Isabel’s POV My heart is pounding in my chest, the rush of adrenaline making everything around me seem both distant and vividly clear at the same time. As I look up, my eyes lock with that of the man who had saved me. His expression is intense, a mix of concern and something else I can’t quite decipher. His hold, firm but gentle, the kind that makes me feel strangely safe despite the chaos I’d just experienced. For a moment, everything and everyone around us seems to freeze in place, as if the world is holding its breath, waiting to see what will happen next.The murmurs in the room falls to a hush, and I became painfully aware of all the eyes on us, watching, waiting. The butler, clearly flustered, rushes forward, breaking the spell. “I deeply apologize for this incident, sir,” she stammers, her voice tingling with panic. ‘Sir? Oh goodness!’ I think to myself, my eyes closely tightening, my legs dangling in the air. He slowly lets me down, his hands lingering just a moment lon
Isabel’s POVI stand in the kitchen, chopping vegetables for tonight’s dinner.I’ll be making dinner tonight, I say, feeling the excitement rush through me. The rhythmic sound of the knife hitting the cutting board calming me, yet my mind is far from at ease. Thoughts of my parents’ strange behavior kept swirling around in my head. Urgh! I take a deep sigh.Letting the thoughts out.It’s been two months since my divorce, and I can’t help but wonder how Alexander is doing? I miss those days when we made plans on having dinner together. I don’t eat dinner till he gets home, so we can have it together. I chuckle slightly.‘Why am I smiling so sheepishly?’ I thought to myself, slightly slapping my face with my hand. ‘You have to stop thinking about Alexander, he’s in the past now.’ A thought flickers through my mind as I let my shoulders down. Especially now there has been news about the marriage tie between the King’s family and the Castillo’s family. It’s going to be a tie between
Alexander’s POVFive Years Later.I make my way to bed, exhausted from the enormous meetings today at work. I feel weighed down, my body aching for sleep. The dim light from the bedside lamp casts a soft glow across the room as I lay down.Soon I feel a hand creep across my body, fingers sliding with the kind of softness that once, years ago, might have stirred some warmth. But it’s different now. It’s Cynthia.Her touch immediately sent a wave of irritation through my entire body. The repulsion tightens my chest, the muscles in my neck stiffened, and my body tensed like a coiled spring.I turned to the side, hoping it’s just a bad dream, but the pressure of her hand remained—a sickening reminder of what my life had become.I grabbed her wrist hard, probably harder than I meant to, and yanked it off me. I clench my jaw, my breathing shallow as fury spreads through me like wildfire. “Don’t you dare!” I say, the words ripping from my throat, each syllable punctuated by rage.She st
Isabel’s POVI lean in my plus leather chair, letting the hum of the city outside of my office windows become nothing more than a distant murmur. Christine my PA stands before me, her usual poised self, a report clasped in her hands. “Ms. Claire,” she says, her voice steady as she handed me the documents from our LA branch, “The numbers are looking promising, but we’ve had some delays in the shipments.”Taking the papers from her, I let a smile tug at the corner of my lips. “Thank you, Christine,” I replied, my voice calm, almost deceptively serene. As I glanced at the papers, a different file caught my eyes—the one on King’s Empire. Seeing this, my smile grew a little wider. If only they knew. I had asked for a private investigation done on the King’s Empire businesses— their hotels, furniture designing and decor business, everything concerning Alexander King a week ago.So it was only normal that I smiled harder seeing that report come in so fast. I know you must be wondering wh
Isabel’s POVLeaving the office, I glance at my watch—3:45PM. It’s time to pick up my babies, Scarlett and Sterling from preschool. I feel excited.My driver, Travis, is already waiting beside the sleek, black Bentley, its glossy finish glinting in the afternoon sun. I slid into the luxurious leather seats, the car’s interior exuding opulence and comfortTravis greets me with his usual courteous nod. He has been with me for years and now understands the delicate balance between professionalism and warmth.As he starts the engine, I feel a familiar pang of anticipation. Despite my busy schedule, nothing was more important to me than being there for my twins.The ride was smooth, and the quiet luxury of the Bentley provides a sense of peace and comfort that is much needed after a busy day. Being a mother to Scarlett and Sterling is my greatest joy, one that I can’t tell. Their laughter, their tiny hands reaching for mine, and their innocent excitement are the highlights of my day.I’m
Isabel’s POV“Of course, honey,” I whispered softly, reaching out to gently stroke Scarlett’s hair. My fingers tangled in her soft black curls as I tried to steady my voice. “You do have a father..” I pause for a moment, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. I drifted my gaze as I said, “But he’s far away from us now, so very far.” I can feel the weight of these words, a heaviness settling in my chest that I didn’t dare let slip into my expression. I held her gaze, trying to mask the storm brewing inside me with the tenderness only a mother could give. “Are you two done with your ice cream?” I ask, interrupting Scarlett who looks like she’s about to say something else. I didn’t want to hear more questions—didn’t want to face the innocence of her curiosity any longer. “So can we head home?” I let my smile brighter this time, willing them to see only the warmth I so desperately wanted to shield them with.“Okay! Let’s go home now, Mummy!” They both shouted in unison, their
