Chapter 10: Back to BusinessEthan Cole strode into the towering glass building, his expression as cold and unreadable as ever. The automatic doors parted silently before him, and the sound of his polished shoes on the marble floors echoed through the expansive lobby. It was the sound that always signaled his arrival, a sound that struck fear into the hearts of every employee at Cole Enterprises.The moment his presence was registered, whispers darted through the air like currents of electricity. Workers straightened their posture, scurrying back to their desks, and typing with a sudden vigor that had been absent just moments before. No one dared meet his gaze, but they all knew he was there. His very aura commanded attention, demanded obedience.Ethan’s assistant, Jake, was already waiting for him as he stepped into the private elevator. “Morning, Mr. Cole,” Jake greeted in a voice so neutral it was almost mechanical. His hands fumbled as he passed Ethan a slim file, his eyes glued t
Chapter 11: The MeetingThe clock on Ethan's office wall ticked loudly in the oppressive silence, a reminder that time was slipping away. He sat at his desk, hands steepled in front of his face, staring at the documents spread before him as if they held the secrets to the universe. *Tomorrow,* he thought, *the meeting with Spring Entertainment. Olivia.*Despite his resolve to act like nothing had changed between them, his mind kept drifting back to her words: *We should act like strangers.* Each time he recalled the firm tone in her voice, he felt a flicker of frustration ignite within him. What was it about her that made everything so complicated? She had waltzed into his life with her laughter and her light, and now all he could feel was the void she left behind.As he leaned back in his chair, a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. “Come in,” he barked, already annoyed at the disruption.Jake poked his head inside, looking as tense as ever. “Sir, the legal team has finalized
Chapter 12: The AftermathEthan sat at his desk, staring blankly at his computer screen. The numbers danced in front of him, but they were meaningless now. After Olivia had left the meeting, he couldn’t shake the weight of her disappointment. He had managed to keep his distance, but the look in her eyes had pierced through his defenses, leaving a hollow ache in his chest.“Sir?” Jake's voice broke through his reverie. He stood at the doorway, hesitantly shifting from one foot to the other. “The marketing team is waiting for your feedback on the new campaign.”“Tell them I’m busy,” Ethan snapped, not even bothering to look up. The irritation bubbling inside him wasn’t aimed at Jake, but the lack of control he felt over his own life.“Uh, right. Busy. Got it,” Jake muttered, retreating quickly, clearly not wanting to push Ethan any further.Ethan leaned back in his chair, fingers raking through his hair. He had built his empire on the principles of control and detachment. Emotions were
Chapter 13: A Glimpse of the PastThe following week, Olivia found herself in a whirlwind of meetings, interviews, and photoshoots. Spring Entertainment was abuzz with excitement over a new project, and her busy schedule was a welcome distraction. Yet, despite the chaos, the weight of her unresolved feelings for Ethan lingered in the back of her mind.“Hey, Liv!” Lily called out, bouncing into Olivia's office with her usual enthusiasm. “Guess what? We’re going to have a wrap party for the project next Friday!”Olivia looked up from her desk, her interest piqued. “That sounds great! Any idea where it’s going to be?”“Rumor has it, we’re heading to that swanky new rooftop bar downtown. You know, the one with the amazing views of the city!” Lily grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement.“Sounds perfect. I could use a night out.” Olivia forced a smile, but her thoughts drifted back to Ethan. *What if he shows up?*“Speaking of nights out,” Lily began, a teasing glint in her eye, “I hea
Chapter 14The moment Ethan and Olivia stepped into his penthouse, the tension between them crackled like electricity in the air. The soft glow of the city lights streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm ambiance around them. Ethan closed the door behind them, and the sound echoed like a starting gun, signaling that this night was about to take a passionate turn.“Wow, this place is amazing,” Olivia breathed, glancing around. But she barely took a step further before Ethan was upon her, his body brushing against hers, stealing her breath.“It’s nothing compared to how you make me feel,” he said, his voice low and gravelly. The heat radiating from him sent shivers down her spine. She felt her heart race as his fingers lightly traced her arm, igniting every nerve ending.“Ethan…” she started, but her voice faltered as he leaned in closer, his breath mingling with hers. “Shh,” he murmured, brushing his lips against hers in a teasingly soft kiss. It was enough to mak
Chapter 15: Ethan's FianceeOlivia sat on the edge of Ethan’s leather sofa, her legs tucked beneath her, wearing nothing but his oversized dress shirt. She looked so loved and adorable.The morning sun was creeping through the tall windows of the penthouse, casting a soft glow over everything. It had been hours since their fiery reunion, but the atmosphere between them still buzzed, thick with the aftermath of passion. Ethan leaned against the kitchen island, sipping black coffee, shirtless, his toned chest exposed and marked faintly with Olivia’s fingernail scratches, a silent testament to their night. For the first time in a long while, Olivia felt… something. Relaxed. Safe? No, that was dangerous. Being with Ethan, feeling anything at all for him, was like playing with fire, and she had no intention of getting burned. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, catching the ghost of a smirk tugging at his lips as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. Before she could
