The sun climbed over the skyline, casting long shadows across New York’s bustling streets. Jonathan adjusted his tie nervously as he paced outside Alexander’s office. The investigation into the hit-and-run had taken most of the night, but they finally had results—results that pointed to Miss Alvarez’s innocence. He knew Alexander well enough to understand how his boss hated being wrong, especially when it involved personal matters. He clutched a folder containing the results of a night-long investigation that finally shed light on the hit-and-run incident.With a steadying breath, Jonathan knocked on the door and entered. Alexander was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, his hands tucked into his pockets, a cold morning light casting shadows across his sharp features.“Sir,” Jonathan began, holding out a folder, “we’ve identified the other vehicle involved in the incident. It belongs to Veronica Taylor, wife of Henry Taylor.” Alexander’s brow furrowed. “Veronica Taylor?” That na
Later that afternoon, Jonathan returned to Alexander’s office with a report. “Sir, the police have officially delivered an apology to Miss Alvarez, and the charges have been dropped.”“Good,” Alexander replied, though his tone remained cold and detached. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the polished mahogany desk as he drifted into thought.Jonathan hesitated before speaking again, choosing his words with care. “Would you like me to arrange a call with Miss Alvarez? A gesture from you might go a long way in mending things.”Alexander’s eyes flicked toward him, sharp as ever but devoid of anger. Instead, there was something else—hesitation, perhaps? He loathed unresolved matters, and this situation felt particularly tangled. Yet, the idea of reaching out gnawed at his pride.“No need,” he said after a long pause. Jonathan gave a curt nod and quietly left the office, leaving Alexander alone with his thoughts.As the door clicked shut, Alexander leaned back in his chair, exhaling slow
Serena Morales woke up to find the man beside her still sound asleep. Ignoring the discomfort between her legs, she quietly slipped out of bed. Just as she bent down to pick up the scattered clothes on the floor, a cold, detached voice broke the silence.“How much do you want?” His indifferent tone was a stark contrast to the man who had whispered sweet, dirty words into her ear just hours earlier.Serena froze, disbelief washing over her.After three years of marriage, her husband didn’t even recognize her. Three years ago, she had saved Cornelius Vanderbilt, the patriarch of the Vanderbilt family, from a life-threatening incident. At the time, her father’s company was struggling during its first round of financing. Cornelius had proposed a deal: if Serena married his grandson, Alexander Vanderbilt, he would invest three billion dollars into her father’s business.Alexander had been conspicuously absent during their wedding. It wasn’t until Serena received the marriage certificate tha
When Serena and Alexander got married, he hadn’t even shown up at city hall. With Cornelius Vanderbilt’s influence, she had managed to obtain the marriage certificate in his absence.Today was the first time she had truly opened the drawer, taken out the certificate, and faced the reality of the man who shared it with her. After a brief glance, she tossed everything back into the drawer. There was no point dwelling on it. Instead, she decided to visit her younger sister, Valentina Morales, at the hospital.By the time Serena arrived at noon, the nurse had left for lunch, leaving Valentina alone in the ward. Despite looking pale, Valentina’s pretty face lit up with joy when she saw Serena.“Serena! What brings you here?” Valentina exclaimed, eagerly sitting up. “Dad must’ve been paranoid again, right? Ugh, I told him I’m fine! How could he go behind my back and tell you?”Serena smiled as she sat down beside her sister, handing her a bottle of water. “He’s just worried about you.”Valen
Serena climbed into her car, a wave of melancholy washing over her.When Araminta had moved in with Valentina and Josh, Serena had suggested it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to live under the same roof as Josh, who wasn’t related to her by blood. She had gently proposed that perhaps Josh could find his own place.But Alfonso, ever eager to keep Araminta and Valentina happy, had hesitated. Rather than cause tension, Serena had chosen to move out herself.Now, I feel like the outsider in my own family, she thought bitterly as she started the engine.With no urgent tasks at the studio, she decided to head straight home. As she drove, her phone rang, and her mood sank further when she saw the caller ID.Taking a deep breath, she let it ring a few more times before reluctantly answering.“Hello, Mrs. Vanderbilt,” she said, her tone neutral.On the other end was Cordelia Vanderbilt, Alexander’s haughty and aristocratic mother. Ever since her marriage to Alexander, Cordelia had made it clea
Serena followed quietly behind Alexander, watching as he swiped his card to unlock the door. The slight beep of the scanner echoed in the silent hallway. The lobby beyond was gleaming, its marble floor polished to a mirror-like sheen, reflecting the soft glow of the crystal chandeliers overhead. Staff members stationed at the entrance bowed respectfully as Alexander passed, their postures stiff with formality. Serena lingered a step behind, observing how effortlessly he commanded respect without uttering a single word. His presence was intimidating yet compelling, radiating an aura of power that seemed innate rather than cultivated.A moment later, Alexander stopped abruptly and turned to face her. His expression was unreadable, but his gaze was sharp. Serena maintained her composure, offering him a polite smile.“How much did Raphael give you?” he asked, his tone cold and detached.Serena blinked, momentarily confused by the question. She knew nothing about Raphael’s relationship wi