Isabel’s POVThe news hit like a thunderclap in the quiet dawn, the headline flashing across every screen I passed: “The Montgomery’s Set to Announce the Return of Their Long-Lost Daughter. She Takes Up the Family Business in LA.” It was as if the entire world suddenly turned its gaze toward me, my name whispered in every corner, from New York to San Francisco. I could feel the tremor of shockwaves spreading like wildfire, the curiosity, the gossip— all of it echoing back to the power and influence of the Montgomery name. The Montgomery family—my family—is no stranger to the spotlight. We are the untouchables, the elites. With LM Group dominating both fashion and real estate, we have an empire that stretches across every state, every skyline dots with our investments.My parents are billionaires ranked number one, with wealth so vast it’s almost unimaginable. Our name opened doors, and our presence commanded rooms. And now, after years of being hidden in the shadows, I’m set to rec
Alexander’s POVI walk to my mother’s study room, a place where she summons me whenever she has some serious discussion to do. “I’m sure you must have heard about the news,” she began, her voice tinged with urgency. “The Montgomerys are making waves, and this is our chance. Her eyes flicker with something—maybe determination, maybe fear. Something I can’t quite grasp. “We need them on our side, before other people do. The Montgomerys are extremely wealthy and having them on board is going to be great. Their investment could be a game-changer, especially with the current crises we’re facing.” I nod, already running the scenarios through my head, but before I could respond, Cynthia stride into the room, her gaze shifting between Sabrina and me. “Is it just business, or is there something more to this?” She asked, her tone laced with a hint of jealousy.Her question dropped like a stone, and the atmosphere in the room became thick with tension. My mom’s eyes widened in disbelief and
Isabel’s POVThe drive to the hospital is quiet, save for the occasional hum of Roy’s engine and the faint sound of my own thoughts whirring like a storm. Once we arrive, we step into the cool, sterile air of the lobby and inquire about Alexander King. A nurse directs us to his room, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding as we head toward it.When we enter, Alexander is lying on the bed, looking much better than when they’d rushed him out of the restaurant. Relief washes over me. I knew it was a mild allergy, but I can’t lie—I worried. What if his allergy had worsened over the years? What if I’d unknowingly caused him serious harm? But seeing him now, steady and breathing fine, the weight lifts.Good, I think. He’ll need his strength for what I have planned next.The doctor explains the situation. “Luckily, it wasn’t severe—just a mild reaction. But you should be careful next time about consuming any dish with hazelnut,” he advises, scribbling on a notepad. Alexander n
Isabel’s POVI knew he was going to do this. The Alexander I know thrives on challenges, and now that he’s beginning to grow feelings for Claire Montgomery, he’d stop at nothing to ruin my date. So I agreed to this place—my little sanctuary. It’s a quiet, dimly lit restaurant nestled in the heart of the city, with dark wooden furniture, soft amber lights, and the faint aroma of lavender in the air. This place has heard more of my sadness than my joy, an escape from the pain he’s caused me.A quiet scoff builds in my throat as he gestures for me to make the order. Typical Alexander, always playing games. And now he wants me to choose the meal? Could it be that he’s walking right into my plan, or is the universe finally favoring me? A smile curves on my lips as I say, “Alright, if you all want me to handle the orders, I will. This is the least I can do for everyone, considering how hard you’ve all been working.”I wave the waiter over, giving him clear instructions. “Bring your chef’s s
Alexander’s POVThe room hums with low chatter, the staff’s hushed voices mingling with the clinking of glasses. Claire sits close beside Roy, their chairs just slightly angled toward each other, while I’m seated opposite them. The tension at the table is palpable, like a taut string ready to snap. My gaze fixes on Claire, tuning out the faint murmurs around me. She seems relaxed, her soft laughter carrying as Roy leans in to whisper something to her.Let’s see how perfect this dinner date turns out for you both, I think, smirking to myself. Satisfaction bubbles quietly within me. I’ve already won by ensuring your little evening didn’t go as planned.But a voice in my head murmurs, What’s gotten into me? Why did I insist we all have dinner together? I shift in my seat, forcing a casual shrug. Well, since we’re here, I might as well enjoy dinner. Why let her go off and leave the rest of us hungry? I nod inwardly, convincing myself this was about consideration for the team.My gaze dri
