In a world of wealth, power, and family feuds, Shay Falcon fights to break free from the shadows of her billionaire dynasty. The youngest daughter of the renowned Falcon Group's CEO, her life is a blend of neglect, sibling rivalry, and the suffocating pressure to conform. But beneath her fragile facade, Shay craves independence and forges a secret path as a secretary at the illustrious C&E Holdings, a company owned by her family's bitter rivals. Just when Shay believes she has found solace in her hidden sanctuary, fate intervenes, thrusting her into a tumultuous whirlwind. The enigmatic Jason Cartwright and the charismatic Chase Evans, the powerful bosses of C&E Holdings, uncover Shay's clandestine identity. Their shocking discovery sets in motion a chain of events that will shatter the fragile facade of her life. In the heart of the cutthroat corporate battlefield, where power is a weapon and loyalty a luxury, Shay Falcon's life becomes a gripping tale of survival and redemption. Can she transcend her tainted lineage and reshape her destiny, or will the weight of her family's legacy consume her? Prepare to be captivated by a story where ambition collides with fate, and the untamed spirit of a young woman defies all odds.
Lihat lebih banyakShay's POV
"It may not be included in your schedule, but its here in mine. There is a meeting today and all the board members will be here any second so if you don't want to end up being embarrassed, I suggest you do your job and stay out of the way."
At this point, my impatience with Amber was running in a thin line. I refrained from rolling my eyes and tried my hardest to keep a straight face on.
"Look Amber, like I said for the fifth time, Mr. Cartwright did not arrange any meeting today with the board members and even if he did I would know through Sylvia his P.A. If you still disagree with me, than why don't you ask him yourself at his office?"
Her eyes narrowed in slits as she glared hard at me. Having a disagreement with someone at work happens all the time, but in this case, Amber could go as far as she can just to prove me wrong. I was telling her the truth though, there is no meeting today because Sylvia his personal assistant who's also my cousin, gave me an update on Mr. Cartwright's schedule for the week this morning and I didn't find any meeting for today included in the list. I've only been working here for five months and if this argument goes too far than we'll probably end up in our boss's office where it will be my first time seeing his face and probably my last if I get fired.
Mr. Cartwright rarely stays in his office. According to Sylvia who's always with him, he travels a lot these days and attend meetings with his clients outside of work places. I've only caught a few glimpse of him, mostly his back, when he enters his office or when he's on his way out of the building. I could tell he's a very serious type of person so ending this conversation with Amber fast could avoid ending up in his office and facing him instead.
"This is ridiculous, I have important matters to address with the board and with him. This things can't wait."
Before I had the chance to talk back, the elevator doors opened and three of the board members stepped out while sharing a conversation. We both looked back at the same time and Amber faced me again while crossing her arms in front of her.
"Just move away from the door Shay, we have a meeting in there."
I couldn't move away from the doorway of the conference room when I caught the three men coming towards us from the back, staring at us with confusion. If there really is a meeting today and I didn't know about it than I'm screwed.
"Actually Amber, we don't." A familiar voice said from the back.
We both looked to see who it is and I felt relieved when I saw that it was Sylvia. Amber scoffed out loud and I couldn't helped but smile. Thank god she came right on time to rescue me.
"What?" Amber exclaimed.
"Miss Falcon, what is going on?" Mr. Lopez, one of the three men, asked Sylvia with a confused expression on her face.
She walks right up to Amber and gave her a tight lipped smile while typing something on her iPad in her hands.
"There's no meeting today. I don't know who might have wrongly informed you because it's not in Mr. Cartwright's schedule and I know this because I had arranged it myself."
Amber glanced back at me and took a step closer towards Sylvia.
"Well if there's no meeting today, I'm requesting we have one now. There's a bunch of reports and important matters that are needed to be discussed with Mr. Cartwri-"
"He knows. And he'll call for a meeting when he's not too busy."
She quickly apologized to the men and the rest of the appearing board members crowed at the back and they slowly walked back to the elevators to get back to their work. Amber left in an angry rush leaving me and Sylvia to be the only ones standing in the hallway in front of the conference room. She turned around to see me and then smiled.
