The following morning, the sense of unease still lingered, but I couldn’t afford to let it consume me. After everything, I knew I had to keep moving forward. The moment I entered my office, I felt a rush of determination settle in. My plans to defeat the Martinez Corporation weren’t going to derail just because of a cowardly threat. If anything, this only fueled my resolve. Lucia greeted me with a worried look, but I brushed it off. “I’m fine,” I reassured her, though I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince her or myself. “Let’s focus on today’s agenda.” The morning passed smoothly enough, though my mind kept drifting back to the dead rats, the threat. I couldn’t help but wonder who was behind it. Could it be someone within my father’s circle? Or was it someone I’d overlooked? By noon, Thiago called me, his voice steady yet laced with concern. “How are you holding up, Wifey?” “I’m okay,” I sighed. “Trying to stay focused. Have you heard anything from your team yet?” “I have some
Almost a week after the event, and chaos abruptly came to ruin my afternoon at the office.I leaned over my desk, eyes scanning the documents spread across it, trying to focus. The expansion plans for New Zealand were critical, and I had been working tirelessly on them for weeks. The stakes were high, especially knowing that Martinez Corporation was trying to edge their way into the same market.I paused, rubbing my temples as the realization hit me once again—this wasn’t just business. My father, Romeo Martinez, was clearly trying to test me, pushing back against everything I had worked for. It wasn’t enough that he had humiliated himself at the Zorich Group’s party, throwing a tantrum and being shut down by Thiago. Now he wanted to challenge me on an international scale, in front of potential investors, to make me look weak. “He’s really testing me,” I muttered under my breath. I couldn’t let him win. Not again.I picked up my phone and dialed Lucia. She was my go-to for anything
The stress was mounting, and I could feel the weight of it pressing down on my shoulders. For hours, I sat in my office, combing through reports, investor feedback, and legal documents, trying to piece together a plan that would save our New Zealand project. My head was spinning, my frustration rising with each passing minute as I struggled to find a solution. Every strategy I came up with seemed to fall flat, and every step forward felt like two steps back. My father’s meddling, combined with the Zorich Group’s calculated moves, had thrown everything off balance. How did they manage to pull this off so quickly? I wasn’t prepared for this—none of us were. My father had always been ruthless, but this was a direct attack on everything I’d built. I gripped the edge of my desk, trying to keep my hands from trembling. I couldn’t afford to break down now.The door to my office suddenly swung open, and Thiago stepped in. His tall, commanding presence filled the room immediately, and despite
Another day has come nad here I was sitting in my office, the soft hum of my laptop filled the room, but the tension in the air was palpable. I glanced out the window, the bustling city of Chicago reflecting the chaos swirling in my mind. We were in the midst of a crisis with our New Zealand expansion. The investors had pulled out, and it felt like the ground beneath us was crumbling. Just when I thought the situation was beyond repair, Thiago walked in, exuding that confident energy that made my stomach flip.“Hey Wifey, I’ve got news you would surely want to hear,” he announced, leaning against my desk, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.I raised an eyebrow, skepticism creeping in. “What kind of news? Is it bad? Because if it’s about the investors, I don’t know if I can handle any more disappointment right now.”Thiago chuckled, the sound smooth and teasing. “It’s not bad at all. In fact, I think I’ve found a way to turn this around.”“What do you mean?” I asked, trying t
As we exited the conference room, the adrenaline from the meeting still coursed through my veins. The bustling hallway was filled with the sounds of footsteps and murmured conversations, but in that moment, it felt like we were in our own bubble. Thiago turned to me, his smile broadening.“I can’t believe we pulled that off,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “Jasper seemed genuinely interested.”“Yeah, I mean, I wasn’t expecting him to agree so quickly,” I replied, still trying to process the outcome. “But it felt good. Really good.”“Good? It felt fantastic! You were in your element up there,” he exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectio
Everything sure felt like a magical moment between Thiago and I that I didn’t want to end. For a moment, I had completely forgotten about our dilemmas, what I didn’t know was that it would be short.The sun rose on a new day, but the weight of today’s news loomed heavily over us. I sat at my desk, staring blankly at my computer screen, the dim glow of the monitor casting a harsh light on my emotions.The news had hit hard; the Zorich Group had chosen to betray Thiago, continuing their partnership with the Martinez Corporation, and the fallout was catastrophic. Thiago's company had taken a massive hit, nearly 25% of its worth evaporating overnight, and I felt responsible.
