“The vote will now begin.”As Sterling prepared to call the vote, the boardroom became more tense. Chloe’s heart thudded in her chest as the board members prepared to cast their ballots. This was it. The moment everything would be decided. Her future, her family's legacy—everything was on the line.The board members began submitting their votes electronically, each click on their tablets echoing like a ticking clock in Chloe’s mind. She sat perfectly still, her fingers gripping the armrests of her chair until her knuckles turned white from the pressure.She tried to keep her breathing steady, but it felt like the walls were closing in. Across the table, Henry sat with his usual smirk, a perfect picture of calm confidence. Every now and then, he glanced in her direction with the faintest hint of triumph flickering in his eyes.Chloe doesn’t news her eyes to feel Henry’s on her. The thought of it sent chills down her spine and goosebumps on her skin.“Stay focused,” Chloe whispered to
One of the board members leaned in, his tone curious. “So, Ms. Westbrook, what’s next?”Chloe blinked, her thoughts snapping back to the present. What’s next? She wasn’t sure yet. The victory was hollow. There was so much work to be done, so many fires to put out, and Henry wasn’t going to disappear quietly.She straightened, her voice steady as she answered. “Now, we move forward. We stabilize the company, we regain the trust of our investors, and we prove that Westbrook Industries is as strong as ever.”Sterling gave her a curt nod. "Agreed. I think it would be wise to hold a press conference to reassure investors and the public. We can’t afford to let rumors circulate, not after everything that’s happened today."Chloe felt a tight knot form in her stomach. A press conference. It made sense—they needed to send a clear message, show that the company was still strong, and that she, as the new leader, was in control. But the idea of standing in front of cameras, with the world watchi
“Leo?” Chloe’s voice was soft, and for the first time that day, the weight on her chest lifted slightly.“Hey,” Leo replied warmly. “I heard about the accident. How are you holding up?”Chloe sighed, her grip tightening on the phone as she processed his question. "It’s... been a lot. My parents are in critical condition, and Adam and Francis are recovering slowly. And now this..." She trailed off in a shaky voice.She felt a lump rise in her throat but swallowed it down. The boardroom, the vote—it had drained her emotionally. But Leo's presence, even through the phone, felt like a calm in the storm.“I can’t even imagine what you’re going through,” Leo said, his voice low with concern. “But I know you’re strong enough to get through this, Chloe. You always are.”Chloe felt a small smile tug at her lips, despite everything. Leo always had a way of making her feel seen, not just as the blind girl struggling in a world of sight, but as someone capable and resilient. "Thanks, Leo.""And c
Chloe stood just behind the podium, feeling Marcus’s steady hand guiding her forward. The sound of hushed voices in the room grew louder as the reporters and investors gathered, waiting for her to speak. The weight of their expectations felt like a thousand-pound anchor around her chest, and though she couldn't see them, she knew all eyes were on her.Her heart raced, pounding in her ears. This was it—the moment she had to face the world as the new interim CEO of Westbrook Industries. She clenched her fists by her sides, then forced herself to take a deep breath. The familiar scent of roses and freshly cut grass from the garden lingered in her mind, calming her just a bit. She remembered Leo’s words: You’re not alone.The fact that she couldn’t see the crowd helped a little. She didn’t have to endure the piercing stares or skeptical glances she knew were directed at her. But still, she could feel the tension in the room, the unease. And she knew it was up to her to change that.As
A few minutes before Chloe stood at the podium, Leo found himself lingering at the back of the crowd. He hadn’t planned on staying for the press conference, but here he was. Why? He wasn’t entirely sure. He told himself it was curiosity—that he simply wanted to see how Chloe would handle herself in front of the press, how she would respond to the sharks waiting to tear into her. But that wasn’t the whole truth, and he knew it.The truth was more complicated. Leo had first seen Chloe Westbrook weeks ago, during the scandal with her ex-husband, Dan Sawyer. It was everywhere in the papers, their faces splashed across tabloids like an endless parade of dysfunction.Dan. Leo’s nephew.When Leo learned that piece of information, it had felt like a cruel twist of fate. He’d known all along he should stay away, keep his distance. There were enough red flags to make it obvious—Chloe’s complicated past, the age difference between them, and the fact that she had been married to his nephew of
Chloe slowly stirred, her senses coming to life before her consciousness fully returned. The first thing she registered was the faint and steady beeping of machines nearby, a rhythmic sound that echoed softly through the room. The air was filled with a strong smell of antiseptic, mixed with a light hint of roses—Mrs. Warren must have brought flowers.Then came the distant murmur of voices, low and concerned.Chloe blinked, her world still a blur of darkness, but she wasn’t disoriented. She knew where she was. The hospital.A sigh escaped her lips, and she shifted slightly. Her body felt heavy, like the exhaustion had finally sunk into her bones. Just as she tried to push herself up, a gentle hand was on her arm."Chloe, dear, don’t rush," came the soft, familiar voice of Mrs. Warren. "Just lie back. You need to rest."Chloe let herself sink back into the bed, feeling the softness of the pillows beneath her head. She didn’t want to rest. Not now. "I’m fine," she muttered weakly, he
