Rachel POV:Rachel repositioned the portfolio in her grasp before entering Ethan's office. He was sitting in front of his impressive desk, with his brows furrowed reading some papers. As soon as he raised his eyes and saw her, his face became more mellow, and a faint smile emerged on his lips.“Rachel,” he greeted. “Right on time. Let’s talk about the designs for the fashion walkway.”She settled into the chair opposite him, spreading out her sketches. “I was thinking of incorporating more vibrant colors—something bold, something that screams confidence.Ethan leaned closer, studying the sketches. “I like it. This could be the highlight of the event. By the way," he said, looking at her, "what about your business?Rachel smiled hesitantly. “It’s... going well. There are hiccups, but I’m managing.”Ethan could not answer, as Rachel's cell phone buzzed on the table. Picking the receiver up, her features blanched as she heard the person on the extension cord. “What? Are you serious? I’ll
Sophia POV:The morning sunshine streamed through the large windows of the cafe, bathing the table in a warm light. Sophia delicately sliced into her croissant, her movements precise and poised, while Michael sat across from her, stirring his coffee with a little too much force.Michael, Sophia said, her tone as soothing as honey, "I already have a guy in Ethan's company. That's just a matter of time," it is stated here.Michael paused, his spoon clinking against the porcelain cup. “Who?”Sophia smiled, taking a slow sip of her tea. “Mark. You remember him, don’t you? Ethan’s father’s little lapdog who couldn’t resist a good bribe?Michael sneered, grabbing the basket of loaves and pulling out a loaf. “I’m surprised he’s still useful. What’s his role in all this?”Sophia relaxed into her chair, relishing the strain she was creating. “He’s feeding me insider details. Their current designs they are developing, their future releases, and all of that. All we've gotta do is fall once, and
Sophia POV:The response of the sun beating down as Sophia stepped from her sleek black car was a click of her heels on the pavement at Mavericks & Co. headquarters as she readjusted her sunglasses, taking in the grandeur of the building before striding confidently inside, head held high.The receptionist hall was abuzz. Employees walked briskly, their murmurs culminating into a hum of corporate urgency. Sophia's gaze swept the room, resting on Rachel, who sat stiffly in one of the plush chairs near the receptionist's desk. A smirk curled at the corner of Sophia's lips as she neared her. "Well, well, look who we have here," she said with mock sweetness.Rachel looked up, her eyes narrowing. "Sophia.""What are you still doing here?" Sophia asked with mock concern as she leaned against the counter. "Haven't they shown you the exit yet?"Rachel set her jaw, willing herself to remain calm. "I'm here because Ethan asked me to be.Sophia let out a short, mocking laugh, drawing the attenti
Rachel POV: The early morning sun filtered through the windshield as Rachel drove the triplets to school. The rising hum of the car engine permeated the quiet, interspersed with the noises of maneuver, which led to the click of Damian's pen or flick of Daniella's tiny fingers made into the glass. The perceptive Dante slid forward in the backseat.“Mommy, why is that car following us? He asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.Rachel’s chest tightened as she glanced in the rearview mirror. The black car was still parked and keeping a fixed distance. It hadn’t overtaken her, despite her slowing down earlier to give it room.Could be that they're heading the same way," she spoke, keeping her voice cool, but she clenched the wheel in a death grip.Dante scoffed. Or they're watching us like in one of those detective films!“Don’t be silly, " Rachel replied, forcing a laugh, but her heart pounded harder with each passing moment.As soon as she got to the school's parking lot, she grabbed h
Rachel POV:The schoolyard was busy with the sounds of children's giggling, and adult voices calling out to their children as parents got their children out of the schoolyard and teachers directed the final cohort of students down the road to theirs. In this ordinary flurry, Rachel's heart beat wildly as she sprinted toward the administration building, the sound of her foot striking the road floor echoing the speed of her mind.She froze when she saw Ethan standing tall near the bench, Daniella nestled in his arms. Damian and Dante hovered close, their small hands gripping Ethan’s sleeves as if seeking his protection.“Why are you here?” Rachel asked out of breath, her gaze narrowing suspiciously as she walked up.Ethan’s calm gaze met hers. “The school called me. They said Daniella was sick.”Rachel’s eyes darted to the nanny, who looked nervous, her hands fidgeting. “Why would they call Ethan?” Rachel demanded.The nanny hesitated, casting a guilty glance at Daniella. “Well… Daniell
Rachel POV:The hospital corridor hummed with muted activity. Nurses stalked from room to room, beneath the quiet glide of their rubber-soled shoes over the gleaming surfaces. The hum sound of a monitor or avatar voice of a doctor filled the hall. Rachel braced herself against the chill wall outside the children’s room, battling for every ounce of strength. A faint odor of antiseptic filled the air, strong, clean.Her eyes moved to the pale blue door, shut behind which rested her three children, her whole universe. She had tucked them in moments ago, their small faces still flushed from the events of the day. Daniella’s fever had gone down, leaving her cheeks rosy and damp with sweat. Rachel had combed their hair, offered them soothing words, and kissed the top of their heads, before going out to take some fresh air.The cool air in the hallway wasn’t enough to calm her pounding heart. She looked around and saw that he was gone, where he had been only a moment before. Panic crept up h
