Damien's POV The journey home to Lena's house had been quiet, the memories of her previous episode still lingering in the air. She gazed outside the window, her cheeks marred with tear stains, not saying anything. Two valiant headlights populated the darkened streets lining her side, but my attention was stilted between the road and the woman beside me. She looked so little, so weak, and it dented me. Lena is a force of nature, a woman who walks the world with grace and strength. Seeing her break down tonight was a good reminder that even the strongest have their breaking points. We finally pulled into her driveway when she huffed like she'd held in too much air for too long, then I parked the car and turned towards her. "Come on," I said gently. "Let's get you inside.”She silently nodded as she took the bag while stepping out with me into the night. Freezing air could be felt as it played on our skin. The only sound that was audible was crunching gravel at our feet. By the time w
Lena's POV This morning, I found myself waking up from a particularly bad sleep, waking up to a heavy feeling: as if the events of the night before had dragged themselves with me into this new dawn. I woke up with an especially cracked throat and a little ache in my head-a tribute to my emotional roller coaster: I rolled over, pressed my palms on my eyes, and attempted to shove the night before's fog away.I wanted nothing to do with work. I couldn't face anyone in the office, not with the rawness of their frustrations and humiliations, but things had to be done. I reached for my phone on the nightstand and dialed Allyson's cell number. "Good morning, Miss Reynolds," Allyson's voice chirped at the other end. "Morning, Allyson," I replied. It was like my reply was lacking her very enthused tone. "I'm not coming in today; you're coming here instead," I added. "We need to go over a few things before you head to the office." "Sure thing, Miss Reynolds," she said without hesitation. "I
Lena's POVFor a moment, I reclined in my chair, staring at the splendidly painted ceiling of my study, as the day's load was lowered on me. I rubbed my temples, almost comically tinged with slight tremors in my hands, because I attempted to clear out the inner tension that had built itself behind the eyes. It completely pissed me off that my parents believed they could march right in and interrupt my life anytime they chose, acting as though I owed them anything. The tea I poured had gone cold, forgotten by the madness of the time. I reached for the cup, allowing the warming liquid to grace my throat, not that its once-soothing smell did me any good now. Another part of my mother's words played on repeat in my consciousness: "We were doing what's best for you." That always stung like a knife, a self-guilting manipulation. What was best for me? Did they even know who I had become? Did they care? I was merely their pawn, a means to boost their social recognition or a path toward busi
Lena's POV The echo of the silver doorbell resonated inside the house, pulling me out of the fog. I sat in the living room, staring blankly at the muted screen of the television as I tried and failed at trying to push the weight of that morning's events out of my mind. With a little sigh, I stood and smoothed my shirt against my body as I walked towards the door.Actually, I was not expecting anyone at all, and I almost thought of ignoring it. But my curiosity got the better of me, and when I opened the door, it froze me in astonishment. " Ariel?" I barely whispered. It was barely audible.And there was the best friend of anyone- a girlfriend, colliding with the sweet one who always made one laugh-and was standing on my doorstep. The petite figure was almost swallowed in a huge baggy beige trench coat. Her brunette hair, that sensitive touch of highlighted brown streaks from the sun, was tied loosely in a ponytail. Her brown eyes twinkled with mischief and sat in stark contrast to t
Lena's POV I placed her in the guest room, which was really beautiful with soft cream walls and overlooking the garden. We went back downstairs. Ariel plumped down on the couch, kicking off her shoes, stretching out like she owned the place."So, are you going to tell me what's really going on, or do I have to start guessing?" she raised an eyebrow.I hesitated and leaned against the armrest of the couch. Ariel used to be the one I would confide in, but the thing feels so raw. "It's... complicated," I started slowly."Oh, come on. It's not complicated for you, everything is complicated. So, start at the beginning."I sighed and sat beside her. "Fine. Where do I even begin? My parents showed up at that awful gala last night. Cassidy stole a major sale out from under me, and Grant... well, let's just say he's been playing his little games."Ariel's cheery face hardened at once. "That snake, Cassidy, is messing with you again? And Grant doesn't even get me started. He's been a walking r
Lena's POVI woke up to find the morning sun brightening the entire room through the sheer curtains. For a few precious seconds, it made the world feel still and light, as if all the chaos and stress in my life had melted away. I sighed and tried to revel in that gossamer peace, but reality came back very quickly. Yesterday's weight pressed heavily on my chest, and a low groan escaped my lips.Rubbing my temples, I sat up in bed trying to pull my will into action. My body felt like a lead, while my thoughts were still tangled up in more memories of the tension and frustration I had been grappling with for weeks. But as I sat there motionless, I could tell something very comforting reached me - a soft familiar aroma that seemed to wrap itself around my senses. Coffee. And something else : eggs? Toast?Shoving the covers aside, I stepped into the robe, letting warm, welcoming scents guide me down the stairs. I was nearing the kitchen when a faint sound reached my ears; I smiled knowingl
