Evelyn’s mind reeled. Sophia had a boyfriend? An aggressive one at that? Which she's trying to dump to get Hunter. Does Hunter know? But that doesn't change the fact that he cheated on her. She shook her head in disbelief. Growing up, Evelyn had known Sophia was wild, always running after excitement and validation, but she had never imagined something like this. Sophia had a habit of jumping from one fling to the next, but that had always seemed like her personal choice. Evelyn had never judged her for it, even though she couldn’t relate. But this? This was something darker. Sophia’s scream echoed in her ears, and Evelyn clenched her fists, trying to push away the pang of guilt that clawed at her. She didn’t step in. She couldn’t.As she tried to steady herself, memories came flooding back, unbidden. Memories of their mother—Vivian—the woman Evelyn had always struggled to understand. Vivian had always favored Sophia, showering her with affection and attention while Evelyn was le
Inside the apartment, Evelyn exhaled heavily as the door clicked shut behind them. The tension from the confrontation outside still lingered in the air, thick and suffocating. She turned to Edwin, her expression calm but firm. “Thank you for stepping in, Edwin,” she said quietly, “but you don’t have to fight for me. Especially not with him.” Edwin frowned, crossing his arms. “Evelyn, I wasn’t about to just stand there and let him treat you like that. He had no right—” “I mean it, Edwin,” she interrupted, her voice sterner this time. “I can handle Hunter on my own.” He held her gaze for a long moment, his brow furrowing as though he was about to argue.Then, with a soft sigh, he looked away. “Fine. But don’t expect me to just stand by if he pulls something like that again.” Evelyn shook her head, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I’m serious, Edwin. I don’t want anyone else getting involved. This is my mess to deal with.” Before the tension could stretch any further, Vinn
Hunter stormed into his house, slamming the door behind him with a force that made the walls tremble. His tie felt suffocating, a noose around his neck, and with a sharp tug, he tore it off and threw it onto the desk. His chest heaved as he paced the room, his anger consuming him like a wildfire. 'How dare she?' The thought repeated in his mind, fueling his fury. Evelyn’s cold indifference, the smug smirk of that bastard Edwin, and her outright dismissal of him—it was all too much. Hunter ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the roots in frustration. 'She’s acting like I never meant anything to her,' he fumed. 'As if I was just a passing phase in her life, someone she could forget the moment she signed those damn divorce papers.' The image of her laughing with Edwin flashed in his mind, and his jaw clenched. 'And now she has a new lover?' His fists tightened, the veins on his arms bulging. He couldn’t stand the thought of her moving on so quickly, of her giving someone else t
Evelyn adjusted her blazer nervously as she stepped out of the car, her heart hammering in her chest. The sleek glass building of Starlink towered above her, its polished exterior gleaming in the morning sun. The sight of it brought a mix of emotions—anxiety, determination, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. This wasn’t just any company; it was her father’s legacy. She inhaled deeply and pushed through the revolving doors. Inside, the lobby buzzed with activity—employees moving with purpose, phones ringing, the faint hum of conversation echoing off the marble walls. The receptionist, a young woman with a warm smile, greeted her. “Ms. Evelyn Carter, right? We already received a call from your grandfather,” the receptionist said, standing up immediately. “The board is expecting you. This way, please.” Evelyn nodded, her palms damp with sweat as she followed the receptionist to the elevator. 'Expecting me?' she thought. 'They barely know me. What exactly am I walking int
Evelyn stepped into her new office, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the modern, sleek space. The walls were painted a soft, calming gray, accented with large windows that let in streams of natural light, offering a stunning view of the city skyline. A polished wooden desk sat in the center, adorned with a sleek laptop, a notepad, and a small potted plant—a touch of greenery that added warmth to the room. A comfortable-looking ergonomic chair was tucked neatly behind the desk, and a bookshelf against the wall was already stocked with industry-related books and a few decorative items. The faint scent of fresh coffee lingered in the air, coming from a small coffee station in the corner.As she was taking it all in, a woman with a warm smile and a confident stride entered the room. She extended her hand, her voice friendly and welcoming. "You must be Evelyn. I’m Clara, your new manager. It’s so great to finally have you here!"Evelyn shook her hand, returning the smile. "Thank
Hunter slammed his office door shut, the sound echoing through the hallway. His employees exchanged uneasy glances, quickly returning to their work as his heavy footsteps approached. He stormed into the open workspace, his voice sharp and cutting. "Where’s the report I asked for this morning?" he barked at a young intern who was nervously shuffling papers. "Did I hire you to sit around and look busy, or to actually get work done?"The intern stammered, "I-I’m almost done, sir. I just need—""Almost done isn’t good enough," Hunter snapped, cutting him off. "I don’t pay you for almost. Get it on my desk in the next 10 minutes, or don’t bother coming back tomorrow."The intern nodded frantically, his face pale, as Hunter turned on his heel and marched back to his office. The tension in the room was palpable, and no one dared to speak until his door closed behind him.Back in his office, Hunter slumped into his chair, running a hand through his hair in frustration. How dare Evelyn ignore
