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
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. "
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
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
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