Isabel’s POVI watch as Alexander strides out, his steps measured yet laced with a quiet confidence that makes my teeth clench. My fists ball at my sides as I inhale deeply, trying to contain the storm brewing within me. This wasn’t the plan. Alexander couldn’t have pulled this off alone—I made sure the shipment was delayed. There’s no way he bypassed that without help. Someone with influence has intervened, but who?“Ma’am,” Christine’s voice interrupts my thoughts, her tone low and almost apologetic, but it only fuels my frustration. “I think our plan failed. Alexander was able to finish the project.”I snap my head toward her, my voice sharp and cutting. “I know that, Christine. You don’t have to rub it in my face.” My tone is harsher than I intended, and her slight flinch makes guilt creep up, but I shove it aside, exhaling heavily as I turn on my heel. With long strides, I walk deeper into the building, hoping the movement will burn off the edge of my nerves. I hear Christine’s h
Alexander’s POVThe drive to the office is quiet, save for the soft hum of the engine and the faint memory of Claire’s stunned face flashing through my mind. A sharp laugh escapes my lips before I can stop it. I rest my elbow on the car door, fingers brushing against my lips as the scene replays over and over. Her wide eyes, the flicker of speechlessness—it’s too good. She thought she could rattle me, put me in my place? No, she doesn’t get to have the last word. Not with me. I shake my head slightly, my grip on the wheel tightening as I press the gas pedal further.“You don’t get to make me look small, Claire Montgomery,” I think, smirking as I grip the wheel tighter. “I’m Alexander King. And you’ll know it soon enough.”But then a thought creeps in, one that makes my smirk falter for a second. Why am I smiling so much about this? My teeth click together as I shake my head, forcing the thought away. “No. It’s nothing. It’s just the fact that I had the upper hand back there. That’s a
Isabel’s POVChristine and I arrive at the condo just as the sun dips lower, casting a warm golden hue over the building’s reflective glass exterior. The parking lot is bustling, and as we step out, I notice the controlled chaos inside. The buzz is palpable, a hum of voices, hurried footsteps, and the occasional clatter of tools reverberating through the air. It’s nothing out of the ordinary—every department seems to be making their final push for the project’s completion, but I can’t shake the tension curling in my chest.As we make our way through the grand entrance, heads turn. Conversations falter, and their surprise is evident, though expertly masked with polite smiles. It’s clear they hadn’t expected me here today.“Good afternoon, ma’am,” several voices chime as I pass.I offer a brief smile, my voice even as I respond, “Good work, everyone. Let’s keep it up.”The activity is in full swing. Teams are scattered across the lobby, checking last-minute details. The media crew is me
Isabel’s POVStanding by the side of my office, I gaze at the sleek building prototype displayed on the shelf. My fingers trail along the edge of the glass frame, my thoughts drifting to Alexander. Is he swamped, drowning under the weight of his deadlines? A faint smile tugs at my lips—he always thrived under pressure. But as the thought lingers, a flicker of doubt surfaces. Will he manage to pull this off, or is this the moment he finally falters?“Ma’am,” Christine’s voice cuts through my musings. She strides in, dropping a file on my desk. “We’ve just received a report from our fashion line. The work has officially begun. The team’s finalizing the collection, ensuring quality control across each design. The feedback from the preview is exceptional—they’re confident it’ll be a major hit.”“Should I demand that the work be put to hold? Especially with the—”“No,” I interject, nodding as I walk to my seat. My heels click against the floor, and I lower myself into the chair, leaning s
Isabel’s POVI promised the kids that if they practiced for their school’s upcoming function—even though it’s weeks away—I’d drop them off at school myself. The earlier they started, the better, right? So here we are. Turning to face them in the backseat, I smile. “Okay, babies, we’re here now,” I say as I unbuckle Scarlett first, lifting her out of the car. Her giggles fill the air as I place her on the ground.Just as I’m reaching for Sterling, a sharp scream cuts through the quiet—though not loud enough to disturb the school’s peace. “Uncle! Mommy, it’s Uncle!” Scarlett exclaims, tugging at my dress before darting off in a direction.“Scarlett!” I call, quickly setting Sterling down. His little fingers wrap tightly around mine as I look toward where Scarlett ran off. “Which uncle is she talking about?” I mutter under my breath. Turning toward the direction, I see him—Alexander. He’s crouched to Scarlett’s height, their chatter filling the air with an ease that catches me off guard.
Cynthia’s POVAs I step into the quiet house, the faint scent of whiskey lingers in the air, mingling with the cool stillness of the night. My heels are muffled by the polished marble tiles, and I glance at the dimly lit hallway, relieved to find it empty. Sneaking in has become second nature, a careful game of silence and shadows. I make my way toward the stairs, hoping to slip into my room unnoticed.But just as my hand grazes the bannister, a voice cuts through the air, sharp and cold.“Are you out again seeking a way to ruin things?”I freeze, my breath hitching as my gaze snaps toward the living room. Alexander.He’s sprawled on the couch, one leg crossed over the other, a tumbler of whiskey resting in his hand. The dim lighting casts shadows across his sharp jawline, but it’s his eyes that strike me. Cold, piercing, and—under the warm glow of the lamp—almost red, like embers waiting to ignite. He doesn’t move immediately, but there’s a slow, deliberate shift in his posture as he