The media started to pack their equipment to call it a night while Alex, Mia, Danny, Greg, and me stayed behind to get everything over with. I wanted to talk about some design with Alex, and since Rachel isn't around, she made Mia stand in for her. The happiness about the press still lingers around the room.I smile but not showing it, the storm is not yet over.Laughter filled the space as we scrolled through some of the social media comments about the press conference. Some were hailing Rachel and me as a power couple, while others spewed their distaste, claiming she had manipulated her way through it."She's got them pressed," Danny snickered, shaking his head. "They're so mad that Rachel's winning." Alex smirked. "They'll get over it. People always do."I leaned back in my chair, my lips twitching with amusement, but deep down, something felt. off. It was a nagging sensation, an unshakable feeling that something was wrong. I pushed the thought aside, focusing on the moment—until
The police station was a maze of bureaucracy and apathy. Greg and I had burst in, insisting on reporting Rachel's kidnapping, but the officers hardly lifted their heads from their desks. One of them, a man in his forties with a belly, lolled back in his chair, gnawing on a pen cap."You'll have to wait," he replied indolently, not even looking at us. "We have procedures—"I pounded my fists on his desk, and he sat up straight. My voice was low, threaded with suppressed rage. "Do you know who I am?"That took them by surprise. The officer gulped and glanced at his peers before coughing. "Mr. Grayson, we—uh, we didn't know""I don't have time for this," I snarled. "My fiancée's been kidnapped and you're telling me to wait? Assemble your team. Now."They jumped into action, voices calling out instructions into radios. Within minutes, a team was preparing to head out to Maverick to look into it further.Greg, who had been standing beside me with his arms folded, suddenly spun around to me
Sophia lay back on the velvet sofa, twirling a glass of wine between her fingers. The dark red liquor shone in the faint light of the chandelier, a worthy symbol of their victory. Michael paced to and fro beside the window, his features dark and ominous."They arrested our men." His voice was taut with fury, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides.Sophia rolled her eyes, breathing slowly while sipping wine. "Of course they did. They were incompetent. Weak."Michael glared at her, his face scrunched in frustration. "This is your fault! You wanted to push Ethan too far, and now look! He rescued Rachel, and those idiots we hired are probably spilling everything to the cops."Sophia's jaw clenched, but she managed a smirk. "Shut up, Michael. I've got it under control.""Under control?!" He laughed bitterly, pushing a hand through his mussed hair. "You don't get it, do you? If those guys talk, it's over for us. Over. Jesus Christ, why did I sign up for this?"Sophia set the wine
A jerky movement from the hospital bed made Ethan sit up abruptly. Rachel's fingers spasmed, her eyelids fluttering. Then, suddenly, she began thrashing, gasping in short, shallow breaths."Rachel?" Ethan's chest tightened as he rushed to her side, grasping her hand tightly. "Rachel, can you hear me?"Her body stiffened, then she started struggling, her face twisted in agony. Panic gripped Ethan."Doctor!" he cried hysterically, his voice shaking in terror.The doctors and nurses rushed in, one doctor hurriedly taking Rachel's pulse and the nurses attempting to sedate her. Ethan did not budge, jaw clenched, heart racing inside his chest.Within a few tense minutes, Rachel's breathing normalized. Her body relaxed, her head falling back onto the pillows.One of the doctors glanced over at Ethan and nodded reassuringly. "She's experiencing post-traumatic stress. It occurs in situations like hers. She'll be fine, but she needs to rest. Provided everything goes well, we can release her ton
The police station was unusually quiet for this hour of night, the fluorescent lights shining a cold glare over the tile floors. Ethan entered through the front door, his face as unyielding as stone, his presence commanding. The officers saluted him with respect and caution, knowing the weight his name carried.He hadn't wasted any time on formalities. "How's the case progressing?" His voice was low and gritted with annoyance. "And why, for goodness' sake, did the men you arrested suddenly end up dead?"One of the officers shifted uncomfortably. "We have no idea, Mr. Grayson. Nobody had seen them, and there were no signs of anything unusual."Ethan's jaw clenched. "How did they die?The officer hesitated before responding, “Their bodies have been sent for autopsy. We’ll have more details soon.” Ethan ran a hand through his hair, his frustration mounting. “I want to see the security footage.”Minutes ticked by, and he stood in front of a monitor, arms crossed as he watched the grainy
The perfume- and smoke-scented hotel room was shrouded in gloom, the atmosphere thick with tension. Sophia lay back on the velvet couch's rim, her perfectly manicured fingers trembling as she brought a minute pill to her lips. Closing her eyes, she swallowed it, following the bitter aftertaste with a swig of whiskey. Her blonde locks were disheveled, her otherwise flawless appearance marred by the dark smudges under her eyes.The knock on the door barely registered in her dazed mind, but when Michael stepped in, slamming the door behind him, she let out an irritated sigh. “You look like hell,” Michael muttered, scanning the room with distaste. “Smells like it too.” Sophia rolled her eyes and sank deeper into the couch. “You’re always such a gentleman, Michael.”Michael ignored her sarcasm, jaw clenched in frustration as he set a folder on the coffee table. "Our strategy is breaking down," he stated tightly. "Most employees in Emerald Designs want to quit. They're spooked. And the
