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 warehouse was damp, cold, and stuffy. A single, dim bulb swung lazily from the ceiling, casting long, flickering shadows across the grimy concrete floor. The scent of gasoline, stale tobacco, and mildew mixed with the distant echo of dripping water from a corner. It was a familiar setting for Leo—negotiations that are carried out in clandestine locations.But tonight, something felt off.Leo leaned against a stack of old crates, his eyes scanning the faces of the men across from him. The Gagliano brothers stood on the other side of the room, shrouded in darkness, waiting. Their faces showed no clear emotions, and their bodies were stiff, ready for a fight if necessary. Feelings of mistrust filled the air—the kind that could deadly in just a heartbeat.Anton, Leo’s second-in-command, stood beside him, arms crossed, his eyes flicking back and forth between the Gaglianos and their men. He sensed the danger too, but Leo was distracted.His thoughts kept circling back to Chloe.He tr
The sterile, brightly lit hallways of City General Hospital were almost too quiet for Chloe’s liking. The faint hum of fluorescent lights, the soft beeping of distant monitors, and the muffled voices of nurses.Everything blended together into a dull background buzz as she made her way down the corridor toward the ICU. Her cane tapped lightly against the smooth tile floor, a steady rhythm that did little to calm her nerves.The smell of antiseptic—sharp, metallic, and sterile—hung in the air. Hospitals always made Chloe uneasy, after having to visit twice a week when with Dan to donate blood for his lover but today, that feeling was even stronger. It wasn’t just the usual discomfort that came from being in a place where people were so vulnerable; it was the weight of everything else. The company, her family, her collapsing at the press conference, and now... her parents.Her parents. She could hardly call them that.Since learning she was a Westbrook, Chloe had never met them. Ric
The hospital waiting room was nearly empty, bathed in the dull, sterile glow of fluorescent lights. The ticking of a clock on the wall echoed faintly in the otherwise quiet space. It was late evening, and most visitors had gone home. Only the occasional sound of a nurse’s hurried footsteps or the soft beeping of machines broke the silence.Leo sat hunched in one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs, his bruised knuckles resting on his knees. The throbbing pain from his recent run-in with the Gaglianos pulsed through his body, but his mind was far from the events of the night. His thoughts were fixed on Chloe.After the deal gone wrong with the Gaglianos, he couldn’t ignore the gnawing worry that had taken root, so he had come straight to the hospital, barely pausing to clean himself up. He wasn’t sure why, but Chloe had a way of drawing him in, making him care in ways he hadn’t expected.He ran a hand over his face, exhaustion tugging at him, but still, he waited. He had asked for C
Chloe stood in the sleek, glass-walled boardroom of Westbrook Industries, the early morning sun casting long shadows across the polished mahogany table. The smell of fresh coffee mingled with the faint scent of leather from the high-backed chairs surrounding her. She had arrived just before dawn, slipping into the company like a ghost. The doctors had advised her to rest, her brothers had insisted she take a break, but Chloe couldn't afford that luxury. Not now. Not with everything hanging in the balance.She stood at the head of the table, hands resting on the cool surface, feeling the weight of the room pressing in on her. Around her, the board members were murmuring in low voices, casting uneasy glances her way. She could sense their doubt, their thinly veiled skepticism. They didn’t trust her, not yet. And she collapsing yesterday after the press conference had only deepened their concerns.As Marcus ushered the last of the members into the room, Chloe took a deep breath, steel
The next morning, Sofia Sawyer stood in front of the towering Westbrook corporate building. Her designer heels clicked softly against the polished floor as she entered, her pristine appearance an effortless mask for the turmoil beneath.She wasn’t supposed to know about Dan’s visit to Chloe. But she did. Call it stalking but she had actually asked someone to follow Dan for the past few days and report to her.Dan had gone to see her.Sofia’s fists clenched around the strap of her handbag as she thought about it. Chloe Westbrook, the ex-wife who had haunted her relationship from the start. The woman who, despite being blind and divorced, somehow still held a piece of Dan’s heart. It infuriated her.She wasn’t going to let Chloe have any power over her life. Not anymore. Today, she would make sure Chloe understood exactly where things stood.Disguised as a potential client, Sofia had made an appointment under the name Sofia George. As the receptionist directed her to Chloe’s office, Sof
The warm afternoon sunlight filtered through the wide windows of the Westbrook mansion’s sitting room. Chloe sat on the plush armchair, her cane resting nearby, as she sifted through her thoughts about the whirlwind events of the past week.A soft knock interrupted her musings. Before she could respond, Marcus's voice came from the hallway. “Miss Chloe, you have a visitor.”Chloe frowned slightly. “A visitor?”“Yes,” Marcus said, his tone carrying an edge of reluctance. “It’s Dan.”The air seemed to tighten around her. She hadn’t seen her ex-husband since the day he threatened her and invited her for dinner. She had hoped that chapter of her life was firmly closed. “Let him in,” she said finally, keeping her voice calm.Marcus hesitated but complied. A moment later, the sound of familiar footsteps filled the room, and Dan stepped in. His confident stride faltered slightly as he took in Chloe’s composed figure, her hands resting lightly on the armrest.“Chloe,” he began in a soft voic
The following days blurred into a calm routine of hospital visits and cautious optimism. Chloe’s life had become a balancing act, divided between her responsibilities at the company and ensuring her family received the best care possible.Adam was the first to be discharged, but his weakened condition concerned her. She had expected him to celebrate escaping the clinical sterility of the hospital, yet his mood had turned sullen.Marcus, always efficient, arranged for a private nurse and physical therapist to visit daily, ensuring Adam’s recovery continued at home.Yet, even with the best care, the frustration in Adam’s eyes was impossible to miss.“You need to take it slow,” Chloe urged him gently one morning as they sat in the cozy sitting room of the mansion. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows across the room.Adam glared at the untouched breakfast on the table. “I don’t want to take it slow, Chloe. I want to walk properly. I want to feel like myself again.
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