Chapter Twenty Eight : Unspoken Truths Lily's POV Outside, the night was still. A soft chill whispered through the air, in direct contrast to the warmth surrounding me inside the mansion. It was weird; I knew how I was able to just sit here next to Simeon and feel… satisfied. We sat in the lounge, sprawling over one of the long couches in thick, supple leather. Lights were dim; their golden sheen made space even softer than outside. Simeon sat close, one arm draped lazily over the back of the couch, his eyes half-lidded with exhaustion but still sharp. He had a whiskey glass in his hand, swirling the dark liquid absently as he glanced at me. "You ever watch football?" he asked suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence. I blinked at the unexpected question, then let out a soft chuckle. "Of course. I might not look like it, but I know my teams." Simeon raised a brow, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips. "Oh? Enlighten me then, Miss Football Expert. I rolled my eyes, lean
Chapter Twenty Nine - The First TestLily's POVI woke up feeling a lot more rested than I would have thought possible, considering the events of the last few days. The nightmares that had haunted me were quieter last night, and for the first time in a long while, I didn't wake up gasping for air. Maybe it was because I finally felt… safe.I sat up and stretched my arms, looking around the huge room Simeon had given me. It was still weird being here, within this world I never thought I'd be part of. This mansion was movie-like, so big, luxurious, and very far from my former life.As I stood up, my muscles ached a little, reminding me of what happened yesterday. I had fought one of the men who hurt me, and to my own surprise, I had taken him down with skill I didn't even know I had. That moment kept replaying in my head. How did I know those moves? How had my body reacted so naturally?Before I could get lost in that thought, a knock came from my door."Come in," I called out.The door
Chapter Thirty: A Game of PowerVivian's POVI swirled the amber liquid in my tumbler, the soft clinking of ice against glass resounding in the softly lit room. I leaned back against the plush leather seat, and a sly, slow curl of my lips rose. Simeon had thought he won, believed lack of power, being sent away, would somehow cow me.A fool, pure and simple.I'd built myself from nothing, fought my way into the empire he so proudly ruled. Did he really think I would do absolutely nothing and let him take everything away from me?No.If I could not have him, then I would destroy him.And I knew exactly where to start.His empire was huge, but every empire has its foundation-his was built on business, wealth, and alliances. Cut those off, and his power would crumble like dust. I had spent years by his side, learning his every move, studying his strengths and weaknesses. I knew the men he trusted, the deals he relied on, the business partnerships that kept his wealth flowing.And I knew h
Chapter Thirty One: Crumbling EmpireSimeon's POVI had seen many things in my life-wars fought in the shadows, betrayals that came with a smile, and blood spilled over power. But nothing, nothing, had ever sent this kind of slow suffocating dread curling through my chest.I sat in my office, my fingers clasping onto the edge of the mahogany desk as if my life depended on it-knuckles white. The tension in the air was heavy, and the only sound was from the soft ticking of the antique clock mounted on the wall.One by one, my business partners had pulled out. Some had sent official statements, while others had completely avoided my calls. Those who answered were curt and evasive; their words seemed to be greased with an artificial politeness that only irritated me further. They were running-fleeing like rats from a sinking ship.I knew why.Vivian.That woman was more dangerous than any enemy I'd ever faced. She didn't come with guns blazing-no, much too calculated for that. She struck
Chapter Thirty TwoLily’s POVSimeon had always been a powerful man. He was someone who could walk into a room and make people bow without saying a word. He carried an aura of authority, dominance, and sheer presence. But now… now he looked different.There was something unnerving about seeing him this way, trapped in silence, lost in his thoughts, his usually sharp eyes dulled with something near doubt. His empire was falling, and he was utterly incapable of doing anything to stop this. No amount of threats, power, or influence could fix this overnight.And I hated seeing him this way.I sat opposite him in this dimly lit office, looking at him running his hand through his hair, the muscles of his jaw clenched. His telephone had been bleeding for an hour, buzzing and ringing with no end, every call a little worse than the one before: partner after partner, investor after investor, people bailing.Simeon's P.A., Amelia, stood off to the side, clutching a tablet and looking strained. S
