Daniel leaned forward, his eyes sharp with curiosity. “So, what’s the plan? How do we even begin?”Elowen’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. “In two weeks, there’s going to be a live broadcast. Mr. Douglas is the coordinator. Lucy and Vivian will be our opening act.”Lucy’s hands tightened around her coffee mug. Her gaze dropped to the table, her confidence visibly wavering. “Do you really think Mr. Douglas will let me on his show? He still thinks I’m a murderer. Back when I was popular, he begged me to join, and I always refused. Now, I’m not so sure he’d even consider it.”Elowen leaned back, exuding a quiet confidence that seemed to fill the room. “Leave that to me. Mr. Douglas will let you on the show.” Her calm assurance was like a lighthouse cutting through a storm, unwavering and certain.Vivian shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her fingers fiddling with the edge of her scarf. “This is going to be my first time on live television. I’m not even a rising star anymore mor
Elowen exited the meeting room with Andrew and strode toward her car, her heels clicking purposefully against the marble floor. Her phone buzzed just as she reached for the door handle. She slid her finger across the screen, and Seraphina’s message popped up.Babe, I’ve arranged the meeting with Mr. Douglas. He’s at his office now and said he’s ready to meet you.Elowen’s lips curved into a small smile. Seraphina always came through. Sliding into the driver’s seat, she started the car and headed toward Douglas’s company.The towering building loomed in the distance, its glass windows gleaming under the afternoon sun. When she arrived, she parked gracefully in the visitor's section and adjusted her blazer before stepping out. Her confidence radiated in the way she carried herself each step deliberate, her gaze steady.Inside, Mr. Douglas's assistant greeted her with a professional smile. “Good afternoon, ma’am. Mr. Douglas is expecting you.” Without hesitation, the assistant led her to
Caspian stared at his screen, his eyes narrowing as the notification blinked at him. Lucy, Emily, Vivian, and Daniel had all paid the termination fees. They were free no longer tied to G Group, no longer under his control. His grip on the mouse tightened, and with a roar of frustration, he hurled it across the room. It smashed into the wall, leaving a dent before clattering to the floor.His chest heaved as he ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, disheveling it. The polished mahogany desk in front of him bore the brunt of his fury next files and papers sent flying in a single sweep of his arm.“Unbelievable!” he spat, pacing the length of his spacious office. The view of the city skyline behind him was lost on his rage-clouded mind.He snatched the phone off its cradle, his finger jabbing the intercom button. “Get Jeremy in here. Now.”“Yes, sir,” came the clipped response.Caspian resumed pacing, his leather shoes thudding against the tiled floor. The weight of the silence i
Andrew stepped into the old tech department, his sharp eyes scanning the dimly lit room. It was a sorry sight—dust-covered desks, idle screens, and staff sprawled in various states of disinterest. A couple of them were dozing, heads resting on crossed arms, while others lazily scrolled through their phones. The place reeked of wasted potential.He cleared his throat, loud and sharp. The sound jolted a few of them upright, but the lethargy in the air was unmistakable. “Where’s Peter?” he asked, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.One of the staff, a young man who looked more awake than the rest, pointed toward a glass-walled office in the corner. “He’s inside,” he mumbled.Andrew didn’t wait for an invitation. He strode to the office, knocked once, and pushed the door open. Sure enough, Peter was slouched in his chair, arms folded over his chest, his head tilted back in what looked like a deep sleep. The sight made Andrew’s jaw tighten.He took a seat across from Peter
Elowen watched as Lysander opened the door to his sleek black car. The soft purr of the engine cut through the quiet night, but something about his demeanor made her pause. His movements were fluid, confident, like someone who never second-guessed a single decision.“Lysander,” she called, her voice firm.He paused, his hand on the car door, and turned to her. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, the kind of smile that could both charm and infuriate.She stepped closer, her heels clicking against the pavement. “I’ve thought about it,” she said, her chin tilted upward. “Let’s make it a deal.”His gaze dipped to her outstretched hand, and the smirk deepened. “A deal, then,” he said, clasping her hand in his. His grip was warm, steady, but his eyes held that perpetual glint of amusement.“So,” she asked, pulling her hand back, “what’s the plan?”Lysander leaned casually against the car, his blue eyes narrowing slightly. “Calista’s been cheating on me for a while now. I’ve got eviden
Elowen gripped the steering wheel of Mrs. Williams’ sleek Lamborghini, the hum of the engine a soothing backdrop to her thoughts. The kids were quiet in the back, Eulalia humming softly while Leander stared out the window, his little face set in a familiar scowl.When they reached Lysander’s mansion, its towering gates and pristine exterior gleaming in the evening light, Elowen pressed the doorbell. A faint chime echoed inside, and moments later, Lysander appeared at the door.He smiled warmly, stepping aside to let them in. “Please, come in.”Eulalia’s eyes lit up as she hopped out of the car and ran toward him. “Hi!” she said brightly, throwing her arms up.Lysander bent down, scooping her up effortlessly. “Hello, little one.”Behind her, Leander trudged forward, hands shoved deep into his pockets. His steps were deliberate, almost too slow, his small figure radiating defiance.“Leander,” Elowen called, her voice firm as she crouched to meet his eye level. “What have I told you abou
