They made their way to the jewelry department floor, where dozens of designers, managers, and employees were already working.The department, located on one of the upper levels of Blake Group, was filled with gleaming showcases, intricate sketches pinned on walls, and artisans meticulously setting precious stones into their mounts.As soon as Alexander stepped into the room, a hush fell over the space.Employees stiffened, eyes widening at the sight of their CEO, not in a wheelchair, but walking with an aura of absolute dominance.Elise Martin, the chief designer, was among those staring. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides.What was he doing here?And why was Sarah Blake standing beside him, looking like she owned the place?Alexander scanned the room before clearing his throat. “I won’t take much of your time.” His voice was calm but commanding, ensuring every single person in the department was focused on him.“As you all know, there have been a few changes within the Blake
The first course arrived, a delicate seafood appetizer, paired with an expensive white wine.Sarah picked up her glass, swirling the liquid before taking a sip. “You really don’t do anything halfway, do you?”Alexander smirked. “Not when it comes to you.”They ate, enjoying the exquisite meal and the intimacy of the moment. But as they reached the main course, Alexander’s demeanor shifted slightly.He leaned back, swirling his glass of wine, his gaze steady on her. “There’s something I need to ask you.”Sarah set her fork down. “That sounds serious.”He exhaled, his jaw tightening briefly. “Liam.”Sarah blinked, caught off guard. “Liam?”Alexander’s expression remained unreadable. “I don’t want him involved in your business.”Sarah frowned. “I thought we already talked about this. You said no, and I agreed.”He studied her, as if trying to gauge her reaction. “I need to make sure you understand why.”Sarah sighed, leaning forward. “Alexander, I know you and Liam might have history, bu
After the unexpected encounter with Seb, Sarah and Alexander made their way back to the office.As soon as they entered the building, Alexander pressed a kiss against Sarah’s temple before heading toward the executive elevators.“I’ll be in my office,” he murmured. “Call me if you need anything.”Sarah smirked. “What could possibly happen on my first day?”Alexander gave her a knowing look, as if he already had an answer to that.Sarah shook her head and waved him off before making her way to the jewelry department.The moment Sarah stepped into the department, all eyes turned to her.She could feel the weight of their gazes, a mix of curiosity, admiration, and quiet resentment.After all, they had all known her before. She had worked among them, learning the ropes under Elise Martin, the lead designer.Now?She was their boss.Sarah didn’t let their stares intimidate her. Instead, she walked in with the same confidence she had when she walked into a race track, ready to dominate.She
As the sun dipped below the skyline, signaling the end of the workday, Sarah stretched in her chair, exhaling softly.It had been a day, one filled with unnecessary hostility from Elise and her own determination to prove she deserved her position.But she wasn’t discouraged. If anything, she felt more energized.Just as she was about to gather her things, a familiar presence filled the doorway.Alexander stood there, his imposing frame leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, his lips curled into that signature smirk. “Ready to go home, Mrs. Blake?”Sarah smiled, pushing herself up from the chair and walking toward him. “Depends,” she teased. “Are you here as my husband or my boss?”Alexander chuckled, reaching for her hand as he led her toward the elevator. “Both. But right now, I think I prefer to be your husband.”As they stepped into the elevator, Sarah let out a small sigh, rolling her shoulders. “It wasn’t bad,” she admitted when he asked about her first day. “But Elise clea
The tires screeched against the asphalt as both cars launched forward, the force pushing them back into their seats.The track was a familiar beast, long curves, sharp turns, and unpredictable elevations. But they both knew every inch of it.Sarah took the lead first, weaving effortlessly around the bends, her movements precise.Alexander, however, was relentless.He pushed his car harder, catching up with every turn, keeping just enough pressure on her to remind her he was still right there.They raced like it was second nature.But tonight, Alexander wasn't just pushing Sarah for fun.He was making sure she was ready.Seb Hargrove wanted to get to his wife.But Alexander would make damn sure that when she faced him tonight, she would win.And when Sarah finally crossed the finish line, just a second before him, he let out a satisfied chuckle."Not bad," he mused as he stepped out of the car, walking toward her as she pulled off her helmet.Sarah grinned. "Not bad? I won."Alexander
Inside the car, Sarah’s mind raced even faster than the flames outside.The air grew hotter, smoke already filling the cabin. Her seatbelt was jammed.She yanked at it, coughing as smoke stung her lungs.The door wouldn’t budge.Through the smoke and fire, she could barely make out the approaching figure.Alexander.He was moving like a man possessed, shoving people out of his way, his eyes locked on her.His suit jacket was already discarded, his hands reaching for the car door.“Sarah, hold on!”Through the ringing in her ears, she heard the panic in his voice.The same Alexander Blake who rarely let emotions show.The same man who commanded fear in boardrooms and battlefields alike.He was breaking apart in front of her eyes.Then...CRASH!Alexander used a metal rod from the track’s safety barrier and smashed the driver’s side window.Smoke poured out as he reached inside.“Take my hand!”Sarah’s fingers barely wrapped around his when...Another explosion rocked the vehicle, knock
