Moments later, the door swung open, and Gerald strolled in, his presence commanding as always.Dressed impeccably in a tailored charcoal suit, Gerald’s graying hair and piercing blue eyes made him every bit the imposing figure he liked to portray.“Alexander,” Gerald greeted, his tone amiable but his smile sharp. “How are you holding up?”“What do you want, Gerald?” Alexander cut straight to the point, his voice cool. He wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries, not when his mind was preoccupied with Sarah.Gerald’s smile faltered for a brief second before he took a seat across from Alexander’s desk. “Straight to business, I see. Fine. Let’s talk about this contract you’re so stubbornly refusing to approve. You’re holding up progress, Alexander. It’s unlike you.”Alexander leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. “Progress?” he echoed. “Is that what you call giving away control to a group of opportunists? The changes you proposed are reckless. They put the company at risk.”Ger
The inside of the house was just as Sarah remembered, cozy, warm, and filled with memories of a simpler time.The smell of freshly baked bread wafted from the kitchen, and a patchwork quilt lay draped over the couch, a testament to Mary’s handiwork.As Mary busied herself preparing tea and James set the table, Sarah sat down and watched them, a bittersweet feeling swelling in her chest.These were the people who had raised her, loved her unconditionally, and stood by her through every challenge. Yet, the words Elise had hurled at her earlier that day echoed in her mind."You’re the switch daughter, remember? The one who was never supposed to exist."Sarah clenched her hands into fists, trying to push the memory away. She didn’t want to burden her parents with her pain. They had done enough for her already.“So,” James said, breaking the silence as he placed a plate of cookies in front of her, “tell us what’s been keeping you so busy in the city.”Sarah forced a smile. “Just work,” she
Alexander sank back into his chair, his mind swirling with emotions.Part of him wanted to rush to the mountains and bring her home, but another part held him back.What if she didn’t want to be found right now?What if this was her way of seeking space?Still, the thought of her out there alone, hurt, possibly overwhelmed, gnawed at him. He couldn’t leave her like this.Determined, Alexander grabbed his coat and made his way to the elevator in his wheelchair with practiced ease.He had a driver bring the car around, but this wasn’t a trip he planned to make with fanfare.As the car drove onto the high way, Alexander found himself deep in thought. Though urgency burned in his chest, he knew this wasn’t just any visit.The Millers weren’t just the family who had raised Sarah, they were also, in a way, his in laws.He drummed his fingers against his thigh, considering.He couldn’t show up empty handed. Not only would that be disrespectful, but it would also send the wrong message.This
The Miller house was warm and inviting, the scent of roasted vegetables and freshly baked bread filling the air.Alexander handed the basket of gifts to Mrs. Miller, who couldn’t stop beaming.“These are lovely, Alexander,” she said, glancing through the assortment of specialty jams, wines, and hand crafted treats. “You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble!”“It’s the least I could do,” Alexander replied with a polite smile. “I regret not visiting sooner.”James Miller clapped Alexander on the shoulder with a hearty laugh. “Better late than never, son. Come on, dinner’s almost ready.”Mrs. Miller led the way into the dining room, where the table was already set with a spread of hearty dishes.Sarah trailed behind silently, her mind still spinning. Alexander’s sudden arrival and the calm, composed way he fit into her parents’ home was almost surreal.As they sat down to eat, Alexander effortlessly charmed the Millers with his conversation.He asked about their farm, listened attentiv
For a moment, they simply stood there, holding each other’s gaze.The warmth in his eyes made her heart ache, and she felt some of the heaviness in her chest begin to lift.“I just… I needed to come back here,” she said quietly. “The Millers have always been my safe haven. They loved me for me, even when I wasn’t really theirs. And tonight, I needed that.”“I understand,” Alexander replied. “And for what it’s worth, I’m glad you have them. But you should know that you’re not alone, Sarah. No matter how hard things get, I’m here. Always.”Her lips curved into a faint smile, and she leaned into him, resting her head against his chest.The steady rhythm of his heartbeat was a soothing balm to her frayed nerves.“I know,” she murmured. “And I’m grateful. Truly.”They continued their walk but this time, back to the Miller house.Alexander walked beside her, his hand lightly brushing hers. The conversation had dwindled to a comfortable silence, punctuated only by the soft crunch of gravel u
