Shoutouts to these two.. Christine Owings, for the chocolateee And Shelyn, your support comments.. Appreciateddddd
As Beatrice Blake stormed out of the garden, her heels clicking with the sharp precision of her mood, she pulled her phone from her handbag.She scrolled through her contacts with an air of determination, pausing when the name “Cecilia” appeared on the screen.Her finger hovered for a moment, hesitation flickering in her eyes, but only briefly.Pressing the call button, she brought the phone to her ear.The line rang twice before a soft, melodic voice answered, tentative but warm. “Mrs. Blake? Is everything alright?”Beatrice’s expression softened slightly at the familiar voice, a wave of nostalgia washing over her. “Cecilia, dear, I hope I’m not disturbing you.”“Not at all,” Cecilia replied quickly. There was a pause before she added, her tone careful, “Is it Alexander? I’ve been trying to reach him since I heard about the accident. I... I couldn’t get through.”Beatrice exhaled, her grip tightening on the phone. “Yes, it’s Alexander. He’s fine, more than fine, really, considering e
Cecilia raised her glass again, this time silently toasting Alexander.She didn’t regret leaving him after his accident, it had been a hard decision, but she’d been young and scared. Now, though, she saw it as a mistake she could correct.She thought of Sarah and frowned.Alexander deserved stability, someone who understood his world and wouldn’t drag him into danger. Someone who, with the right timing, could remind him of the life they’d once dreamed of sharing.“I’ll make it right,” she murmured to herself as she sipped her martini, her eyes scanning the crowd.Tonight was a celebration, but tomorrow would be the start of her next move.Cecilia swirled the olive in her martini glass, her mind wandering back to Alexander.As the music pounded around her, her thoughts grew darker, a flicker of irritation crossing her otherwise composed face.Alexander in a wheelchair, she mused bitterly, the image of him confined to it gnawing at her pride.She had left because she couldn’t face it, c
Victoria Caldwell had always been a source of contention in the family.Beautiful, headstrong, and accustomed to getting her way, she had grown up in privilege but lacked the discipline and decorum others had, particularly Sarah, had displayed.She was the baby of the family, indulged and adored until her reckless behavior began to overshadow her charm.Recently, her lifestyle had taken a sharp turn. Nights out with questionable men in their affluent social circle, whispered rumors of scandalous behavior at private parties, Victoria seemed to be pushing every boundary, testing the limits of her parents’ patience and their ability to cover for her.As if on cue, the sound of heels clicking against the marble floor echoed through the house.Victoria appeared in the doorway, her outfit more suited to a nightclub than her family’s estate.Her makeup was flawless, her expression unapologetically defiant as she sauntered into the room.“You called?” she said casually, her tone dripping with
Victoria's tears flowed harder as the jealousy and regret she had been suppressing surged to the surface.She hated herself for the bitterness she felt toward Sarah. It wasn’t Sarah’s fault that she was their biological child. Sarah hadn’t asked to be thrust into their lives, just as Victoria hadn’t asked to be replaced.And yet, the resentment burned in her chest.Victoria rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling as her sobs subsided into quiet sniffles.She felt like an impostor in her own family. No matter how much she tried to reclaim her place, it always felt like she was competing with Sarah, a competition she was losing.Downstairs, Eleanor's fingers massaged her temples.“What are we going to do Richard?” she asked quietly, her voice tinged with sadness. “She’s completely lost.”Richard leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. His expression was grim. “It’s time we stop shielding her from the consequences of her actions.”Eleanor looked at him, her eyes glistening
Victoria wiped a stray tear from her cheek, her chest tightening with regret.She thought back to the day she had learned about the Millers’ deaths.She had been scrolling through her phone when the headlines appeared, the words “Tragic Shooting Claims Beloved Community Figures” glaring back at her.Her heart had stopped.She had known, instinctively, who the article was about before she even clicked on it.As she read the details, a hollow feeling spread through her.It was too late.The chance to meet them, to understand them, to maybe even find a connection with them, it was gone.Victoria sniffled, her hands gripping the hem of her skirt as guilt crept in.She hadn’t even attended their funeral.She couldn’t bear the thought of facing Sarah there, of seeing the pain in her sister’s eyes and knowing she had done nothing to comfort her.And now, Sarah had every right to hate her.She buried her face in her hands, fresh tears spilling onto her lap. Despite everything, she had wanted
Gerald paced the floor of his lavishly furnished study, his frustration evident in the sharp clicks of his polished shoes against the marble tiles. His usually calm demeanor had cracked, replaced by an anxious edge that unsettled even his most seasoned guards."Where the hell is he?" Gerald muttered under his breath, his tone biting.Seated across from him, a grim looking man in a tailored suit, a member of Gerald's inner circle, shifted uncomfortably. "We’ve sent teams to his usual haunts, boss. Checked every safe house and contact he’s ever had, but there’s no sign of him."Gerald slammed his fist onto the desk, sending a pen rolling onto the floor. "I don’t need excuses, Darren! I need results. It’s been two days. Two damn days, and no one knows where he is?!"The man leaned forward, his expression tense but composed. "We’re doing everything we can, sir. He could’ve been picked up, or worse...""Don’t even say it," Gerald snapped, cutting him off. His most trusted confidant, Marcus
