**Nina’s POV**The night was finally here—the highly anticipated date party hosted by my father. My hands trembled slightly as I adjusted the delicate straps of my dress, one of the gorgeous outfits Mark had bought during our shopping spree. I felt an unfamiliar mixture of excitement and unease as we entered the grand hall together, arm in arm. The venue was breathtaking—soft, twinkling lights danced across the room, blending with the vibrant glow of rotating colors. A soft hum of sophisticated chatter filled the air, and I could feel every pair of eyes turning toward us.Mark looked impeccable in his tailored black tuxedo, his presence commanding the room. As we walked, I handed him a small, neatly wrapped box. He raised a brow at me, curiosity flashing in his eyes.“What’s this?” he asked, holding the box carefully as though it contained something fragile.“You’ll find out soon enough,” I replied with a sly smile.He gave me a playful smirk, his gaze lingering on mine for a beat lon
Nina'sI felt Mark’s hand tighten around mine as his panic became more evident. His wide eyes bore into mine, pleading silently for me to stop whatever I was about to do. The tension between us was thick, almost tangible, but I refused to be deterred. I leaned closer, lowering my voice so only he could hear me.“You don’t have to be afraid, Mark,” I whispered, flashing him a reassuring smile despite the storm brewing inside me. “I know exactly what I’m doing. Trust me, just follow my lead.”Mark’s jaw tightened, his lips parting as if to argue, but no words came out. His fingers trembled slightly against mine, and the fear in his eyes made my heart clench. But I couldn’t let his worry stop me. Not now. Not when everything I’d worked for was on the line.A loud, mocking laugh erupted from across the room, drawing everyone’s attention. Vivian sauntered forward, her confidence radiating off her like heat from a wildfire. Her lips curled into a smirk as she stopped just inches from me, he
Nina's POVVivian's laughter erupted, sharp and grating like nails on a chalkboard. Her manicured finger jabbed the air in my direction as if her mockery wasn’t already loud enough. Around us, the others joined her, their laughter rolling through the room like a cruel wave. My cheeks burned hot with shame, and I gripped the hem of my dress tightly, my knuckles whitening as my frustration grew. Only Mark and Jasper stood silently beside me, their gazes heavy with concern."Really?" Vivian sneered, tilting her head in exaggerated amusement. “You mean to tell me you’ve got support from the Northern Group? Please, Nina. You’re always dreaming of impossibilities that will never come your way!” Her tone dripped with venom, and her laughter cut through the air again.I swallowed my irritation and forced a smile, stepping closer to her with calm deliberation. “Shut up, Vivian. You clearly don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said firmly, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me
Nina's POVThe room fell silent as Mark lifted the lid of the ornate box in his hands. Inside lay a stunning display of delicately crafted desserts, their intricate designs gleaming under the room’s chandelier. A gasp escaped Mark’s lips as he looked at me, his eyes wide with disbelief. His voice trembled as he murmured, "Nina… how did you…?" I smiled, but my heart pounded like a drum. I couldn’t afford to show weakness now—not in front of Vivian, Alexa, or Jasper. Keeping my gaze steady, I turned to the crowd that surrounded us, their eyes glued to the box. “These aren’t just desserts,” I announced confidently, my voice carrying over the murmurs of the room. “These are creations from my *personal* recipe collection—unique recipes that aren’t in any notebook, let alone the one Alexa claims as hers.”Gasps erupted from the crowd. Even Vivian, who had been smirking smugly moments earlier, faltered. Her sharp eyebrows furrowed, and her lips parted in disbelief. Alexa’s face, however,
I couldn’t hold back the laughter bubbling inside me as I watched Jordan make a fool of himself yet again. The sheer audacity of his antics, the way he desperately clung to straws, was nothing short of pathetic. Did he honestly think he could discredit me with baseless accusations? How foolish could one man be? I couldn’t help but smirk as I adjusted the hem of my dress, exuding confidence.“Oh, please, Jordan. Stop being so dramatic—it doesn’t suit you,” I said, my voice dripping with mockery. “Why must you always act so foolish in front of everyone? Always trying to prove a point that doesn’t even exist?”His face darkened, his jaw clenched in frustration, but before he could respond, I reached into my purse. The tension in the room thickened as all eyes fell on me. Slowly, deliberately, I pulled out a small hairpin. Its delicate design shimmered under the soft lighting—pink and blue with intricate floral patterns.I held it up, turning toward Xavier. “Do you remember this pin, Xavi
Nina's POV:---I could feel the stares of disbelief from everyone in the room, their expressions shifting between shock and humiliation. Alexa’s smug confidence had finally crumbled, her face paling as Mr. Donald, our host, made the announcement.“With these pieces of evidence presented, I would like to officially recognize the lady standing beside Mr. Mark Santiago as the one and only Miss Nina McDonald. She is also known globally as Miss Miriam, the top chef in New York and a culinary icon. Let’s give her the recognition she deserves!” Mr. Donald’s authoritative voice rang out across the hall.A wave of applause rippled through the room. My heart pounded as I stood there, basking in the validation I’d waited so long to receive. I turned to Mr. Donald with a grateful smile, nodding in acknowledgment. Then, I faced the crowd, my gaze sweeping over the sea of faces. The myriad of emotions painted across them was like a symphony to my soul: awe, disbelief, envy, and—most satisfying of