Rachel POV:The doctor took a step into the room with a clipboard at his side, his smile friendly and soothing. They're okay," he said, looking at Rachel and Ethan. “You’re free to check out whenever you’re ready. I’ll leave these prescriptions for you.”Rachel sighed with relief, her shoulders finally relaxing. “Thank you, Doctor, " she said, taking the papers from him.Ethan nodded. “We appreciate it,” he added.As the doctor left, Rachel turned to Ethan. “I think it’s best to take them home. They’ll be more comfortable there, and I can get back to work.Ethan gave her an approving nod. “Makes sense. Let’s get them packed up. He scooped up Dante and Damian effortlessly, despite their half-hearted protests. “I can walk! Dante huffed, kicking his legs in mock defiance.Rachel chuckled as she carefully carried Daniella. You don't mind getting carried around as much as you act, Dante.Ethan grinned. “He’s enjoying the royal treatment.”When they arrived at the car, Rachel stopped and ob
Ethan came out of the car and into the large driveway of his father's home. The hot noon sun glinted off the perfectly smooth glass, the sharp images projected all around by the edges of the meticulously shaped hedges. He adjusted his suit jacket, his jaw tightening. Conversations with his father never left him unscathed.Inside, the air was heavy with the smell of old wood and leather. Ethan saw his father sitting in the study with a straightened body tense with power. A glass of brandy sat untouched on the mahogany desk beside a neatly folded newspaper.“We need to talk, his father said, his voice as sharp as the ticking of the ornate grandfather clock behind him.Ethan remained standing, his shoulders square. “What now?”“The Greenwoods want to meet. They're just desperate to get the wedding sorted out," his father chimed in, no room for disagreement. “You’ve wasted enough time.”Ethan clenched his fists at his sides. “Sophia and I had a misunderstanding. We’re trying to resolve it
"Emerald Designs: The Rising Star Threatening Mavericks & Co." His forehead creased and his jaw clenched. The article detailed how this new brand had taken social media by storm, challenging the long-held dominance of Mavericks &Co. in the fashion industry.He tipped his cup to the floor and coffee flowed from it onto the desk. He didn't even bother to call any help without wasting a second, he called Greg and summoned his core team for an urgent meeting.---The meeting room buzzed with tension. Mark, Ethan’s father’s long-time friend, sat with a smug expression, leaning back in his chair as though he already knew how the meeting would end. Danny, the publicist, did a restless tap on her laptop as Liam crossed his arms inside and an inky frown screwed itself on his face. Greg glanced at Ethan, waiting for him to speak.Ethan entered the room, his presence commanding attention. His tie was slightly loosened a sign of the stress weighing on him. He dropped the tablet displaying the Eme
Rachel walked back and forth in the living room, just after putting the children to sleep. Her arms crossed snugly around her breast, her mind buzzing with anger and hurt. Ethan sat on the edge of the couch, his elbows resting on his knees, staring at the floor. The tension in the air was suffocating, both of them unsure of how to start the conversation that hung heavily between them.Rachel finally broke the silence, her voice trembling but sharp. “Do you even realize what’s happening, Ethan? It’s because of you. You've dragged me into this mess and now everybody hates me. Hundreds of thousands of people who don't even know me are calling me names, criticizing me for something, calling me names and a husband snatcher”Ethan’s head snapped up, his eyes filled with guilt. “Rachel, I know you’re hurt. I’m trying to fix this—”“Fix this?” Rachel cut in, her voice becoming hoarse in a round of pain-struck gestures as her hands shot to her waist. “You can’t fix this, Ethan. This is Sophi
Lying on her velvet armchair, Sophia read a book when suddenly her door opened loudly. Of course, she did not flinch, because she knew how Michael would burst into her room. He entered furiously but at the same time looked puzzled; his dark eyebrows knitted, his lips pressed in a thin line."You knew!" Michael spat, slamming the door shut behind him. "You knew those kids weren't mine, and you didn't think it was worth telling me?"Sophia calmly set her book on the side table, crossing one leg over the other, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips as she regarded him with an air of superiority. "And ruin the fun of finding out yourself? Where is the excitement in that?" she said in a tone full of mockery.Michael's jaw clenched, his fists at his sides. He stormed over to the liquor cabinet, yanked the door open, and grabbed a bottle of whiskey. He poured himself a glass with shaking hands, spilling a few drops onto the glass table.I should have known this was your doing, he grumble
