Nina's POV I couldn’t help but keep my smile soft yet pointed. The reactions around the room varied – Mark, Jasper, and Alexa all wore different shades of surprise on their faces, while Mrs. Santiago continued her gift-giving exchange with Sarah, completely oblivious to the silent tension brewing around us. I could sense the glances darting in my direction, wondering what on earth a “poor girl” like me could be planning.Just then, Mark who had been observing silently by my side, drew closer and whispered anxiously into my ear, "Nina, what are you planning to do? If you don’t stop this right now, I might not be able to help you later." His voice had a tinge of panic, and I knew he was worried. I merely tilted my head toward him with a serene smile, refusing to give away my thoughts. Oh, they’d see soon enough.Sarah, meanwhile, had her entire focus on Mrs. Santiago, flashing that same rehearsed smile as the next gift box was brought forward by the staff. She was so absorbed in the mo
Nina's POVI took a deep breath and let my gaze drift over the room, absorbing the mixture of confusion, disbelief, and irritation painted on each face. Alexa’s mouth was slightly open, her brows knitted as if I were a complicated puzzle she couldn't piece together. Jordan kept glancing at her, almost helpless, with nothing of value to say. Even Tony and his buddies were caught in the strangeness of the moment, their usual laid-back expressions now tinged with genuine curiosity.As I stood there, a small smile tugging at my lips, I could feel their silent judgments slicing through the air. They saw me as the underdog, the “poor girl,” yet here I was, confidently stirring the pot without a hint of fear. The surprise on their faces was almost amusing.Alexa narrowed her eyes and finally blurted, “How did she know the details so well?” Her voice was laced with disbelief and irritation, as if the very thought of me having any kind of knowledge was a personal affront.I met her gaze steadi
Nina's POVThe air grew thick with anticipation, the room falling silent as Mr. Donald Smith made his entrance. Gasps filled the space like ripples across a pond, and I caught a murmur from one of Tony’s friends in the back. “Mr. Donald Smith? The chairman of Liberty Enterprises?” he stammered, his eyes wide with shock.The reaction was priceless—Alexa’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, and Jordan’s mouth hung open as if his jaw had come unhinged. He turned to his friend, muttering in disbelief. “Does that mean the McDonalds are involved? The richest in the state?”I held back a smirk, savoring the thrill of their confusion and awe. Mr. Donald approached us with purposeful strides, his eyes flicking over each person in the room, holding their gaze for just long enough to make them squirm. My heart pounded, but I kept my expression smooth, only allowing the faintest smile to show.I glanced sideways at Mark, whose face was plastered with shock as he stared at Mr. Donald, clearl
Nina's POVThe room was silent, hanging on the edge of anticipation. I had waited for this moment—a chance to finally show them who I truly was and end their speculations. Many of them were confused, lost in their assumptions, but tonight I would make it clear. I took a deep breath, glancing around the room with an assured smile. The moment had come.I raised my voice, addressing everyone. “I never lied to any of you,” I said, a smirk playing on my lips as my eyes lingered on each of them. “You just didn’t know to ask the right questions.”The words landed like a thunderclap, and a stunned silence followed. I saw Sarah’s face twist with anger, her jaw clenched so tightly I thought she might break a tooth. “No…how is that possible!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling as she struggled to keep her composure. She stared at me, her eyes full of disbelief and barely disguised rage.Alexa, standing beside her, looked equally astonished, her mouth dropping open. “I don’t believe this,” she sa
