Adrian barely slept that night. Even with Bella curled against his side, breathing softly in the quiet of his penthouse, his mind refused to rest. He kept replaying Monica’s smirk, the way she’d whispered, *See you soon.* That wasn’t the look of a woman who had lost. It was the look of someone who still had a card to play. His grip on Bella’s waist tightened protectively as he stared at the ceiling. He had fought so hard to keep her safe, but for the first time in a long time, he felt like he was still steps behind. As the early morning sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Bella stirred beside him, stretching slightly before blinking up at him. "You're still awake?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep. Adrian forced a small smirk. "I don’t sleep much." She frowned, propping herself up on her elbow. "Adrian, you need rest too." He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. "I will. Eventually." Bella studied him, her gaze soft yet knowing. "You're worrie
The air in Adrian’s office was thick with tension. Oliver lounged on the leather couch across from his desk, casually tossing a stress ball in the air, while Bella sat beside him, her eyes scanning the flurry of emails flooding her laptop. Lucas leaned against the bookshelf, arms crossed, brows furrowed. They were all waiting. Waiting for Monica’s next move. Waiting for the moment she would strike back. Adrian stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out at the skyline of Meridian City. His fingers drummed against the edge of the glass, his mind running through every possible scenario. She was cornered, but she wasn’t out. That was what worried him the most. His phone buzzed in his hand. He glanced down. **Unknown Number.** Again. Without hesitation, he answered. “Langston.” A slow, deliberate chuckle came through the line. A voice he recognized instantly. *Monica.* “You always answer so coldly, Adrian. It’s almost like you don’t miss me.” His grip on
The tension in the car was suffocating. Adrian sat in the backseat with Bella beside him, her fingers gripping her phone so tightly her knuckles were white. Oliver drove like a man possessed, his jaw locked as he weaved through traffic, pushing the limits of his sleek black Aston Martin. Lucas was in another vehicle, leading a security team straight to Monica’s suspected location. Adrian’s phone buzzed. A message from Lucas. **Warehouse near Harbor District. Confirmed. Security is light.** Adrian immediately forwarded it to Oliver, who cursed under his breath. “She’s getting sloppy,” Oliver muttered. “She *wants* you to come to her.” Adrian’s voice was razor-sharp. “Then let’s not disappoint her.” Bella hadn’t said a word since they left the office. She just kept dialing her mother’s number over and over again, only to be met with silence. “Bella.” She flinched slightly but didn’t look at him. Adrian reached out, placing a steadying hand over hers. “We’re going to ge
Monica Langston was a sinking ship, and the world was watching her drown.The headlines were relentless. Every major news outlet covered her downfall with ruthless precision, exposing her illegal dealings, corruption, and the empire of deceit she had carefully constructed. Social media erupted in a frenzy, with former allies turning their backs on her, distancing themselves before they, too, were dragged into the abyss. Her influence was evaporating, her reputation in ruins.And yet, she wasn’t done.Adrian sat in his office, watching the news cycle like a hawk. Bella stood near the window, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Though they had taken down Monica’s operation, something about her silence in the last twenty-four hours unsettled him. She had always been one to play her last card when people least expected it.Then, his phone buzzed.A message from an unknown number.**Check the live press conference. This is just the beginning.**Adrian’s stomach clenched. He immediately sw
I spent the entire night tossing and turning, Monica’s words looping in my head like a broken record.“She gave up everything for him. And how did he repay her? He destroyed her.”I wanted to believe it was all manipulation, just another one of her desperate tactics to divide Adrian and me. But the way Adrian reacted… the way his entire body went rigid, his grip on control slipping for just a moment before he stormed out—That wasn’t the reaction of a man who was innocent.And that terrified me.The morning sun streamed through my window, painting golden streaks across my room, but my world still felt clouded in doubt. I forced myself up, shaking away the exhaustion clinging to my limbs. I needed answers.I got dressed quickly, throwing on a fitted navy blazer over a silk blouse and my favorite pair of tailored pants. Something about dressing sharply gave me the illusion of control, even when my thoughts were spiraling. My hair was swept into a sleek ponytail, and as I looked at mysel
Meridian City was electric at night. The skyscrapers loomed against the dusky sky, their facades shimmering with countless lights. Streets bustled with people, the hum of traffic a constant backdrop. It was the kind of place where dreams were made and shattered in a single night, where ambition drove everything, and the stakes were always high.I was at the annual Meridian Tech Conference, one of the biggest events of the year, a showcase for all the latest innovations in technology and design. My ticket in was a freelance gig with one of the tech companies showcasing their products. As a freelance graphic designer, it was a chance to network, to connect with new clients, and, hopefully, to land more gigs.I’d dressed for the occasion, choosing a sleek black dress that hugged my curves in all the right places. It was sophisticated but not flashy—just enough to make a good impression. My hair was down in loose waves, and I wore my favorite red lipstick, the one that made me feel confid
