The atmosphere in the boardroom was electric with tension.The heavy oak doors creaked open, and Alexander entered, Sarah following close behind.She immediately felt the weight of the room’s scrutiny, powerful gazes appraising, dismissing, and judging her presence.At the head of the long table sat Lawrence Blake, Alexander’s father, his face a storm of barely contained fury. Beside him, a man who bore a striking resemblance to him, his younger brother, Gerald Blake, leaned back in his chair, exuding smug satisfaction.“Ah, Alexander,” Gerald drawled, his smile as sharp as a knife. “So good of you to join us.”Alexander’s jaw tightened. “I wasn’t aware I had a choice,” he said coolly, wheeling himself toward the table.Sarah kept her head down, trying to remain inconspicuous as she took a seat at the edge of the room.But her eyes never left Alexander, who radiated restrained anger as he parked his wheelchair at the table’s head, directly opposite his uncle.“I’m sure you’ve been inf
Alexander wheeled himself into the expansive CEO’s office, the room that had been his sanctuary, his command center.Sarah followed silently, her steps soft against the plush carpet.She could feel the weight of his frustration, the air thick with unspoken words.The office was as opulent as one might expect from a corporate giant like the Blake Group.Floor to ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline, and the furniture was sleek and modern, exuding an air of power. Yet, for all its grandeur, it now felt stifling to Alexander.He sighed heavily, rolling his chair to the large mahogany desk that dominated the room.Resting his elbows on the polished surface, he buried his face in his hands for a moment before straightening.“This place used to mean something to me,” he muttered. “Now it feels like a cage.”Sarah wanted to say something comforting, but before she could, the door opened. Alexander’s assistant, William, entered briskly, clutching a slim leather fold
The drive home was quieter than usual, the hum of the car a soothing backdrop to their conversation.Alexander gazed out of the window for a moment before speaking. “When I was sixteen, my grandfather passed away. He was the original founder of the Blake Group. His death hit my father hard, but it also left a gaping hole in the company’s leadership. My dad, Lawrence, stepped up, but he was more of an enforcer than a visionary. The board respected him, but they didn’t fear him.”Sarah listened intently, her usual playful demeanor replaced with genuine interest.“I was always close to my grandfather,” Alexander continued. “He taught me the ropes early on, how to negotiate, how to recognize talent, how to think ten steps ahead. When he died, I think a part of me felt responsible to carry on his legacy. So, I started working part time at the company during school breaks, absorbing everything I could.”“Were you the prodigy everyone claims you are?” Sarah teased gently.“Maybe,” he admitte
Alexander leaned back in his chair, the tension in his shoulders visibly easing as Sarah sat beside him.His piercing gaze settled on the mound of files stacked on the desk.“Sarah,” he said, his voice steady but laced with fatigue, “I need your help.”Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. “With what? Sorting papers? Organizing chaos?”He smirked at her attempt at humor. “Rummaging through chaos, actually. I need to figure out what’s salvageable in the jewelry department.”Her expression grew serious. “You trust me with that?”He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “You’ve got an eye for design, Sarah. I’ve seen the way you analyze things, meticulous, thoughtful. Besides, you’re my personal assistant now, aren’t you?”She rolled her eyes playfully but nodded. “All right, where do I start?”He gestured toward a smaller stack of files on the left. “Start there. Look for anything that mentions past collaborations or high value clients. I need to know who we can still rely on.”Sar
The muffled sound of Alexander’s deep voice echoed from the study down the hall.Though his words were indistinct, the tone was sharp, commanding, a man locked in battle with forces trying to strip him of his legacy.Sarah could picture him there, seated at the massive oak desk, surrounded by the trappings of power and wealth, fighting to reclaim the position that was rightfully his.The thought tightened her chest with guilt.How could she keep this secret when he was confiding in her, asking for her partnership, trusting her to stand by his side?She shook her head, pushing the guilt aside.This isn’t betrayal. It’s... self preservation.The room felt colder as Sarah closed her laptop, her hands trembling slightly as she tucked it away.She stood and moved to the window, pulling back the heavy drapes.The garden outside was a silvered patchwork under the moonlight, its elegance marred by a faint chill that matched her mood.Her reflection in the glass caught her attention.She looke
The estate was silent, save for the faint hum of the night wind brushing against the windows.Alexander made his way through the hall, his movements slower than usual.As he approached the master bedroom, he hesitated, his hand resting on the doorknob.Am I doing this for her... or for me?The thought froze him for a moment, but then he pushed the door open quietly.The soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminated the room in a warm, golden light.Sarah was sprawled across the bed, her hair a dark halo against the white pillows.One hand clutched the edge of the blanket, and her face was turned slightly toward his side of the bed, as if she’d unconsciously sought his presence.Alexander wheeled closer, his movements careful to avoid waking her.She looked peaceful in sleep, the faintest curve of a smile on her lips.For a moment, he just watched her, his heart tightening in a way that was both foreign and achingly familiar.What is it about her?He had met countless women in his life, mo