Back at the racetrack, Seb was trying to slip away unnoticed.The moment things had gone south, he knew he had to disappear before Alexander came for him.He moved quickly, heading for his car, the taste of blood still in his mouth from the punch Alexander had landed.He cursed under his breath, wiping his lip with the back of his hand."Shit, shit, shit," he muttered. This wasn’t supposed to happen.He had planned to humiliate Sarah, shake her confidence, maybe force her to see him as someone who could challenge her, but he never intended for her car to catch fire. That had been a mistake. A very, very dangerous mistake.His fingers curled around the door handle of his Jesko. Just as he was about to pull it open...SCREEECH!A blacked out motorcycle skidded to a stop right in front of him, the roaring engine cutting through the tension filled air.Seb took a startled step back.The rider dismounted in one smooth motion, removing the dark helmet to reveal a familiar face.Raven.Alexa
The grand ballroom of the Caldwell Estate glittered under the glow of crystal chandeliers, and the air was thick with the scent of champagne, designer perfumes, and the murmur of high society.Everywhere she looked, Sarah Miller saw faces turned not to her, but to the dazzling figure just steps ahead.Victoria Reed, the girl everyone believed was Eleanor and Richard Caldwell's daughter, moved through the crowd with the ease of someone who knew she belonged.Her dress, a sleek midnight blue silk that fit her like it was made for her alone, shimmered with every step.The Caldwell name was attached to her life, to her past, to her future, or at least, it had been until three months ago.In stark contrast, Sarah stood beside her countryside mother, Mary, in a modest cream colored dress that felt wrong against the opulence surrounding her.The dress was too simple, too plain, a stark reminder that she’d only just learned to navigate the chaos of a city’s department store, let alone the hig
Back at the racetrack, Seb was trying to slip away unnoticed.The moment things had gone south, he knew he had to disappear before Alexander came for him.He moved quickly, heading for his car, the taste of blood still in his mouth from the punch Alexander had landed.He cursed under his breath, wiping his lip with the back of his hand."Shit, shit, shit," he muttered. This wasn’t supposed to happen.He had planned to humiliate Sarah, shake her confidence, maybe force her to see him as someone who could challenge her, but he never intended for her car to catch fire. That had been a mistake. A very, very dangerous mistake.His fingers curled around the door handle of his Jesko. Just as he was about to pull it open...SCREEECH!A blacked out motorcycle skidded to a stop right in front of him, the roaring engine cutting through the tension filled air.Seb took a startled step back.The rider dismounted in one smooth motion, removing the dark helmet to reveal a familiar face.Raven.Alexa
Inside the car, Sarah’s mind raced even faster than the flames outside.The air grew hotter, smoke already filling the cabin. Her seatbelt was jammed.She yanked at it, coughing as smoke stung her lungs.The door wouldn’t budge.Through the smoke and fire, she could barely make out the approaching figure.Alexander.He was moving like a man possessed, shoving people out of his way, his eyes locked on her.His suit jacket was already discarded, his hands reaching for the car door.“Sarah, hold on!”Through the ringing in her ears, she heard the panic in his voice.The same Alexander Blake who rarely let emotions show.The same man who commanded fear in boardrooms and battlefields alike.He was breaking apart in front of her eyes.Then...CRASH!Alexander used a metal rod from the track’s safety barrier and smashed the driver’s side window.Smoke poured out as he reached inside.“Take my hand!”Sarah’s fingers barely wrapped around his when...Another explosion rocked the vehicle, knock
The tires screeched against the asphalt as both cars launched forward, the force pushing them back into their seats.The track was a familiar beast, long curves, sharp turns, and unpredictable elevations. But they both knew every inch of it.Sarah took the lead first, weaving effortlessly around the bends, her movements precise.Alexander, however, was relentless.He pushed his car harder, catching up with every turn, keeping just enough pressure on her to remind her he was still right there.They raced like it was second nature.But tonight, Alexander wasn't just pushing Sarah for fun.He was making sure she was ready.Seb Hargrove wanted to get to his wife.But Alexander would make damn sure that when she faced him tonight, she would win.And when Sarah finally crossed the finish line, just a second before him, he let out a satisfied chuckle."Not bad," he mused as he stepped out of the car, walking toward her as she pulled off her helmet.Sarah grinned. "Not bad? I won."Alexander