The following week felt like a blur of late nights and early mornings as Thiago and I dived headfirst into salvaging his company. We poured over spreadsheets, analyzed market trends, and brainstormed marketing strategies to regain the trust of the investors who had pulled their funding. I couldn’t shake the anxiety gnawing at my gut. Every moment spent strategizing felt crucial, yet the weight of my father’s betrayal lingered like a dark cloud above us.One evening, as I sat across from Thiago in his office, the atmosphere was tense. The glow from the laptop screen illuminated the deep lines of worry etched on his forehead. “What if we can’t turn this around?” he asked, leaning back in his chair, fingers interlaced behind his head. “What if the Zorich Group is just the beginning of our problems?”
“Good afternoon, everyone,” Jasper said, his voice smooth and confident. “I hope you’ve all had a chance to review the proposal Thiago and Bridgette put together. It looks promising.”Thiago shot me a sideways glance, and I could see the mixture of anger and determination in his eyes. “Thank you, Jasper. I believe we have a solid plan moving forward,” he replied, his voice steady, though I could hear the undercurrent of tension.As we launched into our presentation, I felt the stakes rise with each passing moment. Thiago presented his plan with fervor, outlining our strategies and how we intended to regain the investors' trust. I watched the investors' reactions closely, noting their shifting expressions.But when it came time for questions, Jasper was quick to put Thiago on the spot. “Thiago, considering the recent issues with the Zorich Group, how can you assure us that your company can deliver on these promises?”Thiago’s jaw tightened, and I could see the struggle within him. “Wha
The weight of her words hit like a freight train. Thiago’s hand found mine again, his grip firm. “Let them try,” he growled. “They’ll regret it.”But even as he spoke, I could see the flicker of unease in his eyes. He was already calculating, planning—looking for the weak link in their chain.“We’ll meet you at the safe house in twenty,” Thiago said before ending the call. He turned to me, his expression resolute. “You stay here.”“No,” I said, my voice firmer than I expected. “We’ve been through too much for me to sit on the sidelines now. I’m coming with you.”“Bridgette, this isn’t up for discussion,” he snapped, frustration lacing his tone. “The Syndicate isn’t playing games. If they get their hands on you—”“Then I’ll fight,” I interrupted, standing my ground. “I’m not some fragile piece on a chessboard, Thiago. I’m in this with you, no matter how dangerous it gets.”For a moment, the tension between us was palpable, a battle of wills neither of us was willing to lose. Then, with
The weight of the moment pressed down like a stormcloud, suffocating the air between us. Thiago’s battered form was still tense, his fists clenched at his sides. Across the dimly lit room stood a figure that could have been his reflection, but something in the stranger's eyes—a darkness, a smirk that bordered on malice—set him apart.Thiago's voice cut through the silence, sharp as a blade. "What the hell are you doing here, Marcus?"The man tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Is that any way to greet your twin brother? You wound me."I froze, the words ricocheting in my mind. Twin brother? How had Thiago kept something like this from me? The thought of another Thiago—one so similar in appearance yet radiating danger—sent a shiver through me.Thiago stepped forward, his body shielding me instinctively. "You're supposed to be gone. You promised you'd never come back."Marcus chuckled, a low, sinister sound that made my skin crawl. "Promises, promises. But then again, you’ve always be
Thiago’s fists clenched at his sides, and I could feel the storm raging inside him. He glanced at me, his eyes softening for a brief moment. Then he turned back to Sebastian, his stance unwavering.“You want me? Fine,” Thiago said, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. “But let them go—everyone else. This ends with us.”“No!” I interjected, grabbing his arm. “You can’t just hand yourself over.”Thiago turned to me, his hand covering mine. “Bridgette, I’ve fought men like him my whole life. This isn’t just about me—it’s about keeping you safe.”His words sent a pang through my chest, but I refused to back down. “We’re stronger together. If you go alone, he’ll win. You know that.”Sebastian’s laughter interrupted our moment. “How touching,” he sneered. “But you’re running out of time.”Lila, who had remained quiet until now, stepped forward hesitantly. “Sebastian,” she said, her voice trembling. “There’s no need for this. You’ve already proven your point.”Sebastian turned