Lena's POV The atmosphere in the morning was so thick that I slipped into the back of my car with a mind already buzzing with the challenges ahead. I fastened my seat belt and turned to my driver. "Take me to the office, please," I said. My very calm voice belied the storm brewing inside me. Not yet, until I handle the mess waiting for me.Cassidy and her conniving schemes caused us the Fortex deal. I tightened my fists at the thought she played her cards too well this time. The fallout is squarely in my lap now. I know it has already been characterized by wildfire throughout the board, and believe me, they will not be kind.I exhaled sharply, straightened my shoulders. This was my company, my responsibility. Damien has tried to shield me, but no one can defend me better than I could defend myself.The journey through the city streets felt interminably long, a blur through the city and whirring past the window as I replayed the words in my mind. By the time we reached the sleek glass
Lena's POV I stood in silence in the empty conference hall, letting off a regretful breath. It seemed like an eternity after having the audience air with the weighty confrontation that transpired. The board's distrust and the lost Fortex deal, along with Damien's out-of-the-blue offer, swirled in my head like a tornado-howling, stomach-churning thing. I wouldn't let that control me, even though it was irritating.I pushed back my chair, the sound of scraping legs resonating throughout the stillness of the room. I brought myself up, adjusted my blazer, set my shoulders. The Grahams wanted me to fail; they wanted to strip my power away from me, ripping it away from me. They wanted to see me beg, and they wanted to see me crumble.But they knew nothing about me.I walked with the same steady steps out of the room, with Allyson closely behind. My heels click trickly against the polished floor, reminding me at each step that I am going to falter.I gestured for Allyson to close the door b
Ariel's POV I navigated the aisles of the upscale grocery store, tossing a few essentials into my cart while my mind replayed the day's events. I was worried about Lena- sickened from worrying about how far she would go. I sighed and rubbed my temples as I walked toward the checkout. Probably a quiet night alone would help me think.After paying, I stepped out on the sidewalk, shifting my bags around in my arms while raising one hand to flag down a taxi.That's when I saw her.Allyson.Lena's assistant.Allyson was a few feet away, standing in the same manner and trying to catch a taxi. My brows twisted downwards. It wasn't strange for Allyson to be out, but there was something about the way she was standing-an urgent, almost anxious-like it's stopping Ariel right in her tracks. Allyson looked behind her as if she were checking for someone before hastily getting into the cab.Clarity came back in a flash. Something was wrong. I moved without thinking and jumped into the next taxi.
Lena's POVAriel scoffed. "How generous." I met Sean’s gaze, ignoring Ariel’s comment. "And if I don’t?"The smirk was still there, but now there was a little less shine to it. "Then Cassidy keeps coming. And she won’t stop until you’re drowning." I drummed my fingers against the desk. "Tell me something, Sean/ do you enjoy being her lap dog? Fetching threats and delivering messages like an obedient little servant?"His expression didn’t change, but I knew he was getting annoyed with me."I enjoy working for someone who knows how to win," he replied with a bit of a smile. "And that’s exactly what Cassidy is doing."Finally, I lifted the envelope, ripped it open, and removed the crisp letter. My eyes scanned the words and my jaw tightened.Cassidy wasn’t just playing the media against me; she was making moves in the business world. Pulling strings with my investors, aligning herself with my competitors. If I didn’t act fast, she’d have her hands wrapped around my empire’s throat.I pl
Lena PovThirty minutes later I found myself sitting across from Victor in a private lobby of an exclusive hotel. He slid a thick folder across the table. I opened it and scanned the pages with my eyes.The seemingly immaculate life of Cassidy Graham had a few cracks- cracks not seen until this moment."Her finances are not as clean as she makes them appear," Victor said, a calm note to his voice covering a trace of satisfaction. "There are some shady offshore dealings under one of her shell companies; not illegal yet, but it wouldn't take much to make it look like one."I was tapping my fingers on the table, considering.Victor continued, "Her personal life is the other half. She's been seen with Damien quite often. The media would devour the insinuation of an affair."I raised my brow as I looked up. "An affair?”Victor smirked. "That's how we'll frame it."I inhaled slowly while considering the next steps. The offshore accounts were straightforward; they would definitely harm her r
