Rachel stood frozen in front of her laptop, staring at the breaking news headline splashed across the screen: “Star design set to reveal their latest project online" The color drained from her face as she read the subtext: Rumored to feature their prototype of the design. “Unbelievable,” she muttered, slamming the laptop shut. Ethan leaned against the hotel desk, arms crossed, his sharp gaze fixed on her. “This is it. They’ve taken the bait and want to claim it as theirs.” Rachel rubbed her temples, her mind racing. “They’re going to flaunt our work. And worse, they’ll beat us to the market. Everything we’ve worked for is gone.” Ethan straightened, his expression calm but determined. “Not if we outdo them.” Rachel turned to him, her tone biting. “And how exactly do we do that, Ethan? The launch is in a week. We’ve lost our key designs, and now you want to know what? Start over?” “Yes,” Ethan said simply, his confidence unwavering. Rachel gaped at him. “Do you hear you
The soft clink of espresso cups and low hum of conversation filled the small café in the heart of Rome. Ethan leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes studying the man across from him. Luca De Luca, with his slicked-back hair and easy smile, looked every bit the polished Italian businessman. “You owe me for this,” Luca said, stirring his coffee with a silver spoon. “If anyone finds out I told you…” “They won’t,” Ethan promised, keeping his tone steady. “Your name stays out of it.” Luca nodded, lowering his voice. “Strata’s CEO, Moretti, likes to keep up appearances, but his operation isn’t as flawless as it seems. Their Achilles’ heel is logistics. They’ve been having trouble meeting deadlines. Too many delays and missing shipments. It’s starting to hurt their reputation.” Ethan leaned forward, his mind racing. “And they’re hosting a big press conference tomorrow. If their designs are ready but they can’t deliver them on time…” “They’ll lose credibility,” Luca finished. “But
The tension in the room was palpable as Rachel and Ethan worked late into the night. Their team had been briefed earlier on the decoy prototype, a bold distraction meant to throw Star off course. But behind the scenes, they were quietly working on their real innovation: a revolutionary fashion design that would make headlines if they could pull it off in time. Danny sat at her desk, stitching fabric samples, while Liam tested the decoy prototype on a mannequin. Rachel paced, her mind racing with ideas and doubts. Ethan, seated across the room, sketched the final details for their secret project. “This decoy better work,” Rachel muttered. “If Star catches on, we’re finished.” Ethan didn’t look up. “It will. They’ll be so focused on stealing the fake design that they won’t see what’s coming.” Rachel stopped pacing and turned to him. “And what if they do? What if this backfires?” Ethan finally looked at her, his expression calm but firm. “We’ve calculated the risks. Worrying wo
The hotel room was silent except for the soft hum of the air conditioning. Rachel sat on the edge of the bed, her head in her hands. The weight of the past few weeks pressed down on her chest, making it hard to breathe. The project was in chaos, her family was far away, and the guilt of missing her kids gnawed at her constantly. Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, lighting up with a picture of her daughter Danielle. Rachel stared at it, hesitating. She didn’t have the strength to answer. Instead, she stood and walked to the window, staring out at the bustling streets of Italy. The city’s beauty felt like a cruel contrast to the turmoil inside her. The sound of the door opening behind her broke her thoughts. Ethan stepped in, carrying a bag of takeout. He looked tired but determined. “Thought you might need dinner,” he said, setting the bag on the small table. Rachel didn’t move. “I’m not hungry.” Ethan frowned, studying her. “You’ve been off all day. What’s going on?” Sh
The day had arrived.It was the day they were to showcase their design to Emma Stone and the rest of the team. The tension in the air was palpable, but the excitement of finally seeing their hard work come to fruition kept everyone focused. Ethan and Rachel had spent the morning preparing, finalizing the last details of the prototype, and mentally preparing for the big presentation.Rachel stood in front of the mirror in her hotel room, adjusting her outfit for the final reveal. She had chosen a sleek, navy blue dress that was both professional and stylish, hoping to make the best impression possible. But as she zipped up the back of her dress, the zipper suddenly stuck halfway. No matter how hard she tried, it refused to move.Frustrated, Rachel let out a sigh. She tugged again, but the zipper wouldn't budge. Her hands were shaking with a mix of nerves and exasperation. There was no way she could present like this."Great," she muttered to herself. She glanced over at her phone on t
As they walked toward the presentation room, the tension from their encounter with Mark and Selena still hung in the air, but Rachel felt it begin to dissipate with every step she took. Ethan was beside her, silent but supportive, his presence grounding her in the chaos of the moment. When they arrived at the door to the presentation room, they paused, sharing a glance. The large, sleek doors loomed in front of them, but beyond them was what felt like the culmination of everything they had worked for. Rachel’s heart was pounding, but there was no turning back now. They had made it this far.“You ready?” Ethan asked, his voice calm.Rachel nodded, taking a deep breath. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”Ethan reached for the door handle, giving her one last reassuring smile. Together, they stepped inside.The room was immaculate, with the polished conference table in the center, surrounded by sleek chairs. A projector stood at the far end, the large screen waiting for the presentation to beg