‘I don’t think I made any mistake… Maybe he just doesn’t know me well enough,’ Serena thought, replaying the earlier interaction with Alexander. His sudden shift in mood had caught her off guard, leaving her questioning if she had inadvertently offended him. Her thoughts were interrupted by the buzz of her phone. Seeing Kevin’s name flash on the screen brought a small sense of relief.“Ava, have you arrived?” Kevin asked, his voice steady yet curious.“Hey, Kevin… I think I just messed up,” Serena admitted with a sigh.Kevin was taken aback. He had always trusted her judgment, especially when it came to design. Serena Ava Alvarez, or known professionally as Ava Alvarez, was one of the most talented designers he knew, and she had never expressed doubt about her work before.“Room 1402. Come here, and we’ll sort it out,” he said reassuringly.“Okay.” Serena ended the call, asked a nearby waiter for directions, and headed to the room.Inside the private suite, Kevin glanced at Raphael Ri
Serena’s expression was so calm and straightforward that it momentarily made Alexander question whether he had overreacted. Still, his features remained stoic, cold, and distant—an air of authority radiating off him, making it difficult for anyone to meet his gaze. As the elevator descended in silence, Serena’s mind whirled. The studio was still in its early stages, and landing a high-profile client like Alexander could secure its future. Ever since she entered the workforce, she had learned that pride alone wouldn’t pay the bills. Now, more than ever, she needed to fight for this opportunity.“Mr. Vanderbilt,” she began, her tone professional but earnest, “I’d really like to know which design style you prefer. I can tailor something specifically for you, and if you’re not satisfied, I won’t charge anything.”Alexander’s eyes narrowed slightly, caught off guard by her persistence. For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond. Was she truly this shameless, or just incredibly determined?
Later that afternoon, Jonathan returned to Alexander’s office with a report. “Sir, the police have officially delivered an apology to Miss Alvarez, and the charges have been dropped.”“Good,” Alexander replied, though his tone remained cold and detached. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the polished mahogany desk as he drifted into thought.Jonathan hesitated before speaking again, choosing his words with care. “Would you like me to arrange a call with Miss Alvarez? A gesture from you might go a long way in mending things.”Alexander’s eyes flicked toward him, sharp as ever but devoid of anger. Instead, there was something else—hesitation, perhaps? He loathed unresolved matters, and this situation felt particularly tangled. Yet, the idea of reaching out gnawed at his pride.“No need,” he said after a long pause. Jonathan gave a curt nod and quietly left the office, leaving Alexander alone with his thoughts.As the door clicked shut, Alexander leaned back in his chair, exhaling slow
The sun climbed over the skyline, casting long shadows across New York’s bustling streets. Jonathan adjusted his tie nervously as he paced outside Alexander’s office. The investigation into the hit-and-run had taken most of the night, but they finally had results—results that pointed to Miss Alvarez’s innocence. He knew Alexander well enough to understand how his boss hated being wrong, especially when it involved personal matters. He clutched a folder containing the results of a night-long investigation that finally shed light on the hit-and-run incident.With a steadying breath, Jonathan knocked on the door and entered. Alexander was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, his hands tucked into his pockets, a cold morning light casting shadows across his sharp features.“Sir,” Jonathan began, holding out a folder, “we’ve identified the other vehicle involved in the incident. It belongs to Veronica Taylor, wife of Henry Taylor.” Alexander’s brow furrowed. “Veronica Taylor?” That na
The cold metal cuffs snapped tightly around Serena’s wrists, the metallic clink jolting her into harsh reality. She stood frozen in the doorway, her eyes locked on the two uniformed officers.“Miss Alvarez, you’re under investigation for a hit-and-run,” one officer repeated, holding up a tablet displaying grainy footage of the incident. “This is the surveillance video. It shows clearly that at 6:25 p.m. you hit the Bentley’s rear and left without any contact information. The owner demands to hold you accountable.” Her heart sank as the video played. It clearly showed her car rolling forward and colliding with a Bentley after being struck from behind. But the angle failed to capture the speeding vehicle responsible for the initial impact, making her look solely at fault.“This is a mistake,” Serena said, her voice steady despite the growing knot of anxiety in her chest. “Another car hit me first. I didn’t—”The officer raised a hand, silencing her. “You can explain at the station. Plea
