The door slammed shut with a resounding thud that echoed through the sleek, silent office. Caspian stood there for a moment, chest heaving as he stared at the glass panels that reflected the storm brewing in his eyes. His hand shot up, raking through his dark hair, the strands sticking up in chaotic defiance.“Elowen,” he hissed, the name rolling off his tongue like a curse. His voice was venomous, laced with anger so sharp it could cut glass. His fists curled tightly at his sides, his knuckles turning white. “You’ll pay for this. Mark my words you’ll pay.”He crossed the room in a few long strides, yanking the phone off its cradle with such force that the cord rattled. His thumb jabbed at the buttons, and the phone barely had time to ring before a voice answered.“Get the boardroom ready,” he barked, his tone brooking no argument. “Twenty minutes. I’ll address the directors myself.”“Understood, sir,” came the swift reply.He slammed the phone back down, the metallic clink reverberat
The rhythmic echo of footsteps filled the dimly lit hallway, but Caspian remained still. His fingers curled into fists at his sides as he stared out over the city skyline. The neon lights below flickered like dying embers, and for the first time in years, he felt the ground shift beneath him. His world his empire was unraveling. And he would burn it all to the ground before letting someone else seize control.A hesitant voice broke the silence."Sir..."Caspian didn’t turn. His mind was elsewhere, weaving a hundred different ways to eliminate the woman who had dared to challenge him."Sir," the voice came again, more urgent this time.He exhaled sharply and shifted his gaze from the city to the man standing near the door. His assistant normally composed looked pale, his fingers twitching at his sides like he wasn’t sure if he should step forward or run.That look. Caspian knew it well. Fear. But there was something else beneath it hesitation. Whatever news his assistant had come to de
The evening air was thick with tension, yet for the first time in days, Mr. Douglas found himself smiling. The live broadcast had gone better than he’d expected. The response from the online audience was overwhelming, and he knew exactly what to do next.As he strolled across the set, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a sleek black phone. With only two days left until the broadcast ended, it was time to let the contestants see what was happening outside. One by one, he handed them their phones, relishing the anticipation in their faces.Then, with deliberate steps, he approached Lucy.She sat on the edge of a wooden bench, her fingers twisting together in her lap. The golden light of the setting sun caught the strands of her dark hair, making her look almost ethereal like the star she once was. Douglas stopped in front of her, tilting his head.“You know,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement, “after this broadcast, I’m shooting a new movie. I’d like you to be the fem
They raised their guns, all pointed at her.Elowen didn’t flinch.Instead, she smiled a slow, deadly smirk.“Cute,” she murmured, tilting her head slightly.The air was thick with tension, the kind that curled around the edges of a fight just waiting to explode.A man stepped forward, his boots crunching against the damp pavement. His voice was cold, emotionless. “Caspian sends his regards.”Elowen’s fingers flexed, a subtle movement that most would overlook. She shifted her weight slightly, not in fear, but in calculation.The alley was narrow, the brick walls on either side worn and stained from years of neglect. The distant hum of the city felt miles away, leaving only the steady breaths of the men surrounding her. They thought they had her cornered.They had no idea what was coming.Elowen took a step forward.The men tensed, fingers tightening around the triggers of their guns. But she didn’t stop.She walked straight into their midst, her heeled boots clicking against the concre
His face darkened, shadows cutting sharp lines across his jaw.Silence coiled around them, thick with tension.Then, finally—“Fine,” he ground out, his voice edged with reluctant defeat. “We have a deal.”Elowen’s lips curled, amusement flickering in her sharp gaze. With practiced ease, she reached for the small device strapped to his chest, fingers brushing the cold metal. A soft click echoed through the room as she disarmed the bomb.The air shifted. The men standing around them, hardened criminals who had seen their share of blood and betrayal, exchanged wary glances. One of them muttered under his breath, just loud enough for her to hear.“That woman’s dangerous.”Elowen smirked. They had no idea.She turned on her heel, her coat flaring behind her as she strode toward her car. The city lights shimmered in the distance, cutting through the night like broken glass. She slid behind the wheel, the leather seat cool against her skin, and started the engine.She had one destination.T
Emmanuelle stopped struggling. Her breath hitched, her body going rigid as her gaze locked onto the woman before her. The dim light cast eerie shadows over Elowen’s face, making her sharp features appear even more haunting.“I—I know you…” Emmanuelle’s voice was barely a whisper, hoarse with disbelief.Elowen didn’t move, didn’t blink. She simply watched, waiting.Emmanuelle swallowed hard, her chest rising and falling in uneven gasps. “You’re Elowen. The daughter of the true owner of G-Group.”The words trembled in the space between them.Elowen tilted her head slightly, the corner of her mouth curling into a slow, dangerous smirk.So.Someone remembered her.Interesting.She dragged a chair forward, the metal legs screeching against the concrete floor. The sound made Emmanuelle flinch, but Elowen took her time settling into the seat, crossing one leg over the other as if she had all the time in the world.“How…” Emmanuelle’s voice cracked. “How are you alive?”Elowen rested her elbo
