Elowen turned the sleek, embossed card between her fingers, the gold lettering glinting under the chandelier’s soft glow. Aurelia’s smile lingered as she said, “We can be friends, Elowen. I’ve heard so much about you your work is truly inspiring.”Elowen tilted her head, a polite smile playing on her lips. “Thank you. I didn’t realize I’d become that popular.” Her tone was light, but the curiosity gnawed at her. How much did Aurelia know?“Perhaps tomorrow, if you’re free, we could meet,” she added, masking her intent behind casual friendliness.“I’d like that,” Aurelia replied warmly. She leaned in for a brief, airy hug, the scent of her expensive perfume lingering as she pulled away. “But for now, enjoy the party. I have other guests to attend to.” With a graceful nod, Aurelia moved off, her emerald-green gown trailing behind her like liquid silk.Elowen’s smile faded as she watched her retreat. A million questions swirled in her mind, each louder than the lively chatter of the crow
“You should be careful, Elowen. He could kill you at any time,” Lysander said, his tone nonchalant, as though discussing the weather.Elowen raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a slight smirk. “And why are you telling me all this?” she asked, her voice calm, yet sharp enough to cut through the thick air between them.He leaned in slightly, a mischievous glint lighting up his eyes. “Let’s just say... no woman has ever broken the record.”Her smirk deepened. “Record? You make it sound like you’re running some sort of contest.”Lysander chuckled softly, his laugh low and intimate. “In a way, I am. They all want the same thing one night in my bed or the chance to become the mother of my child.”Elowen tilted her head, studying him. “Oh, is that so?” she said, her voice layered with mockery. “Then you should know, Mr. Lysander, that I’m not one of those women. I don’t chase after men, and I certainly don’t need your help to get what I want.” She stepped back, turning to leave. “If you
“You can join the others in writing a proposal. I hope you win.” Lysander’s voice carried a sharp edge, his smirk deepening as he delivered the verbal jab. He didn’t wait for a response, turning on his heel and disappearing into the crowd, his presence leaving a trail of tension behind.The fashion showcase unfolded around them, a dazzling display of gowns and suits gliding across the floor. Elowen stood off to the side, her posture composed but her gaze scanning the room. When she felt someone step into her space, she turned her head sharply. Lysander was standing beside her, the faintest trace of amusement dancing on his lips.“We meet again, Miss Elowen,” he whispered, his voice low enough to brush against her ear.Her shoulders stiffened as she turned her head to face him. With a tight smile, she stepped closer and beckoned him down with a slight tilt of her head. When his ear was close enough, she murmured, “You shouldn’t call me that name.”His smirk widened, his eyes gleaming w
“Mommy, Mommy!” Eulalia’s voice pierced through Elowen’s groggy haze. Her eyes fluttered open, and sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, painting her bedroom in gold. She groaned, shielding her face with an arm.“Come here, little popcorn,” Elowen murmured, sitting up just in time to catch her daughter climbing onto the bed. Eulalia giggled as Elowen pulled her into a warm hug, her tiny arms wrapping around her mother’s neck.“Where’s your brother?” Elowen asked, brushing a stray curl out of Eulalia’s face.Eulalia pouted, crossing her arms. “He’s playing with his toy, but he won’t let me join. He said I don’t know how to build the spaceship right.”Elowen stifled a laugh. “Maybe we can go to the park today,” she said conspiratorially, “just the three of us. What do you think?”Eulalia gasped, her pout replaced with an ear-to-ear grin. “Really? Can I wear my sparkly dress?”“We’ll figure something out,” Elowen said, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s forehead. “How about we wea
Mrs. Cassiopeia’s gaze lingered on Leander a moment too long, her expression a curious mixture of longing and disbelief. Realizing Elowen had noticed, she quickly averted her eyes, a faint smile curling her lips. “Your son…he’s a handsome boy. He has a brightness about him, just like my grandson used to,” she said, her voice soft, almost wistful.“Oh?” Elowen tilted her head as she handed the water bottle to Leander. Her son took it eagerly, gulping it down, and Elowen couldn’t help but smile. “Are you here with your grandson, then?” she asked, curiosity sparking in her tone.The older woman chuckled, shaking her head. “I wish. He’s far too busy to join me for something as simple as a day at the park. I come here to soak in the joy of the children. Their laughter…it fills the silence of my days.” Her gaze strayed to the playground, her eyes crinkling as a group of kids shrieked in delight over a game of tag.“That’s lovely,” Elowen said. She adjusted Eulalia’s hair, tucking a stray cu
Elowen stepped out of Mrs. Cassiopeia’s mansion, the weight of her decisions pressing on her shoulders. The woman’s kindness felt sincere, but something about her lingering gaze unsettled her. Shaking the thought aside, she slid into her car, determined to finish her work and return with her belongings.Inside the mansion, Mrs. Cassiopeia moved with purpose. Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up the strands of hair she had carefully gathered from the twins. She held them up to the light, her heart racing.“They have to be his,” she murmured under her breath, her voice barely audible.A knock interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see her assistant waiting at the door. “Come in,” she said, her tone firm.The assistant stepped forward, eyes flicking to the hair in her hands. Mrs. Cassiopeia didn’t wait for questions. “I need these samples tested immediately. Match them with mine. I want the results before the day ends.”The assistant nodded, taking the samples with practiced e
Elowen lingered in her seat, her gaze fixed on Lysander. Her lips curled into a soft smile, one that carried both grace and resolve. “I don’t think I need your help. But thanks for the offer.” She rose with practiced poise, smoothing out the invisible creases on her dress. “If you’re ready to move forward with the wedding planning, you know where to find me.”Her heels clicked against the polished floor as she made her way to the door. Pausing briefly, her hand resting lightly on the handle, she glanced back at Lysander, her voice steady but edged with finality. “Just remember, I have two months here. After that, I’ll have fulfilled my end of the bargain.” Without waiting for a reply, she stepped out, the door clicking softly shut behind her.Her phone vibrated in her bag as she strode toward the elevator. Fishing it out, she read the text with an arched brow:It’s me, Aurelia. If you’re less busy, you can stop by my office.A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. Well, well. Let’s
Elowen checked her watch. The evening sun dipped below the skyline, casting long shadows over Aurelia’s office. She stretched slightly, feeling the day’s wear on her shoulders.“I think I should head out now,” she said, rising from her seat.Aurelia extended a hand, her lips curving into a warm smile. “It’s been amazing spending time with you. I hope we can catch up again soon.”Elowen nodded, returning the smile as she grabbed her bag and headed out.The drive to Mrs. Cassiopeia’s mansion was quiet, the hum of the engine blending with her thoughts. As she pulled up to the grand estate, laughter echoed through the air. Stepping out of the car, her heels clicked against the driveway, but her steps faltered when she spotted the scene before her.Eulalia and Leander were surrounded by a sea of toys, their laughter ringing out like tiny bells. Elowen’s jaw dropped slightly, her eyes sweeping over the lavish setup.“Mummy!” Eulalia’s small voice cut through her shock as the little girl ran
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