The drive was quiet but not uncomfortable. Alexis occasionally glanced at Julian, her thoughts swirling.Who would have thought this man, someone she barely knew a month ago, would become such an integral part of her life so quickly?When they arrived at the City Center, Alexis couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nervousness.The sleek, modern building loomed ahead, bustling with people and energy.Julian parked the car and walked around to open her door.“Ready?” he asked, holding out his hand.She hesitated for only a moment before taking it. “Let’s do this.”Inside, they were greeted with polite smiles and curious glances.Alexis couldn’t tell if people recognized her or if they were just intrigued by the pair of them.Julian, as always, exuded a quiet confidence that made it impossible for anyone to ignore him.After filling out the necessary paperwork and presenting their IDs, the clerk behind the counter looked up at them with a warm smile. “Congratulations to the both of you. Th
Alexis watched, her eyes wide as Julian paced the room, issuing precise instructions to what she could only assume was a team of professionals.His demeanor was sharp and authoritative, a stark contrast to the easygoing man she had married earlier.When he finally hung up, he turned to her, his expression unreadable. “Consider it handled.”“Just like that?” she asked, still processing what she had just witnessed.“Just like that,” he confirmed, sitting beside her.Alexis let out a shaky laugh, shaking her head. “You really are full of surprises, Julian Devereux.”He shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “You’ll get used to it.”Alexis's phone buzzed again, breaking the brief moment of peace. She glanced at the screen, and her heart sank when she saw her mother’s name flashing.“Great,” she muttered under her breath before picking up the call. “Hi, Mom.”“Alexis Montgomery, what on earth is going on?” her mother’s voice was sharp and filled with concern. “Are the headlines true?
Julian’s lips found Alexis’s again, this time with more urgency, more need.The playful smirk he usually wore was gone, replaced by a deep, all encompassing passion that made Alexis's breath catch.As his hands slid up her back, steady but commanding, she felt her entire body melt into his touch.Her fingers instinctively reached for the buttons of his shirt, working them free one by one as their kisses grew hungrier.When the fabric finally fell away, her hands moved to his chest, trailing over the defined muscles and hard planes of his body.Her breath hitched as she took in the sight before her. His well built physique was flawless, every muscle sculpted like art. For a moment, she simply stared, captivated.Julian chuckled softly at her reaction, the sound rich and deep. “See something you like?” he teased, his voice low and warm.Alexis’s lips curved into a small, mischievous smile. “Maybe,” she replied, her tone light but her gaze heavy with admiration.He dipped his head to kis
Julian sat at his desk, the soft glow of the desk lamp illuminating his sharp features as he flipped through documents.His phone rested beside him, calls already made, and plans already set in motion. His focus was intense, but as the clock struck 6 p.m., he heard the faint creak of the bedroom door opening.He glanced up, and the sight that greeted him stole his breath.Alexis stood in the doorway, wearing his shirt, the fabric hanging loosely around her frame but barely skimming the tops of her thighs.Her hair was slightly tousled from sleep, and her bare feet made soft pats against the floor as she stepped into the room.She rubbed her eyes briefly before giving him a sleepy smile.Julian leaned back in his chair, his lips curling into a teasing smirk. “Is this your idea of payback? Trying to distract me while I’m working?”Alexis tilted her head, feigning innocence. “What do you mean? I just woke up and needed to find you.”His gaze lingered on her, his tone playful but edged wi
After dinner at an elegant rooftop restaurant that overlooked the glittering city, Julian drove Alexis home.The car ride was filled with light banter and occasional silences, both of them savoring the comfort of each other’s company.As the car rolled to a stop in front of the grand Montgomery estate, Julian turned to her, his expression soft yet thoughtful.“So… do you want me to come in?” he asked, tilting his head slightly as his fingers drummed gently on the steering wheel. “We can break the news together to your parents. It might soften the blow.”Alexis smiled at his offer, warmth spreading in her chest at his willingness to face her parents with her. But she shook her head. “Thanks, but no... well, let’s just say I should handle this on my own first.”Julian nodded, respecting her decision. “Alright. But if you need me, just call.”Alexis hesitated, her hand hovering over the door handle. “Thank you, Julian. For tonight. For everything.”He leaned toward her, brushing a soft k
As Julian approached the grand double doors leading to the main hall, the unmistakable sound of his mother’s laughter reached his ears.It was the kind of laugh she reserved for impressing important guests, high pitched, practiced, and utterly insincere.A softer, more demure chuckle followed, one he instantly recognized as Charlotte Wainwright’s.Julian cursed under his breath, his hand pausing on the ornate handle.He clenched his jaw, debating whether to turn around and leave before he was noticed. But before he could entertain the thought any longer, he steeled himself, adjusted his blazer, and pushed open the door.Inside, his mother, Vivian Devereux, sat on one of the lavish sofas in the sitting area, her pearl necklace glinting under the chandelier’s light. Next to her, Charlotte perched elegantly, her manicured fingers lightly gripping a flute of champagne.Both women turned at the sound of his entrance.“Julian, darling!” Vivian exclaimed, her face lighting up in that all too
