Monica didn’t realize she was crying until the tears slipped onto her palms. She sniffled and quickly turned away, wiping her face with the back of her hand. He stood and stepped in front of her, his voice gentle. “Why are you crying, Monica?” She exhaled slowly, a shaky breath. “I don’t want to hurt you in the end. You’re a good guy, and I’m not the girl for you.” She wiped her cheeks, as if trying to erase the vulnerability. She had thought that knowing he was obsessed with her would make her uncomfortable, but now, standing in front of him, all she saw was a man who believed she was somehow the better choice. A man who made her feel superior—and she hated that she felt that way. “Monica…” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “Look,” she cut in, her voice firm. “You started this company because you wanted power, to uncover the truth about your grandfather’s death. I don’t want to be the woman Liam and your stepmom push around. We can help each other reach our goals, b
Spencer and Monica stood staring at each other for a moment.She lifted her fingers and threaded them through his hair—it felt soft under her touch.He leaned in, trying to get more of it before it would go away."You look really exhausted. It’d be nice if you go shower and cool down, then we can talk," she offered gently.He nodded.His eyes drifted to her waist, and his face darkened as his grip tightened around her body.He didn’t smile. He just traced his fingers over every inch of her waist, down to her thighs.Monica gasped and turned a shade red. She couldn’t hide her embarrassment."Kitten..."He looked up. She shivered and turned away.Why was he making her feel so dirty-minded now?"You will wear what I design for you."He wasn’t smiling. He seemed so different from the guy a moment ago, making her want to press her thighs together."Jesus..." she quietly shivered.Was he always like this? This wasn’t the guy she thought she knew.One moment he was an attention-seeking freak
Spencer's studio was so different from what she had imagined. It was like walking into his world—creative, full of unfinished thoughts. Natural light poured in through the tall windows, casting golden lines across the floor. Sketchboards covered the walls, each one filled with scattered strokes and half-formed designs. Monica stepped inside, eyes sweeping over the room. “Wow... this is good.” She pointed at a sketch of a flowery, fitting gown. Spencer’s voice came from behind her, light with amusement. “That is poor.” She turned, her lips tugging into a soft smile. Their eyes locked for a moment. Her breath caught. Heat crept up her neck, but Spencer looked away, giving her room to breathe. “I want to create something perfect for you,” he said, almost to himself. “Not just a dress, but a command. Something that speaks.” He glanced at the sketch she had pointed at. “But every time I start, the idea slips. It comes out flat.” Monica chuckled under her breath. It real
Monica walked into the house while humming a song with a carefree smile on her face. A blush covered her face as her mind drifted off to the previous night. Liam finally made love to her. It had been three years since they got married, and they had a normal relationship, but last night was different. They were quite wild. Although she was a bit disappointed that he had opted for protection, she was still happy that they were getting closer. She had known all along that Liam wasn't in love with her when they got married, but he also didn't have a girlfriend, so she had hoped he would, one day, fall for her. Liam was her magazine crush before he became her husband. Since she was a model, she knew what beauty meant and Liam was the definition of one with his ocean-blue eyes and sharp jawline, his gleaming and perfect dentition. He was one of those eligible bachelors and young successful business men that graced the pages of magazines. She had fallen for him from the first time she saw h
Monica didn't know how long she had been sitting in the bar. She hadn't bothered to wipe the tears that streamed down her face. Her husband and sister were still at the house when she left. She drowned another glass of alcohol and the hot liquid burned her throat, making her face squeeze.She smiled blankly; she had thought that Liam would be the father of her kids. He ended up cheating on her and not just with anyone but with Brie, her baby sister.She frowned as she noticed the empty glass. She hollered at the bartender, who quickly refilled the glass for her. The alcohol was starting to mess with her head and she felt a little bit drowsy."Are you alright?" A warm husky voice resonated through her ears and she felt her body shivering.Monica groaned when a splitting headache ran through her head. She glanced back, and her eyes widened as she took in the gorgeous man behind her.His blonde hair was stylishly pressed back, and his outfit screamed luxury. His gray eyes were cold yet w
Monica slowly opened her eyes and stared at the bright room. Her head throbbed. She sat up quickly and flung the sheets off her—then let out a sigh when she saw her clothes were still on. She looked around, confused. This wasn’t her room. Her heart started to pound. Where the hell am I? She stood, blinking rapidly. The last thing she remembered was drowning in shots after finding out the love of her life had cheated on her. Did I go home with someone? Grabbing her heels from the floor, she tiptoed to the door and peeked out. The apartment was sleek. Expensive. Someone had good taste and a whole lot of money to spend. She crept back into the bedroom, looking for her phone. Nothing. Panic tightened in her chest. She didn’t want to run into whoever brought her here—but she needed that phone. Monica crept down the stairs. Then stopped. A voice. Humming. A man. She followed the sound and froze in the hallway, peeking into the kitchen. A shirtless man stood at the stove flipping p
