It was morning and Hannah had woken up early. She woke up feeling energized and all.She had brought out her laptop and sent messages to all the members of the board except Brandon that there was going to be a Meeting today.After which she got dressed. She made sure she looked her best and dressed in a way Brandon would stare at her and would not be able to resist her looks.After which she hopped in her car, and zoomed off to the company. Her car came to a stop at the company, she walked straight to her office.A lot of people seemed to be surprised to see her, they probably thought she was there to hand over the position to Isabella Edward but they didn't know she was there to take over. She checked her time and saw it was time for the meeting. She took her laptop and some important files, after which she walked out of her office and locked the door to the office, taking the key with her so that no one would be able to get in. She walked to the board room and met everyone sitting
Hannah raised her head the moment Brandon barged in without knocking.He glared at Mr Brodsky and then paused for a second. Different thoughts mixed with anger going through his mind and the fact that Hannah and Mr Brodsky were holding hands when he walked in made things worse. He took a deep breath while trying to hold himself from punching Mr Brodsky on his face.âExcuse me, I need to speak with my wifeâĶaloneâĶâ he muttered between gritted teeth and Mr Brodsky glared at him and then at Hannah who gave him a gentle nod.He walked out of the boardroom without looking back.Brandon closed the door and turned back to Hannah who had sat down on the chair,while she glared at him coldly.âWhat do you want?â Hannah asked and Brandon scoffed.âWhat do I want? Whatâs going on and what the hell is Brodsky doing here alone in this room?â He asked and Hannah rolled her eyes.âThat is none of your concern, Brandon Colby,â she said as she stood up to leave but he stood in front of her blocking her
Meanwhile, Brandon is seen in Hannahâs office, pacing to and fro, not knowing what to do, he had ruined his marriage and everything with his hands. He had not only lost his company, he had lost his wife too.âSir,â the door opened and Liam walked in.âLiam, did I do something wrong by telling everyone my wife was going to be stepping down as the COO and Isabella was going to be taking over?.â he asked and Liam glared at him and sighed before he spoke.âYou took her by surprise, you took everyone by surprise, Sir. You should have tried talking to her before taking the decision,â Liam muttered and Brandon sighed. Mr. Edward had just come back to town after he left with his daughter and he requested his daughter get a position in the company. Edward holds 25% shares of Colbyco. He had threatened to withdraw the shares if Brandon didn't grant him the request and he knew if he told Hannah to step down she wouldnât want to, so he had to do what he thought was right.âMaybe you should fix
Meanwhile, the moment Hannah walked out of her office, and outside the company, she had a cold look on. She was ready to call her lawyer and sign the divorce paper for good. Just as she was about to walk to her car, she saw Mr Brodsky standing by her car.âMr Brodsky, I thought you had left,â Hannah muttered and he smiled at her.âNo, I was waiting for you here. Itâs noon and lunchtime, so I was thinking maybe we should have lunch together. Thereâs a new restaurant downtown, you might want to try out their food,â he muttered and Hannah opened her mouth to say no but then she paused and sighed. She had already promised to have lunch with him for voting for her. If he hadn't voted for her, there was no way she would have acquired that position easily.she should just have lunch with him and that would be all.âSure,â Brodsky smiled like he had won a trophy.âWe should go in my carâĶâ he muttered.âUhm, Iâll go in mine, you should go in yours, Iâll be behind youâ she muttered and Brods
âLike you said sheâs my wife, you have no right to interfere in whatever we are talking about,â Brandon said between gritted teeth. Mr Brodsky stood up and made to move towards Brandon but Hannah quickly stood up and held him back. She frowned at Brandon without saying a word and told Mr Brodsky they should both go outside. they had walked outside leaving Brandon and Isabella all alone.But Brandon didn't have it and he had followed them outside. Hannah was his wife, his only, and seeing him with another man was killing him on the inside. It was making him lose control and things could get so much worse if Brodsky does not leave immediately.âIâm so sorry, Brandon has so much temperâĶ, â Hannah muttered as she brought out her handkerchief and wiped out the blood in Mr Brodskyâs mouth.âItâs fine. I wonder how a woman like you can be with a man of his nature. He doesnât deserve you, HannahâĶâ Brodsky paused as he saw Brandon walking towards them. Hannah had turned and also saw Brandon.