Sophia’s eyes filled with tears, but her voice was resolute. “I deserve better than this. If you’re so obsessed with Alexis, then go. Chase after her. But don’t keep stringing me along while your heart is somewhere else.”Ryan reached out to her, but she pulled away, shaking her head. “Don’t. I can’t do this anymore, Ryan.”Ryan was left speechless. As Sophia climbed out of bed and began to dress, a heavy silence filled the room.By the time she walked out, slamming the door behind her, Ryan sat alone in the suffocating quiet, his frustration and confusion boiling over into a single thought. What the hell am I doing?Sophia stormed down the grand staircase, her heels clicking sharply against the polished marble floor as her frustration simmered beneath her composed exterior.The bar was dimly lit, buzzing with subdued chatter and the clink of glasses. She headed straight to the counter, ordering a strong drink to drown out the sting of Ryan's obsession with Alexis.As she sipped her c
The sound of her phone buzzing on the nightstand broke through Alexis’ peaceful slumber.Groggily, she reached out, squinting at the screen. Julian Devereux.A small smile tugged at her lips as she accepted the call.“Good morning,” she mumbled, her voice still heavy with sleep.“Morning, Mrs. Devereux,” Julian’s smooth voice teased on the other end. “How did you sleep?”Alexis stretched under the covers, a soft yawn escaping her. “Better than I expected. What’s up? Calling me this early feels like trouble.”Julian chuckled. “Trouble? Hardly. I thought I’d take you out for breakfast. Get dressed, I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”“What if I’m not ready?” she challenged playfully, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.“Then I’ll come in and help you get ready myself,” he quipped, the teasing edge in his tone making her laugh.“Fine. Give me 30,” she countered before hanging up.Thirty five minutes later, Alexis slid into the passenger seat of Julian’s car, dressed casually yet effortlessly chic
Julian didn’t respond immediately.Her words lingered in the air, challenging him in a way he hadn’t expected.Was he putting Alexis first?Or was he still driven by the ghosts of his past?For now, he pushed those thoughts aside. Protecting Alexis was his priority, everything else could wait.Evelyn rose from her chair, smoothing her skirt. "I’ll hold you to your word, Julian," she said, her tone formal but not unkind.He stood as well, offering a small nod. "You have my word."As he left the Montgomery residence, Julian felt a strange mix of emotions.Evelyn’s cautious approval was unexpected, but it only reinforced the weight of his responsibility. He couldn’t afford to falter, not now, not ever.Driving away, his mind was already racing with thoughts of his next move.Sophia and Ryan had crossed a line, and if protecting Alexis meant confronting his own conflicted feelings, then so be it.His focus was clear, uncover the truth, protect his wife, and ensure no one, especially the M
“Julian,” she finally said, her voice trembling slightly.He crossed the room in a few strides, pulling a chair close to sit in front of her. “I'm here.”Alexis looked down at her hands, her fingers twisting together nervously. “I didn’t push her, Julian. I swear I didn’t. She tripped, and I tried to catch her, but...” Her voice broke, and she shook her head. “It doesn’t matter what I say. No one’s going to believe me.”Julian reached out, taking her hands in his. “It matters to me,” he said firmly. “And I believe you.”Tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. “It’s a circus out there. Reporters are camped outside the gates, and social media is tearing me apart. My father is furious, my mother is worried, and I don’t know what to do.”“You’re not alone in this, Alexis,” Julian said, his tone gentle but resolute. “We’ll figure it out. I’ll make sure the truth comes out.”Alexis pulled her hands away, standing abruptly and walking to the other side of the room. “What
The hotel lobby had been bustling with late night travelers, but she had barely noticed them, her vision blurred by tears of anger and humiliation.Her feet had carried her to a nearby bar, one she had frequented before with her friends. The music had been loud, the lights dim, and the crowd rowdy. It was the perfect place to drown her frustration.That night, she hadn’t been alone for long. Two of her male friends, Lila and Ethan, had been there, already a few drinks in. They had waved her over, their faces lighting up when they saw her.“Sophia!” Lila had exclaimed, sliding a drink her way. “What’s a queen like you doing here alone?”She had smiled weakly, taking the drink and downing it in one go. “Just needed to get out. Ryan’s being... Ryan.”Lila and Ethan had exchanged knowing looks. They had never liked Ryan, always quick to point out his flaws whenever Sophia vented about him.“You deserve better,” Ethan had said, his tone serious despite the playful smirk on his lips. “Why d