Nina's POVI couldn’t help the storm brewing inside me as I stood there, watching them talk about me as though I wasn’t even in the room. My fingers clenched tighter around the glass I was holding, the coolness of it grounding me as I took deep breaths to keep my face calm. My father throwing a party for me and not telling me? It felt strange—no, ridiculous—and knowing him, there had to be a reason behind his secrecy. But now? In front of everyone, I was meant to just nod along while they ripped me apart, blissfully unaware that I held the very power they were mocking me for.Mark’s grandma flashed a warm smile at Mr. Donald, her voice carrying a note of appreciation. “Thank you so much for these wonderful gifts, Mr. Donald. They’re nothing short of miraculous.” She looked toward Mrs. Santiago with gratitude before adding, “I will have to find something equally special to give in return.”Mr. Donald nodded politely, his composed demeanor barely betraying any emotion, while Tony’s frie
Nina’s POVI wouldn’t lie right now, but for a moment, I felt like laughing in their faces. Why were they all acting so smug, as if I were some charity case begging for crumbs from their table? I was the heiress. *Me.* And yet here they were, each one more insufferable than the last, trying to prove they were wealthier, smarter, or more famous than me. *Ridiculous!*I forced a smirk, holding my ground as Sarah sauntered over, an exaggerated grace in her every step like she was royalty. She leaned in, her voice laced with venom. “Just a gentle reminder, Miss ‘McDonalds,’” she sneered, putting exaggerated emphasis on my family name, “you won’t win this. Doesn’t matter who you are.”She looked at Mark, her lips curling into a sly grin. “You’ll see, Mark. I’ll just sit back and watch this farce unfold. Nina’s just a wannabe—a nobody.” She gave me one last look, eyes gleaming with barely concealed malice, and then spun on her heels. “Let’s go,” she ordered, and her entourage trailed after
Nina's POVI stood there in silence, heart racing, trying to keep my cool as Mrs. Santiago's sharp gaze settled on me. Her lips were pressed tight, her face set in an expression that was somewhere between fury and disappointment. I knew better than to speak—one wrong word, and this situation could easily explode."Mark, if you’re going to be entertaining this… this girl, knowing how it will affect the McDonalds and the Roberts' family reputation…" Mrs. Santiago’s voice trailed off, thick with disapproval. My stomach churned at her tone, but I swallowed back any retort. I couldn’t cause a scene here, not with her as furious as she was.I could feel Mark's hand tighten slightly around mine. "Grandma, I don’t think Nina’s presence has anything to do with Mr. McDonald's reaction," he said calmly. His attempt at diplomacy only seemed to aggravate his grandmother further.“Oh really? You think Mr. McDonald won’t care?” Mrs. Santiago’s gaze flicked to me, then back to Mark. "You are playing
**Nina's POV**As I followed behind the group, I could hear the excited chatter and see the stolen glances. The workers seemed to be completely captivated by the woman who had just arrived. And why wouldn’t they be? She was decked out in flashy designer labels and dripping with the kind of confidence that only comes from being completely wrapped up in your own self-importance.One of the ladies stopped halfway and turned to face me, her expression hardening. “Hey! Back off,” she snapped, as if I were some stray wandering into an exclusive event.I took a deep breath, controlling the urge to roll my eyes. Then I heard one of them squeal in admiration, “Oh my gosh! She’s carrying a Hermès limited edition!”Another gasped. “That bag alone is worth over two million dollars!” They shared a look of awe, as if they had spotted a rare gem.The woman they were fawning over was now standing with a self-satisfied smirk, clearly enjoying the attention. She held herself like royalty, and as she sl
Laila’s POV As I sat on the soft sand beside Nolan, the cool ocean breeze brushed against my skin, its salty scent filling my lungs with a sense of calm. The sun, now dipping below the horizon, bathed everything in a soft, golden hue. I leaned against him, feeling his warmth seep into my bones. For the first time in a long time, I felt at peace. The chaos, the threats, and the betrayals that had once consumed my life seemed like a distant memory, fading with the setting sun. But despite the serenity, the thoughts still raced in my mind. I was torn between two lives—Lila and Miranda—and it was hard to reconcile them. One life, full of memories I had no control over, and another that had become my reality, shaped by my choices and the people I met along the way. Nolan, though, had always been a constant. He was the thread tying everything together, even when I couldn’t see it. I turned to him, meeting his deep, sincere gaze, and
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