The air in the conference hall felt charged, as if every molecule had aligned to signal something monumental. I stood in the small meeting room, my pulse racing after Adrian Langston's abrupt entrance. He had this presence that filled the entire space, his entourage trailing behind like shadows. They waited at the door, respectful yet alert, while he stood in front of me, watching."I don't mean to be rude, but I'm in the middle of a meeting," I said, trying to muster a confident tone. I was determined not to be intimidated by his reputation, his wealth, or those impossibly intense blue eyes that seemed to look straight through me.He glanced around, his expression cool. "Doesn't seem like much of a meeting," he replied, his voice low and velvety, yet with an edge that hinted at his authority.Before I could respond, one of his assistants stepped forward, offering a polite smile. "Mr. Langston, the room has been reserved for you. There must have been a scheduling mix-up," she said, he
The conference hall was alive with activity, a pulsating rhythm of voices and laughter that reverberated off the high ceilings. Neon lights flickered in patterns, casting an ever-changing glow across the polished marble floors. As I stood near the edge of the crowd, I felt like a spectator in a world where I didn't quite fit in. The attendees were a sea of expensive suits and elegant evening gowns, a parade of wealth and status.Adrian Langston was at the center of it all, like a king holding court. He moved through the crowd with ease, his tailored navy suit hugging his broad shoulders and tapering to a perfect fit at the waist. His crisp white shirt was open at the collar, hinting at a more relaxed side beneath the corporate exterior. A simple gold watch peeked from under his cuff, and his dark hair was styled with just the right amount of tousled charm. He exuded confidence, the kind that could only come from being at the top of the corporate ladder.I, on the other hand, felt out
I spent the entire night tossing and turning, Monica’s words looping in my head like a broken record.“She gave up everything for him. And how did he repay her? He destroyed her.”I wanted to believe it was all manipulation, just another one of her desperate tactics to divide Adrian and me. But the way Adrian reacted… the way his entire body went rigid, his grip on control slipping for just a moment before he stormed out—That wasn’t the reaction of a man who was innocent.And that terrified me.The morning sun streamed through my window, painting golden streaks across my room, but my world still felt clouded in doubt. I forced myself up, shaking away the exhaustion clinging to my limbs. I needed answers.I got dressed quickly, throwing on a fitted navy blazer over a silk blouse and my favorite pair of tailored pants. Something about dressing sharply gave me the illusion of control, even when my thoughts were spiraling. My hair was swept into a sleek ponytail, and as I looked at mysel
Monica Langston was a sinking ship, and the world was watching her drown.The headlines were relentless. Every major news outlet covered her downfall with ruthless precision, exposing her illegal dealings, corruption, and the empire of deceit she had carefully constructed. Social media erupted in a frenzy, with former allies turning their backs on her, distancing themselves before they, too, were dragged into the abyss. Her influence was evaporating, her reputation in ruins.And yet, she wasn’t done.Adrian sat in his office, watching the news cycle like a hawk. Bella stood near the window, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Though they had taken down Monica’s operation, something about her silence in the last twenty-four hours unsettled him. She had always been one to play her last card when people least expected it.Then, his phone buzzed.A message from an unknown number.**Check the live press conference. This is just the beginning.**Adrian’s stomach clenched. He immediately sw
The tension in the car was suffocating. Adrian sat in the backseat with Bella beside him, her fingers gripping her phone so tightly her knuckles were white. Oliver drove like a man possessed, his jaw locked as he weaved through traffic, pushing the limits of his sleek black Aston Martin. Lucas was in another vehicle, leading a security team straight to Monica’s suspected location. Adrian’s phone buzzed. A message from Lucas. **Warehouse near Harbor District. Confirmed. Security is light.** Adrian immediately forwarded it to Oliver, who cursed under his breath. “She’s getting sloppy,” Oliver muttered. “She *wants* you to come to her.” Adrian’s voice was razor-sharp. “Then let’s not disappoint her.” Bella hadn’t said a word since they left the office. She just kept dialing her mother’s number over and over again, only to be met with silence. “Bella.” She flinched slightly but didn’t look at him. Adrian reached out, placing a steadying hand over hers. “We’re going to ge
