eyes, momentarily disoriented before reality settled in.She was still in Alexander’s suite.Damn it.Her breath hitched, and she shot upright—too quickly. Her legs, numb from hours of being folded beneath her, refused to cooperate. The moment she tried to stand, a sharp, searing pain lanced through her swollen ankle.Before she could react, her balance gave way.Ava crashed forward, knocking into the glass coffee table. The thermos, along with several crystal glasses, toppled to the floor, shattering upon impact. The sound of breaking glass echoed through the suite, sharp and jarring against the silence of the night.Shit.Ava froze, dread po
"Ava..." Rita expected her cousin to be upset, maybe even furious, but Ava's expression was unexpectedly calm—relieved, even."Rita, thank you, but I can ride with someone else. Mr. Vanderbilt is not in a good mood today, so I'd rather not make him angrier," Ava said, her voice light yet decisive.Rita frowned, puzzled. Why was Alexander in a bad mood? And why did Ava sound as though she had expected it? These two didn’t look like a couple who had spent the night together—if anything, they seemed even more distant than before.Meanwhile, across the venue, Alexander approached Hugo’s table with long, measured strides, his expression stormy. His suit, tailored to perfection, couldn't mask the tension in his shoulders or the sharp, unreadable look in his dark eyes.Victoria, however, didn't follow. She had veered off to chat with other socialites, her posture poised as if she had already won some silent battle.Hugo, who had been lazily swirling the whiskey in his glass, looked up with a
The crowd that had been eagerly watching the drama slowly dispersed, the tension in the air fading like a dissipating storm. To put on a show of sisterly affection, Victoria personally escorted Michelle to the car, ensuring that all eyes saw her as the graceful and understanding older cousin.Ava, however, remained rooted in place, her body instinctively tensing as Alexander approached. She wasn’t sure why, but she had an urge to step back. Yet, she forced herself to stand her ground, lifting her gaze to meet his. He loomed over her, his dark eyes locked onto hers as if searching for something.Her expression, however, was unreadable—calm, indifferent, as if last night's intimacy had been nothing more than a passing dream."Ava," he murmured, his voice low. There was something he wanted to say.Before he could continue, Victoria returned, her tone carefully measured, yet laced with subtle authority.“Xander, breakfast is ready downstairs. You guys probably haven't eaten yet. Let’s all
Alexander was not alone. Hugo Beaumont and Colton Valcrosse stood on either side of him, their towering presences only adding to the weight of his arrival. The air was thick with tension, an unspoken shift settling over the gathered crowd.Michelle, still sitting on the ground, felt her stomach drop the moment she caught sight of Alexander. Humiliation burned through her veins. Of all people to witness her in this pitiful state, it had to be him, the person she had a crush on. Could anything be worse?Alexander’s gaze swept over the scene, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "What’s going on?" His voice was calm, detached—so effortlessly composed that it was hard to believe he had been a man consumed by raw passion just the night before.Victoria wasted no time approaching him, her heels clicking against the polished floor with urgency. "Last night, a bodyguard mistakenly drank the wrong drink and harmed Michelle," she explained, her voice carrying just the right balance of concern and
- please read to the very end of the chapter - Ava woke to the cold touch of the hardwood floor against her skin. Her nightgown felt strangely loose, slipping slightly off her shoulder as she groggily pushed herself up. A dull ache radiated from her waist, making her wince as she realized her lower body was sprawled on the floor while her legs still rested on the bed.Had she fallen off in the middle of the night?She rubbed her temples, feeling weak and disoriented. The last thing she clearly remembered was taking a drink from Alexei. After that, everything was a blur—just a deep thirst and the vague sensation of searching for water. Her mind struggled to fill in the gaps, but nothing came.Ava exhaled in relief. At least she hadn’t embarrassed herself in front of anyone. She must have somehow returned to her room early. However, a new problem presented itself—she hadn’t brought any extra clothes, and the silky sleepwear Rita had given her wasn’t appropriate for stepping outside.Jus
