ELLA'S POV I froze at the doorstep to Madame Browne's room, the cold air in the room bracing my ears for what they were about to ear. I overhead Madame Browne on a call with someone, her voice was high pitched which meant she was venting out her anger to the person on the other end.Just before I gripped the doorknob to step in, I overhead her saying, “You promised.” Madame Browne continued, her voice dropping into a low, dangerous register. “You swore you’d ruin her.”I stiffened at the sound of her voice, the air shifted as ai bit my lower lip. What had just happened? My jaw had fallen and I was still in shock. Madame Browne's words hit me like a punch, a tidal wave that settled for my bones.So it was true after all? Her hated and resentment towards me. I knew her plan was obviously another try at ruining the event for me and having everyone watch me fail so she could say she was right after all. To say I told you so and pounce on my shame, her plan was to ruin it all for me and
ELLA'S POVAs the elevator door chimed open, my heart leaped with anxiety. A glance at the hallway to my room did nothing to ease me of the cruel anxiety I had storming in my veins. My body was still revolving from the shock of overhearing Madame Browne's plan.I could still remember her exact words, the way she cackled darkly after ending the call, the way she vented her anger at the person on the other end clearly. I never expected Madame Browne to be this power hungry, it was now beginning to look like the more you look, the less you see.The less I saw. A swift glance at Madame Browne would give you the impression she was a nice member of the McKinney family who wanted nothing but the good and betterment of the event I was hosting.But from my eyes, you'll find out that beneath the feigned giggles and smiles lays a dark twisted hatred boiling and waiting for the right time to spill. The fear in my veins echoed in sync with the fear instilling silence in the hallway. The walk from
MADAME BROWNE'S POV I sat at the balcony sipping wine from the tall wine glass framed in between my fingers. The soft berry like tinge in the wine stung my tongue as I tasted it. Everything was going smoothly, my plan was working perfectly now and nothing could stop me from reigning over the forthcoming event Ella was going to host.I'd told Genevieve to leave whatever she was doing at her office to come address the issue of the list. I didn't expect Ella to be smart enough to crosscheck the information given on the list, I had expected things her to wait for the event to pull closer before placing the booking like the fool she was.But either ways, I still had everything in control and that was all that mattered. The sunlight from the sun poured down from the open heavens basking my figure in in the golden brown hue of the evening sun. I tapped the glass before raising it to catch the glow of the setting sun. I was enjoying this, the cold air blowing gently against my flesh, the wi
MISS GENEVIEVE'S POV "I give you 24 hours to have the event under my control or else!" Her breath fanned my face. My body revolved in harsh pain as I was pressed against the hard wall by Madame Browne's cold grip. Her hands gripped my neck and pressed it hard enough to squeeze the living day light out of me. I tried to fight it, to pull her hands off but her grip was just too hard and my breath was coming out in muffled puffs.I choked on a breath as I coughed. "Or else I'll have your firm close and make you go back to being the penniless grocery worker you once were 3 years ago." She threatened before yanking off her hand from my neck.The world stood still for a split second as I watched her swivel before stepping out of the room. Before stepping out, she flashed a side way glance at me and with that she stepped out of the room.I gripped my chest as I heaved a relieved sigh, the heat from the sudden collision of my body sent me into a frantic state of panick. I panted, my heart b
Miss Genevieve's POVThe voice of Madame Browne still echoed in my head, like some ringing bell that would never stop. "You've got 24 hours, Genevieve. If this event isn't back in our hands, I'll make sure you regret ever owing me." It sent shivers down my spine, but not because of fear-because of rage. How dare Ella think she could relieve me? Me, Miss Genevieve, from that assistant role she was so desperately unfit for in the first place? The audacity. I gritted my teeth and clutched the steering wheel tighter, the leather creaking with the pressure of my hands.I hated Ella Rocci. That little nurse didn't know who she was dealing with. She thought that firing me would get rid of me? Oh, sweetheart, you just threw the first punch. Now it's my turn.I pulled my car into the parking lot of a small, grimy coffee shop that sat on the corner of a street most people would avoid. It was just the place for the kind of conversation I needed to have. Sliding my sunglasses on, I stepped out, t
ELLA'S POVMadame Browne lingered in my mind— like some unwanted guest. If she was plotting-and, really, she was plotting-could I honestly hope to get away with this event? What was intended to be a subdued celebration of the president's birthday had now, within Madame Browne's realm, even simplicity wearing the robes of a trap.I ran my fingers through my hair, pacing in the room as unease gnawed at me. I'd already caught her meddling once. What else did she plan?The third time that morning, the thought crossed my mind to call Xavier. He was still on his trip, but I hoped maybe-hearing his voice-would steady me. I leaned over and reached for my phone on the nightstand, dialing his number as my pulse sped up. It rang once, twice, and then beeped, going straight to his assistant.I swore under my breath. "Of course," I muttered to myself, trying not to let the frustration bleed into my voice. Xavier was busy. But still, it kinda stung a little. Left to battle this storm alone, a ship
