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Chapter 97
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2025-02-18 02:37:59
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THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 98
** The War Escalates**Cain Vineyards Global Headquarters – New York CityLeo Cain Jr. sat at the head of the long, sleek conference table, his green eyes scanning the room filled with his top executives. The tension in the air was thick—everyone knew Isabella had struck hard.Nathan Sinclair, standing beside him, placed a folder on the table.“Élan Imports is on the verge of signing with Isabella. She’s offering them a controlling stake in a new luxury wine distribution company—one that would replace Cain Vineyards in key European markets.”Leo remained calm, but beneath the surface, a storm was brewing."How long until they finalize the deal?"Nathan hesitated. “A week—maybe less.”Leo smirked. “Then we have time to kill it.”The executives watched as their CEO leaned back, contemplating his next move.Leo never panicked. He never reacted.He attacked.Paris, France – Devereaux ChâteauIsabella Devereaux stood in her private study, the Paris skyline glittering behind her.Ethan Grey
Last Updated : 2025-02-19THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 99
**The Breaking Point**Cain Vineyards Global Headquarters – New York CityLeo Cain Jr. stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows in his office, looking down at the city lights of Manhattan. His phone sat on his desk, the last message from Isabella Devereaux still on the screen.Isabella: Well played, Cain. But don’t get too comfortable.Leo smirked, picking up his glass of Cain Reserve 2001 and taking a slow sip.She wanted a war.Now, she was about to see what it meant to go against a Cain.Nathan Sinclair entered the office, looking serious. “She’s not slowing down, Leo.” He placed a file on the desk.Leo remained unbothered. “Of course she isn’t.”Nathan opened the file, flipping through financial reports, media responses, and internal communications.“She’s targeting our supply chain now—starting with our European routes. Several of our key partners in Bordeaux and Tuscany are considering her offers.”Leo finally turned, setting his drink down. “Which ones?”Nathan hesitated.
Last Updated : 2025-02-19THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 100
**When the Past Comes Knocking**Cain Vineyards Global Headquarters – New York CityLeo Cain Jr. had weathered storms, crushed his enemies, and built an empire.But this?This was a different kind of war—one that struck at the heart of his legacy.Nathan Sinclair strode into the office, his expression grim. “Leo, we have a problem.”Leo tossed the gold fountain pen onto his desk, leaning back in his chair. “Let me guess. Isabella?”Nathan nodded, sliding a file across the mahogany surface.Leo flipped it open. His eyes darkened.Vivienne Cain is selling her shares.His mother.His own mother.“She wouldn’t,” he muttered.“She would,” Nathan countered. “Isabella made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. And now?” He exhaled. “If she signs, Isabella will have controlling interest in Devereaux Holdings.”Leo clenched his jaw.The woman who once stood beside him was now tearing down everything he had built.Nathan hesitated. “What do you want to do?”Leo’s lips curled into a dangerous smirk.
