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
MISS GENEVIEVE'S POVThe door closed behind me, and I was taken down a very dimly lit hallway by the receptionist. She walked at a rapid pace, her hands fidgeting at her sides as if she knew she'd made a horrific mistake by letting me past. Maybe she had. That was probably beside the point at this stage. Everyone's got a price-just hers happened to be set low enough that I could pay it.She walked over to a door that had a sign on it, which read "Manager" and stepped aside, her voice soft. "He is in there. I will go let him know you are here.""No need," I said brusquely and pushed past her to open the door myself, not waiting for an invitation.The manager was distracted, looking up at the neat stack of papers on his desk. Probably middle-aged, around the mid-fifties at most, with a receding hairline and eyes which sized everything in terms of potential profitability, I knew I could expect him to be no less a man who wouldn't go for threats but would bow over at the right incentive.
ELLA'S POVThe morning air was cool as I trudged back to the planner's office, the load of today's tasks weighing heavily on me. Or so I thought I had picked out the perfect vendor. But something nagged at me, an annoying unease I couldn't just push aside.The planner, Sandra, had seemed perfectly professional when we first met, but today I felt tiny things were off. Her smile was different-too tight. Her gaze flickered away a lot more than it had previously, almost as if she didn't want to make eye contact. I told myself that was probably nothing. Just nerves. Big events tended to make people jittery, even seasoned vendors like her.Yet, I could not help but wonder if Madame Browne had already started her meddling. I really would not put it past her to throw a spanner in my works the moment I was getting too comfortable. She'd made her displeasure known, subtly attempting to corner me at every turn. Slip once, and she'd make sure I fell hard.I took a deep breath in and squared my sh
M ADAME BRO WNE'S POV “Hello,” I said, my voice hoarse. I could still feel the prick of glass on my palms, the soft pain but I overlooked it. The entire room reeked of sweat and alcohol. I waited a long minute before the person on the other end finally responded me. On the other end of the line, I could hear grunting and loud cursing. My patience soon waned once I checked the waiting time and saw it had been 40 seconds already.I scowl angrily, pulling the phone as I stretched my index finger to press the end call button. Before I could press it, the call was picked and a husky feminine voice beamed out from my speakers. “Hello, this is Poison speaking, if it's another loan company, I swear too God I am going to freaking come and deal with y'all myself.” I heard the familiar voice of one of my girls, Poison, my go-to actually.She was the perfect one for the role. “Hey, this ain't no loan shark company, it's Madame Browne.” I said and listened closely as a hushed silence followed m
LUCAS'S POV“On your knees!” I ordered watching from the high chair as she did as ordered. The soft flickering sound the crackling fire made braced my ears as I chuckled.“Why did you do it? Why did you have to ruin all my sheerchard work for what? Only for the president to find out years later.” I thundered, my voice lashing through the thin silence in the air.Madame Browne moved slowly, my nails pressing hard into her flesh. She was on her knees as I had ordered, her head tilted downwards in fear. She was shaking like a winter leaf, her eyes lit up in confusion.“I still don't understand any of your words, what do you mean by I ruined all of your hardwork I promise you, I didn't do shit!” She cursed underneath her voice.The anger in me raged harder with each passing second, the sight of her filling me with irritation. “You don't still understand? Well, I'll give you a hint.” I growled, my teeth tighly.I tilted my gaze upwards, hesitating for a secondary as I stared at the guards
L U C A S 'S P O V I watched the president with cold eyes, it had been hours now and I wasn't going to fall for his pretend sleep. The truth was about to get out, but I wasn't really sure if he knew what I thought I knew.I made sure I scrubbed out all traces to the incident, how did the president found out about it? I scrub my hair roughly, thoughts pulsing through my brain. I freaking hated the fact that they were all still here.I wanted some alone time with the president, just the two of us. I need to find out all he knew. The thought of having him tell Xavier and Ella was haunting, sending chills though me. I came back to New York for one thing and that didn't include going to jail.No!I'd traced out all the evidence, even the police were clueless as to who the perpetrator was. How did he find out? Anger and restlessness seeped into my bones as I turned my gaze to stare at the two other people in the room.Xavier and Ella.They were still here and I could tell they were already