"That woman seriously needs to get her facts right." I chuckled and hooked my arm around hers before we slowly walked towards the elevator.
"She could've got me into trouble though, so thanks for coming to my rescue." She grins widely back at me.
"Anytime. So, are you free tonight? There are some ledger problems that I desperately need your help with before I present them to Mr. Cartwright by Friday. We can review them together at my place."
I was about to agree straight away, mainly because hanging out with Sylvia at her apartment is freedom from all the pressure and the lectures and the problems at home that my parents and my sisters never failed to remind me every day. But then, I remembered that I have to be somewhere important tonight with the very same people.
"Sorry, there's an important event tonight and mom and dad wants me to be there. I can't bail on this one."
We entered the elevator and she pushed the button for the second floor. If my mother hadn't threatened me with an arranged marriage proposal than not going to this event would be so easy, just like the last ones that I bailed on.
"Argh seriously? What event?" I shrugged and stared at my reflection on the glass silver tinted wall in front of me.
"Don't know. I don't keep up with those things anymore, all I know is that I have to show my face there and cross my fingers behind my back that it ends quickly so I can get the hell out."
She chuckled lightly and the doors opened and we started walking down the hall where our separate offices are.
"Same. Those type of things suffocates me." She heavily replied.
Sylvia's family is no different from mine. Her father and my dad are brothers and having the same business mindset runs in the family but they both run different companies but under the same family name. Sylvia and I are so alike in so many ways that we deserve to be sisters. Her working here felt so wrong with her parents that they couldn't accept it. Just like me, they wanted her to be a part of the family business but she hated it and decided to move out from her home and bought herself an apartment where she stayed by herself and away from her pressurizing family.
I've dreamed of moving out from home so many times and living independently by myself without any help from mom and dad but I'm not ready yet. I'm still preparing myself for that day to come so I can face whatever mom and dad will throw at me once I tell them, but right now, working as a secretary here at C&E Holdings without them knowing is one step closer to my dream.
"Well I better get going. I have to be at the helipad in thirty minutes because Mr. Cartwright is back from that Philadelphia trip." She informed me with a smile on her face and a light tinge of pink on her cheeks.
I keep forgetting the reason why she's always excited every time she mentions Mr. Cartwright's name. She has this huge crush on him ever since she got the job as his personal assistant.
"Okay. Let's do that ledger reviewing tomorrow?" She nods at me and starts walking away to her office in a hurry.
I chuckled and started walking towards the opposite direction where a pile of paperwork and unfinished coffee awaits me. No doubt she's over-excited again to see the boss.
~3 months later ~Shanelle POVLife has a funny way of taking unexpected turns. As I sit here, reflecting on the whirlwind of events that have unfolded in my life, it's hard to believe how much has changed in such a short span of time. Traveling, modeling, and chasing my dreams have taken on a whole new meaning. Vincent, with his enigmatic presence, crashed into my world like a silent storm, shaking up everything I thought I knew. And truth be told, I'm grateful for that unexpected collision.Before Vincent entered the picture, my life revolved around two things: traveling and my modeling career. I was passionate about both, but I had always approached them with a certain level of detachment, keeping myself at arm's length from truly embracing the experiences that lay before me. I was lost in a robotic existence, constantly pushing myself beyond my limits to maintain an illusion of perfection, covering up the cracks within me, all for the sake of fame and the spotlight.But Vincent ch
Shanelle POVAs I settled into my seat on the plane, ready for the journey back home to San Francisco, I couldn't shake off the heavy burden that had settled upon my heart. The events of the past day haunted me, casting a dark shadow over my thoughts. Beside me, Beatrice and Kayleen sensed the change in my demeanor. Their concerned glances spoke volumes, but I couldn't find the strength to share the truth with them just yet.When I returned from my date with Vincent, my heart shattered and tears stained my cheeks. Beatrice and Kayleen did their best to offer comfort, but their words seemed distant, unable to penetrate the depths of my despair. I knew I had to face the consequences of my choices alone, and the pain of that realization only compounded my sorrow.
