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
I woke up to the soft glow of dawn, the clock blinking 5 AM, my usual time to rise. My brown hair was a tangled mess, and I could feel my glasses slipping down my nose as I stretched. It was time to start my day, even if I felt like a sleep-deprived zombie.As I stumbled out of bed, I tripped over Mr. Whiskers, who was sprawled out like he owned the place. I couldn’t help but giggle as I scooped him up, cradling him against my chest. “You little scamp,” I whispered, pressing a kiss to his furry head. “You’re the real reason I’m up so early, aren’t you?”But as I cradled him, a familiar ache tugged at my heart. Memories I tried so hard to forget crept in, uninvited. Five years had passed since I handed him those divorce papers, and yet the pain felt fresh. I could still see his detached expression as he signed, the coldness in his eyes cutting deeper than I ever imagined.I had loved him completely, but now all I saw was darkness—his obsession with work and that woman, Victoria. She wa
Mia and Alex quickly gathered their things, and the excitement in the air was palpable. “I can’t believe we’re finally going out!” I said, a smile spreading across my face.As we stepped outside, the cool night air hit us, invigorating and full of promise. We hopped into Alex’s car, and he cranked up the music, filling the space with upbeat tracks that matched our energy.“Where are we going?” I asked, glancing at Mia, who was scrolling through her phone.“I found this place called The Pulse. It’s supposed to be incredible, and they have a great dance floor!” she replied, her eyes sparkling.“Sounds perfect!” I said, feeling the anticipation build.When we arrived, the club was already buzzing with people. The lights pulsed in time with the music, and I could feel the energy radiating from the crowd. We made our way inside, and I immediately felt the weight of the week lift off my shoulders.Mia led the way to the bar, ordering us drinks while Alex and I chatted about the night. “I st
I woke up, my eyes blinking at an unfamiliar ceiling. Panic surged through me as I tried to remember where I was and how I got there. My head throbbed, and my mouth felt like sandpaper. I attempted to sit up, but dizziness hit me hard, forcing me back down.Then I realized I was completely naked. My heart raced as I threw off the covers, frantically searching for my clothes. That’s when I saw him—a stranger lying next to me. His face was chiseled, his dark hair unfamiliar. My mind went blank.I didn’t want to think about who he was or what had happened. I just needed to get out of there. My eyes darted around the room, taking in the opulence and the huge windows. I spotted my purse on the nightstand and snatched it up, digging for my phone. It was dead, and I cursed under my breath.Without thinking, I grabbed my purse and bolted from the room, not stopping until I was outside the mansion. I flagged down a taxi, my heart pounding as I gave the driver my address, still reeling from the
Two months have passed since that night, and I’ve been completely absorbed in growing my company with Donna by my side. She’s been a lifesaver, expertly managing my chaotic schedule and ensuring everything stays on track. .But as we were pouring over the latest project details, trying to partner with Jocelynn & Harvey’s a reputable brand, a sudden wave of weakness washed over me. “Rachel, are you okay?” Donna asked, her voice laced with concern as she leaned closer, searching my eyes for answers.I shook my head, feeling disoriented. “I don’t know. I just feel… weak.”“Weak how? Like you’re coming down with something?” she pressed, her brow furrowed.“Yeah, maybe. I’ve been so stressed lately. I thought it was just fatigue,” I admitted, “You need to take a break. We can pause this for today,” she said, her tone firm yet caring.“No, I can’t. We have deadlines, and I don’t want to fall behind,” I replied, forcing a smile “Your health comes first, Rachel. Let’s reschedule and focus
After six intense years, I have transformed my company into a formidable competitor in the market and I can proudly say I have poured my heart and soul into this journey and I… my trail of thought was cut short when Donna barged into my office like she was on a mission from the fashion gods. “Rachel! You won’t believe this!”I barely looked up, squinting at the numbers. “Did you finally figure out how to use the coffee machine? Because I’m this close to hiring a barista.”“No! Even better! Mavericks & Co wants to partner with us!”My head shot up, my heart racing. “Mavericks? The ruthless empire of Ethan Grey? What do they want with us?” I couldn’t help but picture Ethan in that dark suit, with his piercing eyes and that cocky smile that made my stomach flip—mostly in a bad way.Donna shrugged, practically bouncing on her heels. “They’re looking for brands that share their uniqueness. They want an interview with the CEO of Elegance & Style!”“Great,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I can al