Lena's POVI dropped the call and let silence embrace me as my heart regained its calmness. The anger churning in my gut, however, remained unbridled, scorching beneath my skin. Cassidy had drifted in, taunted me before drifting away like a winner. But she was mistaken. I walked to the window and gazed down at the city below. Streets stretched below with the pull of life, unaware of the war that was rising from the shadows. I had built my empire in this city, made my name untouchable. And Cassidy thought she would take it away from me? No chance. I turned back to my desk, flipping through the reports of the latest damage control efforts. The media had been relentless on me. The headlines cast me as a tyrant, my employees as victims, my business as a decaying empire. Some of my top investors had already withdrawn, and those still holding on were betting on my ability to weather this storm. I would. A knock sounded at my door. I didn't look up. "What?" Marie came in, her steps hes
In the charged air between us, we both stood on our ground, studying each other for a fight. Cassidy had the guts to walk into my space, my office, as if she owned the place. And yet she didn't bat an eye. No hesitation marked her steps, nor was there any flicker of doubt in her gaze.She wanted this confrontation.Fine. I would give her one.I leaned back on the desk, arms crossed, as I met her ice-cold glare. "You've certainly grown bolder," I said flatly. "All that time spent scheming in the shadows must have done wonders for your confidence."A tinkling laugh escaped Cassidy. She sounded light, but the undertone was sharper. "Oh, Lena. You act as though you haven’t been doing the same. The difference is I don’t hide behind boardrooms and PR firms. I fight my battles head-on."I scoffed. "Is that what you call it? Lying? Poisoning the media against me? You are not a warrior, Cassidy. You are a snake, slithering in the cracks while waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike."He
Lena's POVDamien closed the door behind him and leaned against it, crossing his arms. "You are driving straight into a downward spiral, Lena." His voice was low but firm. "And it is pathetic."I shot him a glare. "Excuse me?""You heard me," he said, stepping closer. "Look at you. Scurrying frantically to try and hold on to power, chasing shadows, and lashing out at everyone around you. This is not the Lena I know!""You don't know me," I shot back. "You have no idea what I've been through, what I've had to fight for."Damien's eyes narrowed, and his jaw clenched. "I know you've always been ruthless, but this? This is desperation, Lena. And desperation will make you sloppy."A flare of rage shot up through my chest. "If you're here to lecture me, skip it. I've had enough of your advice.""You need something," he said, his voice slicing into my defenses like a knife. "Because right now, Cassidy's winning. And if you don't stop acting like a cornered animal, she's going to run you out.
Lena's POV I hung up without another word, mind a million miles ahead of the present situation. This was going to be the start of a legal spate; I was determined to tell my story and remind them how I am the queen of this industry.I spun around toward my laptop, typed up an emergency statement that had to reach each and every national publication before daybreak: Good-naturedly offering recognition of the challenges, some non-essential regrets for "misunderstandings", and reaffirming my commitment to excellence. This was a standard maneuver, creating an impression that had worked in the past any number of times.But it felt wrong. Cassidy was not only trash talking me; she was actually shredding the very fabric of what I stood for. And deep inside, I knew this was no tale about her being hurt or displaced. It was a simple tale of revenge.Sitting paralyzed before the luminous screen, a thunderbolt hit me: Why shouldn’t I play for both sides? Why must I let Cassidy run this fight?No
Lena's POV Opening the door to my office unceremoniously, there was the loud creak of the hinges shattering the fierce silence. Grant walked in, his usual authoritative self almost hazed with agitation. Clad in his immaculate tailor-suit as ever, the tautness of his jaw and the flickering unease in his eyes gave him away."What do you want, Grant?" I asked as irritation escaped my voice.He shut the door behind him and took slow, steady steps toward my desk. "I'm here to talk about the mess you made, Lena."Leaning back into the chair, I drummed my fingers against the armrest. "The mess I made?" My voice was bitter. "That's something to say coming from you."Grant's expression darkened. "Don't even go there. The tabloids are not exactly kind to you. The Graham family is furious, and now the investors are asking if you are even worth the risk."I sprang from my chair, the heels clacking sharply against the marble as I closed the distance between us. "Don't lecture me about risks, Gran
Lena's POVMy heels clicked sharply against the cobblestones as I exited the sleek black car, approaching the glittering glass facade of my flagship store. It shimmered like a fortress of success, a tangible testament to everything I had built with my sweat, ambition, and many sleepless nights. But today, even its imposing beauty felt diminished, its big façade cracking only visible to me.I had a holiday from the unending chaos inside the Parisian resort, after my disastrous fashion show. It was a happy place, so peaceful between grittiness. I had sat beside tranquil waters and overdosed on luxury, but even there, a weight of failure pressed down on my chest. And it was an illusion; the calm turned to an ache, that as soon as the real world came in, cold and sharps always were waiting, like an old friend.My empire..the one I had built from scratch, brick by painstaking brick-was under attack, and I knew exactly who the enemy was.As I stepped inside, the same humming environment gre