As the sun dipped below the skyline, signaling the end of the workday, Sarah stretched in her chair, exhaling softly.It had been a day, one filled with unnecessary hostility from Elise and her own determination to prove she deserved her position.But she wasn’t discouraged. If anything, she felt more energized.Just as she was about to gather her things, a familiar presence filled the doorway.Alexander stood there, his imposing frame leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, his lips curled into that signature smirk. “Ready to go home, Mrs. Blake?”Sarah smiled, pushing herself up from the chair and walking toward him. “Depends,” she teased. “Are you here as my husband or my boss?”Alexander chuckled, reaching for her hand as he led her toward the elevator. “Both. But right now, I think I prefer to be your husband.”As they stepped into the elevator, Sarah let out a small sigh, rolling her shoulders. “It wasn’t bad,” she admitted when he asked about her first day. “But Elise clea
After the unexpected encounter with Seb, Sarah and Alexander made their way back to the office.As soon as they entered the building, Alexander pressed a kiss against Sarah’s temple before heading toward the executive elevators.“I’ll be in my office,” he murmured. “Call me if you need anything.”Sarah smirked. “What could possibly happen on my first day?”Alexander gave her a knowing look, as if he already had an answer to that.Sarah shook her head and waved him off before making her way to the jewelry department.The moment Sarah stepped into the department, all eyes turned to her.She could feel the weight of their gazes, a mix of curiosity, admiration, and quiet resentment.After all, they had all known her before. She had worked among them, learning the ropes under Elise Martin, the lead designer.Now?She was their boss.Sarah didn’t let their stares intimidate her. Instead, she walked in with the same confidence she had when she walked into a race track, ready to dominate.She
The first course arrived, a delicate seafood appetizer, paired with an expensive white wine.Sarah picked up her glass, swirling the liquid before taking a sip. “You really don’t do anything halfway, do you?”Alexander smirked. “Not when it comes to you.”They ate, enjoying the exquisite meal and the intimacy of the moment. But as they reached the main course, Alexander’s demeanor shifted slightly.He leaned back, swirling his glass of wine, his gaze steady on her. “There’s something I need to ask you.”Sarah set her fork down. “That sounds serious.”He exhaled, his jaw tightening briefly. “Liam.”Sarah blinked, caught off guard. “Liam?”Alexander’s expression remained unreadable. “I don’t want him involved in your business.”Sarah frowned. “I thought we already talked about this. You said no, and I agreed.”He studied her, as if trying to gauge her reaction. “I need to make sure you understand why.”Sarah sighed, leaning forward. “Alexander, I know you and Liam might have history, bu
They made their way to the jewelry department floor, where dozens of designers, managers, and employees were already working.The department, located on one of the upper levels of Blake Group, was filled with gleaming showcases, intricate sketches pinned on walls, and artisans meticulously setting precious stones into their mounts.As soon as Alexander stepped into the room, a hush fell over the space.Employees stiffened, eyes widening at the sight of their CEO, not in a wheelchair, but walking with an aura of absolute dominance.Elise Martin, the chief designer, was among those staring. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides.What was he doing here?And why was Sarah Blake standing beside him, looking like she owned the place?Alexander scanned the room before clearing his throat. “I won’t take much of your time.” His voice was calm but commanding, ensuring every single person in the department was focused on him.“As you all know, there have been a few changes within the Blake
The sun streamed through the floor to ceiling windows of the Blake Group’s CEO office, casting long golden hues across the sleek interior.Alexander stood by the expansive desk, methodically removing every last trace of Gerald’s existence from the space.The old files, the framed photographs, even the custom leather chair Gerald had replaced his with, everything was being wiped clean.He moved with a calm precision, the kind that made it clear that this was not just about an office, it was about reclaiming power.Sarah, perched in the chair across from him, watched him with an amused smile.She had been teasing him non stop since they arrived, twirling a pen between her fingers.“So,” she drawled playfully, “does this mean no more wheelchair?”Alexander didn’t even look up as he tossed another one of Gerald’s useless files into the discard pile. “Obviously.”Sarah chuckled. “I knew you were just being dramatic.”Alexander finally glanced up, giving her an arched brow. “Dramatic?”“Ye
Alexander adjusted his suit jacket, straightened his tie, and looked each board member in the eye.His presence, already commanding from the chair, now felt overwhelming.“Surprised?” His voice was smooth, edged with amusement.Whitmore, who had been one of Gerald’s staunchest supporters, visibly swallowed. “Y.. You can walk?”Alexander’s smirk deepened. “I was never as broken as you all assumed.” He let that statement sink in before adding, “But I let you believe I was.”Another round of stunned silence filled the room.Mr. Hawthorne leaned forward, his voice barely above a whisper. “But… why keep up the act for so long?”Alexander placed both hands on the table and leaned forward slightly. “Because it was necessary,” he answered, his tone dark and purposeful. “You all thought I was incapable of reclaiming my position. You sided with Gerald, thinking he was the future of this company. I let you play your little games, let you scheme, let you show your true colors.”He exhaled slowly,