Last Updated : 2025-02-20THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 101
** A Reckoning in Paris**Private Jet – En Route to ParisLeo Cain Jr. sat in his private jet, a glass of Cain Reserve 2001 in his hand, but for the first time in a long time, he wasn’t savoring it.His thoughts were elsewhere.On Isabella.On the past.On what he had done.Vivienne’s words echoed in his mind."You broke something in her, Leo. And now? She’s breaking you."Leo closed his eyes briefly, exhaling sharply.This war had never just been about business.And now?It was time to end it.Paris, France – Devereaux ChâteauIsabella Devereaux stood on her balcony, the Paris skyline glittering in the distance.Ethan Grey, her most trusted strategist, approached her. “Leo landed an hour ago.”She smirked, swirling her glass of Bordeaux. “Of course he did.”Ethan hesitated. “Isabella… are you sure about this? You could still walk away.”She turned, her emerald-green eyes sharp. “Walk away? From Leo Cain? No, Ethan.”She set her glass down.“This is what I’ve been waiting for.”The Co
Last Updated : 2025-02-20THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 102
**Love and War**Paris, France – Devereaux ChâteauLeo Cain Jr. had spent his entire life winning battles.But standing in the courtyard of Devereaux Château, staring into Isabella’s emerald-green eyes, he knew—This wasn’t a battle he could win with strategy alone.This was personal.This was her.And that made it dangerous.Isabella’s last words still rang in his ears.“You want me, Leo? Then fight for me.”A challenge.A dare.Something between them had always been electric—a force neither of them could control.But Leo wasn’t a man who let emotions dictate his actions.So instead of answering, he closed the distance between them.Slowly.Deliberately.Isabella’s breath hitched as his fingers brushed against her wrist—a barely-there touch that sent heat rushing through her.“You think I don’t know how to fight?” Leo’s voice was low, dangerous.Isabella tilted her head, her lips curling. “I think you only fight when you know you’ll win.”Leo smirked. She wasn’t wrong.But Isabella h
Last Updated : 2025-02-21THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 103
**A Question That Changes Everything**Paris, France – Devereaux ChâteauLeo Cain Jr. had spent years negotiating deals, closing mergers, and winning wars.But standing here, face to face with Isabella Devereaux, he realized—There were no contracts, no strategies, no calculated moves that could prepare him for this moment.Her words still echoed in his mind, cutting deeper than they should have.“The real question is—did you ever love me at all?”The weight of it settled between them, pressing against his ribs like a vice.Leo could have lied.Could have deflected, twisted the conversation back into something controllable.But Isabella deserved more than half-truths and empty words.So, for once, he gave her the truth.“I never wanted to.”Her breath hitched.His voice was low, rough, as if he hated admitting it. “But I did.”A beat of silence stretched between them—thick, suffocating, electric.Isabella’s emerald eyes darkened, but her expression remained unreadable.“Then why did y
Last Updated : 2025-02-21THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 104
** An Uneasy Alliance**Paris, France – Devereaux ChâteauLeo Cain Jr. had spent years battling Isabella Devereaux.But now?They had a common enemy.And that changed everything.The grand study of Devereaux Château was silent except for the hum of Ethan Grey’s laptop as he pulled up reports, financial records, and surveillance data.Leo stood near the massive fireplace, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.Isabella leaned against the desk, tapping her fingers against the wood in impatient rhythm.Neither of them spoke for a long moment.Then—“Whoever did this,” Isabella said, her voice measured, controlled, “they know us. They know our businesses, our weaknesses.”Leo exhaled sharply. “And they know we wouldn’t work together.”Ethan glanced up from his screen. “Until now.”Leo’s gaze flickered toward Isabella. “This doesn’t mean I trust you.”She smirked. “Wouldn’t expect you to.”But trust or not—They needed each other.Because if they didn’t figure out who was behind this?Th
Last Updated : 2025-02-23THE LAST STRAW OF LOVE. Chapter 105
**Setting the Trap**Paris, France – Devereaux ChâteauLeo Cain Jr. and Isabella Devereaux had been rivals, lovers, and now—reluctant allies.Adrien Moreau had forced their hand.And now?They were about to force his.The study inside Devereaux Château was dimly lit, the only sources of illumination coming from the flickering fire in the stone hearth and the glow of Ethan Grey’s laptop.Leo leaned against the oak desk, arms crossed, his sharp green eyes focused on the screen. “We make him think we’re losing.”Isabella nodded, standing beside him. “He’s trying to drain our resources, so we let him believe it’s working.”Ethan sighed, rubbing his temples. “And how do you plan to do that? Announce to the world that you’re broke?”Leo smirked. “Not exactly.”He tapped the screen, pulling up a forged financial report.It showed massive losses—investors pulling out, revenue streams drying up.Ethan’s brows lifted. “You want to leak false numbers?”Isabella smirked. “We don’t just want to le
Last Updated : 2025-02-23
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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