He suddenly crashed his lips with hers. For a moment, Hannah paused as she felt a strange feeling run through her spine. She felt all the nerves in her body become calm and peaceful at once. She didn't try to push him away from her or even resist him, and at the same time, she was trying to resist his touch.As much as she hated to admit it, she liked the kiss, and she wanted more than just the kiss. The kiss made her realize how much she wanted him. It had made her realize how much she missed his touch, being close to him, and every fucking thing about him.âIs this how you plan on divorcing him?â a thought flashed through her mind, but she quickly pushed the thought away, and in no time, she had completely lost control and gave in to the kiss. Brandon moved his lips from her mouth to her neck, and she didn't know when a soft moan escaped her lips.âI love you, Hannah, I love you so much,â Brandon moaned softly as his tongue did wander on her neck down to her collar bone to her cl
The moment Hannah walked away, Linda stood frozen, her thoughts spiraling. She swallowed hard, her throat dry. What she had just heardâit couldnât be true.Impossible.How could a woman like Hannah outmaneuver her son and take over the company so effortlessly? The idea made Lindaâs stomach churn. Has Isabella heard the news yet? If not, she would soon.How could someone like Hannah outrank her? How could she take over ColbyCoâovernightâand become CEO? The thought alone made Lindaâs blood boil. It was impossible. Unbelievable. Infuriating.She had fought for years to gain control of the company when she was with Wilson, yet she had failed. And now, out of nowhere, this woman had done what she couldnât? How?Her mind raced, searching for answers, but none of it made sense. The more she thought about it, the more she was in shock, anger, and disbelief clawing at her.She hesitated, gripping her phone tightly. Should she call Isabella and tell her the news? Would that make things worse? P
Brandon moved toward Hannah, his steps slow but determined. Then, without hesitation, he dropped to one knee before her.âHannah, I know Iâve hurt you in ways I can never take back,â he said, his voice low, almost pleading. âI know words arenât enough to make up for everything, but pleaseâĶ just give me a chance to prove to you how sorry I am.â His eyes held a desperation she hadnât seen before, raw and unfiltered.Hannahâs breath hitched as she glanced at Lucas, then back at Brandon.âItâs fine,â she muttered, though her voice wavered slightly. âI forgive you, Brandon. Please, stand up.âShe reached out and took his hands, helping him up from the floor. Seeing him like thisâbroken, vulnerableâtwisted something deep inside her. No matter how much she tried to stay angry, she couldnât ignore the ache in her chest. She hated seeing him like this.Brandonâs gaze softened as she smiled and accepted the bouquet and gift box from him.âThank you,â she whispered.She set them on the table bef
Lucas had left the room to make some calls, leaving Hannah and Teresa alone in the dimly lit space. The air between them was thick with unspoken thoughts, with grief and frustration too heavy to voice.Teresa watched Hannah closely. She looked hollowâher eyes distant, her shoulders sagging under a weight no one could carry for her.âYou okay?â Teresa finally asked.Hannah blinked and turned her head, forcing a weak smile. âYeah.âTeresa hummed in response, clearly unconvinced. She reached into her pocket, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it with a practiced ease. Smoke curled in the air between them.âDo you smoke?â she asked, offering one toward Hannah.Hannah shook her head. âNo. I never have.âTeresa chuckled, taking a long drag before exhaling. âFigures.âSilence stretched between them, but it wasnât uncomfortable. It was the silence of two women who understood each otherâdifferent, yet bound by shared pain.âMy mother-in-law used to hate me too,â Teresa murmured suddenly, he
Teresa sat in the back of a dimly lit bar, the scent of cigarette smoke and aged whiskey thick in the air. The place was quiet, the kind of underground haunt where no one asked questions, where secrets were currency, and where a person could disappear if they werenât careful.She checked the time on her phone. Her contact was late.Across the table, Hannah fidgeted with the glass of water in front of her, her expression distant, lost in thoughts she wasnât ready to speak out loud. Lucas sat beside her, his gaze locked on the entrance, his tension palpable.When the door finally creaked open, Teresaâs eyes narrowed as a tall, wiry man entered, his leather jacket scuffed and his face shadowed with stubble. He scanned the room before spotting her and sauntering over.âYouâre late, Marco,â Teresa said, her voice edged with impatience.The manâMarco Ruizâgrinned as he slid into the seat across from her. âGood to see you too, Provenzano. You know how it isâhard to stay alive in this busines
Hannah stood in the dimly lit warehouse, her fingers clenched into fists at her sides. The stale scent of dust and oil filled the air, mingling with the cold fear settling deep in her stomach. The warehouse was one of many they had searched in the last twenty-four hours, but this one felt different. The moment she stepped inside, a weird sensation crawled over her skin, like a presence lingering just out of sight.Lucas moved beside her, scanning the rows of crates stacked high against the walls. His jaw was tight, his frustration barely concealed beneath his calm exterior. Teresa stood a few steps ahead, gun in hand, her eyes sharp as she surveyed their surroundings. They had all hopedâdesperatelyâthat this search would yield something more than dead ends and half-truths. But as the minutes ticked by, that hope was slipping.Brandon had vanished without a trace.Every lead they had followed led to nothing. Every whisper, every clue, every trail had been a carefully crafted illus
