The lavish wedding reception buzzed with chatter as elites from all corners of the city mingled, glasses of fine wine clinking softly with every toast. Mr. Leo Carter sat confidently at the head of the long, polished table, his sharp eyes scanning the room as conversations swirled around business deals and the occasional flirtation.A glass of deep red wine was offered to Leo by his new son-in-law, the young man’s expression respectful but eager. Leo took the glass with a firm grip, his gaze lingering on the man for a moment before he nodded.“Thank you,” Leo said, his voice smooth, but with an unmistakable power behind it.Before he could take a sip, Finn, Leo’s son, immediately reached out, his hand hovering over the glass, his face filled with concern. “Father, the doctor said—”Leo’s eyes hardened, and he pried Finn’s hand away with a sharp motion. “Allow me to live when I still breath, son,” he said coolly, his tone heavy with authority. “After all, it is my only daughter’s weddi
The doors swung open, and Suzanne Smith entered the room. Heads turned, conversations halted, and all eyes fell on her. Her emerald-green dress shimmered, hugging her curves in all the right places. She walked with the confidence of a woman who knew her power, her dark hair cascading down her back like silk. Her steps were purposeful, her gaze steady, though she could feel Liam Carter’s piercing eyes on her from across the room.“She’s my only daughter, Suzanne,” Armstrong Smith declared proudly, his voice cutting through the room.Leo Carter leaned back in his chair, a glint of admiration in his sharp eyes. “Really? She’s grown to be this beautiful? The last time I saw her, she was just a kid,” he said with an easy smile, his tone tinged with nostalgia.His remark drew a ripple of laughter from the other men.“Yes,” Armstrong responded, chuckling lightly. “Children grow, don’t they?”Polite nods followed as Suzanne approached the table. She bowed slightly in acknowledgment, her expre
Suzanne entered her office, the familiar scent of polished wood and paperwork filling the air. She had just finished her introduction to the company, an event that had left her both proud and burdened. Her son, still too young to understand the weight of the moment, clutched his children’s tablet, his innocent eyes glued to the screen as he sat quietly in the corner. After planting a gentle kiss on his cheek, Suzanne finally settled into her chair. Nina, her sharp-eyed cousin, was already there, going over the latest updates on the company’s financials with the team.Suzanne folded her hands, leaning back slightly, giving her full attention to the conversation. “So, Nina, what’s our daily expense tally looking like these days?”Nina glanced at the others in the room before answering. “It’s about 70% of the company’s finance. A significant chunk.”Suzy looked up, her brow furrowing as she processed the figure. “Seventy percent? Of what exactly? What are we spending it on?”Before Nina
Suzanne turned fully to Liam, her piercing gaze locking onto his. “You better be fast,” she said curtly. “I have a son to get to.”Liam’s lips curved into a soft smile. It was really her. After nearly two years of searching, of hoping, she was standing right there. How had he not thought to look here sooner? Oh, right—the private investigator hadn’t found anything. She’d hidden herself so well, slipping away like a ghost. But now, she was in front of him, real and impossible to ignore.“How’s he?” Liam asked, his voice gentle, the smile never leaving his face.Suzanne’s tense shoulders relaxed slightly, but her voice remained firm. “Liam, I don’t have time for this now. Can we talk another time, please?”He nodded, his smile faltering but still present. “Alright. Tomorrow, I’ll pick you up, huh?”She gave a quick nod before turning around and walking away. Liam’s gaze stayed on her retreating form, his chest tightening with emotions he hadn’t felt in years. He listened to the echo of
Suzanne and Liam walked into the company’s restaurant, their presence causing a ripple of whispers to spread among the employees already seated there. Heads turned, and conversations dropped to hushed tones as people observed the unusual sight."Who's the young man?" one woman murmured to her colleague, her eyes darting toward Liam. "He’s so handsome."Another leaned closer, her voice laced with judgment. "Why is the CEO eating here with us? Her father never does that. It’s classless."A younger voice cut in defensively. "C'mon, leave her alone. Suzanne Smith has more class than your entire generation."A group at the far end exchanged knowing glances, one of them pulling out a phone and scrolling. "Aww, they look so good together," another sighed wistfully.“Wait,” someone else interjected, showing the others a photo on her screen. “That’s Liam Carter, the second son of the Carter family.”Gasps rippled through the table. “Oh, what? No wonder he looks so handsome,” another replied, l
