Elara's POV I walk into Lorenzo's office building at exactly 8:30 a.m. the next day. My plan is to make him see me as a great and obedient employee, and then, when he isn’t aware, I'll strike hard. The office is furnished with dark wood furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows, and the most magnificent view of the city below. As I knock on the door, I can’t shake the feeling that something significant awaits me on the other side. “Come in,” Lorenzo calls, his voice commanding. I push the door open and step inside, only to freeze at the sight before me. Seated in front of Lorenzo is a woman with sleek black hair and an air of confidence that feels familiar. But I can’t quite see her face from where I stand. “Good morning, Mr. Russo,” I chirp, forcing a smile as I step further into the room. My eyes flicker back to the woman, a growing unease settles within me. “Have a seat, Walker,” Lorenzo says, his gaze sharp as it locks onto mine. My eyes widen in disbelief as I finally see the face
Elara's POV I stand frozen in Lorenzo's office, Nina's gaze prickling against my skin. I hadn’t expected them to come back so soon. And if Nina was here already, then Lorenzo should be coming up soon. Nina's smirk drops, and she narrows her eyes at me. "Cat got your tongue, Elara?" Hearing my name from her lips makes my stomach turn. It's her fault I'm in this condition. Although, I'm glad because now I can prevent some other families from becoming homeless and jobless. Now I just need to figure out how to evade this sly snake. Think, Elara. Think! "Well, I came to look for..." I trail off, my eyes darting around as I search desperately for anything that will make my lie believable. Nina raises a brow. "Look for what in Lorenzo's office, Elara?" My eyes land on some files sitting idly on his desk, and relief washes over me. "Some files I forgot in here, Nina. When he told me to work on the Portal project, I didn’t collect all the files." As I say this, I scurry to the desk and p
Elara's POVEarly the next day, I stand outside Lorenzo's office. After one last look in the mirror this morning, I know exactly what I currently look like. My eyes have heavy bags under them, and my entire body feels weak. I didn't sleep last night. I stayed awake trying to find ways to sabotage Lorenzo's project. All my plans led to dead ends.I step inside, my eyes meeting Lorenzo's. A mix of disgust and admiration rushes through me. Although I hate Lorenzo so much for his evil acts against the innocent, I can't deny that he looks yummy and delicious. With those bulging muscles, sharp grey eyes that look like they're piercing through my clothes, and that toned chest peeking out of his shirt, I can't help the heat that rushes to my core. Stupid Elara! Focus!“Elara, we’re heading to the East Side today. I need you to prepare for the site assessment.” His voice suddenly cuts through my thoughts. Gosh, Elara. Get a grip, you horny dog. How can you admire the same man you're supposed t
Elara’s POV“Auntie Elara is here!“Alice shouts, and in an instant, a small stampede rushes toward me.” Tiny arms wrap around my legs, my waist, anywhere they can reach. I smile radiantly before opening my arms to embrace them in a warm group hug.I plant kisses on their foreheads, ruffling their hair. "I missed you all so much, my little angels.""Auntie Elara, what are you doing here?" one of the younger girls asks, her wide eyes gleaming with curiosity.I sense my heart rate increase. Gradually, I lift my eyes and observe Mother Annabelle and the other caretakers and older children gazing at me. Their faces are set into tight glares as their eyes move back and forth from me to Lorenzo.“Children, come here,” Mother Annabelle calls, her arms open and her voice urgent. The kids hesitate for a moment, wondering what is happening, but the edge in Mother Annabelle’s tone leaves no room for stubbornness. She repeats herself, louder this time. “Now, children! Come behind me. We don't asso
Elara's POVThe walk to Mother Annabelle's office is nerve-wracking and short. I spend the whole time thinking about what to say and how to prove that I am an ally and not a foe.The second Mother Annabelle sits down, my heart rate spikes. This is the moment of truth. I just hope they believe me. They have to believe me. I'm their daughter.Clearing my throat, I start, "Mother, I really—"She holds up her hand, cutting me off. After exchanging a glance with Mother Esther, who quietly walks to the door and locks it, she turns to me. "Elara, I am deeply disappointed in you. What has this community done to you? Did we wrong you that you chose to side with the enemy and ruin us?"I can't bear to see the looks of hurt on their faces, so I focus my gaze on the table. Mother Esther sighs and walks toward me. Holding my hands gently, she asks, "El, you are one of the most respectful and kind-hearted children this orphanage has ever raised. I know that living here was not easy. But we trained
Elara's POV The stranger holds me, his strong, muscled arms wrapped gently around my shoulders. I take in the contours of his face, noticing how his plump lips accentuate his features. He’s dressed in an elegant gray suit. He must be some rich guy. Then I lift my gaze to his beautiful hazel eyes and see something that looks like concern. My brows furrow. Why would he be concerned? “Are you okay?” he asks, making me furrow my brows. “Is there a problem? Why are you crying?” At that, I place my hand on my face, surprised to feel tears. I guess the encounter in the office left me crying. As I remember the scene in the office, I decide I need to leave. I don’t want to deal with the mothers anymore. As I turn to go, the stranger speaks again. “Hey, calm down. Please tell me if there’s a problem. I can help.” Oh really? I look up at him and cross my arms against my chest, raising an eyebrow. “What exactly is your problem? Will you step out of my way so I can leave?” But he still tries