“Marcus,” Carter called, his tone firm but not unkind. “You’ve got two choices, come with us, or stay here and let Gerald deal with the fact that we found you first. We both know how that ends.”Marcus hesitated, his mind whirling.Carter’s words cut deep. If Gerald believed Marcus had talked, or worse, been captured, it wouldn’t matter what the truth was. Gerald’s paranoia would ensure Marcus’s death, no matter the cost.“Tick tock, Marcus,” Carter added, stepping closer. “You’ve got about ten seconds before my men stop being patient.”Marcus’s resolve wavered.He had been loyal to Gerald for years, but loyalty wouldn’t save him now. Slowly, he lowered his gun, his hands trembling as he placed it on the ground.“I’ll come,” he said hoarsely, his voice barely audible.Carter gave a curt nod, signaling his men to stand down. “Smart choice,” he said, stepping forward to retrieve the gun. “Let’s go. Alexander’s waiting.”Marcus was led out of the tunnel, his thoughts a tangled mess of fe
Carter drove through the quiet streets, his sharp eyes scanning the rearview mirror for any signs of pursuit.Marcus sat slumped in the back of the vehicle, his hands bound securely, his face pale and streaked with sweat.The man’s bravado had long since disappeared, replaced by silent fear as the reality of his capture settled in.The base was located on the outskirts of the city, hidden behind an unassuming warehouse façade.The location was one of Alexander’s best kept secrets, a fortress equipped with top of the line security and surveillance systems.As Carter pulled into the compound, the large steel gates closed behind them with a low groan, sealing them inside.Two guards were already waiting.They approached the vehicle swiftly, opening the door to drag Marcus out. The man struggled weakly, but his efforts were futile against the firm grip of the guards.“Get him inside,” Carter ordered curtly, stepping out of the vehicle and adjusting his coat. “Make sure he’s secured. I don’
The entire room followed her gaze.The tension was a living thing, thick and suffocating, as realization began to dawn on the guests.“You see,” Beatrice continued, her lips curling into something resembling amusement, “this entire spectacle, this supposed ‘legacy of brilliance’, it’s the work of none other than Sarah.”The name hit the crowd like a dropped glass, shattering the carefully crafted atmosphere of admiration and intrigue.Sarah, standing frozen in place, met Beatrice’s gaze head on. She had expected sabotage. She had even anticipated drama. But she had not expected this level of public exposure, this deliberate act of humiliation staged before the most powerful individuals in the fashion world.“This woman,” Beatrice went on, her voice sharp, “who was fortunate enough to marry into the Blake family, has been deceiving us all. Parading in our world as if she belongs, as if she has earned this level of prestige. Tell me, Sarah...” she tilted her head with faux curiosity, “.
The energy in the room remained electric as guests continued to mingle, sip on champagne, and trade speculation about the mysterious force behind Mountain Rose.Sarah, however, was far too preoccupied to let the gossip faze her. Seated in the VVIP section beside her mentor, Margaret Windsor, and Liam Carrington, she allowed herself a moment of quiet satisfaction."I must say," Margaret began, her sharp eyes scanning the room with admiration, "you have played this game masterfully, Sarah. Even now, they’re all in a frenzy trying to figure out who’s behind this grand spectacle. Not one of them has guessed correctly."Sarah smiled, taking a slow sip of her champagne. "It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Too many people wanted to see me fail. I couldn’t afford to let my identity be known too soon."Liam chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "And yet, look at them now. Scrambling for answers, when the woman they’re all dying to uncover is sitting right under their noses."Margaret nodded a
Mrs. Beatrice Blake wasted no time. The moment Alexander stepped off the runway and into the luxurious VVIP lounge, she was already there, standing with a wine glass in hand, her expression composed yet sharp."Alexander," she called, her tone holding the perfect balance between curiosity and demand.He turned leisurely, as if he hadn’t just caused an uproar in one of the most prestigious fashion events of the year. He took his time, undoing the top button of his tailored suit, adjusting the exquisite brooch still pinned to his lapel.His mother didn’t even glance at the jewelry. Her focus was entirely on him."Why did you do it?" she asked smoothly, her voice low enough for only him to hear.Alexander smirked. "Do what, Mother?""You know what I mean," she snapped, keeping her tone controlled despite her growing frustration. "Why, in the name of everything logical, would you, Alexander Blake, walk on that runway? For Mountain Rose?”She took a deliberate sip of her wine before contin