Lysander opened the door, his sharp features tightening when he saw Calista standing there. Her blonde hair cascaded in loose waves over her bare shoulders, her silky robe barely covering her curves. The sultry smile on her red-painted lips made her intentions clear as she leaned closer, her perfume—a heavy, intoxicating scent—filling the air.Without hesitation, he raised a hand, keeping her at arm’s length. “What are you doing here?” His voice was cold, sharp as glass.Calista pouted, feigning innocence. “Can’t a woman come to see her man?” She stepped forward, her hand brushing against his chest, but Lysander sidestepped her effortlessly, forcing her to stumble inside.Her eyes immediately landed on Elowen, who sat calmly on the plush sofa, her posture as regal as a queen’s. The soft glow from the lamp highlighted Elowen’s dark hair, tied neatly into a bun, and her piercing eyes that barely flicked toward Calista.“What’s she doing here?” Calista’s voice turned venomous, her earlie
Elowen’s lips curled into a sly, dangerous smile, the kind of smile that promised trouble. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and something darker—determination. “Oh, you’ll see,” she said, her voice low and filled with a hint of mystery.Lysander, standing by the door, watched her with a cautious gaze. His mind raced as he tried to figure out just who Elowen really was. “Really, but I want to be of help,” he said, his voice almost pleading, the sincerity in his tone at odds with his usual cold demeanor.Elowen smirked at him, her gaze sharp and knowing. She took a slow step forward, her heels clicking on the polished floor. “For now, I can handle it. When I need your help, I’ll let you know,” she said, her words laced with both confidence and finality. She turned on her heel, heading towards the hallway. “Can you show me my room for tonight? I’m exhausted, and I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow,” she added, almost casually, as if the weight of her plans didn’t even faze her.
Elowen turned slowly, her expression unreadable, but her eyes burned with a fire that dared anyone to look away. Caspian stood before her, arms crossed, the trademark smirk on his lips as smug and infuriating as she remembered.“It’s an honor to meet you again, Caspian,” Elowen said, her voice calm but carrying an edge sharp enough to cut. The deadly smile she gave him sent a flicker of uncertainty across his features, though he masked it quickly.For a moment, his gaze lingered on her face, the realization of seeing it uncovered for the first time sinking in. “You look beautiful without that mask,” he said, his voice softer than she expected.Elowen raised a brow, a smirk playing at her lips. “So I didn’t look beautiful with it?”“No, you’ve always been beautiful,” he said, his words almost stumbling as he tried to recover. “It’s just that today... you look different.”“Thank you,” she replied coolly, her smirk widening ever so slightly.Caspian’s eyes narrowed, studying her. Somethi
Caspian stormed into his office, his footsteps heavy and sharp against the polished marble floor. His face was a thundercloud of anger, and his assistant practically shrank under his furious gaze.“What did you just say?” Caspian growled, his voice low but laced with unmistakable menace.The assistant hesitated, visibly uncomfortable. He cleared his throat, fumbling with the tablet in his hands. “S-Sir, the old tech department,” he began cautiously, “the one you, uh… sidelined. They’ve all resigned. It happened about a week after Andrew left.”For a moment, there was silence, thick and suffocating. Then Caspian grabbed the nearest book off his desk and hurled it across the room. It struck the wall with a resounding thud, making the assistant flinch violently.Caspian’s fists clenched at his sides as his thoughts raced. He knew exactly how skilled the old tech team was. He’d forced them to step down, not because they weren’t good enough, but because he wanted to remind them and everyon
Elowen sat at the head of the long, polished conference table, her nails drumming a deliberate rhythm on the surface. Around her, her team exchanged nervous glances, their laptops open, phones buzzing with notifications, the hum of tension thick in the room. A large flat-screen on the wall displayed a live feed of comments pouring in across multiple social media platforms. The room smelled faintly of coffee and the lingering stress of overworked employees.One comment stood out, bold and cutting: “I heard Lucy is joining the live broadcast. Is that true? What a disgrace!”Another followed almost instantly: “There’s no way. G Group isn’t stupid enough to let a murderer represent them. She should be in jail!”The screen refreshed, bringing in another flood of venom.“She’s only free because G Group protects their own. It’s disgusting.”“She murdered her colleague, and now she’s getting a platform? What message are we sending society?”Lucy sat at the far end of the table, her phone trem
Elowen’s lips curled into a sly, dangerous smile, the kind of smile that promised trouble. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of amusement and something darker—determination. “Oh, you’ll see,” she said, her voice low and filled with a hint of mystery.Lysander, standing by the door, watched her with a cautious gaze. His mind raced as he tried to figure out just who Elowen really was. “Really, but I want to be of help,” he said, his voice almost pleading, the sincerity in his tone at odds with his usual cold demeanor.Elowen smirked at him, her gaze sharp and knowing. She took a slow step forward, her heels clicking on the polished floor. “For now, I can handle it. When I need your help, I’ll let you know,” she said, her words laced with both confidence and finality. She turned on her heel, heading towards the hallway. “Can you show me my room for tonight? I’m exhausted, and I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow,” she added, almost casually, as if the weight of her plans didn’t even faze her.