Lorenzo's POVWaking up in the hospital was never part of my birthday vision. I had planned a fancy but small gathering—just a little celebration I could slip away from quickly before heading home to get some rest. No. I'm not your typical billionaire chasing after a parade of women. That lifestyle is far beyond me now, especially after 'her'. I can’t bring myself to look at another woman in the same way anymore.And then, in walked Elara. That girl nearly made me break all my rules—all because of her flawless skin, perfect curves, and those eyes that seem to draw me in whenever she stares at me. My best friend, Luke Grayson, who stayed by my side at the hospital, laughed endlessly, saying Elara and I had sex. But I don't want to believe it—I am not planning to sleep with any other woman. Yes, she did drug me, but could she have stolen my eight years of virginity?When I went to find her, my plan was to confront her and ask if she’d taken advantage of me. It wouldn’t have ended well i
Elara's POV I sit in my office, tapping my pen absentmindedly against the desk, the rhythmic sound echoing in the otherwise quiet room. My laptop is open in front of me, its light illuminating my face, but I can’t focus on the screen. Instead, my mind runs with thoughts of revenge against Lorenzo Russo. The fallout with the orphanage, everything that's happened—it’s all his fault. He has ruined my life, and I’m determined to make him pay for it. I had initially planned to stop my revenge at just stealing his wallet—which wasn’t even a real revenge plan. But that seems insufficient now. Now, I’m going to fight him with everything I’ve got. My stupid subconscious decides to mock me: You've got nothing, Elara. You live in a— A sudden vibration breaks off my train of thoughts, and I glance around the room until I spot my phone vibrating on the desk. I pick it up, frowning at the unfamiliar number flashing on the screen: Hello, Princess EL. How are you? My eyes narrow. Who is this
Elara's POV"Dad?" I call him again when he doesn't respond to my question.He looks to be in a daze for a few seconds before shaking his head. "It's nothing, darling. I was just talking to someone from the office.""Dad, you're still in the hospital bed, and you're already talking about work? For real, you should rest. I'm pretty sure you can't wait to get out of here and go to the office," I tell my dad, my hands on my waist."Of course, my bossy daughter. I'm going to rest well and enjoy myself. By the way, I already know my company is in capable hands. Oh, who am I kidding? The company is already yours.""Well, you can always take it back, Dad. The workload is killing me," I chuckle.Dad laughs along and tells me to sit by his bedside. When I do, he holds my hand in his. His plasters and bandages have already been taken off, and he's almost good to go, as the doctor told us. So, we should be leaving tomorrow."I'm so proud of who you've become, Elara. In such a short time, you've
Elara’s POVIt's official.Today has been the weirdest day of my life.From finding out about Lorenzo's accident, to being threatened by his dad, to discovering he has a family, then realizing my dad faked his coma, learning that Lorenzo’s son is being abused by his girlfriend—who was supposed to have died eight years ago—and now hearing Lorenzo ask who I am... I don’t think any day in my life can beat this.Whether in the past or future.Not even the day I stole the billionaire's wallet.Or maybe I'm just going crazy.Because why else would Lorenzo ask me who I am? We've dated for almost five months, plus we knew each other for more than a year before that.My hand flies to cover my mouth, my heart hammering in my chest. I can't believe Lorenzo just asked me that. Am I dreaming or something?"Uh, Lorenzo, what do you mean by that? Is this a joke or something? It's not really funny, you know." I chuckle humorlessly, observing his face for any signs of laughter, no matter how subtle.W
Elara's POV"No! Please don't tell her, she'll kill me. Please, Auntie Elara, please." He trembles, the words spilling out of his lips without control."Auntie Elara, please," he keeps begging while I stand frozen, fisting my hands and preparing to bound into that room or to wherever Sophia is and kill her.I briskly walk away from him, making sure my foot doesn’t make any noise against the floor. When I get to the glass panel, I look into the room, noticing that Lorenzo is fast asleep, machines tied up to his body.There is no sign of Sophia. She is not here.Ethan's shaky voice sounds from behind me. "But Auntie Elara, please, you cannot tell her that I have told you. I'm pretty sure she will kill me. I'm so sorry."So it is true. She is abusing her own son. How pathetic and disgusting.Glancing at the little boy and his trembling and shaking figure, I know I can't resist. If he is this scared, she must have threatened him with something.I'll get everything out of him, then I'll ma