The doctor looked between the two of them and then spoke calmly but firmly. “Miss Sophia, you’re pregnant. About eight weeks along, based on the results of your blood work.”The room fell silent, the words hanging heavily in the air. Sophia’s eyes widened in shock, her lips parting as if to say something, but no sound came out.Ryan’s expression shifted from confusion to disbelief. “Pregnant?” he echoed, his voice low and strained.Sophia finally managed to find her voice, though it was barely above a whisper. “That’s... that’s impossible. I mean... I...”The doctor raised a hand gently. “I understand this might be unexpected, but I recommend you start prenatal care as soon as possible. Rest is crucial, especially after today’s incident. I’ll give you some referrals for an OB GYN to follow up with.”He placed a pamphlet on the bedside table and left the room, leaving Ryan and Sophia to process the bombshell in stunned silence.Ryan ran a hand through his hair, pacing again. “Pregnant,
One thing was clear, Julian couldn’t let this slide.His mother and Ryan had crossed a line, and he wouldn’t stand by and let them hurt Alexis any further.The cafeteria buzzed with quiet conversations as Alexis sat at a corner table, her hands gripping the edge of her coffee cup.She had chosen the place carefully, a quaint café tucked away from the busy streets, offering a semblance of privacy.Her heart pounded as she waited for Sophia, the weight of the earlier meeting and the mounting suspicions gnawing at her.The bell above the door jingled, and Alexis looked up to see Sophia entering. Her expression was guarded, and her heels clicked sharply against the floor as she approached the table.“You wanted to meet?” Sophia said curtly, sliding into the chair opposite Alexis.Alexis didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “Thank you for coming. I wanted to talk about the logs.”Sophia arched a brow, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I already told you, I didn’t do anything. If this is
Alexis gestured for Ethan to sit, her focus sharpening.Ethan placed his laptop on the desk and opened a detailed report. “We’ve been combing through the access logs for the design server. So far, there’s no evidence of an external breach, which strongly suggests this was an internal issue.”Alexis frowned, leaning over the screen. “So, someone from the company leaked the manuscript?”Ethan nodded grimly. “It’s looking that way. Only a select group had access to this particular design file, yourself, the head designers, and a few key members of the marketing team. We’ve narrowed down the list of activity during the suspected timeframe.”He tapped a few keys, bringing up a chart. “Here are the access records from the last 48 hours. You’ll see that most logins were routine, except for one unusual activity early yesterday morning.”Alexis’s eyes scanned the chart, her pulse quickening when she noticed the flagged entry. “Whose login is this?”Ethan hesitated before replying. “Sophia’s.”
Outside the conference room, the office buzzed with activity as teams scrambled to address the crisis.Alexis pulled out her phone and hesitated for a moment before texting Julian, “Things are worse than I thought. It’s going to take a while. I’ll keep you updated.”Sliding the phone back into her pocket, she took a deep breath and strode toward the IT department, ready to face the storm head on.Alexis spotted Sophia lingering near the hallway that led to the design department.Her polished appearance, perfectly styled hair and her sharp red blazer, was as impeccable as always, but there was something about her posture that felt uneasy.Taking a deep breath, Alexis decided now was as good a time as any to address the elephant in the room.“Sophia,” Alexis called out, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor as she approached.Sophia turned, her expression guarded but polite. “Yes?”Alexis motioned toward a quieter corner, away from the prying eyes of other employees around.
While waiting for Victoria’s update, Julian moved to the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee, his mind replaying the events that had led him to this moment.Back then, his hatred for the Montgomerys had consumed him. Harrison Montgomery’s ruthless business tactics had driven the Devereux family company to the brink of bankruptcy. It was his mother’s connections that had saved them, but the scars of that time had never truly healed.Julian had vowed to make the Montgomerys pay, and Alexis had seemed like the perfect entry point.But now, as he stood in his kitchen sipping coffee, Julian felt a pang of guilt.Somewhere along the way, the line between vengeance and something deeper had blurred. He didn’t just enjoy Alexis’s company, he needed it.His phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts. It was Victoria.“Sir, there’s a situation at the Montgomery Group. It appears a confidential design manuscript for their upcoming collection has been leaked online. It’s causing quite a st
That day had been the turning point.Seeing Alexis in person had reignited his resolve for vengeance. But this time, he didn’t just want to destroy the Montgomery name, he wanted to unravel them from the inside.He had his men begin keeping tabs on Alexis, tracking her every move.It wasn’t difficult, her socialite status meant she was often in the public eye.Photos from charity galas, business events, and vacations poured in. But the more he watched, the more he realized that Alexis wasn’t quite what he expected.She wasn’t just a pampered heiress living off her father’s fortune. She was hardworking, driven, and surprisingly kind to those around her. It was… disarming.Still, he reminded himself that this was all part of the plan.She was just a means to an end.When news of Ryan Pierce’s affair with Sophia reached him, Julian saw his opportunity. It was all too easy to have the evidence sent anonymously to Alexis.He remembered how calculated and cold he had been in those moments,