The dimly lit hotel back hallway stank of stale carpet and cheap cologne. Rachel stood close to the cold wall, barely breathing as she listened in on the argument happening just down the hall."…We go to the Mavericks Fashion Walk tonight," Michael's deep voice growled, filled with barely controlled anger.Rachel's heart was thudding in her ears. What?!The plan is simple," Michael continued. "We create enough havoc to kill Ethan. Full-blown scandal. Sponsors drop out, investors lose their minds—his empire crumbles in an evening."A second voice—cunning, smooth—spoke. Sophia."And what do we do with Rachel?" she asked, poison in every syllable. "Are we finally ridding ourselves of her?"Rachel's feet left the floor.Michael hesitated for a moment before he said, "If she gets caught in the crossfire, that's on her."Rachel gulped a breath of air.Sophia laughed coldly. "Well, well… finally got some spine, Michael?" She paused, and then went on, "And what about security? You know Ethan
The night was glowing with golden lights, soft music, and the post-glow of the Mavericks Fashion Walk. But despite the ovation and celebrations, Rachel just could not focus.Her heart kept racing from that evening's incidents—the sabotage try, the arrest of Michael, and the getaway by Sophia. Too much, all of that, but still, in between all that, Ethan had remained her rock.She stood on the edge of the stage, watching as Ethan addressed the media and the audience. His voice was firm, calm, but filled with command as he described what had happened, assuring them that Mavericks was stronger than ever.Rachel sighed softly. How does he always manage to be so calm?As Ethan continued, there was a soft rustling sound off the runway. Rachel's forehead creased in puzzlement.Then they appeared.Children, dressed in immaculate white, each of them with one red rose and one small envelope in hand.Rachel's breath caught in her throat.The children approached her individually, handing over the
The Maverick headquarters buzzed with activity, the air electric with anticipation. The live TV show was on, showing the company's latest creations to the world. Models glided along the runway, their movements smooth and confident, as the audience sat in complete attention.Rachel's heels clicked on the marble floor of the Maverick headquarters as she glanced at her phone. The live celebration was in progress, and she should have been at the center of it all, raising a glass to the company's latest success. But a sense of disquiet churned at her chest. Something was wrong.Her assistant, Donna, rushed toward her, breathless. "Rachel, there's a problem. The triplets. they're missing."Rachel's universe came to a standstill. "What?"Ethan and I were with our nanny at the event, but she turned around for a moment, and now they're missing."A sense of panic choked Rachel's throat. "Find them! Go through the security cameras. Now!"Donna couldn't respond in time before Rachel's phone buzze
The night air was thick with tension as Sophia sprinted down the dimly lit alleys, her heart racing in her chest. The flashing blue and red lights in the distance made her curse under her breath. "Damn it! That damned woman slipped through my fingers!" she growled, her face contorted in rage. Her hands trembled with rage as she pushed her tangled hair out of her face, her breath coming in short, angry gasps.Police were so near to catching her but due to the fire arm of the individuals working for her, she got away effortlessly. I knew that Rachel wouldn't keep her damn mouth closed.She reached her car, pulled the door open, and slid inside, her hands closing on the steering wheel like a vice, her knuckles whitening. She pounded her fist on the dashboard and let out a growl of frustration. "Rachel, you think you've won? You don't know what's coming next!" Her lips twisted in a sneer as she turned the engine over and peeled off into the night.She knew where she was headed—the police
I had barely caught my breath when I heard her approaching—the cold, hard clack of Sophia's high heels on wet pavement. I braced up, my heart pounding in my head. I knew what I was in for.Out of the shadows, Sophia emerged, her eyes glinting with venomous victory. "You think you could escape, Rachel?" she sneered, the voice cold as broken glass. I didn't have time to react before she was atop me. Her pale, manicured fingers locked onto my shoulders, and I was struck by a brutal blow.I thrashed about, my face completely in pain and terror as Sophia began to beat me. The blows landed with a sickening thud, and I felt the pain spreading across my body. "Your children will pay for this!" she screamed, her voice echoing off the cold walls. "They'll suffer just like you!"Tears obscured my vision as I pleaded on gasping breaths, "Please… stop… please, beg you…" I was raspy, panicked, but she went on mercilessly. Sophia's grin widened with every word spoken, and her sadistically burning e