Emma Stone leaned back in her chair, her gaze sharp and thoughtful as she addressed Rachel and Ethan. “The new designs are stunning,” she said firmly, her voice cutting through the tension that lingered in the room. “And I’ll make sure the other models wear them for tonight’s Met Gala.” Rachel’s heart skipped a beat. “You mean… they’ll be showcased?” “Yes,” Emma nodded. “We’ll work fast. But more importantly, we need to find out who stole your design.” Her eyes narrowed as she glanced in Mark and Selena’s direction. “This kind of behaviour has no place in my team or in this industry. I want the thief found. Quickly.” Ethan raised a brow. “We already got a clue, but not until the show is over, then we will look further."“A-list stars and models are the ones showcasing your design tomorrow, and if you don't have anything news come up or any lead, most of them will reject your design." Selena lament “I have a solution," Mark said. “We should our own design for tomorrow and maybe
The grand entrance of the Met Gala glittered with golden lights, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening. Rachel stepped out of the car, her hand gripping Ethan’s arm for support. Cameras flashed wildly, the crowd buzzing with excitement. For a moment, Rachel felt overwhelmed by the magnitude of it all, the elegance, the opulence, the sheer importance of the event. “Breathe,” Ethan said softly, leaning closer so only she could hear. His voice was calm, reassuring. Rachel nodded, forcing herself to take a deep breath. She smoothed the hem of her gown, a creation of her own design. The intricate embroidery glimmered under the lights, the fabric flowing around her like a dream. It felt surreal to be here, to know that her work was about to take center stage. As they entered the venue, the room seemed to sparkle with life. Celebrities, designers, and industry icons filled the space, each dressed to perfection. Rachel felt the weight of their gazes as she walked past them. Som
Ethan sat at the head of the conference table, his sharp gaze sweeping over his team. The atmosphere was thick with tension. Danny had just finished his report, but it wasn’t the news Ethan had hoped for."So you're telling me," Ethan said, his voice steady yet tinged with frustration, "that after all this time, we still don’t have solid evidence against Sophia and Michael?"Danny shifted uncomfortably in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck. "We’re close, Ethan. But every lead we’ve followed so far keeps going cold. Somebody is covering tracks. I tried speaking with some of their staff but nothing came out from them"Greg continued. " I also tried checking her fundings and that of Micheal but it was clean. No foreign invested but the company is running a billion dollar project. Impressive I must say”Ethan let out a sharp breath, pressing his fingers to his temples. He despised this—the waiting, the uncertainty. Every moment that ticked by without action was another moment for Soph
Michael sat in his car, gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. His heart pounded as he stared at the tall glass building in front of him—Rachel’s company.She has moved on.The words echoed in his mind, filling his chest with an unbearable ache. He had been torturing himself for many years with the idea that she would one day be back with him, that what they had is important. However, now she was drifting off, and he wouldn't allow that to continue.He made a sigh, stroking down his face before getting out of the car.As he approached the entrance, Donna, Rachel’s assistant, immediately blocked his path, her arms crossed over her chest.You're not welcome in here, Mr. Micheal," it said, a firm voice tone masking a concealment of emotion on the woman's face.Michael forced a smile, though his jaw was clenched. "Donna, I just need to talk to Rachel. Just five minutes."Donna didn’t budge. "She’s busy."Micheal squeezes his hands trying to mask the annoyance. "
The smell of the bar reeked of booze, cigarettes, and desperation. Dimmed lights danced against the dark wood, casting long shadows as Sophia sat at the far end with a half-empty whiskey in front of her. The amber liquid swirled absently in her glass before she took another sip; the burning did little to soothe the storm inside. People of different colors and shapes move around each other like two poles of a magnet..the smell of sweat, perfume, and cum made the room slightly darker, more drawing. She noticed two male men pleasuring each other's cocks. One was moaning a little louder than the background song, but they didn't give a single fuck if anybody saw them or heard them.She was running out of time.She needed Michael to take action. Just then, some men came sauntering up to her table, guffawing loudly. One of them, with a slicked-back haircut and a confident smirk, pulled a chair out for himself."Mind if we join you, sweetheart?"Sophia didn't even turn toward him. "I do min
The cool evening air brushed against Rachel's skin as she came out of her house, holding a garbage bag towards the trash bin. She inhaled deeply, trying to clear her mind, but no sooner had she turned around than she froze. Michael. He was standing a few feet away from her, his hands inside his pockets, his eyes dark with something unreadable.Rachel huffed loudly. "What is it, Michael? Hurry up. Really, I don't have time for your rubbish." Michael moved another step closer to her, the corners of his lips curling into a bitter smile. "You really played me, didn't you?" he said, low and dangerous. "You knew those kids weren't mine. You let me chase after them, trying to win their trust-wasting my damn time!”Rachel crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. "I was telling you the truth, but you refused to listen. That is on you, not me." Michael's jaw clenched. The next thing she knew, he clutched her wrist, his fingers hard into her skin. Rachel winced, struggling to free her hand."