Chapter 16: The tension in Ethan’s penthouse hung like a storm cloud, heavy and ominous, even after the elevator doors sealed Sienna away. Olivia leaned against the edge of the sofa, her arms crossed tightly across her chest, watching Ethan. His jaw was clenched, his body still as if he were holding something back."Well," Olivia broke the silence, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "That wasn’t awkward at all."Ethan’s icy blue eyes snapped to hers, his expression unreadable but his presence crackling with intensity. "She’s irrelevant," he said flatly."Yeah, she seemed totally irrelevant while she was staking her claim on you like a lioness marking her territory," Olivia shot back, refusing to let him brush this off so easily.Ethan exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his tousled hair. "Sienna’s not a problem."Olivia laughed. A sharp, humorless sound. "Not a problem? Ethan, she walked in here like she owned the place, insulted me to my face, and then acted like she could snap h
Chapter 17: ChaosMorning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Ethan’s penthouse, its warmth doing little to thaw the tension lingering from the night before. Olivia stirred on the sleek leather sofa, groaning as reality sank in. The events of the past twelve hours replayed in her mind like a chaotic film reel, Sienna’s dramatic intrusion, the scandalous headlines, and Ethan’s searing kiss that still tingled on her lips.She sat up, brushing a hand through her tousled hair, only to find Ethan standing by the window. He was already dressed in one of his perfectly tailored suits, his posture exuding authority. The light hit his face just right, accentuating the sharp angles of his jaw and the cool intensity in his eyes. He was every bit the billionaire the world feared and admired, yet there was a vulnerability she’d glimpsed last night that left her unsettled."You're awake," Ethan said without turning around, his voice smooth but distant."Good morning to you too," Olivia rep
Chapter 35: A Night to Remember The weight of the day hung heavy, but for the first time in weeks, the storm outside seemed to pause. The moonlight spilled into Ethan’s penthouse, casting a soft glow over the sleek furnishings. It was quiet, almost too quiet, as Olivia sat by the large floor-to-ceiling window, staring at the city lights below. Her thoughts were a whirlwind. The forged documents, Daniel’s threats, Ethan’s unyielding protection, it was all too much to unpack. She barely heard Ethan approaching until his shadow fell over her. “You’re lost in your thoughts again,” he said, his deep voice breaking through the silence. She turned, startled to see him holding two glasses of wine. He was dressed casually, a stark contrast to his usual sharp suits. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, and for once, he looked almost…approachable. “Trying to make sense of everything,” Olivia admitted as he handed her a glass and sat beside her. “You don’t have to,” Ethan said
Chapter 34: Shadows of BetrayalMorning sunlight filtered through the penthouse windows, but the warmth did nothing to dispel the tension crackling in the air. Ethan stood by the window, phone pressed to his ear, issuing commands with the precision of a battlefield general. He was dressed impeccably in a tailored navy suit, but his restless pacing betrayed the storm brewing inside him. Olivia sat on the couch, her gaze fixed on him as she sipped her coffee. He hadn’t said much since the cryptic message from Daniel’s lawyer the night before, but she could feel the weight of his thoughts bearing down on him. When he ended the call, she set her mug down. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on, or do I have to guess?” Ethan turned, his sharp eyes locking onto hers. “You don’t need to worry about it.” Her brow furrowed, frustration bubbling to the surface. “You don’t get to decide that. If it involves me, I deserve to know.” He let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his
Chapter 33: Storms on the HorizonThe fallout from the gala was swift and unforgiving. News outlets ran back-to-back exposés on Daniel Winters’ business practices, while social media roasted him mercilessly. It was a public execution, orchestrated with the precision only Ethan Cole could manage.But in the midst of the chaos, Ethan wasn’t celebrating. He was preparing for the next move. Olivia noticed it in the way he carried himself—restless, relentless, and impossibly focused.“I know that look,” Olivia said one morning as she sipped her coffee, watching him pace across the living room.“What look?” Ethan asked, distracted, his phone in one hand and a file in the other.“The ‘I’m planning to conquer the world before lunch’ look.” She set her mug down and crossed her arms. “You’ve already taken down Daniel. What’s next, Ethan?”He paused, glancing at her. “Securing what’s mine.”Olivia arched a brow. “And what exactly is that supposed to mean?”Ethan walked toward her, his intensity
