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Chapter 65
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2025-01-30 04:26:22
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THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 66
**The War for Napa**The Cain Vineyard’s expansion into Napa had started as a vision—one of growth, innovation, and a lasting legacy. But the moment Daniel Cain stepped foot into Napa, it had become a battlefield.Vincent Moreau had tried everything to force Daniel out—blocking suppliers, manipulating the regulatory board, and even sabotaging their irrigation system. But when Daniel refused to sell his land, Moreau escalated the war.Now, there was no turning back.This was about power, legacy, and control.And Daniel was done playing defense.A Vineyard on EdgeThe damage to the irrigation system had been extensive. Workers spent days trying to salvage what they could, but there was no denying the losses.Mark Holloway, their lead viticulturist, shook his head. “We’ve stabilized most of the water flow, but we lost nearly ten percent of our crop.”Daniel’s jaw tightened. He looked over the rows of vines, some still struggling from the overwatering caused by the sabotage.Isabella, sta
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-30THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 66
** The Reckoning**The war for Napa wasn’t over.Vincent Moreau had played every card in his deck—sabotage, legal battles, supply chain interference—but Daniel Cain had countered each move, forcing Moreau into a public sustainability partnership that stripped him of his power plays.The Napa Valley press had framed it as a win-win, but behind the headlines, both men knew the truth—Moreau had been outmaneuvered.And he hated losing.The Calm Before the StormDaniel stood on the balcony of the Cain Vineyards estate, overlooking the vineyard as the sun set. The land stretched endlessly before him, his land, where the first Napa-grown Cain grapes were flourishing.Isabella joined him, holding two glasses of wine. “You should be celebrating,” she said, handing him a glass. “You won.”Daniel swirled the deep red liquid, watching the way it clung to the glass. “It doesn’t feel like a win yet.”She sighed. “Because you know Moreau isn’t done.”He nodded. “He’s too proud. Too powerful. And too
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-30THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 68
**The Final Strike** Daniel Cain had fought battles before, but this was the first time he bled for one. Moreau had crossed a new line. The attack outside the Belmont Club had been a message—leave Napa, or suffer the consequences. But Daniel wasn’t leaving. And now, Moreau was about to learn what happened when you tried to break a Cain. A Family’s Rage Back at the Cain estate, Isabella’s eyes burned with fury as she looked at the bloodstain on Daniel’s ripped shirt. “This isn’t just business anymore,” she snapped. “He sent people to hurt you.” Daniel winced as Lisa Bennett cleaned the wound on his ribs. “I noticed.” Joseph Alvarez paced the room. “We should report this. Press charges.” Daniel shook his head. “We don’t have proof. And Moreau won’t get his hands dirty—whoever did this won’t lead back to him.” Isabella clenched her fists. “Then we hit him where it hurts.” Daniel met her gaze. “That’s exactly what we’re going to do.” The Plan Moreau had always played his car
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-31THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 69
Between Love and Legacy The war for Napa was over. Cain Vineyards had not only survived but emerged stronger than ever, its name now synonymous with innovation and resilience. The scandal that had toppled Vincent Moreau had sent ripples through the industry, leaving Daniel Cain standing as one of the most influential winemakers in Napa. But victory came at a cost. As Daniel walked through the vineyard under the soft glow of lanterns from the harvest celebration, his mind wasn’t on business. It was on her. Eleanor Moreau. The woman he should have never trusted. The woman he should have never wanted. But as she stood beneath the ancient oak tree, looking at him with uncertainty and something deeper, Daniel knew he was in danger of losing himself completely. A Tension That Wouldn’t Break “You should be at the celebration,” Daniel said, watching as Eleanor traced a hand along the rough bark of the oak tree. She turned slightly, her blue eyes unreadable. “And you should probab
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-31THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 70
**The Gravity of Desire**Eleanor Moreau wasn’t supposed to be in his life.Not like this.Not in a way that kept him awake at night, thinking about the taste of her lips and the way she had looked at him beneath the vineyard lights.Not in a way that made him wonder if, for the first time in his life, winning wasn’t enough.Daniel Cain had built his legacy on control.But Eleanor? She was the one thing he couldn’t control.And it was driving him insane.A Dangerous GameTwo weeks had passed since that night beneath the oak tree.Two weeks since she had kissed him—since she had let herself want him, just for a moment—and then walked away like it had meant nothing.Daniel had told himself he’d let her go.But that was a lie.Because the moment he saw Eleanor again, standing in the lobby of a Napa Valley investor gala, wearing a sleek black dress that hugged her body in ways that should have been illegal, Daniel knew two things.He was not over her.He was done pretending.Their eyes me
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-01THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 71
