Victor’s POVThe board meeting continued, and the discussion shifted toward expansion plans. I took a deep breath, determined to regain control. “As part of our growth strategy, I propose we solidify our partnership with Velvet Vibe and explore collaborations with other fast-rising retail companies.
Victor’s POV“This is totally absurd,” I repeated, more to myself than to the members whose eyes seemed to be sizing me up. “I have led this company through challenges that would have broken lesser leaders. We’ve made strides in our partnerships and market positioning, and I won’t let my leadership
Aria’s POVI gasped, clapping a hand over my mouth as Shane’s whisper echoed in my ear, faint but crystal clear. There was no mistake about it. Marry me. Those words cut through the distance between us, as if she were standing right in front of me instead of behind Victor’s closed office door. My
My hands trembled with anger, my fingernails digging into my palms. She was trying to play him, manipulate him into submission with her saccharine voice and veiled threats. It was disgusting, and it infuriated me to my core. But Victor—he was smarter than that. He had to be.There was a brief silenc
Aria’s POVThe line went dead.I stared at my phone, my heart pounding in my chest, my mind aching with Shane's words. A wave of dread settled over me. I couldn’t shake the terrible feeling that this wasn’t over, that we were only scratching the surface of what Shane was capable of. And worse, I fel
Victor’s POVIt had been days since I last set foot in the office. The polished floors, my favorite oak desk, the glass doors with my name on them—it all felt like a distant memory. I wasn’t hiding, though. No, I have my reasons for staying away. Just for now, perhaps.Each morning, I found myself
Victor’s POVThe next day, I woke up to the sun filtering through the curtains. My phone buzzed on the bedside table, pulling me from the fog of sleep. I glanced at the screen and saw Phil’s name.The message read: Shane’s called an official board meeting. She’s ready to announce herself as the majo
Victor’s POVThere was a moment of stunned silence before the board members began murmuring among themselves, their expressions shifting as they processed my unexpected entrance.“Victor, I didn’t expect you to be here,” Shane recovered quickly, her voice feigning nonchalance as she forced a smile.
Victor’s POVI stood outside my mother’s door, holding Jasmine’s hand as I knocked twice. She shifted beside me, her fingers fidgeting with her sweater.The door opened, and Alicia stood there, surprise flickering in her sharp blue eyes as she took in the sight of us.“Victor,” she said, then her ga
Aria’s POVI swirled the glass vial in my hand, watching as the pale amber liquid coated the sides before settling again. The scent profile still wasn’t quite right, but I was close—so close I could almost taste it.The Velvet Vibe lab was quiet except for the soft hum of the air filtration system a
Aria’s POVI watched Victor, his face an impenetrable mask, his hand still holding mine. My heart ached for him, but to my own surprise, I felt something else too—pity for Alicia. For years, I had harbored resentment toward her, believing she had always looked down on me, dismissed me as unworthy o
Victor’s POVConfusion, anger, and apprehension swirled inside me, an unyielding force I couldn’t contain. I had no idea what I was walking into, but I knew one thing—I needed answers.As we pulled up in front of my mother’s house, I saw the glow of light through the living room window. She was stil
Aria’s POVThe revelation settled over us like a looming storm cloud, dense and unrelenting. Antonio Greco wasn’t just some powerful mafia boss—he had been the one controlling Shane. That alone was unsettling enough. My mind spun as I connected the dots. Shane had spent years trying to tear down Th
Victor’s POVThe moment we stepped into The Mirage, the air seemed to constrict around us. It felt as if we were being watched every step of the way.Overhead chandeliers sputtered in their golden glow, illuminating the velvet walls in fractured patterns, as if the very light was hesitant to linger
Victor’s POVWhen I arrived home, I found Aria in the garden, staring off into space, her arms wrapped around herself as a cool evening breeze swept through. The soft rustling of leaves was the only sound, the usual laughter of Jasmine absent. I knew she was in the playroom with the nanny, giving Ar
Victor’s POVI wasn’t going to let Aria face this alone.The moment I left our last conversation, I knew I had to take action. If there was a leak in my company, I needed to root it out myself. I refused to let this drive a wedge between us. She had to see that I was on her side, that there was no r
Aria’s POVI paced the length of the lab, arms crossed tightly over my chest, while Jessica sat on the stool near the counter, watching me with concern. The vials of stolen work still sat between us, a silent testament to the treachery lurking in our midst, waiting to be exposed.“We need a plan,” J