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. Evelynโs cold indifference, the smug smirk of that bastard Edwin, and her outright dismissal of himโit was all too much. Hunter ran a hand through his hair, tugging at the roots in frustration. 'Sheโs 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 couldnโt 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 emotionsโanxiety, determination, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. This wasnโt just any company; it was her fatherโs legacy. She inhaled deeply and pushed through the revolving doors. Inside, the lobby buzzed with activityโemployees 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. โMs. Evelyn Carter, right? We already received a call from your grandfather,โ the receptionist said, standing up immediately. โThe board is expecting you. This way, please.โ 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 plantโa 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. Iโm Clara, your new manager. Itโs 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. "Whereโs 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-Iโm almost done, sir. I just needโ""Almost done isnโt good enough," Hunter snapped, cutting him off. "I donโt pay you for almost. Get it on my desk in the next 10 minutes, or donโt 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 dayโs 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.โHunter!โ Sophia exclaimed, her voice dripping with excitement as she jumped up to greet him. โYouโre 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.โHunter barely glanced at the dresses, his disinterest evident as he walked past her toward the kitchen. โIโm sure whatever you choose will be fine, Sophia. You donโt need my input.โSophiaโs smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, following him with one of the dresses in hand. โBut Hunter, this is important. I want to look perfect for you. Donโt you care?โHunter 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 Fatherโs 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 fatherโs shoes as the new CEO of StarLink.Hunterโs jaw tightened as he read the article, his mind racing. Evelyn is the CEO of StarLink now? He couldnโt believe it. The Evelyn he knewโthe one he had married and then divorcedโhad always been intelligent and driven, but he had never i
The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Evelynโs 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 fatherโs legacy, and she wasnโt 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. โMs. Carter, I have some news.โEvelyn looked up, her expression calm but curious. โWhat is it, Lisa?โLisa hesitated for a moment, her tone cautious. โWeโve received word that a major investor is interested in partnering with StarLink. Theyโre prepared to make a significant investment to help stabilize the company.โEvelynโs eyes widened, a flicker of hope igniting in her chest. โThatโs incredible news! Who is it? Do we ha
Before she could respond, the door swung open, and Vinni strode in, her presence commanding the room. โSorry Iโm late,โ she said, her tone breezy but her eyes sharp as they landed on Hunter. โTraffic was a nightmare.โ Hunterโs smirk faltered for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he recognized Vinni. โVinni. What a pleasant surprise.โ Vinni flashed him a saccharine smile as she took a seat next to Evelyn. โLikewise, Hunter. Itโs been a while. Still causing trouble, I see?โ Hunterโs jaw tightened, but he quickly recovered, his smirk returning. โJust doing business, Vinni. Nothing personal.โ Vinni leaned forward, her tone dripping with sarcasm. โOf course not. Because youโre all about helping others, arenโt you?โ Evelyn placed a hand on Vinniโs arm, a silent plea to keep the peace. She turned back to Hunter, her tone firm. โHunter, while we appreciate your offer, weโll need time to review the terms of your investment. StarLink is in a delicate position, and we need to ensure that any p
Her fingers hovered over the screen, frozen mid-motion, a strange paralysis gripping her. A simple, unassuming text message illuminated the dark screen:"Good night, Evelyn. Sleep well."Her heart twisted painfully, a sharp, unexpected pang of something she couldnโt quite name โ a flicker of longing, perhaps, or maybe just a visceral reaction to the unexpected intimacy of his message.Why was he doing this? The silent question echoed in the quiet room. Why now, after everything he had put her through? Did he genuinely believe that a few softly spoken words, delivered via text message in the dead of night, could somehow erase the years of loneliness she had endured during their marriage, the profound betrayal that had shattered her trust, the agonizing sting of his indifference?She pressed her lips into a hard, thin line, a resolute act of self-preservation. She didnโt reply. She couldnโt find the words, the emotional energy completely depleted. Instead, with a deliberate movement, sh
Evelyn pushed open the door to Vinniโs apartment with a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of the dayโs strained interactions, the subtle click of her heels against the worn wooden floors a familiar punctuation mark to her weary arrival. The comforting blend of Vinniโs signature vanilla and soft lavender scent usually offered a small measure of solace, a gentle hug after a long day, but tonight, even that familiar aroma couldnโt penetrate the heavy weight pressing against her chest, a dull ache that mirrored the hollowness within.She still hadnโt taken the plunge, hadnโt severed the last tangible tie to her old life by finding her own place. Part of her knew she should. Financially, she was more than capable now, StarLinkโs recent surge of cautious optimism offering a fragile sense of stability. But the prospect of returning to an empty apartment, the suffocating silence of living alone with only her thoughts for company, felt unbearable. Here, amidst Vinniโs cheerful chaos, the
