“What do you mean by this?” Elara asked, not believing what she was hearing.Damian sighed deeply. “My mother has never been one to admit defeat.”“So?”“Look here, Elara, you’ve caused a lot of trouble for me as well. The shareholders are already whispering about how rude you were.” Damian’s expression hardened. “I warned you to be on your best behavior, no matter what, because I knew you’d be a target.”“You mean I should just let Veronica walk all over me without doing anything?” Elara frowned, her voice rising. “And I should allow your mother’s assistant to slap me?”“I have no time for this,” he said coldly. “I need to get to the office and meet the shareholders.”“And what about me?” she shot back, slamming a paper against his chest. “Even if we’re in a contract marriage, you should at least protect me.”“Oh, you thought I was going to protect you, so that’s why you slapped Veronica? Do you even know who she is?”“I don’t bloody care, Damian,” she snapped, her frustration boilin
The boardroom fell silent as all eyes turned to Travis. Damian’s words hung in the air, heavy with implication.“What do you mean, ‘not your grandfather’s blood’?” Travis repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.Damian’s lips curled into a cold smile. “Uncle, or should I even call you that? Did you really think I wouldn’t find out?”He pulled out another file from his briefcase and slid it across the table. Travis’s hands shook as he opened it, his face draining of color as he read its contents.“This... this can’t be true,” Travis stammered.“Oh, but it is,” Damian replied, his voice calm. “DNA doesn’t lie, Uncle. You’re not a Blackwood by blood. My grandfather knew, and that’s why he left everything to me.”The other shareholders murmured in shock, their earlier complaints forgotten in light of this bombshell revelation.“I’ve been preparing for this day for a long time,” Damian continued, addressing the entire room. “Each of you has skeletons in your closet, and I know every sin
Damian stood at the window of his office, gazing out at the city horizon. The boardroom confrontation had gone exactly as he’d planned, but he felt no satisfaction. His phone buzzed constantly with notifications about the scandalous article concerning Elara.A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. “Come in,” he called out.Henry entered, his face grave. “Sir, the PR team is waiting for your instructions regarding the article about Mrs. Blackwood.”Damian turned, his expression unreadable. “Tell them to prepare a statement. We’ll deny everything and threaten legal action against the publication.”“Yes, sir,” Henry nodded. “There’s something else. Your mother is here to see you.”Damian’s jaw clenched. “Send her in.”Moments later, Serena swept into the room, a look of fake concern on her face. “Darling, have you seen the news? It’s absolutely dreadful what they’re saying about Elara.”“Spare me the act, Mother,” Damian said coldly. “I know you’re behind this.”Serena’s mask slipp
Elara’s hands trembled as she set down the tablet. The vicious lies in the article had shaken her to her core, but a steely courage was beginning to form within her. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—let them destroy her like this.A soft knock on her door startled her. “Come in,” she called, quickly composing herself.Aiden entered, his face a mask of concern. “Mrs. Blackwood! I’ve just received word from Mr. Blackwood. He’s calling an emergency press conference to address the article.”Elara nodded, a plan forming in her mind. “Thank you, Aiden. Please have the car ready in fifteen minutes.”As Aiden left, Elara moved quickly, gathering her thoughts and preparing herself for what was to come.Across town, Damian stood before a sea of flashing cameras and shouting reporters. His face was a mask of calm, but inside, he was seething with anger—at his mother, at the press, and at the situation he found himself in.“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice steady and authoritative. “I stand before
Her world stopped spinning the moment she heard Charles Montgomery’s name. The air in Damian’s office suddenly felt thick and suffocating. She gripped the arms of her chair, her knuckles turning white as the implications of Jackson’s words sank in.“Charles? Are you certain?” Her voice came out as a whisper.Damian’s eyes were fixed on her. “Elara, who is Charles Montgomery?”She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “He was... he is... my mentor. The man who gave me my first real chance in the corporate world.” The words tasted bitter in her mouth.Memories flooded back unbidden: Charles’s encouraging smile on her first day, his patient explanations, his teachings, and the pride in his eyes when she closed her first major deal. Each recollection was now tainted by the knowledge of his betrayal.Elara stood abruptly, needing to move, to do something to quell the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She paced back and forth in Damian’s office, her heels clicking on t
The newsroom of The Daily Chronicle was a frenzy of activity. Phones were ringing non-stop, keyboards were clattering, and voices were raised in excitement and disbelief. Marina Chen, the paper’s top investigative reporter, was at the heart of it all, her eyes wide as she scrolled through the explosive documents on her computer screen.“This can’t be real,” she muttered, shaking her head in disbelief. “How could their son do this, and they chose to cover it up? I still can’t believe it.” As she delved deeper into the mountain of evidence before her, the truth became increasingly undeniable. The once untouchable Regars empire was on the brink of collapse. She pondered over who could have the power to orchestrate such a downfall.Across town, in the Blackwood company, Damian stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office.“Damian,” Elara called as she walked into his office. “Have you seen the news?”“It’s done,” Damian said, his voice low and controlled. “Jackson’s just confirmed
