Aria’s POV“What’s going on?!” I demanded, my voice sharp and trembling as I stared at Samuel, barely processing the absurdity of the situation.He blinked at me, his brows furrowing in equal parts confusion and alarm. “What are you doing here?” he shot back, his tone defensive.I ignored his questi
Victor’s POVThe memory of breakfast with Aria and Jasmine stayed in my mind as I walked down the hallway toward the meeting room. Jasmine had been in one of her playful moods, giggling as Aria tried to keep her from smearing syrup everywhere. It was a perfect start to the day—light, warm, and groun
Victor’s POVAria was clearly rattled, her fingers hovering over the keyboard as though willing the files to reappear. I wanted to tell her to take a breath, that we’d figure this out later, but before I could speak, Miranda’s hand shot into the air.“Well,” Miranda said, her voice smooth and compos
Aria’s POVThe scent of freshly brewed coffee drifted through the air as Jessica and I sat in the lounge on the second floor of Velvet Vibe’s headquarters. It was one of my new favorite spaces that we had just recently set up — a cozy corner with plush chairs and large windows that overlooked the ga
“It seems so,” he replied, sounding exasperated. “The batch included substitutes that are close but not identical to what we use. We’ve reached out to the supplier, but I wanted you to know immediately.”My stomach twisted. “I’ll be there right away.”I hung up and turned to Jessica, the unease in m
Victor’s POVThe meeting was supposed to be routine—a financial review with Martin, our CFO. I glanced at the quarterly summary on my tablet as Martin entered the room, looking slightly more frazzled than usual. His tie was a little loose, and there was a crease in his usually pristine shirt. Someth
Victor’s POVThe quaint restaurant was one of those cozy, tucked-away spots my mother loved. The kind of place where the waitstaff remembered your name, and the ambiance begged you to linger. I didn’t have time to linger, of course, but when Alicia Thorn insisted on lunch, it was easier to agree tha
Victor’s POVIt was late—too late—but the day hadn’t allowed for an earlier finish. A marathon meeting with the finance team had consumed the evening, leaving my head buzzing with numbers and unanswered questions.I pushed my office door open, wanting some quiet and rest before coming home. I need
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
Aria’s POVI inhaled deeply, the familiar scent of essential oils and raw ingredients filling my senses. The lab was silent except for the soft bubbling of beakers and the occasional scribble of my pen as I jotted down notes. I was alone, and for now, that was exactly what I needed.My hands moved w
Victor’s POVThe last two days had been filled with tension—an invisible wall that had settled between Aria and me. I thought we were making progress, slowly finding our way back to a place of trust, but now? Now, she was pulling away again, and I had a feeling it wasn’t just about us this time.The
Victor’s POVThe atmosphere in the hallway was heavy as the last of my team exited the building. Some of them had walked out stiffly, their expressions betraying their frustration at being searched. Others had been more understanding, nodding when I explained that Velvet Vibe’s security procedures w