Ava clung to Alexander’s waist, her movements hesitant, unsure of how to respond. The only thing she could manage was wrapping her arms around his neck."It tickles," she murmured, her voice breathy.His hot breath fanned against her skin, seeping through the thin fabric of her dress, igniting a sensation that sent shivers down her spine.Alexander, already on edge from her teasing, tightened his grip on her waist. His voice dropped, husky and deep."So, what should I do to relieve your itch?" He had never imagined himself uttering such flirtatious words, but with Ava, they came naturally.She buried her face into the crook of his neck, her lips brushing against his skin. "Husband, you’re really good... it feels so good."Downstairs, the night was alive with murmurs of conversation and footsteps, but none of it mattered. Alexander held Ava closer, shielding her from the world as if nothing else existed beyond them.Ava whimpered softly, overwhelmed by the moment, but before she could
The pool area buzzed with activity. Waiters weaved through the guests, offering a selection of drinks, fresh fruit, and delicate pastries to those lounging or swimming. Amid the chatter and clinking of glasses, a waiter approached Ava with a light blue cocktail, placing it on the table in front of her.Alexei leaned in, his voice laced with amusement. "Drink it," he said, watching her reaction carefully.Ava ignored him, keeping her gaze steady on the water.Alexei smirked and moved even closer, his breath warm against her ear. "What’s wrong? Do you want me to feed you? Mouth to mouth, perhaps?"Knowing Alexei, he was more than capable of following through on that threat. Without another word, she grabbed the glass and downed the drink in one go. The alcohol burned on the way down, making her cough.Alexei reached out instinctively to pat her back, but she pushed him away."Mr. Volkov, Farah likes you," Ava said flatly. "Even if you help me
Rita led Ava through the vast grounds, passing from the lively seafood section to the entertainment areas. The sprawling estate was designed for indulgence, featuring everything from Olympic-sized swimming pools to high-adrenaline bungee jumps and a state-of-the-art shooting range. The event was in full swing, with guests scattered in various spots, enjoying their freedom to partake in whatever entertainment suited them.By the time they reached the grand dessert display—a magnificent ten-meter-long spread of exquisitely crafted pastries—chefs had already begun preparing fresh seafood under glass enclosures, while clusters of socialites chatted over cocktails nearby.“Farah hosts these gatherings every year, though never on a fixed schedule,” Rita explained as they approached the desserts. “It could be spring, summer, or fall. The chefs she brings in have all worked for the Vanderbilt family before. Michelin-starred talents—worth more than some pro athletes. The food is exceptional.”
As Ava finished helping Rita with her painting, she glanced over and saw Rita on the phone, her voice light and cheerful. Only then did Ava realize that Rita’s driver had already left.Rita returned with a bright smile. “Ava, do you have any plans for tonight or tomorrow morning?”Ava thought for a moment. Her father was still unconscious, and the construction in Manhattan was progressing smoothly. Aside from picking up Rex tomorrow afternoon, she had nothing pressing. “Not really.”Rita clapped her hands in excitement. “That’s great!”Without warning, she linked her arm with Ava’s and pulled her toward the roadside. “I absolutely must treat you to something amazing today! I guarantee you’ve never tasted anything like it before!”Ava was about to protest when she spotted a sleek black luxury car parked ahead. Her stomach twisted. She knew that car.Alexander’s car.Before she could react, Rita had already opened the door and gently nudged her inside.“Xander, I brought Ava along. You
Dear Gentle Readers, This author was denied promotion & the app actually said that this story does not perform well with only 4 readers and 2 comments thus no ads since last week... This author refuses to believe that especially when he saw at least 7 people liked & gave a thumbsup on the last free chapter. Can you please help this author by giving a thumbsup and commenting on this chapter, please? So this author has proof when consulting and reporting this to his editor tomorrow morning. As a token of gratitude for your generous help, please enjoy this chapter free of charge... Grazie mille. Yours, Ethan. P.S. this is actually 2 chapters combined into 1 therefore it is quite long, apologies for that. ---------That night, Serena slept soundly, the kind of deep, dreamless rest that felt like a rare luxury. By the time morning light filtered through her curtains, her spirits were noticeably brighter.The first thing she did upon waking was reach for her phone. A single missed call