The morning was cold, but he felt none of it as he stepped from his sleek black car into the towering Mavericks & Co building. His hair was a little tousled, the dark circles around his eyes evidence enough of the sleepless night. His workers, who otherwise looked forward to his arrival, hesitated at the sight of today's wrinkled shirt, and the tension in the square of his jaw flickered in their eyes.He ignored them. His footsteps were quick, his face hard as he entered the private elevator. The moment the doors slid shut, he let out a sharp exhalation, leaning his head against the cool metal wall. What the hell is going on?Rachel, the kids, Michael, SSophiain one big web of lies and deceptions, and he was right in the middle. By the time the elevator finally reached the top floor, his fists were clenched. The elevator doors slid open, and he strode into his office, slamming the door shut with a little too much force. No more than a second or two passed before his phone went off.
Ethan leaned back against the plush leather seat of his car, his fingers drumming absently on his knee. His mind reeled with the contradictions that had surfaced tonight. Rachel had told him that the kids' parents were abroad, but tonight, Daniella had looked him dead in the eyes and said, "Our daddy is dead. We want you to be our daddy."Ethan let out a sharp hiss, exhaled, and raked a hand through his hair. “Were they lying, or was Rachel?”He turned his gaze toward the city lights blurring past the tinted windows and asked, "John, do kids lie?" His chauffeur, with graying hair and wise eyes, glanced once in the rearview mirror at him. "Not really, sir. Kids are too honest for their own good. They lie if they're told to by an adult, or trying to protect someone." Ethan's jaw clenched tight. Protect someone…Without another word, he reached for his phone and typed a text to Liam.Ethan: Need to see you first thing tomorrow.Liam: That serious?Ethan: Just be there.He let out a
The moment Rachel stepped into her apartment, she let out a shaky breath, leaning against the door for support. The night had been a disaster-humiliating, painful-but as she unlocked her phone, her fingers trembling, the news headlines flashing across the screen made her heart stop. "Ethan Greenwood Defends Rachel at the Investor's Gala!" "Billionaire Ethan Greenwood Shakes Down Bullies in Defense of Mystery Woman!"Her eyes scrolled down the articles, her breathing hitching at the videos. Ethan, in front of a crowd, voices sharp and commanding, glare promising to send anyone shivering down their spines. He had defended her. Publicly.Rachel swallowed hard and turned to him. He was already heading to the door, his broad shoulders tense. Without thinking, she called out, "You can stay, you know." Ethan paused, his fingers on the doorknob, and he turned slightly toward her, his expression unreadable, but something, maybe a flicker of hesitation, crossed his features. "The kids are
Ethan fixed the cuffs of his suit as he closed the door on Rachel, trapping her inside. Her tear-stained face and shaking hands had kindled something dark within him, anger so sharp and cold, which seemed to curl around his ribs like a vice. He breathed out, straightening, and then turned back toward the entrance of the gala, his polished shoes tapping against the marble floor.The moment he was inside, the murmurs began. Eyes followed him, whispers rippling through the crowd like wildfire. At the center of it all, Sophia stood arms crossed over her chest, her lips curled into a self-satisfied smirk. Beside her stood the women who had tormented Rachel, basking in their supposed victory.In one moment, upon seeing him, Sophia's face changed. The smirk smoothed out into a small pout; her eyes, shining with water, made her head bob up in false innocence. "Ethan," she cooed, sliding toward him. "I was just saying—Rachel does not belong in events like these. You know how she can get … unst
The investor gala was one of the hottest tickets of the season. But for Mavericks & Co, it was the chance to pull in the world, forge links, broker deals, and even maybe get to the bottom of the identities of Emerald Designs' funding sponsors. Ethan put on his cufflinks and, for a few moments, looked at his cell phone, then dialed a number.Rachel answered almost immediately. “Ethan? Her voice was soft, with a hint of hope.“There’s an event tonight. I need you to attend with me,” he said curtly.Rachel’s heart skipped a beat. “You want me to—”“Don’t get the wrong idea,” he interrupted. “This is strictly professional. We’re attending to investigate the people behind Emerald Designs. Nothing more.”Rachel’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. “I understand. I’ll be ready.”---That night, stepping out of the car, Rachel wore a flowing midnight-blue dress with an elaborately beaded effect that shimmered in the light. The dress hugged her curves elegantly, and her hair cascaded d