Lysander opened the door, his sharp features tightening when he saw Calista standing there. Her blonde hair cascaded in loose waves over her bare shoulders, her silky robe barely covering her curves. The sultry smile on her red-painted lips made her intentions clear as she leaned closer, her perfume—a heavy, intoxicating scent—filling the air.Without hesitation, he raised a hand, keeping her at arm’s length. “What are you doing here?” His voice was cold, sharp as glass.Calista pouted, feigning innocence. “Can’t a woman come to see her man?” She stepped forward, her hand brushing against his chest, but Lysander sidestepped her effortlessly, forcing her to stumble inside.Her eyes immediately landed on Elowen, who sat calmly on the plush sofa, her posture as regal as a queen’s. The soft glow from the lamp highlighted Elowen’s dark hair, tied neatly into a bun, and her piercing eyes that barely flicked toward Calista.“What’s she doing here?” Calista’s voice turned venomous, her earlie
Elowen gripped the steering wheel of Mrs. Williams’ sleek Lamborghini, the hum of the engine a soothing backdrop to her thoughts. The kids were quiet in the back, Eulalia humming softly while Leander stared out the window, his little face set in a familiar scowl.When they reached Lysander’s mansion, its towering gates and pristine exterior gleaming in the evening light, Elowen pressed the doorbell. A faint chime echoed inside, and moments later, Lysander appeared at the door.He smiled warmly, stepping aside to let them in. “Please, come in.”Eulalia’s eyes lit up as she hopped out of the car and ran toward him. “Hi!” she said brightly, throwing her arms up.Lysander bent down, scooping her up effortlessly. “Hello, little one.”Behind her, Leander trudged forward, hands shoved deep into his pockets. His steps were deliberate, almost too slow, his small figure radiating defiance.“Leander,” Elowen called, her voice firm as she crouched to meet his eye level. “What have I told you abou
Elowen watched as Lysander opened the door to his sleek black car. The soft purr of the engine cut through the quiet night, but something about his demeanor made her pause. His movements were fluid, confident, like someone who never second-guessed a single decision.“Lysander,” she called, her voice firm.He paused, his hand on the car door, and turned to her. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, the kind of smile that could both charm and infuriate.She stepped closer, her heels clicking against the pavement. “I’ve thought about it,” she said, her chin tilted upward. “Let’s make it a deal.”His gaze dipped to her outstretched hand, and the smirk deepened. “A deal, then,” he said, clasping her hand in his. His grip was warm, steady, but his eyes held that perpetual glint of amusement.“So,” she asked, pulling her hand back, “what’s the plan?”Lysander leaned casually against the car, his blue eyes narrowing slightly. “Calista’s been cheating on me for a while now. I’ve got eviden
Andrew stepped into the old tech department, his sharp eyes scanning the dimly lit room. It was a sorry sight—dust-covered desks, idle screens, and staff sprawled in various states of disinterest. A couple of them were dozing, heads resting on crossed arms, while others lazily scrolled through their phones. The place reeked of wasted potential.He cleared his throat, loud and sharp. The sound jolted a few of them upright, but the lethargy in the air was unmistakable. “Where’s Peter?” he asked, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.One of the staff, a young man who looked more awake than the rest, pointed toward a glass-walled office in the corner. “He’s inside,” he mumbled.Andrew didn’t wait for an invitation. He strode to the office, knocked once, and pushed the door open. Sure enough, Peter was slouched in his chair, arms folded over his chest, his head tilted back in what looked like a deep sleep. The sight made Andrew’s jaw tighten.He took a seat across from Peter
Caspian stared at his screen, his eyes narrowing as the notification blinked at him. Lucy, Emily, Vivian, and Daniel had all paid the termination fees. They were free no longer tied to G Group, no longer under his control. His grip on the mouse tightened, and with a roar of frustration, he hurled it across the room. It smashed into the wall, leaving a dent before clattering to the floor.His chest heaved as he ran a hand through his perfectly styled hair, disheveling it. The polished mahogany desk in front of him bore the brunt of his fury next files and papers sent flying in a single sweep of his arm.“Unbelievable!” he spat, pacing the length of his spacious office. The view of the city skyline behind him was lost on his rage-clouded mind.He snatched the phone off its cradle, his finger jabbing the intercom button. “Get Jeremy in here. Now.”“Yes, sir,” came the clipped response.Caspian resumed pacing, his leather shoes thudding against the tiled floor. The weight of the silence i