ELLA'S POV “The part I hid all these years?” The president's tone was etched with fear, for the first time, I saw fear glistening in his green eyes.Never had I seen his breath hitch, his back arch and his pupils dilating. With every step, Mr Lucas McKinney took, the room erupted slowly in an air of shunned tension.“Which part?” His voice was smooth, like granite but also daring. The president immediately broke into laughter, “Don't mind my jokes Lucas, I was just taking Xavier into the old room.” The president's voice made me shocked. I frowned. Was all of this a joke?I was about jumping into conclusion but once I saw him laughing hysterically, I knew he was pretending for Lucas. Lucas was also laughing alongside, his presence a threat.As the president laughed, I noticed his chest heaving abnormally. His eyes were brimming with tears which I pushed back under the guise of a laugh. “How did you know we were here, uncle Lucas?” I asked him softly, swallowing softly as I tried to
ELLA'S POV “The truth?” I asked, confusion written boldly all over me.What did he mean by the truth? I scrunched my nose gently as I reached out to help adjust his pillow. “What do you mean by the truth, Mr McKinney?” I asked him again, this time, he actually responded to me.“I have to tell Xavier— he deserves to know.” He said and his voice faltered halfway into a dry cough that had him jerking his chest. Just a s he said those words, Xavier ran into the room, confused at to where the confusion in the air was coming from.“What's happenin— grandpa, you're awake!” Xavier's jumped for joy with the glass of drinkable water in his hands. He walked over to the bed and I took the cup from him to give the president.Mr McKinney took the glass from Xavier and after taking a long sip of the water, he placed the cup back on the nearby table. After doing that, his voice croaked out, “X… Xavier.”His pale fingers stretched to reach Xavier's face, his lids flickering weakly. He was shaking but
ELLA'S POV “It’s a long story but if you don't help the president now, we could have a different story to tell.”My heart thumped hard against my ribcage as my eyes met the president's figure. His skin was already pale, his entire form unconscious. Fear gripped me on all four edges of my body as I gasped out.A shiver trudged up my spine. I tried to stay calm in the moment, it was good Ivy wasn't around, she went to do her homework and I wouldn't want her to be disheartened by the sight of her great-grandfather unconscious.“Grab me a long fabric we have to make sure to free his airways to atleast revive him.” I ordered Xavier as I rushed over to a side of our bedroom where I normally kept my hospital kit and opened it. I checked his heartbeat and was shocked to find out it was beating quite well.Just as I pulled off the heart rate monitor, I proceed to take the long linen fabric had brought. “We have to tie it over his chest, first we have to take away all jewelries and heavy fabri
THE PRESIDENT'S POVI wasn't planning to bring out the 21 day challenge to Lucas but since the situation elevated quickly, I had to pull out that one last card. I thought it'd scare him, push him backwards and make him have double thoughs about becoming the next president but instead, it fueled his interest.The desperation in my son's eyes as he accepted the offer was scary, even to me but I decided it was smart not to allow it reflect. I tilted my head to look at Xavier's s I flash him a signal, he pushed me in the direction of the door.The wheelchair was very comfortable I must say. It wasn't that bad. I considered it a free three month rest rom walking and having someone, Xavier, push me around. I had pushed me discharge date just to be at the McKinney mansion.The tension might seem a lot heated but since we're in my pov, I'll tell you this for free, things aren't as they are. Lucas was dangerous, i knew dark secrets of my own son I deserved to preserve from the world.Our rival
LUCAS'S POV.My heart skipped a beat at the president's words. What did he mean by conditions? I held my breath, waiting patiently for the next series of words that would slip out from the president's lips. I pant slowly, my chest heaving as discomfort pooled down my arms. I wasn't quite yet sure what to believe, was it his words or the pungent feeling in my veins that told me this was another one of his games.“Accepted.” I said, dragging the word. The president’s expression didn't change like I was expecting. His breath didn't shuder, his pupils didn't dilate, It was almost like it was all real.“And what is that, if I may ask?” I took a step further, noticing the change in the air. The president was seated comfortably on the wheelchair, his composure unfazed.The thin stripes of light from the fireplace in the room striked a side of his face, giving the contempt in the eyes a brighter glow that had me pulsing. He stared up at me, his head tilted upright. I swallowed softly, a str
MADAME BROWNE’S POV I couldn't believe my eyes.The president was alive.Fury washed through me in waves as I gazed back at his impending figure. The president sat comfortable on a wheelchair, his gaze firm like a king surveying his kingdom. Xavier was the one pushing him around and the sight of the both of them standing there made me furious.I thought Lucas said he should be dead by now. To even think that I was actually about to start celebrating when he told me the news only to realize that it was all a lie. The president had survived the attack and as always, my plans had been ruined.I bit hard into my lower lip as I clenched my fists, the sharp pain that came from the pressing sensation of my fingernails on my palms jolting my head upright. The president had a sneer on his face as he was wheeled back into the room.His presence caused my heart to nearly skip a beat. My breaths came hitching out, ragged puffs coming out of my nostrils. I tried to contain the shock in my veins b