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
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 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 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
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
Rachel sat at the small desk in their hotel room, her laptop open. The screen displayed their immediate team in a grid of video call windows. Ethan stood behind her, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. “I don't think why my team will betray me now," Ethan said as the call kept ringing Rachel looked exhausted, her hair tied up messily. Ethan's face was tense, his jaw clenched. The IT manager, Greg, had just joined the call, blinking sleep from his eyes. Rachel wasted no time. "We’re not here to point fingers, but we need answers. Someone accessed the prototypes without authorization. We need to know who, how, and why." Greg adjusted his glasses nervously. "I’ve been reviewing the server logs since Danny alerted me. The unauthorized login came from an IP address in Europe. It wasn’t from anyone on the team... at least not directly." "Not directly?" Rachel asked, narrowing her eyes. Greg cleared his throat. "It could’ve been someone using stolen credentials. Or... someone
Ethan slammed the door of their hotel room behind him. He tossed his phone on the table and paced the room. Rachel pulled out her laptop, her fingers trembling as she opened the video call app. I quickly sent out a text message. "We need everyone on this call. Now," she said, her voice sharp. ‘Who would have done thatEthan stopped pacing and leaned against the wall. "Do you think it’s someone on the team? That doesn’t sit right with me, Rachel." Rachel didn’t look up. "What else could it be? Designs don’t leak themselves, Ethan, especially when it's your team." The laptop screen blinked to life as Danny's face appeared, her expression already filled with concern. "What’s going on?" "Someone leaked our designs," Rachel said bluntly. Danny gasped. "What? How is that even possible?" "That’s what we’re trying to figure out," Ethan cut in. "Could it have been a hack? Or maybe someone accidentally forwarded something?" Liam joined the call next, his face groggy. "It’s three
lThe morning breeze drifted through the hotel’s dining terrace, carrying the scent of fresh pastries and espresso. Rachel and Ethan sat at a table overlooking a charming courtyard, where vines climbed the walls and birds chirped softly. It was serene, far from the chaos of the previous night but Rachel’s mind was already racing with business ideas. "Alright," Rachel said, pulling out her tablet and stylus. "We can use this time to finalize the presentation. I also want to review the designs again and.." Ethan held up a hand, cutting her off mid-sentence. "Rachel," he said firmly, "we’re not diving into work today." She blinked, surprised. "What do you mean? This is why we’re here, Ethan. We have so much to prepare for " Ethan leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee leisurely. "And we will. But first, we’re taking three days to enjoy Italy before the madness begins." Rachel frowned, clearly taken aback. "Three days? Ethan, we don’t have time for a vacation!" “We do,"
By the time we arrived at the De’Lanor Hotel, the streets of the small Italian town were bathed in the soft glow of midnight. The boutique hotel was as elegant as I had imagined, its classic façade adorned with ivy and softly lit lanterns. Ethan and I walked into the sumptuous lobby together, both feeling quite weary after the arduous trip.The receptionist smiled at us with an exhausted but gracious mouth. "Good evening. Welcome to De’Lanor Hotel. May I have your name, please?"Ethan Gray," he answered (his tone steady into the night of the hour)," he said.The receptionist entered into her computer and then frowned a little. "Ah, yes. We have your reservation here, Mr. Gray However..."Ethan’s brows furrowed. "However?"She glanced up, a hint of embarrassment on her face. "It seems there was an error in the booking. We only have one room reserved under your name.""What?" Ethan and I said in unison, our voices rising slightly"I deeply apologize for the inconvenience," she continued