AMBERA relieved smile tugs at the corners of my lips. I knew I could count on Sebastian, and his willingness to participate in my charade is a testament to our unwavering partnership. Dressed in his masquerade mask, he exudes an air of mystery that only adds to his undeniable allure.As Harper's inquisitive gaze lands on me, curiosity burning in her eyes, I take a well-timed cue and feign a cough, using the opportunity to introduce Sebastian. "He's my escort–" Before I can finish my sentence, Sebastian deftly interjects, his actions perfectly synchronized with our plan. He kneels before Harper, his demeanor respectful yet confident. With a gesture that catches the attention of the room, he delicately takes her hand in his and places a gentle kiss upon it.I watch the scene unfold, a mix of awe and anticipation swelling within me. Sebastian's display is a calculated move, a piece of the intricate puzzle we've meticulously crafted. "Good evening, Mrs. Davis. My name is Seb," he introdu
AMBER My heart clenches in trepidation as the poker game begins. Every card dealt feels like a step into the unknown, a dance of uncertainty where Sebastian's fate hangs in the balance. Despite the façade I'm putting on, I'm not a poker expert myself. But unlike Sebastian, I at least have some knowledge about the game. I'm aware of its intricacies, and I know that luck alone won't suffice. “Damn it, Sebastian! Why do this?” I whispered to myself. Amid my worry, I remind myself to observe, to learn every nuance of the game as it plays out. I need to turn this into an advantage, to gather every piece of information that could aid me in the future. This game isn't just about the cards – it's a battlefield of strategy and cunning, one that could determine the trajectory of my quest for revenge. Game one commences, and my fear comes true as Sebastian's lack of experience becomes apparent. His loss is met with triumphant cheers from Harper's friends, their laughter a chorus of mockery. I
AMBERMy heart leaps into my throat as I spot Eugene Davis, the imposing figure of power who is Harper's husband and my father-in-law. My breath catches, and for a fleeting moment, my confidence wavers. Though he may not possess Harper's overt hostility, I can feel his disapproval in every glance he's cast my way. He's never approved of me as Lucas's wife, and his presence here is a stark reminder of the complicated web I've woven.Harper beams with pride as she introduces Eugene to her friends, her affection for him evident despite his stoic demeanor. "Oh, Eugene, Harper didn't tell us that you're gonna come here. We should have waited for you. We played poker," one of her friends chirps.Eugene Davis, his demeanor as imposing as ever, attempts a strained smile. "I'm just here to fetch my wife. I had a long day at the company. As much as I want to have some bonding time with my wife's friends, I can't." His response carries the weight of his responsibilities as a CEO.One of Harper's
AMBERSebastian's question pulls me back from my thoughts, and I meet his gaze with a mixture of uncertainty and determination. "Honestly, Sebastian, I don't have a concrete plan just yet. But there's someone else I've been thinking about," I admit, my voice tinged with a hint of contemplation.His brow furrows slightly, his attention fully on me. "Who are you thinking about, Amber?"I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "Brittany," I say her name with a mixture of bitterness and resolve. "She's Lucas's sister, the one who always seemed to be the ideal woman in his eyes."Sebastian's understanding eyes meet mine, and I can see that he's aware of the history between Brittany and me. "Tell me more about her. Why do you think she should be part of our plan?"I lean back against the car seat, my mind sifting through memories I'd rather forget. "Brittany was always the golden child in their family, the one who could do no wrong. And Lucas... he always held her up as the standard I s
AMBERAlone in my room, the weight of my thoughts pressed heavily on my chest, making it hard to breathe. My imagination ran wild, spiraling into the dark abyss of revenge. It was both exhilarating and terrifying, the power I now held over the destinies of those who had wronged me.Brittany Davis—the name echoed in my mind like a chant, igniting a surge of emotion that threatened to consume me. She hadn't been the direct perpetrator of my suffering, but she had stoked the flames that had devoured my life. A fire that had ravaged my self-esteem and left me broken.Her perfectionism grated against my nerves, a constant reminder of how inadequate I had felt in my past life. How I had been molded into someone I wasn't, just to fit the warped expectations of a family that had never truly cared. I despised her for being everything I was forced not to be—successful, independent, beautiful, and confident.But it wasn't just about that. It was the way Lucas, my “ex- husband”, clung to her like
AMBERMonday morning arrived with a sense of purpose, and I found myself at Sebastian's clinic, just as we had arranged. There was something reassuring about the routine of it all, the familiarity of his presence that grounded me in this new life I was building."Good morning, Amber," Sebastian greeted, his voice warm and comforting. His dedication to his work was evident—he was always the first one here, despite being the surgeon."Good morning, Sebastian," I replied, setting my handbag on my desk. His request for breakfast came as no surprise, and I set about preparing our usual morning ritual. Two steaming cups of coffee joined the spread, completing our makeshift breakfast feast.As Sebastian organized his desk and laid out the French toast, I couldn't help but admire his dedication to these simple moments. It was as if he was creating a haven amidst the chaos of the world, and I found solace in that."Let's eat now before we start our work," he suggested, his eyes lighting up at
