Nathan hisses, pointing a finger at me, still standing. His face is flushed, his breaths sharp and uneven.
"I suggest you choose your words wisely, Moreau," he says, voice low with warning. "You're new here. You don't want to make enemies so soon." I offer him a slow, practiced smile. "Nathan." I tilt my head, watching him with careful amusement. "I was born into this world. You're the one who should be careful." His jaw tightens. He grinds his teeth so hard I half expect them to crack. He opens his mouth, probably to say something as equally pathetic as his earlier threat, but before he can, Langford's voice slices through the tension. "Enough," the chairman says, voice sharp with authority. "Mr. Sterling, sit down and maintain the decorum of this meeting." Nathan turns his glare to Langford. "This isn't fair. You let a baseless allegation be shown to everyone, and now I'm just supposed to sit here and take it?" Orlando's annoyance flickers in the slight twitch of his brow. "If you continue this tantrum, I will have no choice but to remove you from the meeting." Nathan scoffs, shaking his head, but finally drops into his seat, still huffing like a petulant child. Five years older than me, yet somehow, he acts far younger. I suppress the urge to roll my eyes and glance toward Ethan's brother—Lucien Bellarose. Lucien, the heir and CEO of Bellarose International, sits a few seats down, watching the scene unfold with mild disinterest. He and I only interact formally—his cold personality never leaving much room for warmth. Ethan, on the other hand, would have had a field day with this. I wish he were here. We would have been snickering, texting under the table, trading sharp-witted commentary about Nathan's meltdown. But Ethan, being the second child, is only COO, a role he hates. He'd much rather escape to some coastal town, drink expensive wine, and pretend he isn't a Bellarose. Langford clears his throat, commanding the room's attention once again. "Now, moving forward," he announces, "I want to hear your insights on the proposed strategies for resource allocation in volatile markets. How do we ensure economic stability while maintaining our control? Thoughts?" I straighten, smoothing a hand down my blazer. This is my chance. Without hesitating, I speak first, my voice steady, poised. "We need to approach resource allocation with adaptability. Rigid frameworks won't survive unpredictable markets, so we should shift toward dynamic investment strategies—leveraging AI-driven forecasting models and prioritizing liquid assets over high-risk ventures. By maintaining economic fluidity, we ensure dominance without overcommitting to failing sectors." Murmurs rise around the room. A few heads nod. Some exchange glances. Good. Orion McGinnis, seated to my left, leans slightly toward me, skimming through the report before speaking. "Your point on dynamic investments is interesting, Miss Moreau," he says, voice smooth, but pointed. "But you mentioned AI-driven forecasting. That relies on historical data, which is inherently biased. How do you account for external market shocks?" A valid question. I answer swiftly, explaining how adaptability should pair with real-time geopolitical analysis and predictive modeling, allowing companies to adjust before market crashes. More nods. More murmurs. Even Lucien Bellarose lifts his gaze slightly from his papers, watching with interest. And then— Ciaran Valente's voice cuts through the room like a knife. Deep. Smooth. Amused. "That's cute, Moreau." I still, my fingers curling slightly against the armrest. "Excuse me?" He leans forward slightly, one arm resting on the table, exuding pure arrogance. "Your idea sounds good on paper," he muses, his eyes dark with amusement. "But in practice? It's a dream. Predictive models only go so far. You can't 'analyze' a government coup in real-time. You can't 'forecast' the irrationality of war. Businesses that hesitate—fail." His words hang in the air. Daring. Testing. I don't hesitate. I offer him a cool smile. "And what exactly do you suggest, Mr. Valente? Brute force and blind ambition?" His smirk widens. "Brute force built empires, Moreau. Your data models won't protect your assets when a country decides to rewrite its laws overnight. You need control. Leverage. The right hands in the right governments." A muscle ticks in my jaw. He's not wrong. But I'm not about to let him win. I tilt my head, feigning thoughtfulness. "So your answer is corruption. How charming." A chuckle. Low. Dangerous. "Not corruption, Isla Moreau. Power. Try to keep up." I open my mouth to retort, but Orlando raises a hand. "That's enough." I snap my mouth shut. Orlando's gaze moves between us, unreadable, before he sighs. "We'll move forward. I want further insights before we finalize projections." Just like that, the discussion shifts, but my mind doesn't. This isn't like me. I'm not impulsive. I'm not the type to lose my composure over one person. In business, I am always measured, always collected. I've been sitting in boardrooms since I could walk, listening to my father and brother negotiate deals with men twice their age and twice as desperate. But somehow, whenever Ciaran Valente is involved, I can't be calm. He disrupts my logic. Needles under my skin. Pushes me just to see how far I'll go. I exhale slowly and refocus. Around the room, others continue offering their insights, one after another. Orlando listens with calm attentiveness, nodding along, his fingers laced together as he weighs each argument. When the discussion