Michael trailed closely behind Serena, just a few feet away, while his bodyguards lingered near the exit.Ahead, Alexander stood near a lounge door, dressed in a sleek black tracksuit. His left hand rested casually in his pocket, his tall frame and poised movements radiating elegance and composure.As he reached for the doorknob, Serena felt Michael’s leering gaze on her back. He smirked and murmured loud enough for her alone to hear, “He’s here. Aren’t you going to say hello?”Serena inhaled deeply, gathering her composure. Without hesitating, she moved toward Alexander.Alexander had just cracked the door open when he heard quick footsteps behind him. Before he could react, Serena’s soft frame brushed against him as she slipped into the lounge, shutting the door behind them.Alexander’s expression darkened. “Get out,” he said curtly.Serena quickly locked the door and turned to face him, leaning against it. Her gaze was earnest. “Mr. Vanderbilt, I don’t mean to intrude. Would you min
Serena remembered the details vaguely. At the time, she had been caught up with another client’s project and had forgotten about it.Kevin had mentioned that Michael had placed an order with the studio and was currently at the golf course. He wanted her to meet him there.The golf course was located in the suburbs, a sprawling property covering thousands of acres—a prized piece of land in New York.When Serena parked her car, an assistant promptly came to greet her at the entrance.“Hello, Miss Morales,” the assistant said with a polite smile. “This way, please.”Serena followed the assistant until she realized she was being led to a changing room.“The grass and sand on the golf course require careful maintenance, so non-players and caddies are not allowed on the field. I’ve prepared some clubs for you. Do you play golf, Miss Morales?” the assistant asked.“I do, but not very well,” Serena replied modestly.“That’s alright. Please change into these clothes first. Mr. Michael Murray i
Serena’s expression was so calm and straightforward that it momentarily made Alexander question whether he had overreacted. Still, his features remained stoic, cold, and distant—an air of authority radiating off him, making it difficult for anyone to meet his gaze. As the elevator descended in silence, Serena’s mind whirled. The studio was still in its early stages, and landing a high-profile client like Alexander could secure its future. Ever since she entered the workforce, she had learned that pride alone wouldn’t pay the bills. Now, more than ever, she needed to fight for this opportunity.“Mr. Vanderbilt,” she began, her tone professional but earnest, “I’d really like to know which design style you prefer. I can tailor something specifically for you, and if you’re not satisfied, I won’t charge anything.”Alexander’s eyes narrowed slightly, caught off guard by her persistence. For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond. Was she truly this shameless, or just incredibly determined?
‘I don’t think I made any mistake… Maybe he just doesn’t know me well enough,’ Serena thought, replaying the earlier interaction with Alexander. His sudden shift in mood had caught her off guard, leaving her questioning if she had inadvertently offended him. Her thoughts were interrupted by the buzz of her phone. Seeing Kevin’s name flash on the screen brought a small sense of relief.“Ava, have you arrived?” Kevin asked, his voice steady yet curious.“Hey, Kevin… I think I just messed up,” Serena admitted with a sigh.Kevin was taken aback. He had always trusted her judgment, especially when it came to design. Serena Ava Alvarez, or known professionally as Ava Alvarez, was one of the most talented designers he knew, and she had never expressed doubt about her work before.“Room 1402. Come here, and we’ll sort it out,” he said reassuringly.“Okay.” Serena ended the call, asked a nearby waiter for directions, and headed to the room.Inside the private suite, Kevin glanced at Raphael Ri
Serena followed quietly behind Alexander, watching as he swiped his card to unlock the door. The slight beep of the scanner echoed in the silent hallway. The lobby beyond was gleaming, its marble floor polished to a mirror-like sheen, reflecting the soft glow of the crystal chandeliers overhead. Staff members stationed at the entrance bowed respectfully as Alexander passed, their postures stiff with formality. Serena lingered a step behind, observing how effortlessly he commanded respect without uttering a single word. His presence was intimidating yet compelling, radiating an aura of power that seemed innate rather than cultivated.A moment later, Alexander stopped abruptly and turned to face her. His expression was unreadable, but his gaze was sharp. Serena maintained her composure, offering him a polite smile.“How much did Raphael give you?” he asked, his tone cold and detached.Serena blinked, momentarily confused by the question. She knew nothing about Raphael’s relationship wi
Serena climbed into her car, a wave of melancholy washing over her.When Araminta had moved in with Valentina and Josh, Serena had suggested it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to live under the same roof as Josh, who wasn’t related to her by blood. She had gently proposed that perhaps Josh could find his own place.But Alfonso, ever eager to keep Araminta and Valentina happy, had hesitated. Rather than cause tension, Serena had chosen to move out herself.Now, I feel like the outsider in my own family, she thought bitterly as she started the engine.With no urgent tasks at the studio, she decided to head straight home. As she drove, her phone rang, and her mood sank further when she saw the caller ID.Taking a deep breath, she let it ring a few more times before reluctantly answering.“Hello, Mrs. Vanderbilt,” she said, her tone neutral.On the other end was Cordelia Vanderbilt, Alexander’s haughty and aristocratic mother. Ever since her marriage to Alexander, Cordelia had made it clea