Her eyes darted from one corner to the next. The adrenaline coursed through her veins, andevery instinct screamed at her to keep moving, to find an escape before anyone noticed shewas gone. But as she reached the end of the corridor, her hopes began to falter.The door she had been heading toward, the one that she had thought might be her salvation,was locked—just like the others. Her fingers fumbled with the handle, desperate, and she pulledon it again, then tried to force it open. It was no use.Frustration surged through her, and for a moment, she wanted to scream, to give up. But shecouldn’t afford that. Not now.She looked around, trying to assess her surroundings. The hallway was eerily silent. There wereno guards in sight, but that didn’t mean she was safe. She needed to think quickly.Her mind raced. There had to be another way out. Perhaps there was a window or another doorhidden somewhere. She couldn’t let herself get trapped now, not when she was so close.As she tur
Violet stepped inside the darkened bar, her heart racing with trepidation and exhaustion. She had just finished a brutal day of being a background actress, barely scraping by enough to pay the rent. Her life wasn't glamorous by any means, at least not yet, but at least she had Tony-or so she thought. For three long years, she'd looked after him through thick and thin, whenever he needed help and nobody else was there to provide it. Now, Tony had invited her here, claiming that he had something very important to tell her. She saw him at a small table; his new suit shone in the low light. He was different-confident, even arrogant. Violet came up to him with a hopeful smile, but it faded away when Tony hardly noticed her. "Hi, Tony," Violet said, sounding ambiguous. "Violet, sit down," he replied coolly without looking at her. She slid into the chair, feeling the weight of something ominous settle in the air between them. "What's going on?" Tony sighed, adjusting his cufflinks like h
As Violet peered at her reflection the next morning, she could feel the anxious churn of her stomach. What had she gotten herself into? The surreal conversation with Clyde the day before kept replaying itself in her head. She couldn't shake off that gnawing doubt. This was insane, wasn't it? She was about to lie to a dying man, telling him she was his long-lost daughter. For what? One million dollars a day? She bit at her lip, tying a loose ponytail with shaking hands. With the rent overdue, the electric bill precariously on the verge of a cutoff, and Tony's cruel rejection fresh within her mind, she knew she didn't have a choice. This was her ticket, the break she'd been waiting for all these years. By the time Clyde showed up to collect her, the nervousness was worse. His black sedan was ushered to the front of her dingy apartment complex, shining under the morning sun. She paused for a second, then stepped outside and slid into the passenger seat. "Morning," she muttered, softer
Violet stood in the hallway of the hospital, still raw from her encounter with Clyde's father, Richard. She had barely managed to process the weight of what she had agreed to when a loud, haughty voice echoed down the corridor, pulling her back to the present. "Well, well, well, isn't this a surprise," the voice was sharp, full of disdain. Violet turned around in time to see two women headed toward them. One was older, in a cut-to-fit suit that screamed money, her chin held high as if she smelled something rancid on the soles of people's shoes. The other one was much younger, almost a carbon copy of the older woman in a designer suit with an icy expression to boot. Clyde straightened up beside her. "Sharon," he said in a low mutter, not concealing his annoyance. "Eva." Violet said nothing. She didn't have any idea who these women were, though by the look on Clyde's face, it wasn't going to be a pleasant meeting. She came to a stop in front of Clyde, where the older woman Sharon g
Violet stood by the large window of the West Estate, staring out into lawns so well-manicured they extended far beyond what she would ever have dreamed possible. It still felt surreal being here, living a life of luxury she'd only ever seen in movies. The plush carpet beneath her bare feet was soft, and the scent of polished wood and fresh flowers filled the air. Everything in this place screamed wealth. But to Violet, it wasn't home-it was just another set, another role to play. She turned away from the window as the study door creaked open. Clyde walked in, a large envelope in his hand. His expression was serious, the playful smirk she had seen a few times now replaced with something far more businesslike. He held out the envelope toward her. These are the papers I was telling you about," he said, all business. "I need you to commit them to memory. This is your backstory." Violet reached for the envelope hesitantly, already feeling the weight in what was inside, even before open
Violet's heart raced as she stepped into the sleek, marble lobby of her father's company, West Media. Today was her first day officially at the company, and though Clyde had prepared her, she couldn't rid herself of the butterflies clawing at her insides. She had woken hours earlier, had practiced her lines from the carefully written backstory by Clyde, and had run over her role in her mind over and over until it felt real. She was the long-lost daughter of Richard West, Clyde's sister, and soon everyone would know.She took a deep breath and moved toward the elevators, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Clyde's instructions replayed as she rode up, floor by floor, toward the upper offices. "Stay calm. Be confident. You're a West now," he'd said with that slight smirk that was becoming familiar. But before she could get her bearings, the elevator doors opened and she found herself standing face-to-face with one of the people she had hoped never to see again.It was Tony, h