Nina's POV I woke to an unbearable throbbing in my head, the kind of pain that felt like a heavy block pressing down on my skull. The sensation was so intense, it made my eyes ache. My vision blurred as I blinked against the faint slivers of light streaming into the room, trying to make sense of where I was. My head lolled forward, and every movement sent sharp jolts of pain rippling through my body. Slowly, I lifted my head, feeling the cold bite of metal restraints around my wrists and ankles. I tried to focus, but the pounding in my head made even that an arduous task.Where am I?The room was dark, save for a tiny opening high above me that allowed a faint glow of light to seep in. The dim rays barely illuminated the space, but I could make out the crumbling walls and damp, musty smell of the air. My heart raced as I realized I was tied to a chair, my wrists and ankles bound so tightly that the rope dug into my skin. My lips moved, but no sound came out, muffled by the tape seali
Nina's POVHeaven knows I did nothing to Alexa. Nothing. I treated her like my own sister, yet here I am, blindfolded and trembling in fear as her venomous words slash through the air. My chest heaves as I listen to her, the sheer malice in her tone chilling me to the bone.“Nina, everybody loves you!” she screamed, her voice cracking with emotion. “But what about me? Why am I always the one left in the shadows? Why am I the one who feels inferior every damn day?”Her anguish cuts through me, but my fear outweighs any sympathy. My voice shakes as I respond, “I didn’t do anything, Alexa! You pretended to be me—you shouldn’t have done that. You don’t know the weight that comes with being part of the McDonald family!”“Shut up!” she yelled, and the sound of her slap reverberated in the small, cold room before I even felt the sting on my cheek. Tears spilled from my eyes as the heat radiated from my face.“I come from a family of nobodies!” she continued, her voice trembling with a mix of
Laila’s POV I continued to run through the dark, damp basement, my heart hammering in my chest as the man pursued me relentlessly. Each of my footsteps echoed in the vast, empty space, and I couldn’t believe I had come here alone. What was I thinking? What had possessed me to ignore Lance’s warnings? I should’ve listened to him. Now, here I was, running for my life, the walls closing in around me as I realized I had made a grave mistake. I stumbled, my foot catching on something hidden in the shadows, and fell to the ground. Pain shot through my knees, but I didn’t have the luxury to stop and nurse the wound. The sound of approaching footsteps grew louder, and my pulse quickened. “Hamilton,” I gasped, my voice trembling with fear, “Please… you don’t have to kill me.” I wasn’t sure if I was pleading for my life or bargaining for a way out, but I had to try something. “I’ll give you money! I’ll give you anything you want! I’ll give you back the company!
Laila’s POV Mr. Williams slowly looked at Hamilton, a bitter smile curling at the edges of his lips as he braced himself for what was coming. His eyes, once warm and inviting, now glinted with the realization that he had outlived his usefulness. The situation had shifted drastically, and the cold air seemed to settle heavier with each passing second. "You really thought you could just use me, didn’t you?" Mr. Williams’ voice was raspy but laced with a cold edge of sarcasm. He turned his gaze to Hamilton, his old ally, but now she was nothing more than an enemy. "I was your friend once, Hamilton. A loyal one. And this is how you repay me?" Hamilton stood motionless, her expression frozen in a mask of rage and contempt. "You were never a friend, Mr. Williams," she snapped, her voice sharp and filled with venom. "You were always a means to an end. Nothing more." He raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a grimace. "A means to an end...?” he repeated, his voice betraying a tr
Laila’s POV I couldn't believe it. Everything that had happened up until this point felt like it was straight out of a nightmare—only, this was my reality. I was standing in the middle of a dark, damp basement, the air thick with tension and the smell of mildew, and yet, it felt like I was suffocating from the weight of betrayal. Mr. Williams’ words echoed in my mind: "You have one task—get out of this basement alive, and you’ll get the proof." The audacity. I had come here trusting him, believing his promises. He seemed genuine, his voice calm and reassuring when he spoke to me on the phone. But now, standing here, staring at him with a twisted smile on his face, I realized how wrong I had been. How could I have been so naive? I had ignored Nolan’s warning. I should have listened to him. Nolan had always been there for me, offering his wisdom and caution when I needed it most. But instead, I had decided to trust Mr. Williams, thinking that he was the key to uncovering the tru