I glared at my phone's illuminated screen, the thumping in my ears echoing with my heart rate. The headline blazed across the top in big bold letters:"Ethan Greenwood Engaged! Power Couple Takes Center Stage."My hands trembled involuntarily as I took in the news—Rachel Thompson, the woman I had worked so hard to destroy, was now engaged to Ethan. Anger and humiliation boiled within me, and before I even knew it, I'd snorted a fresh line of drugs that had been languishing in my bag.The overdose swept at me like a tidal wave. My vision swirled, and I couldn't bring myself to concentrate, but the acrid taste of failure and jealousy scorched my interior.I slammed my phone on the marble tabletop, my eyes blazing as I recalled every indignity. I had sacrificed everything for power and retribution, and now Ethan was parading his new engagement while I languished here.The bitter mix of chemicals only stoked my anger. I stumbled unsteadily, the room spinning around me, and staggered to th
The night was glowing with golden lights, soft music, and the post-glow of the Mavericks Fashion Walk. But despite the ovation and celebrations, Rachel just could not focus.Her heart kept racing from that evening's incidents—the sabotage try, the arrest of Michael, and the getaway by Sophia. Too much, all of that, but still, in between all that, Ethan had remained her rock.She stood on the edge of the stage, watching as Ethan addressed the media and the audience. His voice was firm, calm, but filled with command as he described what had happened, assuring them that Mavericks was stronger than ever.Rachel sighed softly. How does he always manage to be so calm?As Ethan continued, there was a soft rustling sound off the runway. Rachel's forehead creased in puzzlement.Then they appeared.Children, dressed in immaculate white, each of them with one red rose and one small envelope in hand.Rachel's breath caught in her throat.The children approached her individually, handing over the
The dimly lit hotel back hallway stank of stale carpet and cheap cologne. Rachel stood close to the cold wall, barely breathing as she listened in on the argument happening just down the hall."…We go to the Mavericks Fashion Walk tonight," Michael's deep voice growled, filled with barely controlled anger.Rachel's heart was thudding in her ears. What?!The plan is simple," Michael continued. "We create enough havoc to kill Ethan. Full-blown scandal. Sponsors drop out, investors lose their minds—his empire crumbles in an evening."A second voice—cunning, smooth—spoke. Sophia."And what do we do with Rachel?" she asked, poison in every syllable. "Are we finally ridding ourselves of her?"Rachel's feet left the floor.Michael hesitated for a moment before he said, "If she gets caught in the crossfire, that's on her."Rachel gulped a breath of air.Sophia laughed coldly. "Well, well… finally got some spine, Michael?" She paused, and then went on, "And what about security? You know Ethan
The perfume- and smoke-scented hotel room was shrouded in gloom, the atmosphere thick with tension. Sophia lay back on the velvet couch's rim, her perfectly manicured fingers trembling as she brought a minute pill to her lips. Closing her eyes, she swallowed it, following the bitter aftertaste with a swig of whiskey. Her blonde locks were disheveled, her otherwise flawless appearance marred by the dark smudges under her eyes.The knock on the door barely registered in her dazed mind, but when Michael stepped in, slamming the door behind him, she let out an irritated sigh. “You look like hell,” Michael muttered, scanning the room with distaste. “Smells like it too.” Sophia rolled her eyes and sank deeper into the couch. “You’re always such a gentleman, Michael.”Michael ignored her sarcasm, jaw clenched in frustration as he set a folder on the coffee table. "Our strategy is breaking down," he stated tightly. "Most employees in Emerald Designs want to quit. They're spooked. And the
The police station was unusually quiet for this hour of night, the fluorescent lights shining a cold glare over the tile floors. Ethan entered through the front door, his face as unyielding as stone, his presence commanding. The officers saluted him with respect and caution, knowing the weight his name carried.He hadn't wasted any time on formalities. "How's the case progressing?" His voice was low and gritted with annoyance. "And why, for goodness' sake, did the men you arrested suddenly end up dead?"One of the officers shifted uncomfortably. "We have no idea, Mr. Grayson. Nobody had seen them, and there were no signs of anything unusual."Ethan's jaw clenched. "How did they die?The officer hesitated before responding, “Their bodies have been sent for autopsy. We’ll have more details soon.” Ethan ran a hand through his hair, his frustration mounting. “I want to see the security footage.”Minutes ticked by, and he stood in front of a monitor, arms crossed as he watched the grainy
A jerky movement from the hospital bed made Ethan sit up abruptly. Rachel's fingers spasmed, her eyelids fluttering. Then, suddenly, she began thrashing, gasping in short, shallow breaths."Rachel?" Ethan's chest tightened as he rushed to her side, grasping her hand tightly. "Rachel, can you hear me?"Her body stiffened, then she started struggling, her face twisted in agony. Panic gripped Ethan."Doctor!" he cried hysterically, his voice shaking in terror.The doctors and nurses rushed in, one doctor hurriedly taking Rachel's pulse and the nurses attempting to sedate her. Ethan did not budge, jaw clenched, heart racing inside his chest.Within a few tense minutes, Rachel's breathing normalized. Her body relaxed, her head falling back onto the pillows.One of the doctors glanced over at Ethan and nodded reassuringly. "She's experiencing post-traumatic stress. It occurs in situations like hers. She'll be fine, but she needs to rest. Provided everything goes well, we can release her ton