Chloe could hear the soft beeping of medical machines from the other side of the door, and the faint murmur of voices. Mrs. Warren gently knocked before pushing the door open.As she pushed Chloe’s wheelchair into the hospital room, the sound of a news anchor’s voice reached her ears.“…following her sudden collapse at the press conference, many are questioning whether Chloe Westbrook is ready to lead Westbrook Industries during this critical period…”Chloe’s stomach dropped. The newscaster’s words felt like a knife twisting in her gut, confirming all the fears and doubts she had been trying to suppress. They were talking about her—her failure, her collapse—broadcasted for the world to see.The sound of the news cut off abruptly, followed by a flurry of movement. Adam, fumbling with the remote, had quickly turned off the television as soon as he noticed her entering the room.“Chloe!” Adam called out, his voice sounding too bright, too forced as he tried to pretend, hoping Chloe didn
Dan Sawyer stepped off the private jet, the cool evening breeze brushing against his face as he descended the steps. The plane had just touched down, and despite the exhaustion from his two-day business trip, his mind was already back on the things that mattered.As he reached the black luxury sedan waiting for him, his assistant, Kyle, stood by the door, phone in hand, ready to update him on everything that had transpired during his absence.“Welcome back, Mr. Sawyer,” Kyle greeted him as Dan slid into the back seat. “How was your trip?”“Productive,” Dan replied, loosening his tie. “But you know how it is—good to be back.” He settled into the plush leather seat, feeling the weight of the past two days fall off his shoulders. “So, what did I miss? Anything urgent while I was away?”Kyle glanced at his tablet, flipping through his notes as the driver pulled away from the private airstrip. "There’s been a lot of media coverage about Westbrook Industries these past two days. Your ex-wif
The ride to the hospital was calm, with the sound of the car engine providing a steady background to Chloe’s thoughts. She had asked Leo to take her there to see her brothers first before driving her home.Sitting beside Leo, she found herself nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.“You’re unusually quiet,” Leo said softly, his voice breaking the silence.Chloe tilted her head in his direction, offering a faint smile. “Just thinking,” she admitted. “About Adam and Francis. I can’t imagine how worried they’ve been.”“They’ll feel better seeing you,” Leo reassured her. “It’ll do them good to know you’re safe.”She nodded, her fingers tightening slightly on the fabric. “Thank you for bringing me here. I couldn’t go home without seeing them first.”The hospital came into sight, its plain outside shining softly in the afternoon light. As they pulled into the driveway, Chloe took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was sure to be an emotional reunion.Inside, the soft beeping o
Morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting muted shadows across the guest room. Chloe stirred beneath the warm covers, her senses gradually awakening to the faint scent of lavender lingering in the air. The sound of a low, hushed voice caught her attention, drawing her from the edges of sleep.She remained still, her head resting lightly against the pillow, as she strained to catch the words.“...need to find out who it was,” Leo’s voice murmured in a firm but quiet voice. “I don’t care what it takes. They targeted her, and I won’t let it go unanswered.”There was a pause, presumably the other person responding. Leo’s tone softened but held its edge. “Just keep me updated. I want answers soon.”The line clicked off, and Chloe heard the faint rustle of movement. She let her breathing remain slow and even, unsure if she should acknowledge what she’d overheard. Before she could decide, Leo’s voice broke the quiet again.“Chloe?” he said softly, closer now. “You’re awak
The dining room grew quiet again as the remnants of their dinner were cleared away. Chloe sat back in her chair, her fingers tracing the edge of her napkin. Despite the tension of the past few days, this moment of calm felt precious, even fleeting. She exhaled softly, feeling her shoulders relax for the first time since the ordeal began.“Chloe,” Leo began, breaking the silence with a thoughtful tone. “Would you like to take a stroll? Stretch your legs a bit?”She tilted her head, intrigued. “A stroll?”“Just around the mansion,” he said. “It’s quiet this time of night. I can show you the garden, maybe even the library if you’d like.”Her lips quirked into a faint smile. “A guided tour of the Leo King estate? How could I say no?”Leo chuckled as he stood, moving to her side to offer his arm. “Shall we?”Chloe hesitated for a moment before taking his arm. “You’re the one who’s supposed to be resting, you know,” she reminded him in a teasing tone.“I’ll be fine,” he replied smoothly. “
