Mirabel stepped out of the sleek Honda car, her heels clicking measuredly against the marble floor of Anthony's corporate headquarters. Employees moved briskly, their expressions a mix of focus and determination, embodying the company's high-stakes environment.Her eyes glowed with satisfaction as she strode through the glass doors, her mind set on the plan she had carefully crafted and was now ready to execute. The cool air-conditioned breeze hit her face, a stark contrast to the warmth outside, making her feel even more in control.She knew that to bring down Lyra and, in turn, get back at Dante, she needed a powerful ally who was as angry as she was.In this case, Anthony was the perfect candidate. She had done her research.His company, a formidable competitor in the industry, had all the potential and financial might to do the necessary damage. The walls of the lobby were lined with awards and accolades, a testament to Anthony's business acumen and ruthless strategies.As Mirabe
It was closing time, and Aria was on her way to the company premises, her mind swirling with thoughts of the day’s activities and the chores that awaited her at home.She had just reached the elevator entrance and was about to take another step forward when Lyra's voice called out to her."Aria, wait up!"Aria stopped sharply and turned around swiftly to see Lyra half-running towards her. Her handbag was dangling from her hand, and she had a bright smile on her face.Despite the chaos that has been brewing in her mind since yesterday, Aria couldn't help but smile back. She couldn't afford to look as she was actually feeling."Hey, Lyra. What's up?" She voiced, trying to sound just as cheerful.Lyra was in front of her now, slightly out of breath but still beaming. "Here, I got you something," she said, handing over the bag to her gingerly."I figured it was exactly your speck."Aria collected the bag with genuine surprise, her heart warming at the gesture. "You know you didn't have
Lyra sat at her desk, the glow of her computer screen illuminating her face.Pieces of art and sketches were scattered around her, each design more intricate than the last. Her fingers were spread over the keyboard as she made final adjustments to her latest pattern.The office was quiet, save for the soft hum of the air conditioning and the occasional rustle of paper. She had been at this for hours, consumed by the need to perfect every detail.Just as she was beginning to put finishing touches on a particular design, she heard a soft knock on the door. Lyra paused to look up as her secretary, Bancroft, entered the room. "Madam, we just received a call from Mr. Donovan, a potential investor. He's expressed significant interest in your upcoming collection."Lyra's heart skipped a beat.Mr. Donovan was another big name in the industry, one of the pioneers of the most classic runway shows in Silver City, known for his keen eye for talent and his generous investments. If he was intere
As the hours passed by, Aria sat on the edge of her bed, fumbling with her hands and staring into space as her mind raced. The fear that had initially gripped her heart for the past few days and for the last few hours began to loosen its hold, replaced by a simmering sense of envy. “Come to think of it, Lyra had always had everything: the perfect job, the admiration of her peers, a bright future. Everything. And now she was about to get the man of her dreams. Not just any man, but the best kind ever. A rich, handsome multi-billionaire. Even after the so-called separation, she still managed to get him back. What kind of reckless luck is that? And how could one human being do such?”She reasoned, tilting her head to one side.“Take my life as an example.” She thought.“I have struggled and toiled for every single scrap of recognition I ended up receiving, yet I have always been overshadowed by Lyra’s effortless success.”She sighed, breathing in and out. Was it really so terrible to g
Aria was still stiffened to one spot, freezing in apprehension when the door handle suddenly turned further. Her heart leaped. She quickly turned off the computer and dove behind the desk, shivering like a leaf in the wind, her heart pounding in her chest. Her eyes were squeezed shut and opened again.“Who could it be?” She was asking in her mind.“At this time of the night?”She was beginning to sweat, and for the first time in a long while, she started to mumble words of prayer, hoping she wouldn't get discovered.The creak of the door opening seemed deafening in the otherwise silent office.Aria dove even further; the violet beating of her heart at this point felt surprisingly audible.The intruder stepped in, and the footsteps she heard next were quick and continuous, followed by the pushing sound of a cleaning cart as well as the tune of the person's cheerful whistle. It was a man oblivious, and he was oblivious to the tension crackling in the air. He turned on the lights, and
Aria pushed the half-open door of the club aside, her footsteps slow and unsteady as she adjusted to the dim lighting and the pulsing beat of the background music.The familiar scent of alcohol and the haze of cigarette smoke tainted the air. This would be her third time coming to this place, each visit sinking her deeper into a web of deception and fear. The club was bustling, with patrons laughing and shouting over the music, oblivious to the ongoing transaction taking place in their midst.In a few seconds, Aria spotted Felix, yet again, at their usual booth; this time he was so much farther away from the center, sitting at a secluded location out of the reach of listening ears, if any.Even in the dimness, his knowing smile was visible to Aria, his posture exuding confidence and a sense of control. His eyes locked onto her the moment she entered, a predatory smirk curling his lips. His dark hair was slicked back, and his tailored suit made him look both out of place in the smal
Lyra entered her own office a few minutes later, like a thief, her movements deliberate and measured.She held her breath as she closed the door softly behind her, the click of the lock echoing in the quiet room. Her heart was heavy with suspicion and curiosity, a gnawing feeling of anxiety. She was finally going to know who the mole in their midst was in a matter of minutes. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of stress and preparation for the launch, but underneath it all, a shadow of doubt had been growing.She moved to her desk, her fingers trailing over the keypad as she sat down. Her eyes lifted to the corner of the room, where a hidden camera was discreetly positioned. It was a precaution she had taken after the previous incident. Taking a deep breath, she opened her laptop and navigated to the encrypted files. Her mind began to wander, thinking about the faces she might see on the screen. “Who could it be? A disgruntled employee? A rival sneaking in by themselves?” H
Anthony stepped out confidently from his sleek black sedan, his polished shoes stepping on the pavement of Lyra’s company complex. His eyes narrowed with satisfaction as he took in the sight. He wore a sly grin, a display of his inner triumph.“So this is the company of the woman in Dante’s life, huh?”He murmured under his breath, the edge of his smile sharpening. His gaze settled over the entrance, where a few employees hurried in and out, clutching files in their hands as they moved within and without the building.As he strode towards the glass doors, he dipped his hands in his pockets. His movements were deliberate, each step calculated to project the authority and poise of a typical would-be investor.He wore a tailored suit that accentuated his commanding presence, and his demeanor exuded an air of practiced ease. The receptionist, a tall, slender lady, looked up abruptly the moment he stepped into the first air-tight hall, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of him, bu