The air in Adrian’s office was thick with tension. Oliver lounged on the leather couch across from his desk, casually tossing a stress ball in the air, while Bella sat beside him, her eyes scanning the flurry of emails flooding her laptop. Lucas leaned against the bookshelf, arms crossed, brows furrowed. They were all waiting. Waiting for Monica’s next move. Waiting for the moment she would strike back. Adrian stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out at the skyline of Meridian City. His fingers drummed against the edge of the glass, his mind running through every possible scenario. She was cornered, but she wasn’t out. That was what worried him the most. His phone buzzed in his hand. He glanced down. **Unknown Number.** Again. Without hesitation, he answered. “Langston.” A slow, deliberate chuckle came through the line. A voice he recognized instantly. *Monica.* “You always answer so coldly, Adrian. It’s almost like you don’t miss me.” His grip on
Adrian barely slept that night. Even with Bella curled against his side, breathing softly in the quiet of his penthouse, his mind refused to rest. He kept replaying Monica’s smirk, the way she’d whispered, *See you soon.* That wasn’t the look of a woman who had lost. It was the look of someone who still had a card to play. His grip on Bella’s waist tightened protectively as he stared at the ceiling. He had fought so hard to keep her safe, but for the first time in a long time, he felt like he was still steps behind. As the early morning sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Bella stirred beside him, stretching slightly before blinking up at him. "You're still awake?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep. Adrian forced a small smirk. "I don’t sleep much." She frowned, propping herself up on her elbow. "Adrian, you need rest too." He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. "I will. Eventually." Bella studied him, her gaze soft yet knowing. "You're worrie
The flashing red and blue lights illuminated the warehouse district as police officers swarmed the area, securing Monica and her remaining men. Bella leaned into Adrian’s side, exhaustion crashing over her in waves. His arm remained securely around her waist, as if he was afraid she’d disappear if he let go. Oliver, still gripping his gun, exchanged words with the officers before finally tucking the weapon into his holster. Lucas stood nearby, keeping a careful eye on Monica, who was now handcuffed and seated on the cold pavement. Diana approached, touching Bella’s arm gently. “Are you okay?” Bella nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “I will be.” Adrian turned to Oliver, his voice laced with tension. “Are they taking her straight to holding?” Oliver nodded. “She’ll be booked tonight. But this isn’t over yet. She has too many connections. If we don’t act fast, she’ll slip through the cracks.” Adrian’s jaw tightened. “Then we won’t let her.” Bella exhaled, glancing
Midnight. Bella stood in front of an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Meridian City, her heart pounding as she tightened her coat around her. The cold night air sent shivers down her spine, but she wasn’t sure if it was from the temperature or the anticipation of what was about to happen. She wasn’t alone—at least, not entirely. Adrian, Oliver, Lucas, and Diana were hidden nearby, each playing their role in ensuring this wasn’t a suicide mission. Adrian had fought against this plan the entire day. He had argued, paced, and even snapped at Oliver more than once, but in the end, they all knew that if Monica was going to be caught, they had to make her believe she was still in control. Bella checked her phone. **11:58 PM.** She exhaled sharply, her fingers curling into fists. She had to be strong. This was the final piece to bring Monica down. Right on time, the heavy metal doors of the warehouse groaned as they opened. A tall, dark figure stepped out from the shad
The atmosphere inside Langston Enterprises was charged with tension. The team had spent the last few hours preparing for the biggest move they had ever made against Monica. Now that they knew her brother was the real mastermind, they had to act carefully—one wrong step, and everything would crumble. Adrian sat behind his desk, his fingers drumming against the mahogany surface, his mind running through every possible scenario. Bella stood by the window, arms crossed, staring out at the city skyline. Oliver was on the couch, scrolling through his phone, while Lucas and Diana worked on their laptops. “Alright,” Adrian said finally. “Let’s go over this one more time.” Oliver sat up, tossing his phone onto the table. “We leak the fake information that we’ve found proof of financial fraud within Monica’s company. We make it seem like we’re about to go public with it.” Lucas nodded. “If she believes we have something that can take her down, she’ll react. Either she’ll try to buy us of
The office was unusually quiet for a Monday morning, but the air inside Langston Enterprises was anything but calm. Every member of the team—Adrian, Bella, Oliver, Lucas, and Diana—was on edge, knowing that the next 24 hours would determine everything. The plan was in motion. Oliver had already contacted his sources, setting up a way to access the government official’s financial records. Lucas was working on securing the legal side, ensuring that when they made their move, it would be airtight. Adrian and Bella were focused on the final steps—preparing for Monica’s retaliation and figuring out how to keep their own names out of the inevitable chaos. Bella sat at the long conference table, her laptop open in front of her, but her mind was far from the words on the screen. She was reviewing everything they had gathered against Monica, yet a lingering unease gnawed at her. "You're staring at that like it’s going to change something," Adrian’s voice broke through her thoughts. She