wraps up, he offers his own thoughts, acknowledging my point but also—because of course—finding Ciaran's stance 'intriguing.' Tch. Orlando leans forward slightly. "Now, we all know why we're here." A weighted silence settles over the room. Of course, we do. The International Business Consortium is more than about partnerships or economic strategies. It's about the Trident. Power. Leverage. Dominance. And whoever proves themselves in these discussions earns influence that others can only dream of. Orlando's eyes sweep the table before he continues, tone even but sharp. "Let's put theory into practice. I'll present a situation, and I want to hear how you would handle it. Your response will determine how well you understand control—not just in business, but in influence." He pauses. Then presents the scenario. "Imagine there's a critical raw material supplier in Eastern Europe—one that half of you in this room rely on—has abruptly decided to double its prices. Their country is experiencing economic turmoil, and they cite it as justification. If you refuse to pay, your competitors will, leaving you at a disadvantage. If you agree, you set a precedent for future exploitation. What do you do?" A tricky one. I glance toward Ciaran Valente. He sits relaxed yet imposing, one hand idly twirling a pen between his fingers, the other supporting his face. Brooding. Like he already knows exactly how this will play out. I look away, thinking. The room falls silent as everyone processes the situation. Fifteen minutes pass before the discussion begins. And of course, Ciaran Valente speaks first. "You take them down before they can dictate your price." His voice is deep, smooth, and absolute. "The second you let desperation rule your decisions, you lose." The room is dead silent. He leans forward, his gaze dark. "First, you infiltrate. Secure political leverage in their country—fund opposition parties, manipulate local media, make them unstable. Then, you quietly invest in their competitors and slowly drive them to irrelevance. Within a year, their entire operation will be in your hands, and you'll set the price." I hate that it's so ruthless. I hate even more that it's effective. His words are so precise, so viciously efficient, that no one immediately counters him. Even I find myself searching for loopholes. There aren't any. Damn him. Then, finally, Lucien Bellarose speaks for the first time. His expression is unreadable, cold behind his wire-framed glasses. He adjusts them slightly, his voice quiet but firm. "There is a less volatile way." Ciaran raises a brow, intrigued but unimpressed. Lucien continues. "Instead of forcing destabilization, which requires risk, you propose an alliance with another economic powerhouse—one that can offer the supplier an alternative safety net. You remove their desperation by providing controlled relief, but with conditions that tie them exclusively to you." It's a careful approach. Less risk, more diplomacy. Ciaran scoffs. "That's safe." He tilts his head, his smirk sharp. "And temporary. The second another player offers them a better deal, they'll walk." Lucien doesn't react. "Business isn't just about control, Valente. It's about long-term sustainability." Ciaran exhales a soft laugh. "And that's exactly why I'll always be ten steps ahead of you." Lucien Bellarose doesn't flinch. His expression remains unreadable, his posture perfectly composed. "And that mindset, Valente, is exactly why your empire is built on risk rather than longevity." There's murmurs of intrigue and challenge. But Ciaran only smiles. "Longevity?" His voice is smooth, deceptively calm. He leans forward, his forearms resting on the table, his fingers laced together in a display of effortless dominance. "Bellarose, power isn't about how long you hold it—it's about who you take it from. And I don't play to last. I play to win." The words cut through the room like a blade. Lucien's lips press into a thin line, but he says nothing else. Because what is there to say? Ciaran has always played dirty. A true Valente. The tension is thick enough to choke on, but I don't let it suffocate me. Instead, I speak."Power is about control, Valente, not destruction."My voice is clear, steady, sharp. I don't look away from him, don't give him the satisfaction of thinking he's the only one in this room who understands power.Ciaran's expression shifts. The smirk fades. His brows knit slightly, as if my words actually require thought. As if he didn't expect me to counter him.I take it further. "You believe eliminating competition is the key to dominance. But what you're forgetting is that in business, chaos is not control—it's desperation."I see the slight flex of his jaw. I tilt my chin, my voice unwavering. "A true leader doesn't need to eliminate threats to stay on top. They mold the battlefield to their advantage. Turn adversaries into assets. That's power." Ciaran Valente's gaze is piercing and it irritates me to the very core. He raises a brow. "And what happens when your so-called assets turn against you, Moreau?" His voice is low and taunting. "When they sink their teeth into the hand t