Alexander moved swiftly through the dense woods, each step calculated to draw the assassins away from Sarah.The cold air stung his lungs as he darted between trees, his sharp instincts keeping him one step ahead of the gunfire.“Over there!” a gruff voice barked, and Alexander heard the crunch of footsteps behind him.Good, he thought grimly.He was leading them away.The plan was working until the sharp crack of a gunshot echoed through the night.Pain exploded in his back, radiating outward like fire.His legs buckled beneath him, and he hit the ground hard, a groan escaping his lips as his body refused to respond.Damn it.He tried to move, but nothing happened.The realization hit him like a freight train, he was paralyzed.The sound of the assassins closing in sent adrenaline surging through his veins.He couldn’t let them finish him off. Gritting his teeth, he used his arms to pull himself behind a large tree, his breathing labored.Meanwhile, Sarah ran blindly through the fore
Sarah's mind raced as the conversation continued.“I warned you,” Gerald said, his tone dangerous. “There was no room for mistakes. Alexander Blake cannot be allowed to walk away from this.”“He won’t,” the assassin replied, his voice tinged with desperation. “I hit him. He’s paralyzed again. He won’t be a threat.”Gerald’s response was sharp. “That’s not enough. Paralyzed or not, as long as he’s alive, he’s a problem. And now, thanks to your failure, he knows someone is after him.”“I’ll regroup,” the assassin promised. “We’ll finish it.”“No,” Gerald said coldly. “You’re done. Don’t contact me again. I’ll handle this myself.”The call ended abruptly, leaving the assassin cursing under his breath.Sarah’s hands trembled as she processed what she had just heard.Gerald had orchestrated the attack.Her parents’ deaths, Alexander’s injury, it was all because of him.Her vision blurred as tears welled in her eyes, but anger surged within her, mingling with her grief.Gerald had taken eve
Back at his estate, Gerald paced his study, his mind racing as he considered his next move.He sipped a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling as he contemplated the situation.The failure to eliminate Alexander outright had been a setback, but with Sarah in his grasp, he had a new advantage.“She’s the key,” Gerald murmured to himself. “Alexander will come for her, and when he does, I’ll finish this once and for all.”He picked up his phone, issuing orders to his trusted enforcers.“Prepare a secure location,” he instructed. “Somewhere remote, where no one can find her.”“Yes, sir,” came the reply.“And double the security,” Gerald added. “I don’t want any more surprises.”..........................At the temporary command post, Alexander’s frustration boiled over. He slammed his fist into the side of his wheelchair, ignoring the pain that shot through his arm.“She’s out there,” he said, his voice raw with emotion. “We’re running out of time.”“Sir,” Carter said carefully, “we
Raven chased after Sarah, her motorcycle weaving through the street like a shadow, moving with a precision only a skilled rider could manage.Sarah had barely settled back into the rhythm of driving when she caught sight of Raven through her side mirror, closing in on her car at a ridiculous speed.With a smirk, Sarah rolled down her window just as Raven pulled up beside her, her leather clad figure leaning slightly as she gestured toward Sarah to get her attention.“Race you back to the Blake Residence,” Raven called out, her voice carrying over the hum of her engine.Sarah's grin widened. Oh, this was exactly what she needed.“Fun,” she said, her fingers gripping the wheel in anticipation. “You’re on.”The moment the words left her mouth, Raven twisted the throttle, and her bike shot forward like a bullet, disappearing down the road.Sarah cursed under her breath, shifting gears instantly as she slammed her foot on the accelerator.She knew there was no way she was going to beat a m
His fingers dug into the seat. “Sarah...”“You sound scared.” She grinned, completely unbothered. “You look scared too.”Seb exhaled sharply, forcing himself to let go of the dashboard, though his pulse was still racing. “I just don’t have a death wish.”Sarah hummed as if considering his words, then suddenly, with an exhilarating rush of power, she shifted gears and pushed the car even faster.Seb nearly choked.“Sarah!”Another laugh. “Alright, alright. I’ll slow down, for now.”True to her word, she eased off the accelerator slightly, though her version of “slowing down” was still leagues beyond what any normal driver would consider safe.Seb let out a breath, relaxing marginally. His heart was still hammering against his ribs, but at least now he felt slightly less like he was about to die.Sarah glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, her smirk widening. “Admit it, Seb. You had fun.”He shot her a flat look. “I was about ten seconds away from writing my will.”She chuckled,
Seb took a deep breath as he stepped out of his hospital ward, the cool air of the hallway a stark contrast to the stuffy room he had been confined to for weeks.His body had healed significantly, but there was still an ache in his ribs, a reminder of the reckless choice he had made that day.Yet, despite everything, she had visited him. Just once.At first, he had convinced himself she was just busy, dealing with her own injuries, maybe even shaken up by what had happened. But as the days turned into weeks, he realized the truth, she had chosen not to come.And maybe she was right to.After all, he had nearly cost her life once before. Saving her now didn’t erase that fact.His steps were slow as he made his way down the long corridor toward the exit, each one feeling heavier than the last.The nurses at the front desk gave him small nods, offering polite smiles as he passed, but he barely registered them.His thoughts were elsewhere, tangled between regret and reluctant acceptance.