The Taste of SecretsThe morning after should have been the end.A night of weakness, a moment of surrender—one they could both walk away from, pretend it had never happened.But as Daniel Cain watched Eleanor Moreau stretch beneath the soft golden sunlight, her bare skin tangled in the hotel sheets, he knew the truth.There was no forgetting this.There was no walking away.And maybe… neither of them wanted to.Reality Comes KnockingEleanor exhaled, running a hand through her tousled hair as she sat up, the sheet clinging to her bare shoulders."This was supposed to be a mistake," she murmured, more to herself than to him.Daniel leaned back against the pillows, smirking. "Then why does it feel like the most right thing I’ve done in a long time?"She turned to him, eyes sharp. "Because we’re not thinking clearly.""Or maybe," he countered, reaching out to trace a finger down her spine, "we’re finally thinking clearly for the first time."Her breath hitched, but before she could resp
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-01THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 72
Chapter 72: The Risk of FallingSecrets had a way of growing.What had started as a reckless, forbidden night between Eleanor Moreau and Daniel Cain had turned into something deeper, more dangerous.Their secret meetings had become a routine, their stolen moments hidden in the shadows of the vineyard, in the back rooms of Napa’s finest hotels, in whispered phone calls when no one else was listening.But the longer they played this game, the greater the risk.Because someone was bound to find out.And when they did, everything would explode.A Hidden AffairEleanor had always been careful.She kept her emotions locked away, her desires buried beneath responsibility and expectation.But Daniel Cain was breaking down every wall she had ever built.She knew this wasn’t just physical.It was consuming.And that scared her more than anything.The Thin Line Between Love and WarIt was past midnight when Eleanor slipped into Daniel’s private office at Cain Vineyards.She had barely closed the
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-03THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 73
**The Edge of Exposure **Secrets could only stay buried for so long.Eleanor Moreau and Daniel Cain had spent weeks playing a dangerous game, slipping between shadows, stealing moments behind closed doors, pretending that what they had was just a secret affair and nothing more.But the truth was simple—this wasn’t casual anymore.This was real.And now, it was about to explode in their faces.A Slow-Burning FireEleanor sat at a candlelit dinner with her family, but her mind was elsewhere.Her mother had been watching her too closely all evening, her father unusually quiet, his gaze unreadable.They knew something.Or at least, they suspected.She forced herself to sip her wine, to act normal, but her fingers trembled slightly against the stem of the glass.Her mother set her fork down, dabbing at her lips with a linen napkin before speaking. “Eleanor, dear… I ran into Lisa Bennett today.”Eleanor’s stomach dropped.Daniel’s legal advisor.Her mother’s expression remained composed,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-03
Bab terbaru
THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 162
** A New Dawn**The sun rose slowly over the horizon, casting golden rays through the sheer curtains of the villa’s bedroom. The morning light touched everything with a softness that made the world feel gentler than it had the night before. Sienna stirred beneath the covers, her body curled on her side as she slowly blinked awake.She wasn’t alone.Ethan lay beside her, still asleep, his breathing deep and steady. One arm was slung loosely across her waist, grounding her in a way that felt both foreign and familiar. Sienna’s eyes lingered on his face, taking in the relaxed lines, the gentle curve of his mouth. There was no tension there now—only peace.For a moment, she didn’t move. She just watched him, allowing herself to memorize every detail.This wasn’t a dream.Last night hadn’t been a dream.They hadn’t made promises they couldn’t keep, hadn’t rushed back into the chaos of what once was. Instead, they had taken a breath—together. A moment of vulnerability. Of truth. Of stillnes
THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 161
**A New Dawn**The villa was quieter now, the echoes of the past few hours settling into the walls like whispers. Sienna stood by the balcony, the ocean breeze caressing her skin as she watched the waves roll endlessly into the shore. The night was thick with emotions—memories rekindled, wounds reopened, and a hesitant hope blooming in the space between her and Ethan.She turned slightly at the sound of footsteps behind her. Ethan, now barefoot, moved with a kind of ease that both comforted and unnerved her. He had always been like that—steady and unshaken, even in the face of uncertainty. But tonight, there was something different in his eyes. Not just longing, not just patience, but an unwavering determination.“I was thinking about our first trip to Italy,” he said, stepping up beside her.She smiled, though it was tinged with nostalgia. “The one where you got us lost in Venice?”Ethan chuckled. “I prefer to think of it as an adventure.”“You refused to ask for directions,” she rem
THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 160
**Beneath the Moonlit Sky**The soft sand crunched beneath their feet as Sienna and Ethan walked along the shore, the waves licking at their toes. The night was calm, the sky a vast canvas of stars, and the only sound was the distant hum of the ocean. A gentle breeze carried the scent of salt and something faintly floral, a reminder of the tropical paradise surrounding them.Sienna stole a glance at Ethan. He looked relaxed, his face illuminated by the moon’s glow, a quiet serenity settling over his features. It was a stark contrast to the man she had once known—the one always running, always searching for something beyond his reach.“Do you ever regret it?” she asked suddenly, breaking the silence. “Walking away?”Ethan’s steps slowed, his hand tightening around hers for just a moment before he stopped altogether. He turned to face her, his blue eyes full of something she couldn’t quite place.“I regret hurting you,” he admitted. “I regret the way I handled things. But walking away?
THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 159
**A Night of Unspoken Promises** The air between them carried an unspoken weight, a fragile balance between past wounds and the lingering hope of something new. Sienna stood on the balcony, her hands gripping the cool iron railing as she stared out at the endless stretch of ocean. The waves crashed below, whispering secrets only the night could understand. Ethan had finished cleaning up inside. He stepped onto the balcony and leaned against the railing beside her, his presence grounding yet uncertain. They had spent the evening dancing around the past, acknowledging the pain but not quite sure how to move forward. Now, the silence between them was no longer uncomfortable; it was filled with something deeper. “You’re lost in thought again,” Ethan observed, his voice gentle. Sienna let out a quiet laugh. “It’s a habit.” “Maybe it’s time to break it.” She turned to him, studying his profile in the moonlight. His jawline was strong, his eyes searching, filled with something she coul
THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 158
**A Night of Unspoken Promises**The night stretched on, filled with unspoken emotions and lingering touches. Sienna lay beside Ethan, her gaze tracing the moonlit patterns on the ceiling. The sound of the waves outside was steady, rhythmic—an unchanging force in a world where everything else felt uncertain.Ethan lay on his side, watching her, his fingers gently tracing circles on the back of her hand. "You’re still thinking too much."She let out a soft chuckle. "I thought you liked that about me."He smiled. "I do. But not when it keeps you from enjoying the moment."Sienna turned her head to meet his gaze. "This... us. It’s not easy, Ethan."His expression softened. "I know." He squeezed her hand. "But I also know we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t worth it."She swallowed, emotions threatening to overwhelm her. How had they ended up here? After all the years of distance, the pain, the heartbreak—how had they found their way back?Ethan brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Tell
THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 157
**A Step Closer**Sienna and Ethan stood on the balcony, the night air cool against their skin. The waves crashed below, a rhythmic symphony that matched the unsteady beat of Sienna’s heart. She had spent so long running from this—running from him—but here they were, standing together under the stars.The moment stretched between them, delicate and uncertain. Ethan’s fingers brushed against hers, the smallest of touches, but it sent a shiver up her spine. He had always been able to unravel her with the simplest of gestures.“I meant what I said,” he murmured, his voice barely louder than the wind. “I’ll wait for as long as you need, Sienna.”She swallowed hard, her gaze dropping to where their hands rested on the railing. “And what if I never figure it out?” she whispered. “What if I can’t let go of the past?”Ethan exhaled softly, stepping just a fraction closer. “Then I’ll still be here.”The sincerity in his voice made her chest tighten. It would be so easy to believe him, to let h
THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 156
** Waiting for Tomorrow** Sienna leaned against the balcony railing, the cool night air brushing against her skin as she watched the waves crash against the shore. The rhythmic sound was soothing, a steady beat against the uncertainty still lingering in her heart. Inside, she could hear Ethan moving around, cleaning up the remnants of their dinner. She should have insisted on helping, but a part of her knew this was his way of showing he was here—that he wasn’t running from the difficult conversations anymore. She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly. This night had gone differently than she had expected. She had braced herself for tension, for awkward silences, for another moment where they tiptoed around the truth. But Ethan had surprised her. He hadn’t pushed. He hadn’t demanded anything. He had simply been there, patient and unwavering. The sound of footsteps behind her made her open her eyes. She turned slightly as Ethan stepped onto the balcony, hands tucked into his pockets.
THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 155
**A Dance with the Past**The night stretched endlessly, the quiet hum of the ocean a soothing melody beneath the stars. Sienna remained on the balcony, her fingers tracing idle patterns along the cool stone railing as she watched the moonlight shimmer over the waves.Inside, she could hear Ethan moving about, the soft clink of dishes and running water as he cleaned up their forgotten dinner. A small smile played on her lips at the thought—Ethan, ever persistent, ever patient.She exhaled slowly, her thoughts tangled between the past and the present. Tonight had been a step forward, a moment carved out of time where she allowed herself to just be—to feel, without the weight of everything that had come before. But could she trust it? Could she trust him?Ethan’s words echoed in her mind. I won’t walk away this time.She wanted to believe that more than anything.The balcony doors opened with a soft creak, and she turned just as Ethan stepped out, a fresh glass of wine in his hand. He h
THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 154
**A New Beginning**The night deepened, the soft hum of the ocean filling the quiet villa. Outside, the moon cast silver streaks across the water, shimmering like scattered diamonds. The air was thick with unspoken emotions, lingering between Sienna and Ethan like the last traces of a fading storm.They had spoken of the past, of regrets, of the time they had lost. But now, as the dinner plates sat forgotten on the table and their wine glasses remained half-full, the real question hung between them—what came next?Ethan leaned back in his chair, watching her. “You’re thinking too hard.”Sienna let out a small huff of laughter, running a finger along the rim of her glass. “Can you blame me?”“No,” he admitted. “But you don’t have to overanalyze everything tonight. Let yourself breathe, Sienna.”She looked up at him, her heart squeezing at the tenderness in his voice. “That’s easier said than done.”Ethan reached for her hand again, his grip warm and firm. “Then let’s make it easier. No