Shanelle POVAs I slowly blinked my eyes open, the morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the room. The warmth of the sun embraced us, enveloping Vincent and me in its gentle caress. Vincent lay beside me, still sound asleep, his features relaxed and tranquil. His dark hair was tousled, his chiseled jawline softened by the innocence of slumber. I couldn't help but marvel at the sight before me. He was simply breathtaking, and at that moment, my heart swelled with an overwhelming affection for him.Memories of last night flooded my mind, the intoxicating magic we shared. The passion and tenderness that flowed between us were beyond words. Each movement, every touch, etched in my memory like an intimate dance that only we knew. I replayed every detail, savoring the sensation that st
Shanelle POVAs the candlelight flickered on the table, casting dancing shadows across the room, Vincent and I began to savor our dinner. The tantalizing aromas filled the air, creating an ambiance that complemented our growing connection. As we savored each bite, the conversation naturally drifted towards my modeling career, sparked by Vincent's genuine curiosity."So tell me," Vincent began, his eyes filled with intrigue, "how long have you been modeling?"A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I reminisced about my journey."It's been three years now," I replied. "Ever since I stepped foot onto the runway for the first time, I knew I had found my passion. Modeling allows me to express
Shanelle POVI stood in front of the walk-in closet, the scent of Chanel, Dior, and Saint Laurent lingering in the air. Sunlight streamed through the open windows, casting a warm glow on the colorful array of clothing before me. Tonight is my date with Vincent, and I wanted to look my absolute best. However, as I scanned the rows of clothes, doubt crept into my mind.What the hell should I wear?Beatrice lay sprawled on the bed, engrossed in a fashion magazine. Her big blue eyes glanced up, catching my reflection in the mirror."Hey, Bea," I called out, hoping she could provide some much-needed guidance."Any thoughts on wh
Shanelle POVAs I sat behind the wheel of my car, driving down the bustling city streets, my mind was consumed by thoughts of Vincent. It had been two long days since we had last seen each other, those fleeting moments when he and Dan dropped us off at our hotel, leaving without much of a goodbye. Yet, despite the brevity of our encounter, I couldn't shake him from my thoughts.Did he think of me too? Was he caught in a whirlwind of memories and emotions just as I was? These questions tumbled through my mind, blending with the cacophony of car horns and the distant hum of city life. The uncertainty gnawed at me, twisting my heart in knots. I longed for answers, for a connection that I hoped went beyond a mere chance encounter.My destination, the prestig
Shanelle POVI stepped into the safe house, the familiar scent of home welcoming me. The adrenaline from the day's events was finally subsiding as I closed the door behind me. We had made it back safely, and a sense of relief washed over me. My muscles ached from the physical exertion and tension, and I couldn't wait to let go of the weight that had been pressing on me.After a quick glance around the dimly lit living room, I made my way towards the bedroom. The hot water of the shower embraced me, washing away the grime and leaving me refreshed. I changed into fresh clothes, relishing the feeling of comfort they brought. With a deep breath, I stepped outside into the night air, making my way toward the pool.The sky stretched above me, a canvas of stars
Shanelle POVI sat on my bed the next morning, clutching my phone tightly in my hands. The screen displayed a seemingly never-ending stream of notifications, each one more anxiety-inducing than the last. My heart raced as I watched my video from the frat party trend across social media platforms. It was as if people couldn't get enough of it, sharing it from one corner of the internet to another. And with each share, a flood of comments and feedback poured in, all directed at me.I had worked so hard to maintain my "perfect" reputation. People saw me as a walking embodiment of flawlessness, and I had meticulously crafted that image. But now, this video threatened to expose the cracks in my carefully constructed facade. It made me feel vulnerable and exposed to the judgment of others, and it terrified me.
Shanelle POVAs the anticipation built up inside me, I glanced at the clock on my bedroom wall. It was already 9:00 p.m., and I hurriedly surveyed myself in the mirror, making sure every detail of my outfit was just right.I had opted for a sleek black dress that hugged my curves in all the right places. Its off-the-shoulder design added a touch of sophistication, while the knee-length skirt showcased a playful edge. I paired it with strappy heels that elongated my legs and completed the look with a statement necklace and a bold red lip. I couldn't help but feel confident in this ensemble.Beatrice and Kayleen burst into my room with equally limited excitement for tonight's mission or whatever they wanted to call it. They looked stunning in their own dis
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