Mia paused, her gaze still fixed on Zac, uncertain whether to believe him. Then, out of nowhere, Zac’s expression shifted. His lips twitched before he burst into laughter. “You should see the look on your face,” Zac said, his voice light and amused. Mia blinked, her mouth slightly open. “That’s… not funny, sir,” she replied, shaking her head, though a hint of a smile crept onto her lips. Zac chuckled and pulled a second key from his pocket. “Relax. I was just kidding.” She exhaled sharply, finally allowing herself to smile. “What a bad joke,” she muttered. Zac grinned, unfazed, as the hotel porters approached with their luggage. They moved efficiently, unloading the bags and arranging everything for their respective suites. When the porter led Mia to her room, she followed with curious anticipation. Zac's suite was certainly luxurious, the finest that the hotel could provide. However, when she entered her own room, she was astonished. The suite was much more lavish than she ha
Back in New York, Charles Cornell sat in the living room, staring at the blank wall. A cup of green tea sat on a table, cold and forgotten. The room was eerily quiet, save for the soft ticking of the clock. His face was stoic, but his mind churned with relentless thoughts that never reached his expression. The door creaked open, and Seth stepped inside. His gaze swept the room before settling on his father. A sly smile tugged at the corners of his lips. “Father,” Seth said, breaking the silence with a mockingly casual tone. “Don’t tell me you’re still dwelling on Zac’s cheating scandal.” The old man didn’t turn, his gaze fixed on the wall. “I still can’t believe it,” he muttered. “We need to clear this up immediately. How can Zac be so careless about something this important?” Seth poured himself a glass of whiskey, taking his time. “Careless?” he echoed, his tone sharp with sarcasm. “Father, that’s an understatement. I warned you. Zac’s not ready. He hasn’t even taken over the
The return flight to New York was silent—nearly too silent. Zac sat across from Mia in the plush leather seat of the private jet, his focus entirely on the iPad he was holding. The low hum of the engines filled the space, yet Mia’s racing thoughts overshadowed it. She kept stealing glances at Zac, observing his clenched jaw and unreadable expression. He didn’t seem upset, but he also wasn’t acting like himself. The flight should have been relaxing—luxurious, even—but it wasn’t. Something had shifted. The warmth they once shared had vanished, replaced by a distance Mia couldn’t bridge. Yes, Zac had every reason to suspect her, but he was wrong. She knew the truth, but proving it to him before it was too late felt impossible. As the plane landed, the car pulled up near the jet. Mia stepped out, trailing behind Zac as they approached the sleek black vehicle waiting to take them back to the city. The heavy silence lingered until Zac came to a sudden halt. Mia stopped a step behind
“It’s not over yet,” he added, leaning back against his desk, watching her like a predator sizing its prey. Mia froze, her chest tightening. “What?” she asked, disbelief heavy in her voice. “I’ve done everything you’ve asked, what more do you want?” “You’re not done until I say so,” Xiang replied coldly. “And you’re not leaving this city until I’m satisfied.” Her voice rose, barely masking the tremor beneath. “What do you mean? I’ve worked my ass off for over four years. In a month, it’ll be five. You promised—” “I promised nothing,” he cut her off, stepping closer. “This is business, Mia. Promises are meaningless. The numbers are what matters.” Her hands balled into fists. “That last job—didn’t you get paid? I’ve covered my part!” His smirk vanished, replaced by a cold glare. “And do you think your part even scratches the surface of what you owe? The costs of running this operation—logistics, training, cleaning up your messes—do you think any of that comes for free?”