Hunter returned to his house late in the evening, his tie loosened and his expression weary. The weight of the day’s work hung heavily on his shoulders, and all he wanted was a quiet evening to unwind. But as he stepped into the living room, he was met with the sight of Sophia sprawled on the couch, surrounded by shopping bags and dresses laid out like trophies.“Hunter!” Sophia exclaimed, her voice dripping with excitement as she jumped up to greet him. “You’re finally home! Look at all the dresses I bought today. I wanted your opinion on which one I should wear to the gala next week.”Hunter barely glanced at the dresses, his disinterest evident as he walked past her toward the kitchen. “I’m sure whatever you choose will be fine, Sophia. You don’t need my input.”Sophia’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, following him with one of the dresses in hand. “But Hunter, this is important. I want to look perfect for you. Don’t you care?”Hunter poured himself a glass of water, his
Hunter sat in his office, the morning sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow over the sleek, modern space. He leaned back in his leather chair, scrolling through his phone as he sipped his coffee. His eyes scanned the headlines absently until one caught his attention: "Daughter Takes Over Father’s Legacy: Evelyn Carter Named CEO of StarLink."His coffee cup froze halfway to his lips as he stared at the article. There, right below the headline, was a picture of Evelyn. She looked poised, confident, and radiant in a tailored suit, her hair swept back in a sleek updo. The caption beneath the photo read: Evelyn Carter, daughter of the late Robert Carter, steps into her father’s shoes as the new CEO of StarLink.Hunter’s jaw tightened as he read the article, his mind racing. Evelyn is the CEO of StarLink now? He couldn’t believe it. The Evelyn he knew—the one he had married and then divorced—had always been intelligent and driven, but he had never i
Evelyn sat in her office, the proposal from Blackwood Enterprises spread out on her desk. Vinni stood beside her, arms crossed, her sharp eyes scanning the document with a critical gaze. The two women had been poring over the details for hours, dissecting every clause and condition. While the investment offer was substantial, there were several terms that didn’t sit well with them—terms that felt overly controlling or invasive, as if Hunter were trying to insert himself into every aspect of StarLink’s operations.“This is ridiculous,” Vinni said, tapping a finger on one of the clauses. “He wants a seat on the board? And veto power over major decisions? Who does he think he is?”Evelyn sighed, leaning back in her chair. “He’s trying to assert control, Vinni. That’s what Hunter does. He doesn’t just invest—he takes over.”Vinni snorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Yeah, because that worked out so well for him last time. Didn’t he learn his lesson after what happened with your fath
Sophia sat in her lavish house, surrounded by wedding magazines, fabric swatches, and a mountain of invitations. The wedding preparations were in full swing, and she was determined to make it the most extravagant event of the year. Hunter might not be the most affectionate fiancé, but he was wealthy, powerful, and exactly the kind of man she needed to secure her future. She had worked too hard to let anything—or anyone—ruin this for her.As she flipped through a catalog of designer gowns, her phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen, her heart sinking as she saw the name: Jake. Her ex-boyfriend. The man she had tried so hard to leave behind. She hesitated for a moment before picking up the phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she opened the text."Sophia, we need to talk. Meet me at the old warehouse on 5th Street. Bring $50,000 in cash. If you don’t show up, I’ll pay a visit to your new rich boyfriend and tell him all about us. You don’t want that, do you?"Sophia’s s
After the tense encounter with Hunter, Evelyn returned to her office, her mind still reeling from the meeting. She sat down at her desk, her fingers tapping nervously on the polished surface as she tried to gather her thoughts. The weight of her new role as CEO was already heavy, and now, with Hunter’s sudden interest in StarLink, she felt even more overwhelmed. She needed someone she could trust by her side—someone who knew the ins and outs of the business world and could help her navigate the challenges ahead.Her eyes drifted to Vinni, who was sitting across from her, scrolling through her phone with a scowl on her face. Vinni had always been her rock, her confidante, and her fiercest supporter. She was sharp, resourceful, and had a knack for handling difficult situations with ease. If anyone could help Evelyn navigate the treacherous waters of corporate politics, it was Vinni.“Vinni,” Evelyn began, her voice hesitant but determined. “I need to ask you something.”Vinni looked up