Ethan sat at his desk, fingers beating on the wood veneer in some rhythmic way. Outside the heavy wood doors of his office, there was a soft hum of activity, but he focused only on the glowing screen of his laptop as he went through the drafts of the official statement Danny had made, his eyebrows furrowed.Danny knocked first, then entered, clasping a clipboard tightly against her chest. "Sir, Greg said he has something going on tracing the videos back to their origin, but it's taking him longer than anticipated. He needs more resources in order to speed up the process."Ethan leaned back in his chair; the leather groaned a bit as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Give him everything he needs, Danny. This is priority one. I don't care about how much it's going to cost or how many people he's got to bring on board-just get it done.""Yes, sir," Danny said with a nod, jotting a quick note on her clipboard. "And about the statement you wanted to release regarding the videos?"Ethan st
Rachel sat at the dining table and watched as the children dug into their pancakes, syrup dripping down their little hands, their giggles filling the room like a soothing melody that momentarily quieted the storm raging in her mind. Events of the past days had shaken her, but it was moments like these that made her feel back on solid ground. She absent-mindedly scrolled through her phone with one hand and sipped her coffee with the other, hoping to be distracted.Then she saw it-a headline with her name. Her heart dropped. Her fingers froze mid-scroll before she gained the courage to tap the link. Much to her surprise, the page came up blank. She refreshed it once, then twice. A wave of relief washed over her when she realized the content had been removed, no doubt due to Ethan's work. She inhaled deeply, but the weight in her chest didn't completely lift.Mom," Daniella's tiny voice broke into her thoughts, tugging at her sleeve. Rachel looked up at her daughter, who stared at her w
Ethan sat opposite the lead investigator at the police station. His fingers tapped impatiently on the edge of the desk, while his face screwed tightly, his jaw clenched down, and a thin furrow set between his eyebrows. A fact that Ethan had hardly slept well for days was aptly reflected in the dark circles hanging like bruises beneath his eyes."Mr. Carter," the officer started, his voice even but threaded with frustration, "we questioned every single protester. None of them met anyone directly. All they got were private messages-anonymous, untraceable."Ethan's eyebrows shot upwards while his lips pursed into a thin line. "Anonymous?" he repeated, his voice sharp. "You are telling me that somebody out there is running this whole mayhem from behind the scenes and you can't tell who?" The officer leaned back in his chair with steepled fingers. "Whoever is behind this knows what they are doing, and they covered their tracks well.Ethan blew heavily and massaged his temples. His face r
Above, fluorescent lights hummed softly above the police station-a very soft hum that did nothing to drown out the tension in the room. Ethan sat forward on the chair, his jaw clenched, his fingers tapping impatiently on the cold metal armrest. Across the table, a knot of protesters slumped, bravado drained from earlier posturing. They shifted under the officers' sharp gazes, their guilt across slouched postures and darting eyes.Ethan leaned forward, his dark eyes boring into them. "Who put you up to this?" he demanded, his voice low and steady, laced with steel.The protesters shifted uneasily, eyes darting about, their feet scuffling the tiled floor. Finally, one of them spoke-a young man with a scraggly beard-his voice quavering. "We don't know who it was. Somebody sent us money. Told us to, uh. show up and, you know, cause a scene."Ethan's brow furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line. "And you didn't think to question it?" he snapped, frustration bubbling over. “You didn't
Rachel adjusted her blazer, the fingers trembling, as she stepped out of the cab. The soft click of her heels against the pavement was drowned by the chaos ahead: the normal entry building of her company now was a battleground. Protesters crowded the front entrance, their faces twisted in anger. Chants echoed through the street, accompanied by the sound of eggs splattering against the glass doors. Rachel froze for one second, her heart sinking as it finally registered. Her shoulders stiffened, but she forced herself to take a steady breath. “ You built this company from nothing,she reminded herself”. “You’re not going to let it crumble now.” Keeping her head low, she circled to the back entrance, her steps quick and purposeful. Her chest tightened with each step, the echoes of the protesters’ angry cries trailing behind her. As she slid into the building, the usual warmth of her office felt eerily cold. Donna, her secretary, was waiting at her door. Her face was white and her
Morning sun poured in through the windshield through the driver's side at times from the windshield when Rachel steered the car onto the street. They were in the back of the car and their discussions filled the car. Rachel smiled softly, glancing at them through the rearview mirror. Her chest filled with love, while listening to the song, as Daniella hummed, while Damian and Dante shared a secret in hushed tones.“Mummy, our class teacher told us that we are going to have parents day in school soon" Dante tells her after gossiping with his brother.“Really!" Rachel smiled as she stared at them through the mirror.“Yes" the voice of Damian filled the car with his joyful tone. “So you want me to come?" She asked them “Yes mama" Damian shouted.“Alright, don't strain yourself Damian" she said softly as he settled down quietly.When they got close to the school, Rachel observed a black SUV in close shadow behind her. She frowned, checking her rearview mirror again. Soon, another car joi