The morning after the Regars scandal broke, the city awoke to a changed world. The revelations about Daniel and his family had spread like wildfire overnight, dominating every conversation from subway cars to coffee shops, from university lecture halls to corporate boardrooms.By dawn, a crowd had gathered outside the Regars Enterprises headquarters. What began as a few curious onlookers quickly grew into hundreds of protesters. Their angry chants echoed off the glass and steel exterior of the once-proud building.“Shame on Regars! Justice for the victims!” they shouted, waving hastily made signs bearing slogans like “Corrupt Regars Must Fall” and “No More Corporate Criminals.”Sarah Lin, a former Regars employee who left the company two years ago due to harassment, was among the protesters. She stood at the front of the crowd, her voice hoarse from shouting.“I tried to speak up,” she told a cluster of reporters, her hands shaking slightly. “But they silenced me, threatened me with m
Elara’s phone buzzed as she rolled over in bed. She slowly opened her eyes and picked up her phone, her friend’s name flashing on the screen.“Hello, baby girl,” Tessa’s cheerful voice rang out. “Don’t tell me you’re still sleeping.”“Yes, I am,” Elara replied, rubbing her eyes.“Do you know what today means?” Tessa asked, excitement lacing her voice.“About what?” Elara mumbled.“Today is the downfall of the Regars!” Tessa screamed.“Oh, right!” Elara’s eyes flew wide open. Today was the day—the day Daniel and his family would finally fall. “I need to get ready.”“You should,” Tessa agreed. “I won’t be able to come. My parents didn’t allow me.”“Okay, make sure to watch the news,” Elara responded before ending the call. She quickly jumped out of bed and stripped off her clothes, heading for the bathroom. After a quick shower, she dried off, applied lotion, and slipped into a short, elegant dress. She combed her hair, then hurried out of her room.“Hurry up, Damian,” Elara called impa
Six Ten years. Ten fucking years of blood, bullets, and brotherhood.I stared at the ornate ceiling of Don Vicenzo's study, counting the cherubs painted in some long-dead artist's vision of heaven. Ironic, considering the hell that transpired in the room below them."You understand what you're asking, Six?" The Don's voice carried the weight of tradition. Of rules written in blood. "La fratellanza is for life."I kept my expression neutral, years of training holding my features in check. "I understand, Don Vicenzo. But I've served faithfully. I've never asked for anything before."The Don's fingers drummed against his mahogany desk – the same desk where I'd pledged my loyalty a decade ago. A frightened kid with blood on his hands and nowhere else to go. Now I was his best enforcer, the shadow that kept La fratellanza's enemies awake at night."The number six," he mused, "has become quite the legend. Our rivals whisper about it. The police have entire task forces dedicated to it." A wr
Five years had passed since the tumultuous events that had reshaped their lives. The world of Damian and Elara had transformed, each piece falling into a complex but harmonious puzzle of success, love, and calculated revenge.Jackson and Tessa’s relationship had blossomed into something unexpected and profound. What had begun as a professional connection had gradually evolved into a passionate romance. Jackson, now known for his cold, calculated approach to business, had found a softness in Tessa that he never thought possible.She brought light to his structured world, her carefree spirit balancing his intense personality. They had married a year after Damian and Elara’s epic wedding - a celebration that had been the talk of high society.That wedding - Damian’s grand gesture to Elara - had been nothing short of spectacular. He had spared no expense, transforming an entire historic estate into a breathtaking venue. Thousands of white roses lined the pathways, crystal chandeliers hung
Elara stood at the doorway, waving at Tessa until her car disappeared down the driveway. A soft smile lingered on her lips, but it quickly faded as she turned back to the house, her thoughts drifting back to Damian.His presence always left her both breathless and overwhelmed, and the way he had looked at her this morning stayed imprinted in her mind. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.Walking back inside, she passed a few maids tidying up the living room. They greeted her with polite smiles, and she returned the gesture before heading to Ace’s nursery. She found him sound asleep, his tiny hands curled into fists. Elizabeth had decorated the nursery in soft pastels, filling it with warmth and love. Elara stood by the crib, watching her son’s chest rise and fall.***The concrete walls of the women’s correctional facility felt cold and unforgiving. Elizabeth walked with measured steps, her elegant demeanor unchanged despite the stark surroundings. Her purse was carefully