The moment Zac arrived from France, he didn’t bother stopping by his home or office. Instead, he headed straight to his grandfather’s mansion. The old man had been relentless, sending message after message, each one more urgent than the last. Zac could already guess why. His grandfather must have seen the headlines, heard the rumors swirling around. Of course, he would want an explanation. When Zac stepped into the mansion, the air felt heavy, almost suffocating. The grand living room, with its dark wooden furniture and gold-accented decor, carried an oppressive weight. Taking a seat on the soft leather couch, he found himself face-to-face with the man who had built their empire. His grandfather’s sharp gaze cut through the silence, the kind of look that made Zac feel like a teenager caught in a lie. “Who is she, Zac?” Charles’s voice was calm but carried an edge of authority that demanded an immediate answer. Zac exhaled, resting his elbows on his knees as he rubbed his palms t
“What’s expected of me as your… wife? That’s if I agree to this,” Mia asked, folding her arms and narrowing her eyes at Zac. “Nothing much,” Zac said casually, leaning back in his seat. “You’d basically need to show up at a few events. For now, meet my family, and then we’ll get married in court. It’ll be simple—just a small, quick process.” “Like, just sign the papers?” Mia raised an eyebrow. “And after that?” “Yes,” Zac responded smoothly, as if it was the easiest thing in the world. “Once the marriage is registered, we make a few public appearances together, smile for the cameras, and that’s it.” Zac sat up straighter. “Oh, and we would also need to live together as a couple.” “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Mia exclaimed, her hand gesturing in front of her. “Wait a minute.” A moment ago, you were practically accusing me of leaking those photos, and now you’re totally comfortable marrying me? Even if it’s just a contract?” Zac's demeanor eased, and for the first time in a long while, he
When Mia arrived back at the apartment, the entire space was eerily quiet. She made her way to Samantha’s room, where the rhythmic clanking of a keyboard broke the silence. Samantha was seated at her desk, her sharp focus on the glowing screen as lines of code scrolled rapidly. A series of tabs and tools cluttered her workspace—debugging programs, encryption tools, and a web page she seemed to be building from scratch. Mia sighed, dropping onto the edge of Samantha’s bed. She leaned back slightly, rubbing her temples as the weight of the day bore down on her. She had just finished explaining everything that happened at the office—Zac’s unexpected offer, the details of the arrangement, and how surreal it all felt. Samantha paused her work, taking her focus off the screen. She turned her chair toward Mia, raising a brow as a small smirk played on her lips. “So… what’s stopping you from saying yes?” “Everything,” Mia frowned, crossing her arms. “The fact that this whole thing is s
The plan had been set in motion long before Mia stepped into Xiang’s warehouse. The moment the driver arrived, she was taken to a secret location, just as Zac had arranged. It was a quiet, dimly lit space, hidden away from prying eyes. There, she changed into more practical clothing, which was reinforced with a discreet bullet-proof vest. A small mic was carefully positioned under her collar, ensuring every word spoken that night would be recorded. Unknown to Xiang, everything had been prepared—every move calculated. As Mia was getting ready at the secret base, Zac had already taken precautions. Samantha was in on the plan, and his men had safely relocated her and their mother to a secure apartment. By the time she was ready, her family was already out of danger. Now, with the stage set, she had walked into the lion’s den—confident, prepared. Outside Xiang’s warehouse, his men lurked in the shadows, standing guard. They were unaware of the silent takedown unfolding around the
The night of the product launch had finally come. Zac adjusted the lapels of his black tuxedo, the refined fabric sitting perfectly against his well-sculpted body. Every one of his tuxedos had a slightly different edge to it—similar in style, but never identical. He stood beside the Rolls-Royce Phantom, checking his watch. Any other night, his focus would be on the event—on the press, the investors, or his competitors. But not tonight. Not when he was waiting for her. And then Mia’s door creaked open. She came out of the house dressed to kill. Her outfit had been chosen days in advance, planned to the last detail. When Zac saw her, he suddenly forgot how to breathe. She wore a white, form-fitting gown, its smooth fabric hugging her in all the right places. Her brown hair was styled in a classy updo, revealing a generous amount of skin on her neckline. A single diamond earring caught the light, and her bold red lipstick—God help her—was perfect. So flawless that it felt almost ille
The weight of victory should have felt heavier in Angelo’s hands, but as he stepped out of the courthouse, the air around him felt strange—hollow, even. He had won. The court had ruled in his favor. His father’s empire was his. Yet, the moment his foot hit the pavement, he saw them waiting—his stepbrothers. Max, the eldest, stood at the forefront, arms crossed, his smirk barely concealed. Beside him, Romeo, the younger one, held a folder. Angelo barely had time to process the shift in energy before Max spoke. “Little brother,” he called, his tone amused. “Congratulations.” Angelo kept his face neutral, but his fingers twitched as they approached him. “This…” Max gestured lazily to the courthouse. “—is far from over.” Angelo took a breath, already exhausted. “I don’t want us to keep fighting. We can fix this—we’re family. We can make this work.” Max chuckled, shaking his head. “Family,” he repeated, dragging out the word like it amused him. “That’s rich—coming from a bastard
