Mia's voice was defensive as she spoke up for her sister. "You're blaming my sister; she's cold but not so cruel," she said, her eyes flashing with anger.
Brandon's expression was grim. "He has a strong reason, Mia, and you know it," he said, his voice low and even.
Mia shook her head. "I know my sister; she's not what you think," she said, her voice firm.
But Olivia was having none of it. Her face was twisted with anger and hatred. "Stop favoring your stepsister; she did all this," she spat, her voice venomous. "First, she caused Brandon's parents to have an accident, then she set our factory on fire and destroyed everything. She's taking revenge."
The room fell silent, with everyone staring at Olivia in shock. But before anyone could respond, Brandon's phone rang, shrill in the silence.
He answered it, his face turning serious as he listened to the person on the other end. Mia's eyes were fixed on him, her expression worried.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Brandon's face was grim. "There's a board meeting," he said, his voice low. "There's some important discussion."
Olivia's eyes narrowed. "About what?" she asked, her voice sharp.
Brandon's expression was bleak. "My company is in debt," he said, his voice flat. "It was bound to happen."
The room fell silent, with everyone staring at Brandon in shock. Mia's eyes were wide with worry, while Olivia's face was twisted with anger and fear.
The atmosphere was tense, with everyone waiting for Brandon to say something, to do something. But he just stood there, his face grim, his eyes fixed on some point in the distance.
The silence was oppressive, weighing heavily on everyone's shoulders. It was as if the entire room was holding its breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
****
The board meeting was in full swing, with Brandon seated at the head of the table. He knew that the company was in trouble, but he had no idea how deep the problems ran.
"I know our company is in debt," Brandon said, trying to sound confident. "First, the factory fire and then the cancellation of my big project. All our investors have also refused to invest."
Mr. Wallace, one of the board members, spoke up. "Look, Brandon, we think you can't handle this company anymore. It's out of your hands."
Brandon's face fell, but he tried to keep his cool. "What do you want to say?" he asked, his voice tight.
Mr. Anderson, another board member, spoke up. "Look, Michael Rizzo's daughter, Isabella, whose company was separated after the merger of Morano and Rizzo's companies, she has set up a separate company on her own, and today she is in the number one position. She also has some shares of our company..."
Brandon's eyes narrowed. "So?" he asked, his voice sharp.
Just then, the door opened, and Isabella walked in. She was dressed in a sleek black suit, her hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. She looked confident and in control.
"I have bought your company and all the shares," she said, her voice clear and strong. "As well as the loan has been repaid, so now this company is mine."
Brandon's face went white with shock. "No, it can't be," he stuttered.
Isabella smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "This is the decision of all the board members," she said. "So now, you have nothing here, Brandon Morano."
Brandon's anger boiled over, and he slammed his fist on the table. He stood up, his face red with rage, and started to leave.Isabella's voice stopped him. "Well, I am not that cruel," she said. "I am concerned about my sister and her unborn child. So, if you want, I can give you a job here."
Brandon turned back to her, his eyes wide with wonder. He looked at her, searching for any sign of weakness or vulnerability, but there was none. Isabella's expression was cold and unyielding, and Brandon knew that he was beaten.
Without saying a word, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Isabella in control of the company.
****
Brandon's face was already red with anger and shock from the events that had just transpired in the boardroom.
"You're pregnant?" he thundered, his voice echoing off the walls.
Mia took a step back, her eyes welling up with tears. "I was about to tell you," she stammered.
Brandon's face turned purple with rage. "When?" he shouted, his fists clenched at his sides.
Mia trembled, her voice barely above a whisper. "You are already suffering a lot, and now this baby...I didn't want to add to your stress. I thought you would be angry, so I stayed silent."
Brandon's eyes bulged out of his head. "My wife is fucking pregnant, and I'm hearing this from my enemy?" He roared, his voice dripping with venom.
Mia burst into tears, her body shaking with sobs. "I'm sorry, Brandon," she wailed, her hands covering her face.
Brandon's face was a picture of fury and shock. He couldn't believe that Mia had kept this secret from him and that he was finding out about it in the most humiliating way possible.