Anger and disappointment. That about sums up my father's emotions toward me.He sits across from me, behind the massive oak desk in his office, his posture rigid, his fingers curled around a crystal tumbler filled with amber liquid. His dark eyes—identical to mine—are narrowed in my direction, scrutinizing me like I'm a fucking disappointment.I just told him the news. Valente and Moreau are partnering for the Consortium project. And now, I'm waiting for the explosion, for him to snap and tell me this isn't happening, that I've fucked up beyond repair."What the hell were you thinking?" he hisses, his deep voice cutting through the heavy silence. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"I don't move. I don't blink. I know better than to run my mouth when he's like this.His fury mounts, his lips curling in disdain. "You damn well know our history with the Moreaus, and yet you went ahead and did something that'll make me lose my fucking head in shame. The Consortium name wasn't necessa
Arthur Orlando's house is nothing short of breathtaking. A masterpiece of Victorian architecture, it stands tall with its grand façade, intricate stone carvings, and towering bay windows. The wrought-iron gates open to a long cobblestone driveway, lined with pristine hedges and marble statues, each one a relic of a bygone era. The mansion itself exudes wealth, the kind that is old and unwavering, the kind that makes you feel small in its presence.For ten minutes, I just stand there, taking it all in—the soaring turrets, the ornate balconies, the sheer weight of history embedded in every brick.I exhale, breaking my trance. "Andy, remind me why we don't live in houses like this?"My secretary, standing beside me, adjusts his tie, lips twitching with amusement. "Because you have a company to run, and no time to gawk at fancy buildings."I roll my eyes but start walking up the grand steps, Andy following. The heavy wooden doors swing open before I can knock, and inside, a row of perfec
The Ritz-Carlton, Manhattan. A fucking fortress of power. Not just a place to sleep, but a temple where the city's wealthiest come to play, where deals are sealed over five-thousand-dollar bottles of Macallan, and where the scent of polished mahogany and money lingers in the air.The hallway stretches long in both directions, lined with men in tailored suits and women in sleek, custom-made dresses. They walk like they own the world because, in some way, they do. Even the waitstaff look like they were plucked from a damn fashion editorial, their crisp uniforms likely costing more than an average month's rent.I remember the first time I stepped foot in this place. I was ten. My father and older brother were here for a meeting, and they sure as hell didn't want a kid tagging along. I had whined and tugged at my brother's sleeve until he caved, dragging me along with a sharp warning to keep my mouth shut. I didn't, of course. I had too many goddamn questions, and by the time the meeting
"You're going to cut through the plate," Sophia teases, amusement lacing her tone.I blink, looking down at my plate, only now realizing how tightly I'm gripping the knife. The poor steak is nearly butchered under my aggression. Exhaling, I set my utensils down and take a sip of my white wine, letting the chilled liquid coat my throat. But not even the finest Chardonnay can wash away the irritation simmering inside me.All thanks to a certain insufferable man.Sophia eyes me knowingly. "It's better to tell me who's making you plot someone's murder than to let you sit here and stew in your thoughts."I sigh. She's not wrong. But saying his name out loud will only make it worse.Sophia had returned from her business trip yesterday, and as always, she's effortlessly stunning—golden brown hair styled to perfection, her sharp brown eyes glinting with mischief. She winks at me, the corner of her red lips lifting in a smirk.I try to smile back, but my mood is still bruised from my earlier h
Éclipse is the hottest club in the city, a place where power and indulgence intertwine beneath flashing neon lights.The moment we step inside—through the VIP entrance, of course—my nostrils are assaulted by a mix of smoke, sweat, and something sharp and unpleasant, like cheap cologne mingling with stale alcohol. The bass-heavy music vibrates through the air, a pulsing rhythm that seems to dictate the movement of the crowd below.From the elevated VIP section, I glance down at the dance floor, where bodies are packed together, moving in chaotic harmony, lost in the beat like they have nowhere else to be. My heels click against the sleek black-tiled floor as we make our way to our reserved area, the dim lighting casting shadows that dance along the plush, moody interior.Sophia leans in close, her lips brushing my ear as she teases, "You're already frowning, deary. Try to look like you want to be here."I wince at her words, but say nothing.Our section is tucked away in a more exclusi
Orlando can't joke to save his life.Yet, he laughs, amused by whatever ridiculous thing he just said, completely oblivious to the fact that it wasn't even remotely funny.I don't laugh. Don't even bother with a half-smile. I just sit back in my chair, fingers tapping idly against the armrest, my attention flickering away from him—to something else. Someone else.Across from me, Isla Moreau wears a neutral expression, though there's a faint curve of her lips—more out of courtesy than amusement. I bet she thinks Orlando's jokes are as bad as I do, but unlike me, she plays along.We're sitting in the guest room of his house, one of many I've been in over the years. I don't remember which one we were in last time, nor do I particularly care. The decor is pristine, polished to perfection, much like the man himself.Orlando settles his teacup onto the glass table, the soft clink cutting through the silence. Folding his fingers together, he looks between the two of us with a measured gaze.