AMBERThe next day at the clinic, I was engrossed in my work when Sebastian approached me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. He handed me an envelope, a small smile playing on his lips. "What is this, Sebastian?" I asked, my curiosity piqued."Why don't you take a look, Amber? I have a feeling you'll find it quite interesting," he replied, his voice laced with anticipation.Pausing my task, I opened the envelope, and my eyes widened as I saw a stack of documents nestled within. My heart raced with a mix of surprise and gratitude as I skimmed through the papers, realizing that they were all about Brittany Davis and her boyfriend Matthew."S-Sebastian! You really shouldn't have done this. I never asked you to go to such lengths for me," I stammered, feeling both embarrassed and deeply appreciative.Sebastian leaned against a nearby desk, arms crossed. "It's too late for that, Amber. Consider it a gift from a friend who understands your situation. I know you need resources for your plans,
AMBERThe day had finally arrived. The day when my plan to expose Brittany's true nature to Matthew's parents would set in motion. The anticipation coiled within me, a mix of excitement and apprehension. Sebastian and I had devised a clever scheme—one that would use a soft spot in Matthew's family to expose the cracks in Brittany's image.With our plan in mind, Sebastian and I stood in front of Matthew's family house, holding a basket that contained four adorable golden retriever puppies. My heart twisted with a pang of guilt. I had always loved animals, and using innocent creatures for my revenge didn't sit right with me."Amber, remember why we're doing this. The puppies won't end up in the wrong hands. Matthew's family loves dogs, and these little ones will be taken care of," Sebastian reassured me, his voice gentle.I nodded, though the turmoil within me remained. "I know, but it still feels wrong. Exploiting their love for dogs for our own gain..."Sebastian's hand rested on my b
So the two of them stepped out of the bar, he couldn't contain his excitement. He was determined to make Sarah his, consequences be damned. He led her to his newest sports car, a sleek and shiny machine that screamed luxury."Wow, is this your car, Lucas?" Sarah asked, her eyes wide with awe.Lucas smirked, loving the way she looked at him. "Of course. I have a collection of sports cars in my villa," he boasted, opening the car door for her.Sarah climbed into the passenger seat, impressed by Lucas's display of wealth and power. As they drove towards her place, Lucas couldn't help but try to impress her even more."So, Sarah, tell me about your family. What do they do in life?" Lucas asked, trying to steer the conversation away from his own deception.Sarah hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. "My parents are in marketing, and many more," she replied finally. "They are constantly moving from town to another town because of business.”Lucas raised an eyebrow, intrigued
"I couldn't help but notice you from across the room. You look absolutely stunning in that emerald dress. I’m not gonna lie, when I tell you that,”Sarah smiled politely, but there was a hint of skepticism in her eyes. "Thank you," she replied. "And let me just say, you have the most captivating smile I've ever seen." He said, extending his hands.Sarah chuckled softly. "You certainly know how to lay on the charm, don't you?"Lucas grinned, feeling emboldened by her response. "I like to think I have a way with words. So, what brings a beautiful woman like you to a place like this?"He couldn't resist the urge to show off. He casually mentioned his successful businesses, subtly hinting at his wealth and success. "I own a few businesses myself," he said casually. "Nothing too fancy, just a few million-dollar ventures here and there."Sarah raised an eyebrow, impressed despite herself. "That's quite impressive. It must keep you busy?”He shrugged nonchalantly. "It does, but I always mak
The luxury high-end bar was highly recommendable in the town, with its glittering chandeliers, plush velvet couches, and marble-topped tables. Soft jazz music played in the background, creating a sophisticated ambiance. The place was bustling with well-dressed patrons, sipping on expensive cocktails and enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.And inside of the place, Lucas Davis sat at the bar, a glass of whiskey in hand, a smirk on his face. Despite being engaged, he was determined to enjoy his night out and relish in the attention of others. He was known as the "life of the party,". He took a sip of his drink, Lucas's eyes scanned the room, taking in the scene around him. He saw his "friends," the sons of wealthy businessmen, approaching him with smiles on their faces."Lucas! You're here too! What the hell, man!" one of them exclaimed, clapping him on the back."Of course, I'm here. I'm everywhere," He replied with a cocky grin, reveling in the attention."But I heard you were very busy