****
Isabella stood in front of the mirror, her hands moving deftly as she finished getting ready for the party. She slipped into a stunning black evening gown, the silk fabric hugging her curves in all the right places. The dress was a masterpiece of design, with intricate beading and embroidery that caught the light as she moved.As she turned to examine herself from different angles, her long, brown hair cascaded down her back in loose waves, framing her heart-shaped face. Her bright blue eyes sparkled like sapphires in the dim light, and her lips curled into a soft, enigmatic smile. She looked...breathtaking.Just as she was finishing up her makeup, there was a soft knock at the door. Isabella's eyes flicked towards the sound, and she smiled as she saw Luca standing in the doorway.Isabella smiled warmly at Luca, her eyes sparkling with affection. "Uncle, you can go home if you want," she said, her voice gentle. "I know you don't like parties."Luca's expression turned skeptical, his e
Isabella slowly opened her eyes; she was met with an unfamiliar ceiling. She tried to sit up, but a wave of pain washed over her, forcing her back onto the pillow. Her head was spinning, and her hands felt heavy and restricted. She looked down to see that they were bandaged, along with her head.Panic began to set in as she scrambled to remember how she had ended up in this strange bedroom. The last thing she remembered was driving home from the party, and then... the chasing cars, the gun pointed at her, the crash. It all came flooding back, and Isabella's heart began to race.Just as she was starting to feel overwhelmed, a man appeared in the doorway. He was tall, with brown eyes that seemed to hold a deep warmth. He smiled as he approached her, his eyes crinkling at the corners."Who are you?" Isabella demanded, trying to keep her voice steady. "And how did I get here?"The man's smile faltered for a moment before he replied, "Relax; I'm Vincent Morano. Your car had an accident las
Isabella's eyes blazed with anger as she slammed her hand on the conference table. "Who is this new board member?" she thundered, her voice echoing off the walls.The room fell silent, with all eyes on Isabella. Mr. Carson, taken aback by her outburst, stuttered, "I-I was just about to explain, Isabella. Mr. Anderson has sold his shares to a new investor."Isabella's face twisted in a scowl. "What? Why wasn't I informed about this?" she shouted, her voice rising.Mr. Wallace, trying to intervene, said, "Isabella, please, let us explain—"But Isabella cut him off, her anger boiling over. "No, I want to know who this new investor is, and I want to know now!" she bellowed, her eyes flashing with fury.The door to the conference room burst open, and Vincent Morano strode in, his eyes locking onto Isabella's. She felt a jolt of surprise, followed by a wave of anger."You," she spat, her voice venomous. "You're the one who's been secretly buying up shares of our company."Vincent's eyes nev
Isabella drummed her fingers impatiently on the steering wheel as she sat stuck in traffic. Her eyes scanned the crowded sidewalk, her gaze drifting over the sea of faces. And then, suddenly, she saw her."Mia?" Isabella's voice was barely above a whisper, her eyes fixed on the familiar figure.Mia was walking down the sidewalk, her hand cradling her four-month pregnant belly. She looked pale and tired, her eyes sunken and her skin sallow.Isabella's heart went out to her, despite the anger and resentment she still felt towards her sister. She quickly pulled over to the side of the road and jumped out of the car, weaving through the crowds to reach Mia."Mia!!" Isabella called out, her voice rising above the din of the traffic.Mia turned, her eyes locking onto Isabella's. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable.And then Mia's face crumpled, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Sis!!" she sobbed, her body shaking with sobs.Isabella's heart went o
Luca raised an eyebrow, his expression curious. "So, you've given him a chance?" he asked, his voice low and smooth.Isabella rolled her eyes, her expression exasperated. "It's not what you're thinking," she said, her voice firm. "I don't want that man to think he's got a chance with me forever. I'm not interested."Luca's eyes narrowed, his expression skeptical. "And why's that?" he asked, his voice gentle.Isabella's expression turned bitter. "Look at Mia, whom he fell in love with and married. And now, he's making her life hell. I don't want to end up like that."Luca's expression softened; his eyes filled with understanding. "Not everyone is the same, Isabella," he said, his voice low and soothing.Isabella's expression turned stubborn. "Stop lecturing, Uncle," she said, her voice firm. "You were never in a relationship, so how would you understand?"Luca's eyes turned sad, his expression melancholy. "I was," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.Isabella's eyes widened in su