Today is the day.A Valente will step foot inside Moreau Enterprise.Ciaran Valente.My enemy. My nemesis. And the very thought of him inside my space makes my skin crawl.I stand by the floor-length window, arms crossed, staring out at the city skyline, but my mind is anywhere but peaceful. The man who has annoyed me, challenged me, and made me want to throw things in frustration will soon be here."You're going to bore a hole in the glass," Andy jokes, stepping inside my office.I blink, dragging my attention away from the window to find him grinning.He leans against the edge of my desk, arms crossed, his eyes filled with nothing but amusement. "It's a historical day."I frown, unimpressed. "It's just a meeting."Andy whistles, shaking his head. "Just a meeting? Boss, do you know how active everyone is today? The employees are working as if the president is visiting. Hell, even the janitors went the extra mile. The whole building is spotless."I narrow my eyes. "And?"He smirks. "A
The dining table is covered with an obscene amount of food, like we're hosting a fucking banquet instead of just two people sitting across from each other in stifling silence. Fresh oysters on a bed of crushed ice. Lobster thermidor, its golden crust glistening under the chandelier light. Seared scallops drizzled with truffle butter. Wagyu steak, cooked to perfection, sliced thin. A bottle of Château Margaux sits between us, the deep red of the wine almost mocking in its elegance. It's all high-end, perfectly curated by Maria, but none of it makes me hungry. I pull out my chair at the far end of the table, settling in as my father sits opposite me. His blazer is draped over the chair behind him, his brooding expression set in stone, the same fucking look he always wears like it's a second skin. Maria moves around the table, serving the food. No one else is allowed to do it. She's been in charge of this house since before I could walk, and even now, she's the only person my father
Fuck.I should've walked away the moment she ran that pretty mouth of hers.But Isla Moreau is a goddamn menace—one that knows exactly how to test me.The way she tilts her chin in defiance, her pulse fluttering beneath my fingers, drives something sharp and volatile through me. A challenge. One I'm dangerously close to accepting.Her eyes, blue and fucking daring, hold mine like she's just as willing to play this game.She has no fucking idea.I tighten my grip—just enough to feel the slight hitch in her breath. Not enough to hurt, but enough to remind her exactly who she's provoking."Do you really want to find out?" I murmur, my voice low, taunting.She doesn't back down.Of course, she doesn't.Her lips part slightly, her breathing uneven, and for a split second, I wonder what kind of sounds she'd make if I took this further. If I leaned in, if I bit that sharp little tongue of hers just to shut her up.I exhale through my nose, forcing myself to pull back before I do something st
Ciaran Valente looks around my office like he's examining an artifact in a museum, his gaze sharp, assessing. His eyes move over the space, from the floor-to-ceiling windows to the minimalist shelves and the sleek, white furniture that fills the room. I sit on the pristine couch and gesture for him to do the same.He takes his seat across from me, his dark suit stretching over the white cushion in a way that looks almost out of place. Like a stain, I think, though I keep the thought to myself."Nice office," he says, voice lazy, edged with something that could pass as sarcasm.I don't bother responding.Instead, I clear my throat, placing the document for the Consortium Project on the glass table between us. The construction is set to take place in Washington, D.C., meaning we'll need to make a trip for on-site assessments. But before that, we need to align on the fundamental aspects.I rise from my seat, walking over to my desk to grab the blueprint. I feel his eyes on me the entire
Today is the day.A Valente will step foot inside Moreau Enterprise.Ciaran Valente.My enemy. My nemesis. And the very thought of him inside my space makes my skin crawl.I stand by the floor-length window, arms crossed, staring out at the city skyline, but my mind is anywhere but peaceful. The man who has annoyed me, challenged me, and made me want to throw things in frustration will soon be here."You're going to bore a hole in the glass," Andy jokes, stepping inside my office.I blink, dragging my attention away from the window to find him grinning.He leans against the edge of my desk, arms crossed, his eyes filled with nothing but amusement. "It's a historical day."I frown, unimpressed. "It's just a meeting."Andy whistles, shaking his head. "Just a meeting? Boss, do you know how active everyone is today? The employees are working as if the president is visiting. Hell, even the janitors went the extra mile. The whole building is spotless."I narrow my eyes. "And?"He smirks. "A
Orlando can't joke to save his life.Yet, he laughs, amused by whatever ridiculous thing he just said, completely oblivious to the fact that it wasn't even remotely funny.I don't laugh. Don't even bother with a half-smile. I just sit back in my chair, fingers tapping idly against the armrest, my attention flickering away from him—to something else. Someone else.Across from me, Isla Moreau wears a neutral expression, though there's a faint curve of her lips—more out of courtesy than amusement. I bet she thinks Orlando's jokes are as bad as I do, but unlike me, she plays along.We're sitting in the guest room of his house, one of many I've been in over the years. I don't remember which one we were in last time, nor do I particularly care. The decor is pristine, polished to perfection, much like the man himself.Orlando settles his teacup onto the glass table, the soft clink cutting through the silence. Folding his fingers together, he looks between the two of us with a measured gaze.
