**Nina’s POV**Mark inched closer, his every step calculated, his eyes locked on Alexa, as though trying to read her mind and defuse the storm brewing within her. My heart thumped wildly, the blade pressing against my neck a cruel reminder of how fragile the thread between life and death could be. I wanted to scream, to tell him to stop, but the fear of what Alexa might do silenced me.“Alexa, listen to me,” Mark began, his voice steady but laced with urgency. “You don’t have to do this. Put the knife down. Nobody needs to get hurt.”Alexa laughed, a cold, brittle sound that echoed in the dimly lit room. “It’s simple, Mark. You sign those papers, and I’ll let her go. That’s the deal.” She jabbed the knife harder against my skin, and I winced.“Mark, don’t,” I managed to whisper, shaking my head slightly, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Don’t give her what she wants.”Alexa yanked my head back by my hair, forcing my gaze up to meet hers. Her face was contorted with fury and desperatio
Nina's POV The words *step-sister* echoed in my mind like a haunting melody I couldn’t escape. I stared at Jasper in shock, my body frozen, my thoughts racing. What was he trying to say? Was this some twisted attempt to save me, or was he playing at something much deeper?“You’re a gold digger, Jasper! You used me! You played me like a pawn in your sick game!” Alexa screamed, her voice trembling with raw fury as tears streaked down her face. “You’re worse than I ever thought possible!”Jasper’s lips curled into a cold smirk, his laughter cutting through the air like a knife. “Oh, stop pretending, Alexa. We all saw what you did here. Tell me, what exactly made you hate Nina so much? Or is it just your insatiable greed?”Her face twisted with rage, her chest heaving. “Greed?” she spat venomously. “You don’t get it, do you? She doesn’t deserve anything! She’s nothing!”Before anyone could respond, the police dragged Alexa out of the room. Her screams echoed behind her as she twisted and
### Nina's POVThe air felt different today—lighter, freer, as if even the universe had decided to give me a break from its relentless trials. Today marked a special occasion: Mrs. Santiago’s birthday. Mark’s grandmother. A powerful matriarch who commanded respect with a single glance. Despite all the chaos that had consumed our lives in the past two weeks, everything finally seemed to be settling into place. Alexa was rotting in jail where she belonged, and Mark had been tirelessly ensuring justice was served.Still, something weighed heavy on my chest, a lingering unease I couldn’t shake. Perhaps it was because Mark and I hadn’t truly connected since the incident. We hadn’t talked about "us," let alone shared a single intimate moment since moving into the hotel. Mark had buried himself in business matters while I found solace in solitude. Was it intentional, or were we both just avoiding reality?Today, though, was about celebration, not doubts. Mark pulled the car into the driveway
Nina’s POVI knew exactly what I was doing. Every decision I had made leading up to this moment was calculated, every step measured. The tension in the air was palpable as all eyes turned toward the box I had just unveiled. A subtle smile crept onto my lips as I placed the contents gently on the table in front of everyone. Their reactions were worth every ounce of effort I had poured into this plan.“Ru ware bowls?” Mr. Maxwell exclaimed, his voice breaking the stunned silence. His eyes widened as he leaned closer to get a better look. “Oh my goodness! These are incredibly rare!”The murmurs that followed were a mix of awe and disbelief. Everyone seemed to forget their earlier animosity toward me as they stared at the exquisitely crafted bowls.“Yes,” I said calmly, my voice steady despite the rush of adrenaline coursing through me. “I stumbled upon this set and thought they would make a perfect gift for this occasion. They symbolize longevity and harmony, qualities that I believe thi
Nina’s POVI couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My heart swelled with emotion when Mark stood up for me so openly, his words carrying a weight I hadn’t expected. For a man who had insisted that this was just a contract marriage with “no strings attached,” his actions lately had been anything but detached. He wasn’t just defending me; he was making it clear to everyone in the room that I mattered to him.Mark’s voice rang with authority as he declared, “As we all know, Miss Miriam isn’t just anyone. She is a world-famous chef who owns some of the most prestigious restaurants globally, including Marissa, New York’s finest dining establishment. Not just New York, but across the United States and even internationally.”The room fell into a stunned silence. Jasper’s smirk twisted into a look of annoyance as he rolled his eyes dramatically. I could practically see the frustration seeping from him, but I wasn’t going to let him get under my skin. Not tonight.“Miriam? Really?” an older wom
Nina's POV The room was thick with tension, and the air practically buzzed with unspoken accusations. I felt the weight of every gaze on me, each one heavy with doubt, suspicion, or outright contempt. Jasper’s smirk only added fuel to the fire, and I clenched my fists beneath the table, willing myself to stay calm. His smug expression seemed to scream, *Gotcha*, and I hated how easily he could rile me up. I glanced at Shirley, her brows furrowed in disbelief as she looked between me and the porcelain bowls. For someone who had just declared us friends, her face now carried traces of betrayal and skepticism. Her words echoed in my ears: *One of them has to be fake.* I forced a smile, though my heart hammered against my chest. "Shirley, you don’t understand. I—" "Wait a second," she interrupted, her voice trembling with a mix of frustration and curiosity. "Antiques like these are supposed to be rare and unique. Then how are there two sets of *Ru ware* bowls that look almost identi
Nina's POVThe tension in the room was so thick it could be sliced with a knife. My heart raced as Uncle Trump, the man I was silently hoping would vindicate me, stepped into the room. His presence immediately commanded attention, and everyone—especially those who had accused me—seemed to shrink back, their earlier bravado replaced by uneasy smiles and nervous glances.Uncle Maxwell, who had moments ago been shouting at me with such fury that veins bulged on his temple, now forced a wide, almost grotesque grin. His voice took on a syrupy tone as he addressed Trump.“Oh, Trump, you’re finally here! How could you forget your sister’s birthday and arrive so late? We’ve been waiting for you,” he said, attempting to sound jovial. But the sweat on his forehead betrayed his nerves.Trump chuckled dryly, his sharp eyes narrowing at Maxwell. “Forget? Maxwell, I didn’t forget. I’m here now, aren’t I?” His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that made everyone flinch.My gaze darted to J
Nina's POV"Uncle Trump, before you go around the table, you should be careful," Mark said, his tone calm yet edged with warning. "There are broken ceramics everywhere."His words landed like a stone in a pond, causing ripples of unease to spread through the room. Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise, darting between the floor and Mr. Trump, who stood frozen for a moment, processing what had just been said. The weight of Mark’s observation hung in the air, heavy and undeniable.Mr. Maxwell’s reaction was instant. His sharp gaze shot in my direction, practically begging me to intervene and stop Mark from saying anything further. His lips pressed into a tight line, and the faint twitch of his jaw betrayed his growing frustration. But I wasn’t about to step in—not this time. If anything, I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms as I watched the drama unfold. Let them squirm. They deserved every second of it.Mr. Trump’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the room, then shifted to the floor. H
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