The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelyn’s office, casting a warm glow over the sleek, modern space. She sat at her desk, her fingers tapping nervously on the polished surface as she reviewed the latest financial reports. The numbers were grim, but she refused to let despair take hold. She had taken on the role of CEO to honor her father’s legacy, and she wasn’t about to let StarLink crumble under her watch.Just as she was about to dive deeper into the reports, her secretary, Lisa, knocked lightly on the door before stepping inside. “Ms. Carter, I have some news.”Evelyn looked up, her expression calm but curious. “What is it, Lisa?”Lisa hesitated for a moment, her tone cautious. “We’ve received word that a major investor is interested in partnering with StarLink. They’re prepared to make a significant investment to help stabilize the company.”Evelyn’s eyes widened, a flicker of hope igniting in her chest. “That’s incredible news! Who is it? Do we ha
Hunter sat in his office, the morning sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow over the sleek, modern space. He leaned back in his leather chair, scrolling through his phone as he sipped his coffee. His eyes scanned the headlines absently until one caught his attention: "Daughter Takes Over Father’s Legacy: Evelyn Carter Named CEO of StarLink."His coffee cup froze halfway to his lips as he stared at the article. There, right below the headline, was a picture of Evelyn. She looked poised, confident, and radiant in a tailored suit, her hair swept back in a sleek updo. The caption beneath the photo read: Evelyn Carter, daughter of the late Robert Carter, steps into her father’s shoes as the new CEO of StarLink.Hunter’s jaw tightened as he read the article, his mind racing. Evelyn is the CEO of StarLink now? He couldn’t believe it. The Evelyn he knew—the one he had married and then divorced—had always been intelligent and driven, but he had never i
Hunter returned to his house late in the evening, his tie loosened and his expression weary. The weight of the day’s work hung heavily on his shoulders, and all he wanted was a quiet evening to unwind. But as he stepped into the living room, he was met with the sight of Sophia sprawled on the couch, surrounded by shopping bags and dresses laid out like trophies.“Hunter!” Sophia exclaimed, her voice dripping with excitement as she jumped up to greet him. “You’re finally home! Look at all the dresses I bought today. I wanted your opinion on which one I should wear to the gala next week.”Hunter barely glanced at the dresses, his disinterest evident as he walked past her toward the kitchen. “I’m sure whatever you choose will be fine, Sophia. You don’t need my input.”Sophia’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, following him with one of the dresses in hand. “But Hunter, this is important. I want to look perfect for you. Don’t you care?”Hunter poured himself a glass of water, his
Hunter slammed his office door shut, the sound echoing through the hallway. His employees exchanged uneasy glances, quickly returning to their work as his heavy footsteps approached. He stormed into the open workspace, his voice sharp and cutting. "Where’s the report I asked for this morning?" he barked at a young intern who was nervously shuffling papers. "Did I hire you to sit around and look busy, or to actually get work done?"The intern stammered, "I-I’m almost done, sir. I just need—""Almost done isn’t good enough," Hunter snapped, cutting him off. "I don’t pay you for almost. Get it on my desk in the next 10 minutes, or don’t bother coming back tomorrow."The intern nodded frantically, his face pale, as Hunter turned on his heel and marched back to his office. The tension in the room was palpable, and no one dared to speak until his door closed behind him.Back in his office, Hunter slumped into his chair, running a hand through his hair in frustration. How dare Evelyn ignore
Evelyn stepped into her new office, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the modern, sleek space. The walls were painted a soft, calming gray, accented with large windows that let in streams of natural light, offering a stunning view of the city skyline. A polished wooden desk sat in the center, adorned with a sleek laptop, a notepad, and a small potted plant—a touch of greenery that added warmth to the room. A comfortable-looking ergonomic chair was tucked neatly behind the desk, and a bookshelf against the wall was already stocked with industry-related books and a few decorative items. The faint scent of fresh coffee lingered in the air, coming from a small coffee station in the corner.As she was taking it all in, a woman with a warm smile and a confident stride entered the room. She extended her hand, her voice friendly and welcoming. "You must be Evelyn. I’m Clara, your new manager. It’s so great to finally have you here!"Evelyn shook her hand, returning the smile. "Thank
Evelyn adjusted her blazer nervously as she stepped out of the car, her heart hammering in her chest. The sleek glass building of Starlink towered above her, its polished exterior gleaming in the morning sun. The sight of it brought a mix of emotions—anxiety, determination, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. This wasn’t just any company; it was her father’s legacy. She inhaled deeply and pushed through the revolving doors. Inside, the lobby buzzed with activity—employees moving with purpose, phones ringing, the faint hum of conversation echoing off the marble walls. The receptionist, a young woman with a warm smile, greeted her. “Ms. Evelyn Carter, right? We already received a call from your grandfather,” the receptionist said, standing up immediately. “The board is expecting you. This way, please.” Evelyn nodded, her palms damp with sweat as she followed the receptionist to the elevator. 'Expecting me?' she thought. 'They barely know me. What exactly am I walking int