Elara's POVDad pales, and Uncle Damien looks visibly shaken up, his face ashen white. Good. They're scared. Just as they should be after making me believe that Dad was in a coma for so long. How were they even able to pull this off without me suspecting anything?I guess they used the fact that I was heartbroken from Lorenzo's and my breakup to their advantage."Princess, you were still here?" Uncle Damien asks, walking to hug me. "I thought you already went home."Is that why you let your guard down? The question comes so close to my lips, but I hold back from asking it. I'll let them think I didn't hear anything."I did, but couldn't sleep, so I decided to come spend the night here," I respond calmly, noticing how they exchange nervous looks. It almost makes me chuckle, but I hold it in, knowing I can't blow my cover."Dad!" I exclaim out of the blue, hurrying towards his bed and engulfing him in a hug, which is easy because he's sitting in a high Fowler's position. Even though the
Elara's POV"Mr. Russo? N-nice to see you, S-sir."I almost slap myself when I stutter. Why the hell am I stuttering?If I thought Nicolas glared at me when he saw me, then this man's look is enough to freeze the air in the room. I feel goosebumps rise along my skin as he watches me, taking slow, deliberate steps toward me.When he gets close, he extends a hand and pulls me roughly by my elbow, dragging me away from the room where Lorenzo is and down the hallway from where we came in.He doesn't let me go toward the one my dad is in. I'm not sure he even knows my dad is there. He pulls me out of the hospital until we stand in the alley beside it.It is nighttime, and so all I can see is his face illumined by the moonlight and nothing else.Different thoughts race through my mind, reeling with worst-case possibilities of what he plans to do. Is he trying to kill me? Why would he bring me right out this way?"Mr. Russo? What is going on?" I ask him in a shaky voice, hoping that it is al
Elara's POVWho is this woman, and why does she look oddly familiar?That’s all I can think as I stare at the woman who asked me the question. I try to rack my brain for where I know her from but keep drawing a blank until I finally give up."I ask again. Who the hell are you, and what do you want?" she reiterates, this time giving me a disdainful glance from head to foot.I bite my tongue to keep myself from being rude. "I'm nobody you should concern yourself with. Excuse me."Giving one last glance at the room Ethan just ran into, I walk past her, resisting the urge to bump our shoulders together.I am not a troublemaker.Just as I round the corner from the hallway separating this private ward from my dad's, I bump into Nicola.He's dressed casually in blue jeans and a black T-shirt, his face focused on the phone in his hand. I clear my throat to get his attention.When I succeed, I’m surprised at the glare he shoots at me."Nicola, long time no see. How have—"My words get stuck in
Elara's POV(Back to two months later)"Dad, you had a loving relationship with Mom, right? When you guys quarreled, did you ever... block her? Like, I know cell phones weren’t that much of a thing in those days. No, they were. Were they? But did you block Mom? Like, not even contact her in the morning? Or a week later?"I ask another question, speaking to my very unconscious dad as though we are engaged in a conversation."Because I don’t know, Dad, but I don’t feel right about what Lorenzo has done to me. I mean, yes, we did split up on a rocky path, but does it mean he has to go as far as blocking me? That is too much, is it not?"He blocked me without any reason. He just—"But Dad, why do I feel like something is wrong? I just wish Lorenzo is fine because if something has happened to him, I won’t be able to cope."Being lost in thought, I don’t notice when Uncle Damien comes into the room until he clears his throat. I turn to see him leaning against the wall and staring at me with
Lorenzo's POV(Two months earlier)I was supposed to have let it go that night, but I'd be damned if I ever let Alexander Vitali get anywhere close to my woman again.When I walked in and saw him in her house, I didn't think much about it. Of course, they are friends, and there is nothing I could do about that. But his words still rang in my mind, tormenting me, when he had asked, "So, Lorenzo, how does it feel losing your woman because of your stupidity?" Smirking as though he knew that would rile me up."I have no idea what you mean, Vitali. I have lost no woman," I answered nonchalantly.He just chuckled. "You must be kidding. So, you think you stand a chance again? You are a bigger fool than I thought."I ignored him, as always, until he said the words that made me angrier than I had ever been."I know Elara is gullible, but I won't let you take advantage of her. She's going to be mine soon. Imagine having a naive woman under your control. I'll have fun bending her to follow my ev
Elara's POVTwo months later.How time flies when you're CEO of the biggest oil manufacturing company in the country. I'm pretty sure my hair is greying already. Or maybe my face has so many wrinkles. I wouldn’t know, as I barely have time to check myself out in the mirror before coming to work.“If we sell it at this price, I believe we'll have the upper hand,” the arrogant Director of Sales and Marketing says, his voice hoarse from all the alcohol he has consumed over the years.When he's done, he places a hand in his pocket and gazes at me intensely. His posture makes his potbelly stand out, but it seems like he doesn't notice, seeing as he's constantly throwing himself at anything in a skirt that passes by—including me, his own boss.He's one of those who tried to oppose my takeover, saying a woman could never manage a company like this and that I'd do better managing fashion brands.When the board approved me, he made it his plan to ruin all my project ideas. Unfortunately for hi