When Chloe woke up, the room was a bit dark and silent. The gentle sound of the air conditioning and the far-off footsteps were all that suggested that there was life in the mansion somewhere. Chloe was now lying in bed, feeling the soft mattress underneath her, which was very different from the chair where she had dozed off.She sat up slowly, disoriented for a moment. Her hands brushed against the soft sheets, and a faint scent of lavender lingered in the air. The faint ache in her muscles from the events of the day before made her sigh softly.“You’re finally awake,” a familiar voice said from somewhere nearby in a warm and teasing tone.Chloe turned her head toward the sound, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Leo,” she said softly. “You’re out of bed. You shouldn’t be up. You should be resting.”“Don’t tell me you’re going to be one of those grumpy nurses who would keep me in bed all day if they could,” he quipped with a faint chuckle in his voice.Chloe couldn’t help but laugh
The room was still and quiet, the only sound you could hear was the soft, rhythmic beeping of the monitors beside Leo’s bed. Shadows from the dim overhead light played across the walls, creating a calm amidst the storm that had torn through the night.Chloe sat slumped in the chair beside him, her head resting on the edge of his bed. Her breathing was soft, her face turned slightly toward him, her fingers still curled around his hand as if even in sleep, she couldn’t let him go.Leo’s eyes fluttered open slowly, his vision hazy and blurred at first. The ache in his chest was a dull throb, a reminder of the bullet that had narrowly missed his heart. He blinked, the fog lifting as his gaze focused on the figure beside him.Chloe.For a moment, he simply watched her. Strands of her hair fell across her face, and her lips were parted slightly in the relaxed stillness of sleep. Despite the exhaustion evident in the dark circles beneath her eyes, there was a softness to her features that
The room was dimly lit, filled with sweat and the smell of cigarette smoke. Signs of earlier chaos were everywhere, with debris scattered around and chairs turned over. The man in charge of the kidnap, a wiry man with a gaunt face and sharp, hawk-like eyes, paced back and forth, his boots thudding heavily against the concrete floor.Before him, three men knelt, their faces bruised, blood trickling down from cuts on their foreheads and lips. Each bore the aftermath of a mission gone disastrously wrong, but they kept their heads bowed, too terrified to meet their leader’s burning gaze.The wiry man suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowing on the closest man. “Just thirty damn minutes. Thirty!” he snarled, his voice echoing sharply against the cold, bare walls. “I told you to watch her, to keep her contained. All you had to do was scare her. Make her sweat a little. That’s it!”He took a step closer, his fists clenched at his sides. “And not only do you mess it up,” he growled, his voice dr
The office building had grown eerily quiet, the usual hum of activity replaced by the oppressive weight of uncertainty. Marcus paced in Chloe’s office, her cane and phone resting on the desk where he’d placed them after retrieving them from the floor outside. Every so often, his eyes darted to his watch. Over an hour had passed since Leo had taken off with Chloe. No updates. No calls.Marcus stared at his phone, his thumb hovering over Leo’s number. He’d called twice already, and each time, the line went straight to voicemail. “Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, shoving the phone back into his pocket.The silence in the room felt deafening. Marcus’s mind raced with worst-case scenarios. What if something had gone wrong? What if the men who had taken Chloe had backup? What if—No. He shook his head, forcing himself to stay calm. Leo would handle it. He promised he would. But the nagging feeling in his gut told him otherwise. He had waited long enough.Taking a deep breath, Marcu
Anton gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white as he pressed the accelerator, speeding through the city’s streets with no regard for traffic lights or the blare of honking horns. The SUV roared past intersections, weaving through traffic like a predator hunting its prey. In the back seat, Chloe held Leo’s limp body against her, her tears staining his shirt as she tried to steady him.Her chest heaved with sobs, her mind consumed with guilt. “This is my fault,” she whispered in a trembling voice. “He’s hurt because of me. If I hadn’t been—”“Enough!” Anton’s voice interrupted her. “He’s not dead yet, so stop crying over him like he is. Save it for later, when he can yell at you himself.”Chloe flinched at his tone, biting her lip to hold back her tears. She knew he was right—her tears wouldn’t help Leo now—but the feel of his blood soaking through his shirt, his shaky breaths, and the shallow rise and fall of his chest shattered her resolve. She nodded weakly, holding
A moment later, another set of footsteps entered the room—a slower and more deliberate one.“Chloe?” The familiar voice called out.Chloe’s breath caught in her throat. “Leo?” she whispered, disbelief and relief flooding her at once.Leo’s voice was calm yet clear, piercing the musty atmosphere of the dimly lit room. “I’d be careful if I were you.” His gun was raised, trained with deadly precision on the man holding Chloe.The kidnapper paused for a moment, keeping his gun aimed at Chloe, his hand tightening around the handle. “You wouldn’t put her life in danger,” he sneered, but the slight tremor in his voice revealed his doubt.Leo’s eyes burned with cold fury. “You think I won’t put a bullet in your head before you can even pull that trigger?” His words carried no bravado, only the lethal certainty of a man who had done worse for less.The man hesitated, his resolve faltering under Leo’s intense gaze. “I just do my job, alright? Nothing personal. You want her back? Let me walk out