The day following her tumultuous first experience in West Media with Tony, Violet got to the office early, anxious for a second chance. Clyde had reassured her that she belonged here, but a little voice inside her remained apprehensive. She hadn't missed the poison in Tony's eyes when Clyde had presented her as his sister, nor had she forgotten the ignominy of his trying to bodily throw her out. Little did she know her troubles with Tony were just beginning.She had just reached her new office and was heading toward it when she passed by Clyde's assistant, who greeted her with a smile. "Good morning, Ms. West.She returned the greeting and swung open the door to her office, settling in. The room was eloquent, as Clyde had it put together for her; she'd barely gotten her bag down when the phone on her desk began ringing.It was Clyde."Violet," he said, all business. "I need to see you in my office, please. We do have some things we need to attend to."Violet's heart fluttered slightly
The air was dead in the hospital room as Violet sat beside her father, adjusting his pillows and brushing imaginary creases from his blanket. Clyde sat nearby with his laptop open but found his gaze drifting to her time and again. He was taken by her commitment, her endless patience, and the warmth she brought to that cold, sterilized room.Violet, dear," he murmured, extending a frail hand toward hers. "You don't have to do all this. The nurses can do it for me."She slipped her hand over his, smiling. "Father, I want to do this for you. I haven't been around to take care of you for so long. Please, let me make up for it, in any way I can.".Just as her father was about to say something, the door creaked open, and into the room trooped Sharon and Eva, their faces smug with satisfaction, yet at the same time thinly veiled with irritation. They were both carrying a stack of papers, which Sharon clutched tightly as if it were a treasure. The tension in the room became immediately palpab
Her eyes darted from one corner to the next. The adrenaline coursed through her veins, andevery instinct screamed at her to keep moving, to find an escape before anyone noticed shewas gone. But as she reached the end of the corridor, her hopes began to falter.The door she had been heading toward, the one that she had thought might be her salvation,was locked—just like the others. Her fingers fumbled with the handle, desperate, and she pulledon it again, then tried to force it open. It was no use.Frustration surged through her, and for a moment, she wanted to scream, to give up. But shecouldn’t afford that. Not now.She looked around, trying to assess her surroundings. The hallway was eerily silent. There wereno guards in sight, but that didn’t mean she was safe. She needed to think quickly.Her mind raced. There had to be another way out. Perhaps there was a window or another doorhidden somewhere. She couldn’t let herself get trapped now, not when she was so close.As she tur
Mathew’s expression darkened slightly, a hint of sadness flickering in his eyes. "That’s mydaughter," he said softly, taking the photo from Eva’s hands. "She’s been missing for severalyears now."Eva’s heart clenched. "Missing? What happened?"Mathew sighed deeply, his gaze fixed on the picture. "It’s a long story, but I’ve recently comeback to find her. That's why I’m here.”Eva reached out and laid a comforting hand on his arm. "I'm so sorry, Mathew. If there'sanything I can do to help, please let me know."Mathew gave her a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Eva. Your support means more than youknow."Violet continued to recover until the doctors were able to discharge her from the hospital. Clydewas always there by her side, seeing to it that she had everything she needed. As they cameout of the hospital, Violet inhaled deeply of the fresh air, feeling free and relieved.Upon arrival, the staff welcomed Violet with warmth; Clyde helped her settle down, and as theywere walk
These days in the hospital soon became endless, all filled with physical pain and emotionalturmoil. The fall had not taken from Violet any more than a broken arm, but much morepriceless a loss that floated in the air around her. The nurses were in and out, giving hermedication and taking vitals, while Clyde sat beside her whenever he could, offering what littlecomfort he could.Yet within her frail frame, Violet refused to become a weak soul. She startedphysiotherapy to get her arm functioning again, but while doing all this-her heart was the onethat felt heavier. The hospital became a place of healing, not only for her body but also for herspirit.Meanwhile, Clyde was in the middle of all the chaos that engulfed the company. Despite Sharon and Leo's efforts to block his attendance, the meeting he had attended was just thebeginning of the war. The company was in disarray, and Clyde knew that unless he moved fast,the empire his father built could crumble.He spent hours in the