Chapter Thirty ThreeA Desperate PleaLily's POVI took a deep breath as I stood outside the towering glass building, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. The air was crisp, but my palms were sweaty. My mind was filled with doubts, questions that pestered me like tinnitus—was this a mistake? Would he even listen to me?But then, I thought about Simeon.The way the bone in his jaw gnashed with each notice of withdrawal. The toll in his eyes, trying to feign all was well. His whole empire crumbling at his feet as he tried to keep himself intact.No, I just couldn't sit around and do nothing.Squaring my shoulders, I walked into the building, my heels clicking against the polished marble floors. The receptionist barely spared me a glance as I approached the front desk."I'm here to see Mr. Giovanni," I said, my voice much steadier than I felt.She looked me up and down before typing something on her computer. "Do you have an appointment?""No, but it's urgent."She let o
Chapter Thirty Four : The Costly Preposition Lily's POVI sat across from Simeon's personal assistant, my hands gripping the edges of the chair. Everything that had taken place pressed down hard upon me, and I felt out of breath. Once rejected, thrown out as if I meant nothing, I knew I couldn't stop now. I had to just keep trying.Lily," the P.A. sighed, rubbing her temples as she stared at me. "I know you mean well, but this… this isn't going to work."I shook my head obstinately. "I just can't sit back and watch everything fall apart. Simeon has done so much for everyone. He doesn't deserve this."I know," she said, leaning forward. "But these men aren't the kind of people you can beg for mercy. They're powerful, cold businessmen. Their loyalty lies wherever the money is. And right now, Vivian has given them more than enough reason to cut ties with Simeon."I swallowed hard. "So, what? We just give up?"She let her breath out in a slow hiss. "I'm saying you should be careful. You
Chapter Thirty Five: The Cost of LoyaltyLily's POVThe air felt heavier inside the car than usual. What I had just done, the look in his eyes while he made his proposition, replayed itself in my mind. The image of him, sitting with those sharp, calculating eyes, his voice so smooth yet cold, offering me something I never thought I would ever hear from any man, still churned my stomach.I could still hear him so clear in my head: "If you want me to keep my word, then I need something in return, more valuable than money—your trust, your body.My knuckles turned white as my grip on the steering wheel tightened. I couldn't even look at my phone. What was I doing? This wasn't me. This wasn't who I was. I had spent so much of my life protecting myself from being used, from being objectified. Yet here I was, considering something that was a far cry from my ideals, just to save Simeon.It churned my stomach, but I knew I was out of options. This was it; I had to do it-for Simeon.The man I a
Chapter 148: A Quiet Evening TogetherIt was an odd moment. Nelson and Liora were out, and the house was quiet. The normal business chaos, the plans, and the anxiety were all forgotten for the sake of a moment. I had been cooking for my day, something that I no longer had time for. I prepared a simple dinner—nothing fancy, merely some pasta, some salad, and some bread. But the smell of cooked food permeated the house, and I couldn't help but feel a little proud of the meal that I had prepared.I put on a loose dress, one that I usually reserved for times when I needed to unwind. Soft and unadorned, it was the perfect dress for an evening in. I had no idea why, but tonight felt different. Maybe it was because we were alone, the two of us. Maybe it was because, for the first time in what felt like an eternity, I could breathe.I walked into the living room where Simeon was, organizing some papers. His usual composed self was there, but his gaze was on me when I walked in. When eyes met,
Chapter 146: Leora’s Confession(Lily’s POV)I had just finished cleaning up the kitchen when Leora walked in. She looked tired, like she had been thinking a lot. Her eyes were dull, and her shoulders were a little slouched. I could tell something was bothering her.Simeon was sitting on the couch in the living room, reading through a document. I joined him and sat quietly for a while. Then Leora came over and stood in front of us.“I want to talk to both of you,” she said softly.Simeon looked up. “Sure. Sit down.”Leora sat across from us and looked at me first, then Simeon. Her eyes were filled with something—nervousness, fear… maybe even a little hope.“I don’t know how to say this,” she began, wringing her hands together. “But I like Nelson.”I blinked. Simeon raised a brow.“You… like him?” I repeated slowly.Leora nodded. “Yes. I’ve liked him for a while now. I didn’t want to say anything because I wasn’t sure how you both would take it.”Simeon leaned back and folded his arms.