Spencer stood and gave her a devilish smile. “We sinned,” he said, his voice smooth and low. “I came to ask for mercy.” Monica’s breath caught in her throat. A cold sweat prickled at her forehead. His eyes locked with hers, intense and unreadable—he wasn’t bluffing. “Spencer, you need to leave. Now.” Her voice cracked with panic. He tilted his head, eyes glinting. “Are you disgusted that we spent the night together, Monica?” he drawled. That teasing tone, paired with his frustratingly handsome face—he looked so carefree unlike Liam. Liam was always stern and professional. Spencer, on the other hand, looking like a playboy. “What the hell, Spencer!” she snapped. “I was drunk. I barely remember anything. So no—we didn’t spend the night together.” Spencer chuckled darkly. “Or do you just hate how much I turn you on?” “Turn me on?” she scoffed, rolling her eyes. “In your dreams, Spencer.” He started moving toward her. She instinctively stepped back. “We could test it,” he said,
Liam eyes might have widened twice as his mind registered her words. Brie clutched tightly onto Liam's arms. "You were messing around with your husband's brother? Even if you want to get back at us for hurting you, isn't this a little too shameless?" Brie asked. Monica laughed softly. She knew nothing could ever hurt Liam than his stupid ego. He hated being compared to anyone, especially not his half brother. "You know what Spencer did to my grandfather for the inheritance. You wouldn't scoop so low, Monica."Liam finally lost his cool and pushed Brie away. Monica maintained her teasing glare, "You could sleep with my sister. Why can't I have your brother? Aren't we sharing siblings now?" She asked with an innocent tone. "You must be crazy, Monica,"Liam thundered. He remembered that Spencer was still waiting downstairs for him. He dashed out of his bedroom and hurried downstairs. Without hesitation, he landed a punch on Spencer's face. "Fuck,"Spencer cursed as he was attack
Spencer's studio was so different from what she had imagined. It was like walking into his world—creative, full of unfinished thoughts. Natural light poured in through the tall windows, casting golden lines across the floor. Sketchboards covered the walls, each one filled with scattered strokes and half-formed designs. Monica stepped inside, eyes sweeping over the room. “Wow... this is good.” She pointed at a sketch of a flowery, fitting gown. Spencer’s voice came from behind her, light with amusement. “That is poor.” She turned, her lips tugging into a soft smile. Their eyes locked for a moment. Her breath caught. Heat crept up her neck, but Spencer looked away, giving her room to breathe. “I want to create something perfect for you,” he said, almost to himself. “Not just a dress, but a command. Something that speaks.” He glanced at the sketch she had pointed at. “But every time I start, the idea slips. It comes out flat.” Monica chuckled under her breath. It real
Spencer and Monica stood staring at each other for a moment.She lifted her fingers and threaded them through his hair—it felt soft under her touch.He leaned in, trying to get more of it before it would go away."You look really exhausted. It’d be nice if you go shower and cool down, then we can talk," she offered gently.He nodded.His eyes drifted to her waist, and his face darkened as his grip tightened around her body.He didn’t smile. He just traced his fingers over every inch of her waist, down to her thighs.Monica gasped and turned a shade red. She couldn’t hide her embarrassment."Kitten..."He looked up. She shivered and turned away.Why was he making her feel so dirty-minded now?"You will wear what I design for you."He wasn’t smiling. He seemed so different from the guy a moment ago, making her want to press her thighs together."Jesus..." she quietly shivered.Was he always like this? This wasn’t the guy she thought she knew.One moment he was an attention-seeking freak
Monica didn’t realize she was crying until the tears slipped onto her palms. She sniffled and quickly turned away, wiping her face with the back of her hand. He stood and stepped in front of her, his voice gentle. “Why are you crying, Monica?” She exhaled slowly, a shaky breath. “I don’t want to hurt you in the end. You’re a good guy, and I’m not the girl for you.” She wiped her cheeks, as if trying to erase the vulnerability. She had thought that knowing he was obsessed with her would make her uncomfortable, but now, standing in front of him, all she saw was a man who believed she was somehow the better choice. A man who made her feel superior—and she hated that she felt that way. “Monica…” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “Look,” she cut in, her voice firm. “You started this company because you wanted power, to uncover the truth about your grandfather’s death. I don’t want to be the woman Liam and your stepmom push around. We can help each other reach our goals, b