"Trying wasn't enough," Leo snapped. "Now everything is falling apart. We can't afford any moremistakes, Sharon. If Clyde stays on top of this, we'll lose the whole game."Her face flashed with anger as Sharon's heart began to race. "Don't put this all on me, Leo. I'vebeen doing everything I can while you've been playing your games. Maybe if you had a betterbackup plan, we wouldn't be in this mess."Leo’s voice lowered, cold and dangerous. "We don’t have time for your excuses. Fix this,Sharon. Or you’ll regret it."The call ended abruptly, leaving Sharon fuming. She stood there for a moment, her breathcoming in sharp, shallow bursts. The pressure was mounting, and Leo’s anger only fueled herown.Sharon didn't so much as glance backward toward the entrance of the hospital as she spun onher heel and strode away. Her heels clicked sharply against the pavement, echoing thefrustration as she headed toward her car. She needed a new plan, and she needed it fast. Leowasn't going to g
Violet smiled politely, but her eyes never left Sharon's, sensing the undercurrent of tension."That's very kind of you, Sharon."Upstairs, Clyde entered the bedroom, his mind already on the board meeting ahead. He movedwith purpose, selecting a sharp suit from his wardrobe as his mind played out the possiblescenarios at the office.The tie was correctly done, and his phone went off with the reminder of his meeting.Down the stairs he went, to rejoin Violet, who waited at the door. "I will be back before you knowit," he said, clasping her hand one last time."Be careful," Violet whispered, her eyes shaded with concern."I will," Clyde promised, his tone firm with conviction.Sharon thought quickly, trying to find a way to ensure Clyde wouldn't make that important boardmeeting. She had to think fast, and she knew just the thing to engage him-Violet. An almostdiabolical smile curled Sharon's lips as she contrived her plan.Sharon quickly ran into the kitchen and brought back a bott
Violet sat on the edge of the bed and watched Clyde pacing across the room while her eyesshone with apprehension. He looked tired but not beaten, and after reaching the wall, he turnedto face her and started to speak."When I got to the warehouse, I knew something felt off, but I went in anyway," Clyde began, hisvoice firm, yet laced with residual fear from the experience. The place was dark and quiet, tooquiet. I called out for Olivia, but nobody answered, so I realized it was a trap.Violet's heart sank, though she maintained poise and nodded for him to continue."Before I could react, they jumped me," Clyde said, his fists clenched at the memory. "Theybound me up, and that's when I met Leo Levine. He was there to gloat-to tell me how heplanned to take everything from my father, our family's legacy. He even bragged about how, bynoon tomorrow, he'd be announced as the new CEO."Violet gasped, placing her hand over her mouth. "Oh, Clyde…Clyde reached for her, taking her hands
The post-euphoria of their passionate encounter went away; the room slowly relapsed into itsquiet stillness, with their mingled breaths being the only sounds that Eva lay on his chest,tracing lazy circles on his skin while her mind remained blissfully blank and savoring theafterglow.But then, suddenly, the shrill ringing of her phone resounded through the stillness, placing themboth in a shocked stillness. Eva's heart went a miss as she reached for her phone lying on thebedside table. Looking at the screen, her breath caught-it was her mother."Mom?" she answered, still sounding husky from the exertion."Eva, where are you?" her mother's voice came through, laced with worry and urgency. "I needyou to come home. Now."The concern in her mother's tone was enough to snap Eva out of her blissful state. She sat upabruptly, clutching the sheet to her chest. "Is everything okay, Mom?"There was a pause, and then her mother said, "It's important, Eva. Please, just come."Eva's heart p
Eva continued to talk with the man; with every word, it was an affair. His hand brushed againsthers, sending a spark coursing through her entire body. The laughter between them softenedand gave way to lingering glances, a growing tension that neither seemed in any hurry to break.The music in the bar had shifted to a slower, more sensual rhythm, matching the simmeringenergy between them. Eva leaned closer, her breath mingling with his, her fingers playing withthe rim of her glass. She felt the pulse of desire growing, a magnetic pull that drew her towardshim.“You’re intoxicating,” he whispered, his voice a husky murmur that sent a shiver down her spine.His eyes locked onto hers, dark and intense, promising something that made her heart race.Eva didn't answer with words. Her gaze dropped to his lips; her own parted slightly in aninvitation. He caught that subtle invitation; his fingers reached out and gently traced the line ofher jaw, pressing her face higher. The gap between
Sharon burst into her penthouse and slammed the door shut with a force that sentreverberations through the silent apartment. Her heels clicked loudly against the glitteringmarble floor as she marched toward the expansive living room, her mind a maelstrom of angerand frustration.How did he get away?" she whispered, the words repeating in her mind like a mantra. "It wasperfect-everything, every eventuality.She threw her coat onto the sleek leather couch, her hands shaking with barely restrainedanger. She began to pace up and down, trying to put together how Clyde had managed to slipthrough their grasp. The guards were doubled and the warehouse secure, yet somehow, Clydemanaged to outwit all.Sharon stopped dead in her tracks, her beady eyes now set on her phone, which lay on thecoffee table. Snatching it up, she scrolled down her contacts to Eva's number in a jiffy. Eva hadbeen one of their inside players, an important part of their scheme. If anyone had informationregarding