At breakfast, the dining room was unusually quiet.The morning light streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm glow on the elaborate spread prepared by the staff.Sarah sat across from Alexander, nervously fidgeting with her fork as the tension in the room became palpable.Alexander’s mother, Beatrice Blake, was seated at the head of the table, her sharp gaze flitting between her son and Sarah like a hawk circling its prey.She sipped her tea delicately, her composure as impeccable as ever, but the disdain in her posture was unmistakable.“Sarah,” Beatrice finally spoke, her tone clipped. “I trust you’ve had sufficient time to learn the responsibilities that come with being Alexander’s wife.”Sarah’s hand froze mid motion.She looked up, meeting Beatrice’s cool, assessing stare. “I’m doing my best,” she replied evenly, though her voice betrayed a hint of nervousness.Evelyn’s lips thinned. “Doing one’s best is admirable, of course. But this family requires excellence, not effo
The jewelry division was a stark contrast to the sleek, modern aesthetic of the rest of the Blake Group.The offices were filled with vibrant sketches, dazzling prototypes, and intricate displays of finished pieces.The air buzzed with creative energy, and Sarah immediately felt a spark of excitement.“Impressive, isn’t it?” Alexander said, watching her reaction.“It’s beautiful,” Sarah admitted, her eyes roaming over the displays.“Good. You’ll be spending more time here,” he said casually.She turned to him, surprised. “What do you mean?”“I mean, you’ll be helping me manage this division,” Alexander replied. “I trust your instincts.”Sarah stared at him, stunned. “You trust me? You barely know me.”“I know enough,” Alexander said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You’re my wife, and I’d rather rely on you than anyone else.”His words left her speechless.As they toured the department, Alexander explained his vision for elevating the jewelry division.Sarah listened intently,
Sarah felt a rush of freedom as she walked away from the car and toward the entrance of the mall.Her heels clicked on the polished floor, each step punctuating the growing sense of independence in her chest.No one knew who she was here. No one was watching her every move.She moved quickly, blending into the crowd, her brown hair tucked under a simple cap to keep her more incognito.The usual anonymity of the city felt comforting for once. But her destination wasn’t a boutique or any of the department stores that lined the shopping district.No, she had something far more important to do today. And it was a risk, but it was a necessary one.Sarah had no intention of sticking around here for long.She was already formulating her escape route in her mind as she passed by the perfume counter, the bustling food court, and the high end shops.The idea was simple, slip out of sight, use a side exit, and hail a cab.The less attention, the better.She took a few turns around corners, casua
Saturday dawned softly over the Blake estate, golden sunlight streaming through the floor to ceiling windows.Sarah stirred, her thoughts already spinning about the day ahead.Today wasn’t for leisurely shopping or exploring the city, it was for her.Her heart raced as she mentally rehearsed her plan.She had arranged to visit Margaret Windsor’s private studio, where her designs for Paris Fashion Week would finally come to life.The idea of seeing her sketches transformed into reality made her giddy, but the weight of secrecy loomed over her.The lie wasn’t ideal, but it was necessary. Alexander couldn’t know, not yet.As she dressed in casual but stylish attire, she practiced her story one last time.The key was keeping it simple and plausible.Sarah walked into the dining room, where Alexander was already seated, sipping coffee and scrolling through his tablet.He glanced up, his sharp blue eyes softening when he saw her.“Good morning,” he said, setting the tablet aside.“Morning,”
That evening, Sarah sat in the spacious lounge of their estate, her sketchbook open on her lap.The pencil in her hand moved aimlessly, creating faint lines that didn’t form anything meaningful.Her mind was far from focused on design tonight.The guilt was beginning to creep in.She glanced over at Alexander, who was seated by the grand fireplace, a glass of whiskey in hand as he reviewed documents from his meeting.His sharp profile was illuminated by the flickering firelight, and he exuded an air of quiet authority.He deserves to know, Sarah thought.Her gaze shifted back to the sketchbook, where she had subconsciously begun to outline a design, a delicate mountain rose pendant with tiny, intricate petals. It was her signature, the hallmark of her secret identity.The Mountain Rose brand had been her escape, her sanctuary. It was the part of her that she’d built entirely on her own, without the influence of the Caldwells or the Blakes. But as the days passed, the secrecy weighed h