Cecilia sat stiffly in the waiting area, her nails tapping impatiently against the armrest of the chair.The minutes stretched into an hour, and yet there was no sign of Alexander.She had thought he would at least grant her a short meeting, even if only to scold her. But the silence, the deliberate, deafening silence, was worse than any confrontation.The whispers around her grew louder. Employees who once feared her were now openly staring, some even chuckling as they walked past.The great Cecilia, reduced to waiting like some nobody.Her jaw clenched, and she checked her phone again, nothing. Not a call. Not a message.This is humiliating.Swallowing the lump of pride stuck in her throat, she stood up, straightening her blazer. There was no use waiting any longer. Alexander had made it clear, he had no intentions of seeing her.Lifting her chin, she walked toward the exit, ignoring the murmurs and stares. But deep inside, fury simmered beneath her poised exterior.Fine, Alexander.
Sarah strode toward Alexander’s office with confidence, her heels clicking against the sleek marble floors.The lingering presence of Cecilia downstairs didn’t bother her in the slightest, if anything, it amused her. The once untouchable Cecilia had been reduced to waiting in the lobby, ignored and humiliated.Raven, however, had no interest in whatever was about to unfold between Sarah and Alexander. The moment they reached the executive floor, she casually veered off in the opposite direction. “Yeah, I think I’ll go… anywhere else,” she muttered under her breath, making herself scarce before Sarah could rope her into anything.Sarah smirked, watching her slip away.Typical Raven. She had an uncanny ability to sense incoming drama and dodge it like a seasoned pro.With a soft chuckle, Sarah pushed open the double doors to Alexander’s office without knocking. She never knocked.Inside, Alexander sat behind his massive desk, flipping through documents. He didn’t even look up as he spok
It didn’t take long for whispers to spread through the Blake Group like wildfire.Cecilia, the once untouchable ice queen, was sitting in the waiting area like a rejected employee.The same Cecilia who used to treat people like they were beneath her.The same Cecilia who had once strutted through these halls, turning up her nose at anyone she deemed unworthy of her attention.Employees who had once feared her exchanged amused glances.Some dared to sneak a peek as they passed by, trying to confirm the unbelievable sight with their own eyes.“She’s really just sitting there?”“She hasn’t moved for over an hour.”“What does she think is going to happen? Mr. Blake doesn’t want to see her.”Laughter and hushed conversations buzzed in the air, and soon, the news made its way to Sarah.Sarah raised an eyebrow when Raven relayed the information to her, the corner of her lips twitching in amusement. “Cecilia? Sitting in the lobby? Like an abandoned puppy?”Raven smirked. “She looks pitiful, I
She answered but remained silent, letting Cecilia break first.“You little snake,” Cecilia hissed. “You recorded me?”“What can I say? I like to be prepared,” Victoria replied, feigning innocence. “You were so quick to abandon me, I had to make sure I had a safety net.”“Delete it. Now.”Victoria chuckled, savoring the desperation in Cecilia’s usually controlled voice. “Why would I do that? You’re the one who tried to pin everything on me. Do you think Alexander won’t find out what you did?”“Victoria,” Cecilia's voice dropped into a dangerous whisper. “If you send that to anyone...”“What? You’ll come after me?” Victoria interrupted, her voice hardening. “Like you tried with Sarah? Or will you run, just like you did with Alexander?”Silence stretched between them.“I want a deal,” Victoria continued. “If you want this recording to stay buried, you better make sure Alexander’s focus stays away. I need to clean this up, and you’re going to help me do it.”Cecilia exhaled sharply. “What
Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell sat in their grand living room, confusion etched on their faces as they reread the message from Alexander Blake."You crossed a line. This is the end for you."Mr. Caldwell frowned, his fingers tightening around the phone. "What the hell is this supposed to mean?" he muttered, passing the phone to his wife.Mrs. Caldwell’s brows furrowed as she read the message, her eyes narrowing. "I don’t understand. We haven’t done anything to provoke Alexander."From the corner of the room, Victoria stiffened, her heart pounding violently in her chest.She swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay composed. He knows. He had to.She had been careful, or so she thought. But if Alexander had sent this message, it meant one thing, he had figured it out.Her palms grew clammy as her mother looked up and asked, "Victoria, do you have any idea what this is about?"Victoria forced a confused expression, shaking her head. "Me? Why would I?"Mr. Caldwell exhaled sharply. "This is ridicul
Sarah stepped into her office, the scent of fresh lavender lingering in the air.The space was just as she had left it, elegant, minimalist, and filled with sketches and gemstone samples neatly arranged on the shelves.It felt both familiar and foreign after the chaos she had been through.Taking a deep breath, she walked around her desk and settled into her chair. Without missing a beat, she picked up the office phone and pressed the intercom button."Get me all the documents that need my attention. I want everything on my desk within the next five minutes," she said, her voice steady and authoritative.The response came immediately. "Right away, ma'am."As she set the receiver down, Raven plopped onto the couch, stretching her legs over the armrest. She looked around, then raised a brow at Sarah. "So… what exactly am I supposed to do here?"Sarah glanced at her with amusement. "Nothing."Raven blinked. "Nothing?"Sarah shrugged. "Just chill, have fun. Maybe go through my snack drawe