The estate fell into chaos, the echoes of the gunshot ricocheting through its halls. My heart pounded as I stood frozen in the control room, Thiago’s command to stay behind warring with the primal urge to follow him. The monitors in front of me flickered, showing Helena, Gabriel, and Thiago splitting up, each taking a different route to secure the house.I clenched my fists. “No. I can’t just stand here.”Ignoring my better judgment, I grabbed a small pistol from the table and slipped out into the dimly lit corridor. The storm outside roared, wind and rain battering the windows, as if nature itself sensed the brewing confrontation.I followed the faint sound of muffled footsteps down a side hallway. Rounding the corner, I found Lila standing over one of our unconscious guards, her face a mixture of guilt and resolve. She was holding a gun, her hands shaking as she stepped toward another door.“Lila!” I called out, aiming my weapon at her.She froze, her head whipping around to face me
Helena drove us to a secluded estate perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean. The sound of waves crashing against the rocks below was almost hypnotic, a stark contrast to the turmoil in my heart.“Inside,” Helena ordered, ushering us through a hidden side entrance.The interior was sparse but fortified, the air heavy with the scent of salt and steel. Gabriel immediately began checking the perimeter, while Helena secured the doors and activated a set of monitors displaying live surveillance feeds.I stood frozen in the middle of the room, my arms wrapped around myself. My thoughts were a whirlwind—Thiago’s face, his voice, the way he’d shielded me without hesitation.Helena approached me, her expression unreadable. “He’ll make it. Thiago always does.”“Do you even care?” I snapped, my voice laced with bitterness.Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of pain. “You think I don’t? He’s my brother.”“Then why did you leave him?” I demanded, tears streaming down my face.“B
The tunnel was suffocatingly narrow, the air thick with smoke and the echoes of Sebastian’s laughter still reverberating behind us. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of exhaustion and adrenaline threatening to buckle my knees. Thiago’s grip on my hand was firm, grounding me amidst the chaos.“Keep moving,” he urged, his voice a sharp command that left no room for hesitation.Gabriel led the way, his flashlight cutting through the murkiness of the passage. The flickering light painted ominous shadows on the walls, and every sound—every drip of water or distant creak—felt like an approaching threat.“Where does this lead?” I asked, my voice trembling.“To an access point near the docks,” Gabriel replied without turning around. “If Sebastian hasn’t already blocked it.”I swallowed hard, dread coiling in my stomach. The explosions, the relentless pursuit—it all felt too orchestrated, too perfect.“This is a trap,” I whispered, glancing back at Thiago.His jaw tightened. “Ma
Raven pulled the van into a nondescript parking garage, shutting off the engine. The sudden silence was deafening.“Why are we stopping?” I demanded, my voice shaking.“Because we need help,” Raven replied, her eyes scanning the shadows.A figure emerged from the darkness—a tall, lean man with a scar running down his cheek. His presence was commanding, his sharp eyes taking in the van and its occupants with practiced ease.“Gabriel,” Raven greeted him with a nod.“You’re late,” he replied, his voice smooth and calm. His gaze shifted to me, lingering for a moment before turning back to Raven. “And you
The safehouse felt like a cage. The air was thick with tension, every creak and groan of the old building amplified in the silence. Thiago was relentless, his mind working overtime as he barked orders into his phone and coordinated with his team. Raven, though bruised and battered, insisted on joining the strategy discussions, while I stood in the corner, my thoughts swirling.Sebastian’s message wasn’t just a threat—it was a promise. And I knew he would make good on it.The knock on the door shattered the tense quiet. Raven and Thiago exchanged wary glances, both reaching for their weapons. I moved behind them, my pulse quickening as Thiago approached the door.“Who is it?” he called, his voice sharp.“It’s me. Marcus,” came the muffled reply.Thiago hesitated, glancing at Raven, who nodded. He unlocked the door, revealing Marcus standing in the dim hallway. He looked disheveled, his suit wrinkled and a faint cut on his cheek.“Marcus?” I asked, stepping forward. “What happened?”He
The cold glow of the timer on the tablet seemed to cast a shadow over the entire room. My knees weakened, and I gripped the edge of the table to steady myself. The numbers ticked down relentlessly, each second a hammer driving the nail of panic deeper into my chest.00:59:58.Raven’s voice cut through the haze. “We don’t have time to freeze up, Bridgette. We need a plan.”Thiago, still groggy but regaining his composure, sat up on the cot, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the screen. “Sebastian doesn’t play games without an ace up his sleeve. He knows you’ll come for your father.”“I have to,” I said, my voice trembling but resolute. “This isn’t negotiable.”Thiago reached for my hand, his grip warm and firm despite the strain etched across his face. “Then we make sure it’s not a suicide mission.”Raven began pacing, her mind visibly racing. “He’ll expect you to come alone. If you don’t, he’ll kill your father. But if you do, he’ll still have the upper hand. We need to turn the tabl