Monica stepped into Mo's Fashion Corporation, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor. The Atlanta Fashion Event was less than two weeks away, and every day felt more intense than the last. Her routine had become second nature—morning workouts, a strict skincare regimen, then straight to Mo’s Fashion Empire to rehearse runway walks with the other models. Lately, she’d noticed Angel keeping her distance, and honestly, she was relieved. Drama was the last thing she needed. She slipped into a sleek, fitted gown and joined the others on the practice floor. They were rehearsing the opening walk and refining their display strides. "Monica Banks," the secretary called, interrupting the rhythm. Monica glanced up. "The CEO wants to see you." A quiet groan escaped her lips as a few of the models turned, their whispers already starting—more rumors about her and the CEO. She rolled her eyes. She had been doing her best to keep her distance these past few days. All she w
"Spencer, wait! You can't leave yet," his father called, hurrying into the living room just as Spencer snatched his car keys from the table. Spencer didn’t slow down. "I have nothing to say to you, Father." His voice was flat, controlled—but his hands trembled slightly as he brushed past him. "Spencer McKenzie!" his father barked. "If you walk out that door, I’ll freeze all your accounts!" He stopped. Turned. When he looked back, his expression was cold enough to freeze the air. But there was something in his eyes—something sharp and tired, like a wound that never quite healed. His gaze flicked between his father and Liam. "Do you think I care?" he asked, voice low and cutting. "Have you ever even checked if I use the money you throw at me?" Liam shifted uncomfortably, then stepped forward. "Spencer, maybe just listen for a second. This doesn’t have to end like this." Spencer stared at him—long and hard. "It already did," he said quietly. And then he left. Withou
Monica's eyes darted to Spencer and back to Liam. "What are you talking about?" "Shut up, Liam McKenzie." The old lady snapped, making Monica more curious about what they could be hiding. "No, she needs to know that Spencer doesn't love her, he is an obsessed fan that's sick in the head." The silence was nerve-racking. No one spoke, but eyes kept darting around. It seems everyone knew of the issue apart from Monica. Then Liam laughed. He seemed to be the only one enjoying all the tension. "You think I'm the monster here, huh?"he said, his eyes narrowed at Monica. "Has he shown you his dark side, the side he managed to keep locked away?" Monica couldn't help but steal a glance at the stiffened Spencer. He seemed lost in a daze. She had always denied it. The pictures couldn't even make her believe her fear, but hearing them from Liam crept her out. "He spent a year in an asylum because of his obsession with you, Monica." Her knees buckled, and she stumbled back a bit. They didn'
Earlier That DayInside Spencer's office, Adriana was called in by him. She saw him looking at Monica's pictures with a grim expression.She locked the door. "What's the meaning of this, Adriana?" he pointed at the pictures on his desk."What?" She batted her lashes innocently."Look at these photos, the advertising department obviously cannot work with this," he snapped. Monica's photos at the beach were all taken at the wrong angle. She folded her hands across her chest. "I didn't know, you could work with just Angel's own." She suggested, which infuriated Spencer."Just Angel's own. You are doing this on purpose, Adriana,"Spencer snapped again.Adriana rolled her eyes, then sat on the chair, "I'm not doing anything on purpose, it was obviously a mistake, and I'm sorry.""Don't make work difficult for me,"Spencer warned coldly."Can't you see what's happening? You are doing it again. Getting obsessed with her all over again."Spencer's expression went from annoyance to anger. He f
Lake's hands trembled as he dropped his phone. The hospital had just called to inform him about the need to accelerate his mother's surgery. His fingers clenched. There weren't many options. Either he sold the house or the business, the money wouldn't even be enough for the loan not to talk about his mother's surgery. His whole income goes to the hospital, loans or bills. Throwing the scattered bills into his cabinet, he dressed up and left for the hospital. He signed in and proceeded to the ward. As soon as he pushed open the door, his heart broke in anticipation of seeing his mother looking lifeless as always. She had never been the same after his father died. His eyes widened as he spotted the empty bed and neatly tucked sheets. He panicked. Where was his mother? He rushed out of the room. His head spinning. He didn't dare think about the possibility as he rushed to the nurse at the front desk. The thought of losing his mother made his heart clench."Where is my mom?" he almost
Inside the disciplinary office at the Mo's Fashion Empire, Angel had her head bowed after watching the CCTV footage of herself while adding an aphrodisiac to the boss's coffee. She had distracted the secretary and used that chance to add the drug to the coffee."Why would you do something like that? You could end up in jail, Ms White." The head of the department reprimanded, "I won't say you have a crush on him because you don't even know what he looks like."Tears slipped out of her eyes when she saw her contract being pulled out. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to pull off a stupid prank on Monica. I didn't want to hurt anyone.""Those are just your excuses. It really doesn't matter to the company. You are just lucky the CEO is in a good mood. Leave my sight. I'll speak to your manager."Angel hurried out of the office. If her hatred for Monica was mild, now it would just triple. She met Adriana in the hall."Are you okay?" Adriana held her hands and managed to calm her down.Her breathin