The single, dim light flickered above, casting eerie shadows against the damp walls. Chains rattled as Emmanuelle shifted, the metal cuffs around her wrists biting into her skin. Her lips curled into a smirk despite her predicament.Elowen leaned in, her face unreadable, but her voice was laced with quiet authority. “Tell me why you framed Lucy.”The words were soft, coaxing even, but there was steel underneath them.Emmanuelle swallowed. Hard.Because in Elowen’s eyes, she saw something terrifying.A woman with nothing left to lose.Emmanuelle let out a breathy chuckle, her voice dripping with arrogance. “I’m smarter than that, Elowen. I’m not Caspian—who couldn’t even recognize his own ex-wife.” She tilted her head, studying Elowen’s expression. “If you promise to help me, I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”Elowen’s lips twitched, but she remained still, her gaze slicing through Emmanuelle like a blade. She knew Emmanuelle was playing a game, and if she wasn’t careful, she’
Just as Elowen and Lysander reached the car, his phone buzzed. He pulled it out, eyes narrowing as he read the message. His jaw tensed.He turned to her, voice low and clipped. “We have a problem.”Elowen’s stomach knotted. “What is it?”Without a word, he handed her the phone.A single message glowed on the screen:"You think I didn’t see this coming?"Elowen’s lips curled into a smirk. So, Caspian finally knew. About time. He had to have figured out she was Elowen by now. And if he had, that meant the real game was about to begin. He wouldn’t let go easily not after what she had taken from him.She handed Lysander back his phone, her fingers brushing his knuckles. His entire body was coiled tight, his grip turning his knuckles white against the steering wheel.“How the hell does he know I’m with you?” Lysander’s voice was quiet, but the fury simmered just beneath the surface. His eyes, sharp and cold, stayed locked on the dashboard. “And how dare that low-class bastard send me a dir
Lysander gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white as he sped down the narrow, unpaved road. The engine’s low growl barely masked the storm brewing inside him. The headlights cut through the thick darkness, illuminating the overgrown bushes that lined the path to his family’s old hideout.His hideout.Now overrun by the very woman who once swore she loved him.He should have killed Calista when he had the chance.The thought burned through his mind as he cut the engine a few feet away from the compound. Silence. The night was still, but Lysander knew better. She’d have men posted everywhere.He slid out of the car, moving like a shadow. The bulletproof vest felt snug against his chest as he unholstered his silenced pistol. His eyes scanned the area two guards at the entrance, standing stiff, their breath visible in the cold night air.Lysander exhaled slowly.Two bullets. Two bodies.They crumpled without a sound.He stepped over them, slipping inside through the creaky d
The room was silent.Thick. Suffocating.But Elowen didn't flinch. Instead, she did something that made Calista pause.She smiled.Cold. Unyielding.And when she spoke, her voice was steel.“Then I hope you’re ready.”A flicker of hesitation flashed in Calista’s eyes.“Because I don’t plan on dying today.”Calista's laughter rang through the dimly lit room, sharp and full of venom. Her heels clicked against the concrete floor as she stepped out of the shadows, finally revealing herself.Elowen’s head throbbed, warm blood trickling down her face. The ropes bit into her wrists, cutting off circulation, but she refused to let the pain show.Calista crouched before her, tilting her head like a predator studying its prey.“You always were full of fight.” Her fingers clamped onto Elowen’s jaw, nails digging into her skin. She squeezed tight, unforgiving. “But let me make one thing clear.”She leaned in, her breath hot against Elowen’s ear.“You don’t get to win.”Elowen gritted her teeth, b
“I miss it already,” Seraphina sighed, her fingers trailing along the cold glass of the car window. The city lights blurred past, casting golden reflections over the darkened streets.“Me too,” Elowen murmured, her hands tightening on the wheel.The road stretched ahead, slick with rain, the faint hum of tires the only sound between them. The night felt calm, almost too calm—Then came the headlights.Blinding. Fast. Barreling straight toward them.A truck.No time. No space.BANG.The impact slammed into them with bone-shattering force. The seatbelt bit into Elowen’s chest as the car was sent skidding, tires screeching against asphalt. Metal groaned, twisting under the weight of the collision.Glass exploded.The world spun flipping, rolling, tumbling.CRASH.Then silence.Thick. Suffocating.A metallic scent filled Elowen’s nose blood. Gasoline. Smoke curled in the air.Somewhere, a phone buzzed.Seraphina.“Are you there? Elowen, answer me!” Seraphina’s voice was sharp, frantic.No
Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, warming Elowen’s skin as she shifted beneath the covers. A lazy yawn escaped her lips, her body protesting against the idea of leaving the comfort of sleep. Just five more minutes…A shadow fell over her.Her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the light only to find Lysander perched at the edge of her bed, watching her.She jerked upright. “Lysander? What the hell—”“Good morning.” His voice was smooth, teasing, like he had been waiting for her reaction.Her gaze flickered around, confirming she was indeed in her own bedroom. The realization did nothing to soothe her racing heart. She narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t tell me you spent the night in my room?”Lysander leaned in slightly, his presence filling the space between them. “Is that how you greet someone in the morning?” His fingers ghosted through her tousled hair, making her stomach flip.Elowen swallowed. “Good morning.” The words came out breathy, uncertain.Lysander sat back, cro
Elowen’s pulse hammered in her ears as Mrs. Martha’s words echoed in the dimly lit room."I’m going to kill her right in front of you."The woman said it so casually, like she was discussing dinner plans.Elowen’s fingers curled into fists.Mrs. Martha leaned closer, smirking. "Then, I’ll erase Zephyr’s memory. And we’ll all pretend this never happened."A laugh slipped past Elowen’s lips low, cold, unnatural.Mrs. Martha’s smirk faltered. "Something funny?"Elowen tilted her head, her gaze locking onto the woman’s with unsettling calm. "You’re right about one thing, Martha."Martha’s brow arched in amusement."You’re good at eliminating problems."Elowen’s eyes turned to steel. "Too bad you never realized you’re mine."A flicker of confusion crossed Mrs. Martha’s face before Elowen moved.The gunshot shattered the silence.Martha’s smirk didn’t even have time to fade before the bullet slammed into her skull. Blood splattered across the cracked concrete walls as she crumpled, her body
Elowen’s grip tightened on the steering wheel as she stared at the blinking red dot on her phone screen. The tracker had stopped moving. An abandoned building deep in the forest. Her gut twisted. That’s where Seraphina is.She took a steady breath and killed the engine. The line of black SUVs behind her followed suit, their headlights cutting through the thick fog. The air smelled damp, the scent of pine mixing with something metallic something off.As Elowen stepped out of her Lamborghini Aventador, a dozen guards followed, moving with sharp precision. Their black suits blended with the night, silent shadows awaiting orders. Her pulse was steady, but beneath it, rage simmered."Surround the building," she commanded, her voice low but firm.The men split instantly, disappearing into the darkness, their training evident in the way they moved no wasted steps, no hesitation.Elowen adjusted the gun holster beneath her coat. She wouldn’t leave without Seraphina.With a flick of her wrist,
Elowen’s heels clicked against the marble floor as she paced in her office, her mind racing. Her hands trembled slightly as she clenched her phone, her heartbeat thrumming in her ears. Seraphina was in danger. And if there was one thing Elowen couldn’t stand, it was feeling helpless.She took a deep breath and dialed Lysander’s number.The call barely rang twice before he answered. "I was just about to call you," he said, his voice carrying its usual smoothness.Elowen forced a smirk. "Yeah? But I called first.""Touché, my love," he teased, but there was an edge to his voice, like he sensed something was wrong."I need your help," she said, dropping all pretenses.A pause. Then, "What do you need?"Elowen swallowed hard, gripping the edge of her desk. "The full force of your guards."Another pause. She could hear Lysander shifting, the rustling of papers being pushed aside. "Why?""My friend has been taken by her own mother."Lysander let out a low, frustrated sigh. "Seraphina?""Yes
Elowen stood slowly, the quiet scrape of her chair against the floor the only sound in the room. She smoothed her hands over her dress, then crossed the space between them with graceful precision. Settling into the chair across from Seraphina and Zephyr, she crossed her legs, her sharp gaze never leaving them.She had never asked Seraphina about her mother. It wasn’t out of disinterest far from it. She had respected her friend’s choice to never speak of the woman. But now, hearing Zephyr's words, a chill crept down her spine.She folded her hands in her lap. "Why would her mother want her dead?" Her voice was calm, but the steel underneath was unmistakable.Zephyr leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his fingers interlocked. He let out a slow breath, his jaw tightening as he spoke. "From what I’ve uncovered, Seraphina’s mother never wanted her in the first place. She only married her father for his wealth, and children weren’t part of the deal. She was a spy planted by the
The early morning sun filtered through the glass walls of Elowen’s office, casting soft golden streaks across the sleek mahogany desk. She adjusted her posture in her chair, fingers gliding over the keyboard as she lost herself in the work on her screen.A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts. She glanced up, momentarily disoriented before shifting her focus toward the doorway.Andrew stepped in, bowing slightly. "Ma'am, you have a visitor."Elowen frowned. "A visitor?" She hadn't been expecting anyone."She says she’s your friend," Andrew replied.Curiosity flickered in her eyes. "Let her in."Andrew bowed again and exited. Moments later, the familiar figure of Seraphina stepped through the door. Dressed in a stylish yet casual ensemble, she radiated confidence as she took in the space around her.Elowen's lips curled into a smile as she shut her laptop. "You should be at the villa, not here," she said, a playful reprimand in her tone.Seraphina rolled her eyes as she san