STONE'S POVI leaned against my motorcycle, my gaze fixed on the McKinney estate. She'd stepped out of the front door just minutes ago, head held high, trying to look unbothered. But I knew better. I'd seen that kind of nervous energy a hundred times before.Ella Rocci. The woman who thought she could stand up to people far more dangerous than her.I watched her climb into the car. She hadn't noticed me-most people never did until it was too late. I swung my leg over the bike, the engine rumbling low beneath me, and followed from a safe distance, weaving through traffic with ease.She wasn't going very far. The florist. Of course. I smirked to myself under my helmet. Miss Genevieve had been right-Ella wasn't just a thorn in Madame Browne's side, she was dangerously obstinate. But no amount of determination was going to save her from what was coming.I parked a block away from the vendor's shop, keeping to the shadows as I watched her step inside. She was easy to track-too easy. A woma
GENEVIEVE'S PERSPECTIVEBut Madame Browne's words echoed in my mind. I stepped out of the office, and every word inscribed its place with unuttered threat. "Close the deal, Genevieve. Once and for all this time. No room this time for mistakes.".I adjusted my coat, the soft material brushing against my skin as I walked to the elevator. The metallic doors opened with a quiet hiss, and I stepped inside, jabbing the button for the ground floor. As the elevator hummed softly, my fingers drummed a rhythmic beat against my clutch. I hated loose ends, and Ella Rocci was the most annoying loose end I'd ever encountered.The elevator dinged, and I stepped out into the lobby of my firm. Polished marble floors gleamed beneath cold lights, and the air held a faint scent of disinfectant. My heels clicked sharply as I crossed the lobby, drawing curious glances from employees who had grown accustomed to seeing me leave on personal errands. I was a woman with a mission, and they all knew better than
XAVIER'S POV I wasn't supposed to feel for her. The emotions I ended up showing crashed into me like a tidal wave. Even now, I still couldn't get myself to believe it. I was about to do it. I was about to do something I never believed would be possible.I was about to show Madame Browne sympathy. I was about to offer her the one thing she didn't offer me over the years. Sympathy. Even the thought of it I was nerving. I had to admit that. Hugging her was weird. Having her sob over my suit was weird and to say the truth, all of this was weird.Madame Browne wasn't the type of lady to cry. No. She was far different from that. She was the kind of lady who's character could be adapted into the role of a villain In a movie, a book perhaps. I was used to her being the evil person and this level of vulnerability was seemingly alarming.I couldn't bring myself to believe the one woman who single handedly made my life a living hell was about to confess to all her crimes to not just the police
THE PRESIDENT'S POV “What's the information she brought?” As Xavier said the words, my expression dimmed and I turned my gaze in Madame Browne's direction. I darted my gaze in her direction and as I caught a sight of her body frame, my face twisted into a tight frown.My jaws clenched and so did my fists. Something about all of this didn't feel right. But… I just had no choice but to believe her. Madame Browne stood at the other end of the room. Her legs were as shaky as a winter leaf and cold beads of swart clung to her forehead.Her eyes moved over to catch my gaze and as our eyes met, I tried to catch any glimpse of emotion but I found nothing. Well, nothing but the bright gleam of anticipation in her eyes. Something told me this was the beginning of a dark future. I could feel it but I just wasn't sure.Madame Browne was a trickster. It was in her nature and you never might know when she told the truth. I used to be able to read through all her tactics but this time around, it w
XAVIER'S POV I woke up to the soft warmth of Ella’s body curled against mine. For a rare moment, I allowed myself to enjoy the peace. The curve of her body against mine, the way her breathing remained steady—it filled me with calmness. But duty never slept, and neither could I.For a fleeting moment, time seemed to slow, allowing me to simply exist in the tranquillity of her presence. The delicate scent of her lavender shampoo clung to her dark hair, a familiar and soothing aroma that filled my senses. I almost didn't want to get up from her side, knowing she might be the only semblance of calmness in my life today, but I had to.Placing a kiss on her hair, I carefully untangled myself from her and slid out of bed. I headed to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and took my bathI was adjusting my tie in the mirror when a soft but firm knock sounded on the door. adjusted my tie in the mirror Who could it be so early in the morning?I padded towards the door, my feet silent on the lush