A few nights ago, just after Mia dropped Zac off at his condo after his birthday hangout, he stood still for a moment, watching as her car disappeared down the garage ramp. His mind was still half in the night—Mia's laughter, the chemistry between them—when the sharp click of heels echoed against the interlocked grounds.Then, in a flash, he turned.He saw Bella walking toward him as if she was on a catwalk, dressed in a fitted beige coat, knee-high boots, her usual confidence masking her expression.Her red-lipped smirk was the same as ever—sharp and tempting.“Hey, Zac,” Bella tilted her head slightly.Zac clenched his teeth. He was not in the mood for this.“What are you doing here?” His voice was low, his tone cold.Bella’s eyes crawled over him in slow motion, from the black jeans to the fitted t-shirt and sneakers. Her smirk faded just a little. “So, this is how you dress now?” She made a small, dismissive gesture. “Not bad, though.”Zac crossed his arms, already irritable. "Wha
Samantha cleared her throat, shifting to sit up properly. “Despite how this looks, the angle made it even worse.” Mia slowly exhaled, pressing her lips together. The photo was perfectly framed to spark rumors—Zac, leaning casually in his car park, Bella standing way too close, her hand resting on his chest. And then that smile. Not his usual charming, easygoing one, but just enough to stir unnecessary drama. Samantha nudged her gently. “So… are you going to ask him about it?” Mia shook her head, locking her phone and tossed it onto the couch. “Nope.” Sam blinked. “Why?” “Why should I?” Mia shrugged and got up. “Less than an hour ago, we were together and the next minute, he’s out there bonding with his ex.” Sam gave her a long, skeptical look. “Mia. Are you for real?” Mia turned with a blank expression. Samantha grinned. "You sound jealous or something." Mia raised an eyebrow and headed to the kitchen. "Me… nah." “Oh, you so are,” Samantha countered. “I am not,” Mia shot bac
“Hide your face all you want, but I can never forget the way you walk.”Derrick's gaze narrowed on her. His smile was thin, but his eyes burned with something mischievous.“Or the scent of your skin," he went on, moving closer."What do you want, Derrick?" Mia tightened her jaw. Her tone was even, but rage burned just below the surface.He took another step forward, tilting his head like he was amused. “Easy, baby. No need to get feisty.”“Don’t fucking call me that.” Her fingers curled into fists. “I don’t owe you anything. I’ve paid all my debts. So why are you here?”“I know. I’m not here for that.” His eyes swept over her outfit, taking in the way she carried herself—poised, classy, nothing like the Mia he once knew. A quiet laugh escaped him, shaking his head. “I just didn’t expect this.”Her frown deepened. “Expect what?”He gestured his hand vaguely. “You. Dating your boss.” His voice dipped into something taunting. “I thought you had more self-respect than that.”Heat flared u
Mia stood in front of the mirror, swiping a layer of gloss over her lips, when Samantha’s voice disrupted the silence.“So, let me get this straight.” Samantha leaned against the doorframe, “You say you’re being nice—because he needs emotional support, right?” Her brows lifted. “Yes?” Mia turned to meet her gaze.“Hmm… even after you woke up in his bed.”Mia sighed, pressing her lips together to even out the gloss. “And that was all. What’s there to lie about?”Samantha’s grin widened. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you’re actually getting all dressed up for him at this time of the evening?” She checked her wristwatch. “Or should I just say goodnight now?”Mia rolled her eyes. “It’s just 6PM, Sam. I’ll be back.”“Uh-huh.” Samantha tilted her head. “That’s what you said yesterday, and guess where you woke up?”Mia picked up her purse, shaking her head. “It won't take long. I promise.”Samantha smirked. “Exactly, your famous last words.”Mia ignored her, and slipped out the door bef
Mia froze. Did Zac really mean that? Or was he just sleep-talking? For a moment, she let herself believe it was harmless—just a brief moment of comfort. Nothing more. “Okay,” she whispered, allowing herself to sink deeper into his embrace instead of pulling away. And the night passed in silence. ******** The next time Mia opened her eyes, the room was brighter. Not from sunlight—just the soft glow of morning creeping through the curtains. She inhaled sharply, and turned—but Zac wasn’t there. Alone in bed, she sighed, pushing her hair back. She reached for her phone on the nightstand—it was only 6:12 a.m. The sky was still a dull gray, the sun yet to rise. Groggy, she mumbled, “Jeez…” and pushed the duvet off. She was still in the same clothes from the night before. She was about to head to the guest room when a familiar smell made her stop. Something was cooking. Her eyes landed on Zac in the kitchen. He stood by the counter, dressed in a different outfit from last night
Mia arrived at Zac’s condo, not waiting even a moment before leaving the car. She did not need approval for entry—she’d been here before, and beyond this, she was his fiancée. She could not be denied entry by anybody, not even the bodyguards who had been instructed not to disturb him. They only exchanged knowing glances as she passed by. Her pulse pounded against the side of her head when she stepped into the hallway. She headed for his door and punched the password into the security panel. “Zac?” she called, pushing the door open, but no one responded. The living room carried the remnants of his presence—a bottle of whiskey lying open on the table, the glass next to it only halfway filled. She moved farther, into the dining room, where a food tray rested untouched, gone cold. A frown curled over her brows. He hadn’t been here long. Or maybe he’d gone back to his penthouse? Just as she was about to check his bedroom, the sound of a soft cough reached her ears. She turned ar
“Good morning, Grandpa.” Mia stood the moment Charles Cornell stepped onto the terrace. His face was bright, as though he’d been up for hours. He was simply dressed in straight pants and a button-down shirt, with his sleeves neatly folded to his elbows. “Oh, Mia, please, sit,” he said, motioning toward the chair beside him. “Come inside, or are you comfortable out here?” “This is fine,” she assured him. “Actually, this is my favorite spot.” Charles sat with a satisfied nod. “How long have you been waiting?” “Not too long,” Mia said lightly. The Chief of Staff, standing nearby, bowed slightly. “She has actually been here for over an hour, sir. She was standing by the gate.” Charles’s expression shifted instantly. “What?” His voice carried a quiet authority. “And they didn’t let her in?” “They were just doing their job,” Mia interjected quickly. “It was an innocent mistake.” Charles exhaled through his mouth. “Who was on duty?” He turned to the Chief of Staff. “How could they