Éclipse is the hottest club in the city, a place where power and indulgence intertwine beneath flashing neon lights.The moment we step inside—through the VIP entrance, of course—my nostrils are assaulted by a mix of smoke, sweat, and something sharp and unpleasant, like cheap cologne mingling with stale alcohol. The bass-heavy music vibrates through the air, a pulsing rhythm that seems to dictate the movement of the crowd below.From the elevated VIP section, I glance down at the dance floor, where bodies are packed together, moving in chaotic harmony, lost in the beat like they have nowhere else to be. My heels click against the sleek black-tiled floor as we make our way to our reserved area, the dim lighting casting shadows that dance along the plush, moody interior.Sophia leans in close, her lips brushing my ear as she teases, "You're already frowning, deary. Try to look like you want to be here."I wince at her words, but say nothing.Our section is tucked away in a more exclusi
"You're going to cut through the plate," Sophia teases, amusement lacing her tone.I blink, looking down at my plate, only now realizing how tightly I'm gripping the knife. The poor steak is nearly butchered under my aggression. Exhaling, I set my utensils down and take a sip of my white wine, letting the chilled liquid coat my throat. But not even the finest Chardonnay can wash away the irritation simmering inside me.All thanks to a certain insufferable man.Sophia eyes me knowingly. "It's better to tell me who's making you plot someone's murder than to let you sit here and stew in your thoughts."I sigh. She's not wrong. But saying his name out loud will only make it worse.Sophia had returned from her business trip yesterday, and as always, she's effortlessly stunning—golden brown hair styled to perfection, her sharp brown eyes glinting with mischief. She winks at me, the corner of her red lips lifting in a smirk.I try to smile back, but my mood is still bruised from my earlier h
The Ritz-Carlton, Manhattan. A fucking fortress of power. Not just a place to sleep, but a temple where the city's wealthiest come to play, where deals are sealed over five-thousand-dollar bottles of Macallan, and where the scent of polished mahogany and money lingers in the air.The hallway stretches long in both directions, lined with men in tailored suits and women in sleek, custom-made dresses. They walk like they own the world because, in some way, they do. Even the waitstaff look like they were plucked from a damn fashion editorial, their crisp uniforms likely costing more than an average month's rent.I remember the first time I stepped foot in this place. I was ten. My father and older brother were here for a meeting, and they sure as hell didn't want a kid tagging along. I had whined and tugged at my brother's sleeve until he caved, dragging me along with a sharp warning to keep my mouth shut. I didn't, of course. I had too many goddamn questions, and by the time the meeting
Arthur Orlando's house is nothing short of breathtaking. A masterpiece of Victorian architecture, it stands tall with its grand façade, intricate stone carvings, and towering bay windows. The wrought-iron gates open to a long cobblestone driveway, lined with pristine hedges and marble statues, each one a relic of a bygone era. The mansion itself exudes wealth, the kind that is old and unwavering, the kind that makes you feel small in its presence.For ten minutes, I just stand there, taking it all in—the soaring turrets, the ornate balconies, the sheer weight of history embedded in every brick.I exhale, breaking my trance. "Andy, remind me why we don't live in houses like this?"My secretary, standing beside me, adjusts his tie, lips twitching with amusement. "Because you have a company to run, and no time to gawk at fancy buildings."I roll my eyes but start walking up the grand steps, Andy following. The heavy wooden doors swing open before I can knock, and inside, a row of perfec