**Hamilton's POV** I was in my office when the call came in. It was a frantic voice on the other end, trembling with fear and urgency. “Mrs. Hamilton, it’s about your daughter... Mara.” My heart dropped before I even heard the rest of the sentence. “She was pushed... we don’t know who did it, but she was found lying in the kitchen of the Mountain’s Group of Companies... and she’s been... hurt.” My mind couldn’t make sense of the words, but the panic in the voice was clear. They told me Mara was still breathing, just barely. Without wasting a second, I ordered the ambulance to be sent immediately. My hands were shaking as I hung up, feeling like the world was collapsing around me. What happened? Who would do this to my little girl? The journey to the company felt like an eternity. Every second, every heartbeat, was filled with dread. I couldn’t imagine her in that condition. It felt like the air itself had thickened, and the suffocating fear clung to me. When we arrived, I saw her,
Hamilton’s POV We had just been celebrating our latest triumph. The business was thriving, and every new plan we executed was a success. We were stealing Lila’s clients, breaking down her network one piece at a time. The feeling of victory was sweet, and I couldn’t help but smile as Mr. Williams and I sat together, discussing how far we’d come. “I’ll take you out for coffee,” I told Mr. Williams. “Let’s celebrate. We’ve earned it.” He smiled, clearly as pleased with our success as I was. Just as we were settling into the idea of a relaxing break, a sudden, sharp realization hit me. The Redwood Furniture Company, one of our major suppliers, hadn’t responded to our latest inquiry about stock mandates. My stomach turned. We had been relying on them for a crucial shipment, and without it, everything could come crashing down. I glanced at Mr. Williams. “Did they respond to your call?” I asked. He picked up his phone again, dialing the number. But his expression shifted almost immed
**Laila’s POV** I was determined to get to the root of this. I couldn’t let Michael’s lies go unpunished, especially after everything he had done. The moment I heard they had apprehended the criminal, I knew I couldn’t waste time. Without hesitation, I decided to follow Nolan to meet him. As we arrived, I could see the fear in Michael's eyes. He refused to speak unless I gave him something in return. The arrogance in his voice grated on my nerves. "I'll only tell you the truth when you sleep with me," he said, his voice dripping with smugness. I clenched my fists, fighting the surge of anger coursing through me. My company, my reputation, everything I had worked for was hanging by a thread. I was not the type to trust easily, but I had no other choice but to take this step. My heart was pounding, but my face remained steely, betraying no emotion. The knife in my hand gleamed under the dim light, and I stepped closer to him, my eyes narrowing. "Tell me what happened. Why did you d
Laila’s POV I’m so thankful for Nolan. He’s been my anchor, the only person I can trust, especially when everything else around me felt like it was closing in. Every time I thought I couldn’t face the overwhelming pressure of these accusations, he would be there, showing up with that reassuring calm in his eyes. I had no idea what this woman and the man with her were planning. I didn’t understand why they had come to my hotel, why they were accusing my security team of something so vile. But Nolan always seemed to have a way of cutting through the noise. "I’m not making any payments until I’m sure,” I had said to them, trying to stand my ground despite the anger and frustration burning in my chest. “We need an investigation. It’s not right to just pay without proof.” But before I could say more, Nolan had pulled me aside, his voice low and urgent. “It’s a setup, Laila. They’re trying to ruin us, trying to tarnish the reputation of this hotel. Someone has been targeting us from
**Laila's POV:** Every single day, I walk into the office with the heavy weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. It’s as if the universe conspires to test me, one problem at a time, with no relief in sight. And yet, I have no choice but to face it. Someone, somewhere, is working against me. There’s no other explanation. I can feel their eyes on me, their whispers in the shadows. My rivals, my enemies—they are always lurking, waiting for an opening to devour me and, more importantly, my father’s company. I’ve spent my entire life building this empire, and now, with the way things are going, it feels like I’m standing on the edge, waiting to be pushed off. They don’t want me here. They don’t want me to have this second chance that fate has granted me, but I won’t let them take it away. This is my opportunity to prove myself, to show them all that I’m not just some helpless pawn. I’ll fight with everything I have. This morning, as I sat in my office, trying to focus on the endle
**Nolan’s POV:** I was famished—having skipped lunch before the board meeting had left me ravenous. My stomach growled in protest as I drove to the restaurant, hoping to grab something quick for a takeaway. The thought of eating at home, away from the suffocating pressure of work, was a comforting one. When I finally got to the restaurant and grabbed my food, the hunger pangs in my stomach intensified, urging me to hurry. As I walked out, my thoughts drifting back to the exhausting day, something—or rather, someone—made me freeze. A woman bumped into me. I steadied myself and looked up to meet her gaze, and for a moment, I felt a jolt in my chest. She looked exactly like Lila. But something wasn’t right. The woman’s eyes held a different glint—something that Lila’s soft, serene gaze would never possess. I knew in that instant. This wasn’t Lila, it was someone else. But she was wearing her face. As she looked up at me, the seductive smile that stretched across her lips was all wron