The lingering ghost of Evelynโs perfume, a delicate whisper of lavender and something uniquely her own, still clung to the air around the vacated lunch table.Hunter, however, was no longer present, the imposing figure who commanded boardrooms and bent industries to his will now absent, leaving behind only the faint indentation on the plush velvet seating. He had watched her departure, a study in elegant defiance โ head held high, her stride sharp and purposeful, each click of her heels against the polished floor a decisive punctuation mark on their severed connection. It was as if the years they had shared, the intricate tapestry of their intertwined lives, had been relegated to the realm of a forgotten nightmare, one from which she had finally awakened and was determined to erase from her memory entirely.A dull ache, a physical manifestation of the emotional turmoil churning within him, constricted Hunterโs chest.For once, Hunter Blackwood, the man renowned for his glacial compos
Few days later - The sterile finality of the signed contracts hung in the air, a tangible representation of Evelynโs pragmatic decision to intertwine StarLinkโs fate with that of her ex-husbandโs formidable empire. The alliance, born of necessity and a sliver of grudging respect for Hunterโs business acumen, felt like a precarious truce, a delicate balance teetering on the precipice of their volatile shared history. The memory of his raw possessiveness in the hotel hallway, the unsettling glint of protectiveness in his eyes amidst the violent outburst, lingered in Evelynโs thoughts, a confusing undercurrent beneath the carefully constructed surface of their professional interactions.It was with a sense of inevitability, a weary resignation mixed with a sliver of reluctant curiosity, that Evelyn received Hunterโs subsequent message. It arrived mid-morning, a curt digital summons that vibrated her phone with the familiar, unapologetic tone that had always characterized his communicat
Three days of her meticulously constructing a narrative of indifference, a fragile wall against the unwelcome pang of hurt and the surprising sting of jealousy that still dared to surface. She had almost begun to believe her own carefully crafted facade, clinging to the hope that his abrupt departure from her office would translate into a prolonged absence.That fragile hope shattered that afternoon with the arrival of a terse, demanding message on her private, unlisted number โ the one only a handful of people, including Hunter, possessed.Hunter: Dinner. Hotel LaVelle. 8 PM. Donโt be late.Evelyn scoffed, her fingers tightening around her phone, her eyes blazing with a mixture of indignation and a reluctant flicker of intrigue. No polite preamble. No inquiry about her availability. Just a blunt command, thinly veiled as an invitation, delivered with the casual arrogance she had come to both despise and, inexplicably, expect. Her initial instinct was a resounding refusal. She had no
Evelynโs heart sank, a cold, unwelcome weight settling in the pit of her stomach. โYouโre kidding me,โ she muttered under her breath, a wave of weary resignation washing over her. Of all the days, of all the moments for him to reappear.โNope. Walked in here like he owned the damn place and has practically set up camp in your office. He even turned down Beatriceโs offer of a double espresso, which, knowing Hunter, means heโs not here for a polite social call. This is drama, Evelyn. Pure, unadulterated Blackwood-style drama.โ Vinniโs voice was a low, urgent warning.Evelyn muttered a more potent curse under her breath, her fingers instinctively adjusting the sharp lines of her blazer, a familiar armor she donned before facing any significant confrontation. โFine,โ she said, her voice tight with forced calm. โLetโs just get this over with. Rip off the band-aid and send him back to his ivory tower.โShe pushed open the door to her office, her hand firm on the cool metal handle, ready to
Three days had bled into the past since the searing image of Hunter and Sophia, bathed in the warm glow of the afternoon sun, had burned itself into Evelynโs memory. Three days of forced composure, of burying the unwelcome pang of hurt and a surprising stab of something akin to jealousy beneath a veneer of professional detachment. Three days of silence from him โ no apologetic calls, no casual texts, nothing to acknowledge the barbed condition he had laid down for a potential partnership. And honestly, a part of her was relieved. Or at least, thatโs the narrative she diligently constructed for herself, a fragile shield against the unwelcome intrusion of her lingering feelings.The usual weekday rhythm of StarLinkโs headquarters pulsed around her that morning, the familiar symphony of hurried footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors, the low hum of overlapping conversations weaving through the open-plan offices. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted from the communal ki
โForget him,โ Vinni said with a decisive wave of her hand, her arms crossed firmly over her chest as she leaned against the edge of Evelynโs imposing mahogany desk. Her gaze was direct, her loyalty unwavering. โAvoid that manipulative bastard for a while. He wants to rattle you, Evelyn, to see if he still has the power to provoke a reaction. And you walking in there today, composed and presenting a powerful business proposition, scared the living hell out of him. Thatโs why heโs resorting to acting like a petulant, jealous child.โEvelyn let out a dry, humorless laugh, the sound devoid of any real amusement. She sank into the plush leather of her executive chair with a weary sigh, the adrenaline from her confrontation with Hunter slowly draining away, leaving behind a residue of frustration and simmering anger. โHe didnโt even try to be subtle about it, did he? The sheer audacity. I should have known heโd pull some underhanded stunt like that. Itโs classic Hunter.โโWell, now you know
The imposing edifice of Blackwood Corp loomed before Evelyn, a sleek monument of steel and glass that seemed to pierce the very sky. Its grandeur was both intimidating and a stark reminder of the power Hunter wielded, a power she was now reluctantly seeking to tap into. She adjusted the crisp lapels of her elegant navy suit, the tailored fabric a shield against the unease churning in her stomach. Her posture was ramrod straight, her chin held high, her carefully composed exterior a mask for the turbulent emotions beneath.The proposal folder clutched in her hand was more than just a collection of meticulously researched data and persuasive projections; it was a tangible representation of her pride, her companyโs precarious future resting within its sleek covers.The hushed reverence of the grand, glass-paneled lobby of Blackwood Corp felt almost suffocating.The cool, minimalist design, the silent efficiency of the staff, all contributed to an atmosphere of controlled power. Evelynโs