From across the room, Finn’s voice sliced through the moment with disapproval. “Father, that’s disgusting. If you want to flirt with your mistress, do it where I can’t watch.”Leo turned to his son, a grin tugging at his lips despite Finn’s harsh tone. “Flirt with my mistress?” he repeated, amusement evident. “Eloise isn’t my mistress, Finn. She’s going to be your stepmother.”Finn crossed his arms, his expression a mix of disbelief and irritation. “Step-mother,” he scoffed. Finn’s expression hardened, his voice sharp as he dismissed the earlier conversation. “Anyway, that isn’t why I’m here.”Leo leaned back, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. “Then why are you here, Finn?”Finn squared his shoulders, his tone resolute. “I think it’s time you made me chairman now.”The older man’s response was a scoff, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed his son. “Chairman?” he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief.“I’m not joking, Father,” Finn said firmly, leaning forward. “I’ve stayed by
“What do you think about Finn Carter?”Suzanne froze mid-bite, her fork hovering over her plate. She looked up at her father with furrowed brows. “What should I think about Finn Carter?”Armstrong Smith leaned back in his chair, a faint, unreadable smile playing on his lips. “Well, he’s interested in you.”Suzy blinked, her grip on the fork loosening. “Interested in me? In what way?”Armstrong's calm demeanor didn’t waver. “He wants to marry you.”The words hit her like a slap. She didn’t even notice the coffee slipping from her lips as it dribbled back into her cup. “What?”“As part of a business arrangement,” Armstrong continued, his voice as casual as if he were discussing the weather. “He proposed the idea in exchange for assisting with our building project.”Suzy’s spoon clattered onto the table. She stared at him, disbelief washing over her face. “You made a deal… about me?” Her voice rose, trembling with anger.“It’s not like that, Suzanne,” Armstrong said firmly, though his ga
Suzanne stepped out of her car, smoothing the front of her blouse as her eyes scanned the Carter estate. The grand property radiated an air of authority and wealth that left no doubt about the family's influence. Taking a deep breath, she walked up the steps. Before she could knock, the heavy front door opened, revealing a tall, composed man in his late forties.“Good afternoon. Come on in,” the man greeted, his tone polite but clipped.“Thank you,” Suzanne replied, stepping inside.“I’m Mr. Hank, Mr. Carter’s direct manager,” he explained, leading her through the ornate hallway to the dining room. As they entered, a warm, cheerful voice greeted her.“There you are, my beautiful girl,” a woman said, rising from her seat. Mrs. Eloise Dax, Liam’s mother, walked toward her with open arms. “I didn’t have time to greet you the other day. Welcome to my home. Feel free to relax.”Suzanne smiled politely as Eloise guided her to a seat beside her. She barely had time to sit when a melodic voic
Suzanne slowly lowered her phone, her heart pounding as she processed Paul’s words.She lifted her gaze to Liam, who stood in the living room, watching her with quiet patience."You bought my company," she said, more in awe than disbelief.Liam didn't deny it. "I did."A slow exhale left her lips as she stepped forward. "You were the one who kept it in my name? The one who made sure I could get it back?"Liam shrugged, his expression calm. "I knew how much it meant to you. Selling it was necessary at the time, but losing it permanently? That was never an option."Something warm and unexpected curled in her chest. "Liam…" She shook her head, her voice softer now. "Why didn’t you tell me?""You had enough to deal with," he answered simply. "I wasn’t going to add to that."Suzanne stared at him, realizing for the hundredth time just how deeply he understood her. How effortlessly he stepped in—not to control, not to take over, but to protect.She swallowed, a small smile tugging at the co
"Nina, come on in," Suzanne said, her voice calm but firm.Nina stepped inside, closing the office door behind her before taking a seat in front of Suzanne’s desk. The room fell into a brief silence, broken only by the soft clacking of Suzanne’s keyboard. She finished typing, saved her work, and then finally looked up.Leaning back in her chair, she folded her arms. "I called you here because there’s something I want to confirm."Nina arched a brow. "Go on.""How long have you been working with my father?" Suzanne asked, her tone unreadable.Nina blinked at the question, surprised. "A very long time."Suzanne nodded slowly, as if weighing her response. "Cool." Then, without hesitation, she asked, "Can I trust you, Nina?"Nina’s expression darkened slightly. "On what exactly?""On becoming my closest ally."The air in the room shifted. A heavy silence settled between them.Nina sat up straighter, her fingers tapping lightly against the armrest of her chair. "I still don’t know what you
"You couldn’t stop the damn surgery? Are you out of your mind?" Finn roared into the phone, his fury barely contained."I'm sorry, Mr. Carter," Dr. Chris stammered, his voice tight with unease.Silence. Heavy. Unforgiving.Finn exhaled sharply, running a hand over his face. "Who’s bringing the heart to Liam?"Dr. Chris hesitated before answering. "One of his colleagues from his former hospital in Los Angeles, I believe."Finn clenched his jaw, his patience running thin. "Listen to me carefully—I don’t care what you have to do, but that surgery must not go well. Do you understand? Handle it on your end. I’ll take care of things from mine. Now, send me the name of the airport he’s arriving at.""Yes, sir!" Dr. Chris replied hastily.Finn ended the call, his mind already racing with the next move. ---Liam moved through the hospital corridors in his lab coat, his medical team following closely. He checked on his patients, offering them warm smiles."How are we feeling today, Mr. Gomez?"