The night was thick with silence, the kind that felt like a living, breathing thing, pressing in on them as they stood at the edge of the abandoned docks. The stench of salt and rust filled the air, mixing with something darkerâthe unmistakable scent of blood.Teresaâs fingers curled around the handle of her gun as she scanned the area, her pulse drumming hard against her ribs. Her father was dead. That chapter of her life was over. But this? This wasnât over. Not until she had him.Not until she had Brandon and brought him back to his family.âWe shouldâve heard something by now,â Hannah whispered, her voice tight with restrained panic.Teresa didnât answer. She was thinking the same thing.The lead had been solid. Brandon had been held hereâmultiple sources confirmed it. The docks had been his prison. But as they stood here, surrounded by crates and shadows, the truth settled like ice in her veins.Brandon wasnât here.And the blood on the floor was still fresh.Teresa crouched do
Teresa barely had a second to react before the door to her office swung open. The moment her eyes landed on the man standing there, a cold shiver ran down her spine. Her father.Bernardo Provenzano. The man she had once idolized. The man she had spent her entire life trying to please.And now, the man she had just betrayed.He stepped inside with a slow, deliberate pace, shutting the door behind him. The soft click of the lock sent her heart into overdrive.âOh, my little princess,â he murmured, his voice filled with mock tenderness. But his eyesâĶ they were filled with nothing but hatred.Teresaâs hands gripped the arms of her chair, knuckles turning white. Fear slithered through her veins, but she refused to let it show.âHow disappointing,â he continued, shaking his head as if she were a child who had misbehaved. âI thought you were different. Better. Not like your mother.âTeresa inhaled sharply.His mother.For years, she had believed the lieâthat her mother had been killed by a r
The beeping of machines was the only sound filling the hospital room. Jessica lay on the hospital bed, her skin deathly pale, her chest barely rising under the weight of the oxygen mask secured over her face. Wires and tubes connected her to the machines, keeping her alive, but just barely.Hannah stood frozen in the doorway, unable to move. The doctorâs words still rang in her ears, cutting deeper than any wound ever could.âShe has a five percent chance of survival,â the doctor had said, his voice clinical, detached. âShe lost too much blood, and the delay in medical care worsened her condition. Weâre doing everything we can, but you need to prepare for the worst.âThe worst.Hannah clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms. This was her fault. If she hadnât suggested they escapeâĶ if she had just listened, just stayed put, Jessica wouldnât be lying here, fighting for her life.And BrandonâĶA fresh wave of pain hit her. He was gone. Taken. She had watched him surrender himsel
The river had given them a chance, but it hadnât given them freedom.Brandon collapsed onto the muddy shore, gasping for air. His limbs ached from the relentless current, but he didnât have time to recover. Jessica.Lucas dragged her up the embankment, his breathing ragged. She was completely unconscious now, her body limp in his arms. The river had sapped whatever strength she had left. Her wound was badâtoo bad. If they didnât get her help soonâĶNo. He couldnât think like that.âTeresa,â Brandon barked, snapping back into survival mode. âWhereâs the nearest hospital?âTeresa, still soaking wet, flipped open her laptop with shaking hands. Water dripped onto the screen, but she didnât stop. âThereâs one about six miles south,â she said breathlessly. âBut thereâs a problem.âBrandon exhaled sharply. âThereâs always a problem.âTeresa gave him a grim look. âBernardoâs men will have every major road blocked. Theyâre already watching the airspace. If we head to that hospital, theyâll find
The cave was damp and cold, the scent of moss and river water clinging to the air. Shadows stretched across the rocky walls, their flickering shapes cast by the distant glow of searchlights cutting through the trees outside. They had barely made it out alive.But they werenât safe.Brandon pressed his back against the jagged rock, listening. Boots crunched against gravel just beyond the entrance. The soldiers were closing in. They had minutesâmaybe secondsâbefore the cave was compromised.Lucas sat against the far wall, pressing his hand against Jessicaâs wound. She was slipping fast, her skin pale, her lips trembling.âI can stop the bleeding, but not for long,â Teresa said, her voice tight with urgency. âBut she needs real help, Brandon.âBrandon looked at Jessicaâs barely conscious form, then at Hannah, who was up beside Teresa, shaking from the cold,she looked so pale. He had promised to protect her. He had promised to protect all of them.He clenched his fists. Promises meant not
The night was supposed to be theirs. They had escaped, survived impossible odds, and left Bernardo bleeding on the cold ground. But fate had other plans.They wondered how come he was alive. They had witnessed him go on his knees, blood all over him.The deafening roar of helicopter blades grew louder, sending shockwaves through Brandonâs chest. The floodlights cut through the dense trees, slicing through the shadows that had once been their cover. The tracker beneath the seat blinked like a taunting heartbeatâsteady, unrelenting, and damning.Teresaâs fingers flew over her laptop, her breath ragged. âI need time,â she muttered, panic lacing her voice.âWe donât have time,â Lucas growled, yanking a rifle from the back. âTheyâre here.âJessica shifted, barely conscious, her breathing uneven. Hannah took a deep breathe while having a second thoughts.Maybe she should just surrender herself to Bernardo and all this would be over. But Brandon here would rather die than watch her go back