Chapter 32: The Gloves Come OffEthan wasn’t a man to waste time. As soon as he gathered the intel from Angela, he set his next plan in motion. Daniel Winters had crossed the line, and Ethan was determined to ensure he’d regret it.In the days that followed, Ethan’s strategy began to unfold like a finely orchestrated game of chess. Every move was calculated, every decision razor-sharp. Key clients Daniel relied on started pulling out, one after another, their reasons cloaked in polite vagueness but clearly orchestrated by Ethan.At the penthouse, Olivia kept her eyes glued to the news, which buzzed with whispers about Daniel Winters’ collapsing empire. Each headline felt like a small victory, though Olivia knew the fight was far from over.“What’s next on your agenda, mastermind?” Olivia asked one evening, leaning against the doorway of Ethan’s study.Ethan looked up from his laptop, his expression as unreadable as ever. “Taking him out of the picture entirely.”Olivia crossed her arm
Chapter 31: Winds of RetaliationThe tension between Ethan and Olivia lingered in the air like a storm waiting to break. Though the city below was alive with lights and movement, the penthouse was unnervingly quiet. Olivia stood by the balcony, the glass of wine in her hand untouched as her thoughts spiraled.Ethan’s words echoed in her mind: “Because I care about you.”She had heard declarations before, empty promises and flowery words from men who ultimately left her to pick up the pieces. But with Ethan, it felt different. His protectiveness, his determination to shield her from Daniel’s schemes, was unlike anything she had experienced. It scared her as much as it reassured her.Inside, Ethan sat in his study, surrounded by monitors and documents. His methods were cold and precise, like a surgeon preparing for a critical operation. Daniel Winters wasn’t just an enemy; he was an obstacle Ethan intended to obliterate."Jake," Ethan said into his headset. "I want every company associa
Chapter 30: Shadows of the PastEthan paced the length of his study, the sleek, modern room dimly lit except for the glow of his laptop screen. The name Daniel Winters repeated in his head like a mantra, each syllable sharpening his resolve. Whoever this man was, he had made a grave mistake."Jake," Ethan barked into his phone. "I need everything on a Daniel Winters. Every record, every connection, every debt. I don’t care how you get it just make it fast.""On it, sir," Jake replied without hesitation.Ethan hung up, his jaw tightening. No one messed with what was his, no one, and got away unscathed.Meanwhile, Olivia sat curled up in a corner of Ethan’s couch, her mind restless. The quiet of the penthouse amplified her thoughts, memories she had buried for years clawing their way back to the surface.Daniel Winters. She had once trusted him, relied on him, and he had betrayed her in ways she hadn’t thought possible. But now, he was stirring the pot again, threatening the fragile sen
Chapter 29: A Fortress of SecretsThe ride to Ethan's penthouse was filled with a tense silence, broken only by the occasional hum of the car engine. Olivia stared out of the window, watching the city lights blur past. Ethan's presence next to her was suffocating yet strangely reassuring."Are you going to tell me how this is supposed to help?" Olivia asked, finally breaking the silence.Ethan glanced at her, his jaw tightening. "You’ll be safer with me. Until I find out who’s behind the leaks and shut them down, I can’t risk leaving you on your own.""Safer from what? Gossip?" she shot back, her voice laced with sarcasm.Ethan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his seat, his icy gaze fixed on her. "You don’t understand how far these things can go, Olivia. It’s not just about gossip anymore. They’ll dig up your past, twist it, and use it to destroy you. And I won’t let that happen."His words sent a shiver down her spine. As much as she hated to admit it, he wasn’t
Chapter 28: Unmasking ShadowsThe morning sunlight streamed through Olivia’s window, but the warmth did little to soothe the cold pit in her stomach. News outlets were relentless. Every detail of her life was now a spectacle, and she felt like a caged animal in a zoo.Her phone rang, the caller ID flashing Claire’s name again.“Claire,” Olivia answered, her voice tense.“We’ve got a problem,” Claire said without preamble. “The tabloids are running with a new angle. They’re claiming your relationship with Ethan is a publicity stunt.”Olivia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Of course they are. What else is new?”“It’s not just that,” Claire continued. “They’re dragging up old rumors about your family, your time before acting. Someone’s feeding them information, Liv.”Olivia froze. Her past was something she had buried long ago, a part of her life she never wanted to see the light of day. If the media got hold of certain details, it could ruin her career—and her sanity.“Who’s b
Chapter 27: Caught in the CrossfireThe aftermath of Ethan’s statement was a whirlwind Olivia hadn’t anticipated. By mid-morning, social media was abuzz with contrasting opinions. Supporters praised Ethan’s gallant defense, while skeptics questioned his motives. Olivia was caught in the middle, her life dissected by millions of strangers who didn’t know the first thing about her.At the studio, the atmosphere was tense. People whispered in clusters, and every glance in Olivia’s direction felt like a dagger. She had managed to make it to set, but the weight of everyone’s judgment clung to her like a second skin.“Liv, are you sure you’re okay to work today?” Lily asked as she handed her a cup of tea during a brief break.“I can’t hide forever,” Olivia replied, her voice low. “If I stop, they’ll win. They’ll think I have something to be ashamed of.”“But Ethan’s statement…”“Made things worse,” Olivia finished bitterly. “Now, everyone thinks there’s more to this than there really is.”L