Chapter: Let's Play Her GameLily's POVThe whole house was silent, too silent. I was just sitting on the couch, looking at the wall. My mind was full of thoughts—too many. Simeon was sitting beside me, arms folded, looking as serene as ever, but I knew he was thinking too. Nelson was leaning against the window, looking out, not saying a word.I took a deep breath and broke the silence."Ah. Camila isn't what we imagined her to be," I declared slowly. My tone was gentle, but my words carried immense weight. "She's hiding from Adrian. She's Zara."Nelson spun his wheelchair around, looking tired. "I just don't understand. She wasn't the kind of person to hide something. She was just. Camila.""She misled you," I replied, sounding gruffer than I meant to. "She misled all of us."Simeon finally spoke up. "That's what spies do. They blend in. Be nice, talk sweet, make you feel safe—until they strike."I nodded, my fury bubbling in my chest. "She probably came here for a reason. To get clo
Chapter One hundred and forty five ; The Truth About CamilaLily's POVI'd just done putting away the plates after dinner. Nelson and Simeon were in the sitting room, discussing a new proposal from one of Simeon's business partners. I was going to sit down with them when the front door creaked open.Liora came in, spent. She was holding her computer bag in one hand and removed her heels just inside the door. "Hey, guys," she tried to say with a small smile."Welcome," I told her, smiling back.Something on her face caught me, however. She looked. restless. Like something was eating away at her from the inside out."Long day?" Simeon asked from the couch.She nodded and came in slowly. "Yeah. Long and strange.".I moved over to her and picked up her bag. "You want to eat?"She shook her head. "No, thanks. I saw something today. At Adrian's company."My heart jumped. Nelson, who had been scrolling through his phone, looked up suddenly.Simeon straightened up. "What did you see?"Liora l
Chapter One hundred and Forty FourMeeting with Camila:Lily's POV – The Meeting with Camila (Continued)The waiter brought us our beverages first. I thanked him quietly and looked over at Camila. She sipped a glass of orange juice, peaceful face, hands placed on the table. She did not seem nervous one bit. That made me a little angry. If I were introducing people near my boyfriend, I would have been somewhat shy or apprehensive.Not her.She laughed easily at Nelson’s jokes. She looked him straight in the eyes when she spoke. She even asked me questions politely, like she really wanted to know me.“So, Lily,” she said, smiling gently, “Nelson told me you’re very good at cooking. What’s your favorite thing to make?”I smiled back, keeping my voice soft. “I like cooking simple meals. Rice and stew. Pasta. Fried plantains. Nothing too fancy.”"Sounds good," she told me. "Someday I might even get to sample it."I simply nodded, my smile failing to reach my eyes. I observed how she didn't
Chapter One hundred and Fourty threeChapter: Lily's Caution and Meeting CamilaLily's POVI had been inside the kitchen, at last doing the dishes which I had cooked for dinner. Stew fragrance filled the atmosphere, and ringing of plates that I set in place on the dining table. Things were just fine, yet my head wasn't well-oriented towards the food. It was onto Nelson's girl, Camila.Nelson had been boasting to me about how great she was. He was ecstatic, but something in me just wasn't working. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but after all that had gone down with Adrian and with our company, I just felt like we needed to be careful. I didn't want to hurt Nelson's feelings, but I couldn't help but say something.Nelson," I burst out, trying to be calm. "Are you sure about her? I mean, I just don't know."Nelson looked at me, confused. "What are you talking about? Camila's a good girl. She's friendly to me.".I took a deep breath and put a spoon on the table. "I don't know. I ju
Chapter 142 – Quiet MovesLily's POVI did not say a word until we got home.Simeon simply acted as if nothing had happened. He came in, took off his jacket, and even smiled at me as he had a glass of water.But I was not able to contain my feelings.My heart kept racing. My hands were cold. The way Adrian showed up before us last time—his smile, his words, the way he glared at Simeon like he was about to destroy everything we had built—it kept ringing in my head."Simeon…" I whispered as I sat on the couch, holding a pillow close to my body. "Are you not worried?"He looked at me with uncomplicated eyes, like the whole affair didn't happen to him. "No."I blinked. "You're saying no what? That was Adrian. He broke into our firm—like that—and delivered a threat.""He did not deliver a threat," said Simeon, sitting down beside me. "He simply displayed his teeth.".I scowled. "That's worse. You see what he means. And the way he glared at me. as if he was threatening you as well. What if
Chapter One hundred and Fourty one – The Unexpected VisitLily's POVThe morning started off like any other.The sun was shining through the window, and the office was quiet. I had just finished talking with Simeon about the new files we needed to prepare for Vincent's team. Nelson was on the phone. Liora was scanning documents on her computer.Everything was normal.Until the elevator rang.I didn't think much of it at first. People were always coming and going. But then I heard Nelson cut off in the middle of a sentence. And I saw the color drain from his face.I turned towards the door.And there he was.Adrian.He walked in slowly, as if he owned the whole building. Dressed in a sharp black suit, dark glasses, and that smile—the sort that doesn't mean he's happy—it was proud, cold, dangerous.My heart skipped a beat.I couldn't breathe for a second. I rose from my seat, hands trembling.Simeon stood up too, but he didn't react. Not even slightly. He just gazed at Adrian as if he h
Chapter: Unspoken TrustLily's POVThe moment the door shut behind Nelson, I recognized something was off. His light footsteps were replaced with a pause I had not previously seen. He came in, his gaze on me with a mixture of determination and uncertainty. Simeon leaned against the kitchen counter, his usually calm expression not quite as sharp tonight, behind him.Nelson's eyes locked on mine as he walked towards the couch, the tension between us heavy. My chest was aching just to glance at him, wondering what news he'd brought."Lily," he began, his voice uncertain, "I have to talk with you and Simeon about something."Simeon didn't move, simply sitting there with a quiet attention. I stayed in the doorway to the kitchen, glancing over at the two of them, waiting. My hands were still wrapped around a glass of water that I hadn't even known I'd picked up. I put it down hastily."What is it?" I snapped more harshly than I intended.Nelson took a breath and brushed a hand over his hair