"Let's walk," Vincent said, his eyes glinting with amusement.Isabella nodded, her expression neutral. "Okay."As they strolled down the street, the cool night air enveloped them, the sounds of the city fading into the background. They walked in comfortable silence, their footsteps synchronized."Your family?" Vincent asked, breaking the silence.Isabella's expression turned somber. "None."Vincent's eyes locked onto hers, his gaze burning with intensity. "I grew up in Spain with my maternal grandparents."Isabella's eyes narrowed, her expression curious. "Your mom was from Spain."Vincent nodded, his smile growing wider. "Yes, but my dad was American."Isabella's eyes widened in surprise, her expression intrigued. "Interesting."Vincent chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "See, you start liking me."Isabella's expression turned cold, her eyes glinting with amusement. "No chance."As they continued walking, Isabella's leg suddenly hurt, and she winced in pain. She looked down
Two days passed, and Vincent slowly opened his eyes, wincing in pain as the bright hospital lights assaulted his senses. His gaze fell upon Isabella, who was sleeping in a chair beside his bed, her head lolled to one side.Vincent's eyes narrowed, his mind foggy. "Was she here all night?" he whispered, his voice hoarse from disuse.As he shifted in bed, a searing pain shot through his back, and he couldn't help but groan. Isabella's eyes snapped open, and she sat up with a start, her gaze locking onto Vincent's."Are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "Thank God you've woken up."Vincent's eyes searched hers, his expression skeptical. "Were you worried about me?"Isabella's expression changed, her eyes flashing with a hint of defiance. "Not at all," she said, her voice cool. "I don't want to be the reason for someone's pain."Vincent's smile was wry, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, really? That's probably why you kept saying that night, 'Please, nothing can hap
Mia's mind racing with thoughts of her sister's safety, she knew she had to act fast. She fumbled for her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed Luca's number."Luca, please...you have to help me," Mia begged, her voice cracking with emotion. "Brandon's trying to kill my sister. He's working with his mafia brother. I don't know what to do."Luca's voice was calm and reassuring. "Tell me everything, Mia. I'll take care of it."As Mia poured out the entire story, Luca listened intently, his mind racing with strategies and plans. He knew he had to act fast to save Isabella, and he was determined todojustthat."What have I gotten myself into? First, Vincent's involvement with Isabella, and now Brandon's vendetta against her? This is getting uglier by the minute.""I have to act fast. I need to get to Isabella before Vincent or Brandon can harm her. But how? I don't even know where she is.""Think, Luca, think.
Vincent's eyes narrowed, his mind consumed by a nagging sense of unease. "What's wrong with me?" he muttered to himself, his voice low and perplexed. "Why the fuck do I hurt whenever I see her eyes, those fucking tears?"He couldn't understand why Isabella's tears affected him so deeply. He was a man who had seen and done it all, a man who had never been swayed by emotions. But there was something about Isabella that got under his skin, something that made him feel...Vincent's thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of his phone. He glanced at the screen, his expression darkening as he saw the caller ID. He hesitated for a moment before picking up the call."Why did you call me?" Vincent's voice was curt, his tone dismissive.There was a pause on the other end of the line before a sultry voice spoke up. "Vincent, for how many months have you not met me, and you're angry when I call?"Vincent's eyes rolled in exasperation. "Megan, I'
Isabella sat in the corner of her room, her eyes fixed on the wall as she felt the weight of her captivity bearing down on her. She couldn't escape, couldn't contact anyone, couldn't do anything but wait for someone to come and rescue her.As the hours ticked by, Isabella's dinner sat untouched on the bedside table. She had no appetite, no desire to eat or drink anything. She just wanted to be free.But freedom was a luxury she didn't have. Not yet, anyway.It was late, the middle of the night, when Vincent stumbled into her room. He was drunk, his eyes glassy and unfocused. He staggered over to the bedside table, his gaze falling on the untouched food."Why didn't you eat?" He slurred, his voice thick with alcohol.Isabella didn't respond. She just lay there, her eyes fixed on Vincent with a mixture of hatred and contempt.Vincent's eyes narrowed, his face twisting into a scowl. "What do you think, huh? That if you don't eat,
Mia's mind racing with thoughts of her sister's safety, she knew she had to act fast. She fumbled for her phone, her fingers trembling as she dialed Luca's number."Luca, please...you have to help me," Mia begged, her voice cracking with emotion. "Brandon's trying to kill my sister. He's working with his mafia brother. I don't know what to do."Luca's voice was calm and reassuring. "Tell me everything, Mia. I'll take care of it."As Mia poured out the entire story, Luca listened intently, his mind racing with strategies and plans. He knew he had to act fast to save Isabella, and he was determined todojustthat."What have I gotten myself into? First, Vincent's involvement with Isabella, and now Brandon's vendetta against her? This is getting uglier by the minute.""I have to act fast. I need to get to Isabella before Vincent or Brandon can harm her. But how? I don't even know where she is.""Think, Luca, think.