Among them, Elise sat frozen, her carefully constructed confidence cracking.This wasn’t what she had expected.She had been so sure her designs would turn heads tonight, that she would steal the spotlight and bask in the admiration.But now?She wasn’t even an afterthought.Everything, the attention, the speculation, the whispers, was all about Mountain Rose.And worse?No one even knew who was behind it.Elise’s jaw clenched, her nails digging into her palm as she shot a sharp glance at Victoria and Cecilia, who looked just as shaken."We need to find out who the hell is running this brand," Victoria muttered under her breath, barely able to keep the venom out of her tone.Cecilia wasn’t listening.Her mind was spinning in another direction entirely.Because there was only one person she suspected.And if she was right, if Sarah was behind all of this, then this wasn’t just a victory.It was a message.A warning that she wasn’t done yet.That she was coming for them.And Cecilia was
Seb, aware of the chaos, allowed himself a leisurely glance at the audience, his eyes deliberately locking onto the ones who stared a little too hard, a little too long.Then, in the most sinfully taunting way possible, he let his smirk widen, dragging his tongue over his lower lip for just a second...A calculated, devastating move.The reaction was instant.Several gasps.Some audible giddy shrieks.A few not so discreet lip bites.One particularly bold woman in a crimson gown reached for her champagne glass, fingers trembling slightly as she whispered to her friend, "I need to have him."The raw, undeniable tension in the room was tangible.Seb knew it.He reveled in it.Because this?This was the effect he had.The moment he reached the end of the runway, he paused, not because he needed to, but because he wanted to let them ache for more.He stood there, under the bright spotlight, exuding dominance in a way that was effortless, natural.Then, with the same lazy arrogance, he lif
Backstage, the energy was just as electrifying as it was out front.The sound of the music, the murmur of models getting last minute touch ups, and the rustling of extravagant fabric filled the space.Sarah and Alexander stepped into the room, the tension of the event pressing against their backs but doing nothing to dull the air of control they carried.Alexander, now dressed in a crisp white dress shirt, sleeves rolled up just enough to show off the lean muscles of his forearms, exuded effortless charm, while Sarah, always a picture of quiet dominance, swept her gaze across the room, assessing everything with the precision of someone who owned the moment.Raven stood near a full length mirror, arms crossed, exasperation written all over her face as she shot an unimpressed look at Seb."For the last time, Sebastian, you need to take this seriously," she scolded, placing a hand on her hip. "This isn’t some casual strut down a nightclub aisle."Seb scoffed, running a hand through his t
The sight of Sarah so comfortable, so effortlessly belonging in a room filled with power and status made Victoria’s fingers curl around her champagne glass.“This isn’t fair,” she muttered under her breath, her jaw tight.Cecilia, however, was too distracted to focus on Sarah’s moment of victory.Her mind was on something else.Something far worseThe video.Her breathing was slightly uneven, her grip trembling as she downed her drink in one go. The thought of Sarah having that kind of power over her was suffocating. If that video ever got out...Victoria noticed her distress and placed a hand over hers. “You need to get a grip,” she hissed. “We’ll deal with this later.”Before Cecilia could respond, the lights in the venue dimmed, signaling the start of the event.A hush fell over the audience.A single spotlight illuminated the stage, and soon, the MC stepped forward, holding a sleek microphone in hand.“Ladies and gentlemen,” her voice rang out, confident and smooth, “welcome to a
The grand showroom was already buzzing with anticipation. Conversations flowed, champagne flutes clinked, and the venue brimmed with some of the most influential figures in the industry.The fashion elites, billionaires, and dignitaries from the jewelry world were all present, waiting for the show to begin. The air was thick with curiosity and excitement.Then, the main doors to the venue swept open.For a brief moment, everything seemed to pause.Alexander Blake had arrived.He stepped in first, effortlessly commanding attention despite not making a grand gesture. His presence alone was magnetic. Dressed in a finely tailored black velvet tuxedo, his broad shoulders and sharp features only accentuated his natural dominance.The subtle but undeniable aura of power that surrounded him made every man in the room straighten their backs, and every woman steal a second glance.Yet, for all the admiration and envy directed at him, Alexander’s gaze wasn’t on the crowd.It was on the woman bes
Elise, comfortably seated in the VIP section, felt her confidence waver for the first time that evening. Her hands clutched the armrest of her seat as she watched the living legend walk in.Meanwhile, Victoria and Cecilia, stuck in the regular section, were rendered speechless.Cecilia, who had been sipping on her cocktail with a detached air, almost dropped the glass. "You’ve got to be kidding me," she muttered under her breath.Victoria swallowed, shifting in her seat. "Margaret Windsor? Here? Of all places?"Neither of them had expected this. Margaret was known for being selective with the events she attended, and her appearance tonight elevated the Mountain Rose Showroom to a whole new level of prestige.The murmurs grew louder as people craned their necks to get a better look at the woman who had shaped the modern jewelry industry.And as she made her way toward the VVIP section, Liam Carrington stood out of respect, offering her a nod. Margaret acknowledged him with a slight smi