Lucas Davis was seething with anger. His face was red, and his hands trembled with frustration as he paced back and forth in his office. Harper watched him with a smirk, enjoying his display of rage."I can't believe that old man, mom! Imagine that? He wasted my time! My time is too precious just to be wasted! How dare he decline us? They're the ones who set up an appointment with us! They're the ones who need us!" He shouted, his voice echoing off the walls.His mother chuckled wickedly. "Yes, the nerve of him! I can't believe William declined us. Well, he hasn't declined yet, he told us he'll think twice.""The nerve of him! Doesn't that old guy know who we are? We're billionaires! Everyone wants to get a partnership with me!" Lucas roared, his fists clenched in fury.Harper stood up, her eyes flashing with malice. "Hey, calm down, Lucas. We need to be strategic about this. You can't let our emotions control you!”Lucas glared at her. "I am calm, Mom! I just can't stand it when some
Finally, after like the end of the world, William and his wife got back home. The heavy feeling of the day seemed to hang heavy on his shoulders. He sank onto the sofa, feeling drained and stressed from the encounter with Lucas Davis and his mother.“Ahh! So tired!” He complained while massaging his neck.His wife watched him closely, her expression unreadable. "So, have you decided, William?" she asked, her voice tense.He rubbed his temples, feeling the beginnings of a headache. "I can't decide yet, Cindy. We just got home, please, not now." he replied, his tone weary.Cindy's face tightened at his response. She, too, was exhausted, but she knew they needed to make a decision soon. "I'm exhausted too! It's Not just you! But you need to decide soon. If you manage to sign the deal with Lucas Davis, then your mother will let you support your long-lost children," she reminded him, pretending to care for his children."I know that, Cindy!" William snapped, his patience wearing thin. "But
He can't help but chuckle bitterly. Now, he finally understood. His mother and Harper Davis have the same evil personality.They would do everything just for their gain. They're just both evil."You hate Harper, but you aren't aware that you're just the same as her, mom.”"How dare you compare me to that woman?!" she seethed, her voice sharp with indignation. "I would never stoop to her level!"His own frustration bubbling to the surface. "You're both willing to manipulate and use anyone, even your own family, to get what you want. How is that any different? You may not see it, but your actions speak otherwise. Using my children as pawns in your games is just as ruthless as anything Harper Davis would do!”His mother's eyes flashed with fury. "I've only ever wanted what's best for you and your children! How can you accuse me of such things? Why can’t you understand me, huh? Are we going to fight forever, William?”"Because it's true, mom! You blackmailed me, you used my children as le
They left the meeting room and went inside the elevator. After the doors closed, the tension among them was palpable. His mother's face was flushed with anger, and his wife's expression was a mix of frustration and disappointment."William, this is madness! How could you let this opportunity slip away? We could have had a deal with the Davis family!" his mother berated him, her voice echoing in the confined space.His wife chimed in, her tone sharp with accusation. "Yeah, I can't believe you! You had the chance to secure a partnership with one of the most influential families in the business world, and you just let it go!"He tried to defend his decision. "I couldn't agree to the deal without knowing all the details. I need to be sure it's the right move for our company."His mother scoffed, clearly unimpressed. "Details? What details? Lucas Davis offered us a golden opportunity, and you threw it away because of your stubbornness!""You never listen to anyone, do you?" Cindy looks ver
Lucas Davis entered the room with a casual swagger, his eyes flickering with a hint of amusement. He was well aware of the tension in the air, but it didn't seem to faze him in the slightest."Ohh, we have guests today! Mr. Reign, my apologies for the delay. Business calls, you know how it is," Lucas said with a dismissive wave of his hand, as if being late was a minor inconvenience.William felt a surge of irritation. "I understand that, Mr. Davis. However, being punctual is a sign of respect. It shows that you value the other person's time," he replied, his tone firm.Lucas chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Respect, Mr. Reign? In the world of business, respect is earned, not given. And I'm sure you'll agree, I've earned my fair share."He gritted his teeth, struggling to maintain his composure. He could feel his wife’s hand on his arm, a silent reminder to stay calm."I'm here to discuss a potential partnership between our companies, Mr. Davis. However, I must insist on professi
He can feel the tension in the room was palpable. Cindy and his mother were fidgeting in their seats, exchanging excited whispers, while he sat back, trying to remain composed."Why are you both so excited?" He asked again, his tone more insistent this time.His wife gave him an exasperated look. "Dear, are you stupid or what? Don't you understand? This meeting could change everything for us. The Davis family is a huge opportunity for our business," she explained, her eyes shining with anticipation."But what if it's not what we expect? What if it's a trap?" He countered, his skepticism evident.His mother chimed in, her voice stern. "William, stop being so negative. I’m sick and tired of you, son! We have to be optimistic about this. Besides, Lucas Davis is a brilliant businessman. We could learn a lot from him!”He sighed, knowing he wouldn't win this argument. He leaned back in his chair, resigned to the fact that he would have to go through with the meeting, whether he liked it or