The jewelry division was a stark contrast to the sleek, modern aesthetic of the rest of the Blake Group.The offices were filled with vibrant sketches, dazzling prototypes, and intricate displays of finished pieces.The air buzzed with creative energy, and Sarah immediately felt a spark of excitement.“Impressive, isn’t it?” Alexander said, watching her reaction.“It’s beautiful,” Sarah admitted, her eyes roaming over the displays.“Good. You’ll be spending more time here,” he said casually.She turned to him, surprised. “What do you mean?”“I mean, you’ll be helping me manage this division,” Alexander replied. “I trust your instincts.”Sarah stared at him, stunned. “You trust me? You barely know me.”“I know enough,” Alexander said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “You’re my wife, and I’d rather rely on you than anyone else.”His words left her speechless.As they toured the department, Alexander explained his vision for elevating the jewelry division.Sarah listened intently,
At breakfast, the dining room was unusually quiet.The morning light streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm glow on the elaborate spread prepared by the staff.Sarah sat across from Alexander, nervously fidgeting with her fork as the tension in the room became palpable.Alexander’s mother, Beatrice Blake, was seated at the head of the table, her sharp gaze flitting between her son and Sarah like a hawk circling its prey.She sipped her tea delicately, her composure as impeccable as ever, but the disdain in her posture was unmistakable.“Sarah,” Beatrice finally spoke, her tone clipped. “I trust you’ve had sufficient time to learn the responsibilities that come with being Alexander’s wife.”Sarah’s hand froze mid motion.She looked up, meeting Beatrice’s cool, assessing stare. “I’m doing my best,” she replied evenly, though her voice betrayed a hint of nervousness.Evelyn’s lips thinned. “Doing one’s best is admirable, of course. But this family requires excellence, not effo
The estate was silent, save for the faint hum of the night wind brushing against the windows.Alexander made his way through the hall, his movements slower than usual.As he approached the master bedroom, he hesitated, his hand resting on the doorknob.Am I doing this for her... or for me?The thought froze him for a moment, but then he pushed the door open quietly.The soft glow of the bedside lamp illuminated the room in a warm, golden light.Sarah was sprawled across the bed, her hair a dark halo against the white pillows.One hand clutched the edge of the blanket, and her face was turned slightly toward his side of the bed, as if she’d unconsciously sought his presence.Alexander wheeled closer, his movements careful to avoid waking her.She looked peaceful in sleep, the faintest curve of a smile on her lips.For a moment, he just watched her, his heart tightening in a way that was both foreign and achingly familiar.What is it about her?He had met countless women in his life, mo
The muffled sound of Alexander’s deep voice echoed from the study down the hall.Though his words were indistinct, the tone was sharp, commanding, a man locked in battle with forces trying to strip him of his legacy.Sarah could picture him there, seated at the massive oak desk, surrounded by the trappings of power and wealth, fighting to reclaim the position that was rightfully his.The thought tightened her chest with guilt.How could she keep this secret when he was confiding in her, asking for her partnership, trusting her to stand by his side?She shook her head, pushing the guilt aside.This isn’t betrayal. It’s... self preservation.The room felt colder as Sarah closed her laptop, her hands trembling slightly as she tucked it away.She stood and moved to the window, pulling back the heavy drapes.The garden outside was a silvered patchwork under the moonlight, its elegance marred by a faint chill that matched her mood.Her reflection in the glass caught her attention.She looke
Alexander leaned back in his chair, the tension in his shoulders visibly easing as Sarah sat beside him.His piercing gaze settled on the mound of files stacked on the desk.“Sarah,” he said, his voice steady but laced with fatigue, “I need your help.”Her eyebrows lifted in surprise. “With what? Sorting papers? Organizing chaos?”He smirked at her attempt at humor. “Rummaging through chaos, actually. I need to figure out what’s salvageable in the jewelry department.”Her expression grew serious. “You trust me with that?”He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “You’ve got an eye for design, Sarah. I’ve seen the way you analyze things, meticulous, thoughtful. Besides, you’re my personal assistant now, aren’t you?”She rolled her eyes playfully but nodded. “All right, where do I start?”He gestured toward a smaller stack of files on the left. “Start there. Look for anything that mentions past collaborations or high value clients. I need to know who we can still rely on.”Sar
The drive home was quieter than usual, the hum of the car a soothing backdrop to their conversation.Alexander gazed out of the window for a moment before speaking. “When I was sixteen, my grandfather passed away. He was the original founder of the Blake Group. His death hit my father hard, but it also left a gaping hole in the company’s leadership. My dad, Lawrence, stepped up, but he was more of an enforcer than a visionary. The board respected him, but they didn’t fear him.”Sarah listened intently, her usual playful demeanor replaced with genuine interest.“I was always close to my grandfather,” Alexander continued. “He taught me the ropes early on, how to negotiate, how to recognize talent, how to think ten steps ahead. When he died, I think a part of me felt responsible to carry on his legacy. So, I started working part time at the company during school breaks, absorbing everything I could.”“Were you the prodigy everyone claims you are?” Sarah teased gently.“Maybe,” he admitte