They rested for a while before Elara stood up.“I need to bathe,” she said, rising to her feet.“Are you sure?” Damian asked, noticing her legs trembling slightly.“Yes,” she replied. She knew she needed some space from him; otherwise, he might take her again. “I’ll be back.” With trembling legs, she carefully made her way to the bathroom. Under the spray of the shower, she sighed contentedly, still feeling the lingering warmth of Damian’s affection on her skin.She quickly washed herself, then reached for a towel to dry off. Wrapping it securely around her, she walked back to the bedroom. At the nightstand, she found her moisturizer and began applying it to her skin. Her body trembled under Damian’s intense gaze, which followed her every movement.“Stop looking,” she said, glaring at him.“Why should I? I can never get enough of you.”A blush crept onto her face as she turned away. “Don’t say that,” she whispered.“I won’t get tired of saying it, honey. You’ll just have to adapt.”Ela
The first light of dawn gently filtered through the sheer curtains of the penthouse, casting a warm, golden hue across the room. Outside, the world was slowly waking up, but inside their bedroom, a peaceful stillness enveloped them, as if time had paused.Elara was nestled against Damian, her head resting on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. His arm was wrapped around her, his hand gently tracing circles on her bare shoulder.Damian stirred, his eyes fluttering open to find Elara already gazing at him. Her soft smile greeted him, and for a moment, he allowed himself to bask in the serenity of her presence.“Good morning,” she whispered, her voice still husky from sleep.“Good morning, love,” he replied, his voice deep and warm. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering as if savoring the simplicity of the moment. “Did you sleep well?”Elara nodded, her fingers tracing the defined lines of his chest. “I always sleep well when you’re here.”A
“She’s finished,” Jackson said quietly, his voice filled with grim satisfaction. “There’s no coming back from this.”Damian nodded, though his mind was already elsewhere. “She made her choice.”Jackson glanced at his friend, studying the hard lines of Damian’s face. “And Daniel?”“He won’t get far,” Damian replied, his voice low and confident. “By the time he realizes his escape route is compromised, it will be too late. The authorities will handle the rest.”For a moment before Jackson spoke again. “Do you think she meant it?”Damian arched a brow. “Meant what?”“When she said she loved you.”Damian’s lips curled into a cold, humorless smile. “Love?” He scoffed. “Vera doesn’t know the meaning of the word. What she feels isn’t love. It’s an obsession. An insatiable need to possess what she can’t have.”Jackson exhaled softly. “I guess I always knew. I just hoped…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter now.”Damian’s gaze softened briefly. “You deserved better, Jackson.
Vera stumbled backward, her legs shaky beneath her as the walls of her reality closed in. Her heart raced, and her mind screamed for a way out, for a lifeline, but none appeared.The calculated calm she once wielded like a weapon was shattered, leaving only the raw, frantic fear of a woman cornered.“You... you don’t know anything!” Vera spat, her voice trembling with a mix of fury and desperation. “You’re bluffing.”Jackson’s smirk only deepened. “Am I?” He leaned against the edge of the mahogany desk, arms crossed, watching her unravel with an almost clinical detachment. “Let me guess, you’re thinking of running, aren’t you?” His eyes gleamed with amusement. “Trying to calculate how far you can get before we catch you?”Damian’s cold gaze remained fixed on her, unyielding and unmerciful. “You’re not going anywhere, Vera. Not until you answer for your sins.”“I’ve committed no sins!” she shouted, her voice cracking under the pressure. “You’re just trying to pin your failures on me. Y
“Jackson.” Vera’s voice echoed through the silent room. She had been called by him, and now she stood in his study, surrounded by towering bookshelves and the lingering scent of old paper.She smiled as she walked around, her fingers trailing along the spines of leather-bound volumes, searching for something she couldn’t quite name. The late afternoon light filtered through heavy curtains, casting long shadows across the Persian rug.She was still searching the room when Jackson walked in. His footsteps were nearly silent on the thick carpet, but something in the air changed – a shift in pressure, perhaps, or just the weight of his presence.“You’re here.” His voice startled her, making her stop immediately. She rose to her feet, trying to compose herself. “Vera.” His tone was cold, like ice, as he walked toward her.“Yes,” she replied with a smile. A smile she knew Jackson always looked forward to. “You called me here? Is something wrong?” She placed her hand on his chest as Jackson
The sterile lights of Damian’s penthouse cast a cold, artificial glow across the room, but the atmosphere between him and Jackson was anything but sterile. It buzzed with an undercurrent of controlled chaos, the final pieces of a counter-plan falling seamlessly into place.Damian leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled beneath his chin, his sharp gaze locked on Jackson. “You’ve done well, Jackson. Vera and Daniel need to know who they were planning for. I will make them suffer and regret ever thinking of hurting me or my loved ones.” His voice was calm, but the satisfaction lurking beneath it was unmistakable.Jackson met his gaze with equal confidence. “She underestimated me. So did Daniel. They thought I was nothing more than a pawn.”Damian’s lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile. “You’ve proven otherwise.”Jackson appreciated the rare acknowledgment, but his mind was already on the next move. “Daniel will act soon. His pride won’t let him sit idle. He’s desperate, and despe