LUCAS'S POV The neon glow of the city cast long shadows as I watched her disappear into the night. My cigarette burned between my fingers, smoke curling into the air like ghosts of the past. I didn’t move until she was completely out of sight. Only then did I snap my fingers as a signal.A huge tall figure emerged from the darkness, stepping under the pale streetlight. Matteo. He had been an old soldier from back when I was still young —one of the few old ones still breathing. He wasn’t a man of many words, but he was very useful.He was my eyes on the streets, my major source of information, and not for once had he ever been wrong.“Who’s running things now?” I asked, exhaling smoke as I observed his expression.Matteo’s face was lined with years of bloodshed, his dark eyes unreadable. “No one knows, boss. There's a man—he’s got a scorpion tattoo inked onto the back of his hand. Rumours have it that he might be the one.”That gave me pause. "A scorpion?"He nodded once. "We haven’t
MADAME BROWNE'S POV I sat before the gilded vanity in my dimly lit room, carefully applying a shade of crimson to my lips. The reflection staring back at me exuded power, cruelty—a woman who had long since abandoned the silly notions of weakness and kindness. Those were for fools and children. They were nothing more than shackles meant to hold me back, and I had no use for them anymore. It was a dog-eat-dog world, and I refused to be left behind.My eyes gleamed with satisfaction as I traced the outline of my lips, the colour rich like freshly spilt blood. It was fitting. Blood had been spilt before, and more would be spilt againThe world had always been my chessboard, and I had played and would continue to play my pieces well.The soft ring of my phone interrupted my musings and brought me out of my thoughts. I reached for it almost lazily, fully expecting it to be another one of my pathetic underlings grovelling for my attention. But I was surprised as I saw the name flashing on
LUCAS'S POV1 DAY AGO.When the car arrived at the front of my crib which was located deep inside an undeveloped area. I made sure it was unnoticeable. From the outside view, any random stranger would think it was some abandoned building when really it held secrets as dark as night itself.As I stepped out of the car, my men hovered beside me. When we got to the gate, the security guards who were standing at alert confirmed my identity and opened the gate for me to enter. I stepped into the compound and headed directly for the door.I made slow, casual strides towards it and as I finally approached it, I snapped my fingers and my men opened it for me. The door chimed open and I stepped into the soft scent of cherries in the air.I already knew where it was coming from.I darted my gaze in the direction of a lady standing on top of the stage with her body clinging seductively to the stripping pole. The other stripers continued dancing. I was the one who gave them that order. Even when
LUCAS'S POV 1 DAY AGO.“Is the ride ready?” I asked with a calm voice and my assistant flashed me a glance before he beamed, “Yes sir.”“Alright officer, I'll see you soon if you dare spill anything. Claim i broke out of the cell.” I ordered and got up from my chair and paced towards the door.When I got close enough, I grabbed the doorknob and pushed it open. It made a low chime as I stepped out into the hallway and without closing the door, I headed towards the door at the end of the floor. The D.P.O revealed the emergency exit that wasn't guarded to me and I was going to take that path.When I got to the other end of the door, I paused in my tracks and turned to one of my guards who rushed towards the door and opened it. The room I stepped in reeked of odor. It seemed like it hadn't been opened in a long while. I shifted my gaze to one of my men and ordered him, “Go check what's going on in there?”The guard stepped forward and took gentle strides into the room. I waited until he
LUCAS'S POV1 DAY AGOAfter making the call, I waited for a minute before I received another call from my men. They had arrived at the back gate of police station and were waiting patiently for my go ahead. “I don't want a loud hit. I want something low and coded.” I said into the speaker. “What about the people that are going to be ensuring the DPO gets the message clearly?”“They are here boss. We'll make sure he gets the message clearly.” I waited for a while before I thought about it for a while and snapped. “You know what? I'll do it myself.” “Get into his office, beat the hell out of him and then call for me. I'll do the confrontation myself.” I turned out and I heard a corresponding hum from the other end of the phone as I ended the call and turned my gaze back to the sight of the inmates in the room.They were all 3.Each of them had unruly mops of hair on their head, red eyes, shaky breath and a staggering stance. In short, they reeked of poverty, remorse, regret and fear.
President’s PovAT THE MCKINNEY MANSION I watched as my family sat down for breakfast, Madame Brown fussing each and every one of them.“Ivy, darling, do you like your pancakes?” She asked my great- granddaughter.The innocent girl beamed at her. “Yes, I do. Thank you.”“You're welcome, dear. I'll make more for you if you ask me, okay?”Ivy nodded, her smile shy. “Thank you.”The scent of freshly cooked food filled the dining room and teased my nose, but I barely glanced at the spread before me. Madame Browne had taken her seat near me, her hands clasped together, a soft but expectant look on her face. The dishes were warm, inviting, but my stomach twisted at the thought of eating it.I wasn't trustful enough of her to eat from what she had cooked.I made a pretence of drinking from a glass of juice before lowering it back down onto the table. I cleared my throat, picking up my walking stick. “Are you not eating, Grandfather?” Xavier asked and I smiled at him.He was ready dresses f