Eloise barely registered the nurse’s words as she was led through the quiet hospital corridors. Her heart pounded, her fingers trembling as she clutched her bag. The scent of antiseptic filled the air, sharp and sterile, but it did nothing to steady her nerves.The moment she reached the VIP room, she hesitated. Her hand hovered over the handle, her breath shallow. Then, gathering every ounce of courage, she pushed the door open.And there he was.Leo Carter sat upright in the hospital bed, staring blankly into space, lost in a world beyond the four walls that confined him."Leo?" Her voice was thick with emotion, barely above a whisper.Slowly, he turned. His lips curled into a faint smile. "Come on, Eloise. Come sit with me, darling."Relief crashed over her like a tidal wave. He was alive. He was here. His spirit hadn’t left him yet.She rushed to his side, sitting beside him and taking his hand in hers. "How are you feeling? Have you eaten? Should I call the doctor?" The words tum
"What?" Charles' voice was sharp, disbelief flashing across his face.Suzanne didn’t even bother to repeat herself. She simply turned, her tone casual as she tossed over her shoulder, "I’ll send the divorce papers tomorrow."That should have been the end of it. But of course, Charles wasn’t done."Are you aware, Suzanne, that I had no hand in drugging you?" His voice carried a strange urgency now. "This is the first time I’m even hearing about it."She stopped mid-step, then turned back to him, completely unfazed. "And?"Charles blinked. "And?"Suzanne let out a sharp laugh, shaking her head. "What, you think I should forgive you because you weren’t the one personally slipping the pills into my drugs?" She scoffed, crossing her arms. "Whether you did it or not, Charles, I’m divorcing you."Charles’ expression darkened. His gaze flickered to Liam, standing silently beside her, and something inside him snapped."Because of this brat?" He let out a harsh laugh, stepping closer. "Why am I
Marriage officeThe Room Fell into a Stunned SilenceLiam turned first, his grip on Suzanne tightening instinctively. Suzanne, however, froze. Her fingers trembled slightly as she lowered her phone.The voice echoed again, low and dangerous. "Let. Her. Go."And then—he stepped forward.Charles Langford.Tall, commanding, dressed in a sharp black suit that screamed power and authority. His cold, piercing eyes locked onto Liam’s hand resting protectively around Suzanne’s waist.Suzanne’s heart slammed against her ribs. It had been years since she last saw him, and yet… nothing had changed. The same presence. The same intensity.Finn, who had been on the verge of losing his mind already, suddenly smirked, stepping back like a spectator who had just been given front-row seats to an unexpected showdown.“Well, well, well,” Finn drawled, crossing his arms. “Now this just got interesting.”Liam, unfazed, simply tilted his head, his expression unreadable. Slowly, deliberately, he tightened hi
Mira locked eyes with her mother, her voice steady but laced with curiosity. "Tell me this story. I want to know how all of this started."A single tear slipped down Eloise’s cheek, but she made no move to wipe it away."I was your father's secretary back in the day," she began, her voice soft yet heavy with emotion. "We fell in love, and things were going fine—secretly. We didn’t want anyone to know, especially not his family. But then… I found out I was pregnant with Liam."Mira remained silent, her face unreadable."When I told your father, he was overjoyed. He told me he was going to marry me. We were so naive… We thought love was enough. Then, we broke the news to his parents." She let out a humorless laugh. "What we expected was nothing like congratulations. It was a disaster. His parents had already arranged his marriage—to Felicia Richmond, the heiress to the Richmond empire."Mira's eyes narrowed. "We're richer than the Richmonds, Mom," she almost shouted, frustration bubblin
Eloise collapsed onto the couch, exhaustion weighing on her. Just as she closed her eyes, she heard hurried footsteps."Mom!" Mira rushed in, her eyes scanning her mother. "What happened? You said you weren’t feeling well. Are you okay now?"Eloise sighed, sitting up slowly. She studied her daughter for a moment before saying, "I was at the hospital."Mira’s brows furrowed. "Okay… What did the doctor say?"Eloise shook her head. "I'm not sick, Mira."Mira froze, confusion replacing concern. "Then why the hell did you call me, making me think something was wrong?"Eloise hesitated. She had struggled with how to bring this up, but there was no easy way. "It’s about your father."Mira let out an irritated sigh and dropped onto a chair. "Of course, it is. Why did I even ask?" She crossed her legs, her tone dry. "So, what? You want me to light a candle for him? Pray for a miracle?"Eloise’s jaw clenched. "Mira, he’s dying."Mira’s expression didn’t change. "And?"Eloise’s voice grew desper
The conference hall was filled with an air of tension as the panel of doctors sat around the long table, discussing the critical operation. Dr. Chris Murphy took the lead, his expression serious as he cleared his throat.“As we all know, the chairman’s condition is deteriorating rapidly,” he began, glancing at the senior doctors. “His collapse today was proof that time is against us. We can’t afford to delay any longer.” He turned slightly toward Liam. “For this surgery, I will be handling the pancreatic procedure while Dr. Carter leads the heart transplant.”Liam leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. His eyes were sharp, analyzing every word.“We have decided on a date—three days from now,” Chris continued smoothly.Liam’s jaw clenched. “Why that date?”Chris barely looked at him. “Because it aligns with the best possible team availability and ensures we’re fully prepared.”Liam wasn’t convinced. “I’m scheduled for an important transplant surgery that day. One involving a key donor