Vincent's eyes gleamed with amusement as he took in Isabella's distraught expression. "It's clear from your face that you've discovered quite a bit," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Well, let me remind you that in my house, no prisoner is allowed to use their phone. And you, my dear, are my most beautiful prisoner."Isabella's face contorted in rage, her voice rising to a shout. "Bastard! I trusted you!"Vincent's laughter was low and menacing, sending a chill down Isabella's spine. "Trust," he sneered. "It's so easy to win the trust of a naive girl like you."Isabella's eyes blazed with tears as she spat out the words. "I loved you, Vincent. I loved you with all my heart."Vincent's expression turned cold, his eyes glinting with disdain. "An arrogant girl like you doesn't deserve anyone's love. But you do deserve my bed. Remember how you were writhing beneath me last night? Don't worry, I'll give you the same pleasure every day,
Isabella's eyes fluttered open, and she was met with an empty space beside her. She stretched, arching her back, and a soft smile spread across her face as she recalled the passionate night she'd shared with Vincent. Her gaze fell upon Vincent's phone lying on the bedside table.She picked it up, her fingers tracing the familiar contours of the device. A sudden pang of nostalgia hit her, and she missed her uncle, Luca. It had been far too long since they'd last spoken. Without hesitation, she dialed his number, and the phone rang several times before Luca's deep voice answered."Hello?" Luca's tone was cautious, a hint of wariness underlying his words."It's me," Isabella replied, trying to sound cheerful despite the nagging sense of unease."Isabella?" Luca's voice sharpened, panic creeping into his tone. "Are you okay? I've been trying to reach you for days."Isabella's heart swelled with emotion as she realized how worried her uncl
Vincent's movements were slow and gentle, his body merging with hers in a tender, loving union. Isabella's moans grew louder, her body arching under his.Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, falling like diamonds onto her cheeks. She felt a deep connection, a sense of belonging she had never experienced before.For the first time in her life, Isabella felt love. It was a fragile, tentative thing, but it was there, shining like a beacon in the darkness.She looked up at Vincent, her eyes teary and vulnerable. He gazed back at her, his eyes filled with concern."Are you okay?" he whispered, his voice husky with emotion.Isabella nodded, her smile trembling. "I'm fine," she whispered back.Vincent's eyes searched hers, as if seeking reassurance. Then, with a soft smile, he leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a gentle, loving kiss.Isabella's arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer as she deepened the kiss. She
Vincent's eyes gleamed with mischief as he closed the door behind Isabella, his hands reaching out to pin her against the door. "It's time to complete the challenge we left unfinished that day."Isabella's eyes flashed with defiance, her voice husky. "It's not easy for me to melt."Vincent's smile was a slow, sultry curve of his lips. "Let's see."Without warning, his lips crashed down on hers, his hand pinning her wrists above her head. The kiss was passionate, all-consuming, and Isabella felt her resistance melting away.Vincent's hand tightened around her waist, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss. His lips left hers, trailing down her neck, leaving a mark that made her shiver with pleasure.Isabella's eyes closed, her head tilting back as Vincent's lips moved down to her cleavage, his kisses sending shivers down her spine.Vincent's voice was a low, husky whisper. "You're already melting."He spun her around,
Vincent's car wound its way up the driveway, the trees growing thicker and the darkness deepening as they delved deeper into the forest. Isabella's eyes widened as the mansion came into view, its sprawling facade lit up like a beacon in the night.As they stepped out of the car, Isabella's gaze swept over the grounds, taking in the high walls, the guards patrolling the perimeter, and the state-of-the-art security cameras. Her eyes met Vincent's, a hint of surprise and curiosity sparkling in their depths."Is this your mansion?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Vincent nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yes."Isabella's eyes roamed over the mansion's facade, her expression thoughtful. "Seeing all this, it seems like you're some kind of mafia king."Her laughter was husky, and Vincent's smile grew wider, his eyes crinkling at the corners."No one can find you here," he said, his voice low and reassuring.
Vincent's eyes burned with intensity, his voice low and husky. "I'm telling the truth, Isabella. I loved you from the moment I saw you for the first time."Isabella's expression turned cold, her eyes flashing with a hint of fear. "I must leave now," she said, her voice firm.But Vincent was too quick. He reached out, his hand closing around her wrist."Don't hide your feelings," he whispered, his eyes locked onto hers. "I know you feel the same way."Isabella's eyes narrowed, her expression skeptical. She looked at him, her gaze searching. "It's not like that," she said, her voice soft. "I'm not someone with whom one should come into a relationship."Vincent's smile was gentle, his eyes burning with desire. "But I want you," he whispered, his voice husky.Without warning, he pulled her towards him, his lips crashing down on hers. The kiss was fierce, passionate, and all-consuming. Isabella's lips parted, her mouth opening to Vi