The room was abuzz with excitement and expectation as Gunnar stood at the front, a confident smile on his face. He cleared his throat, and the conversations gradually quieted down.“Ladies and gentlemen,” Gunnar began, his voice steady and commanding, “thank you all for coming. Tonight is a significant night for us as we announce new partnerships that will shape the future of our company.”He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle over the audience. Rome Ford and his family stood to one side, their presence adding gravity to the moment. Rene and Maria were close by, their expressions calm but watchful.“I am proud to announce that the first of these partnerships will be with the Ford family.” Gunnar gestured towards Rome, who nodded his head slightly, acknowledging the announcement.Applause erupted from the guests, mingled with murmurs of approval. Gunnar waited for the noise to die down before continuing.“The Ford family has a legacy of excellence and integrity, and the
At nine sharp on the dot, the broad room of the Rossi enterprise was occupied with every member of the family, seated at the oval table except for Maria and Carlo Rossi.With his sharp suit and tighter expression, Jason sat near the head of the table, his gaze darting towards the door every few moments. Suddenly, the large double doors swung open with a creak and Mr. Rossi entered with his usual commanding presence. His face was set in a grim expression as he looked around until his eyes locked onto his grandson and his scowl deepened.Jason's fist tightened as his grandfather strode over and sat down, giving him a piercing glare that held no warmth or welcome."Last night was a complete disaster," Mr. Rossi began, his voice firm and filled with disappointment. The room fell silent, the gravity of his words sinking in as he addressed his family.Jason shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his earlier bravado diminished under the weight of his grandfather’s gaze. He tried to maintain his
In the tense atmosphere of the boardroom, Antonio leaned forward, breaking the silence that Jason's departure had left. "Father, what are you planning to do about Maria?" he asked, his voice tinged with impatience. "Are you thinking about having her head the partnership with ReF Inc.?"Raising his gaze to his son's, Mr. Rossi’s expression remained unreadable, and he didn’t immediately respond. The pause stretched out, and Antonio’s scowl deepened. "Giving Maria the position would be like rewarding her bad behavior," he pressed. "And don't forget, she's supposed to marry Leonardo Varga for our future benefit with the Varga. There was already tension last night between the Vargas and Mr. Gunnar. If Maria directly spearheads the partnership, it will create even more hard feelings between us and the Vargas."Mr. Rossi's eyes flicked to Antonio, measuring him. "And what is your suggestion, then?" he finally asked.Antonio took a deep breath, clearly ready for this moment. "If we want to
Maria’s eyes were fiery as she continued, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside her. “Why don’t we give Kia a position in the company and have him head the partnership with ReF Inc.?""What? What did you just say?" Josh blurted out, wondering if he had misheard her words. Sighing, Maria bit back her tongue for a moment and then said, "It was explicitly stated in the marriage contract that Kia would have a role in the company. He has a relationship with Mr. Gunnar, and this could help us more than just making a quick move with Antonio. Kia’s involvement would honor our promises and potentially strengthen our position with ReF Inc.”A murmur of surprise rippled through the room. The idea of giving Kia a leading role was unexpected, and Mr. Rossi’s eyebrows furrowed as he considered the implications. Antonio’s expression darkened with irritation, clearly disliking the challenge to his proposal.Josh’s face turned red with a mix of anger and disappointment. He glared at M
The restaurant was a cozy haven of ambient light and rich, warm colors. The aroma of fresh basil and garlic filled the air as Rene arrived at exactly 6:00, just as promised. He scanned the room for Maria, his heart beating a little faster at the anticipation of their evening together.The hostess greeted him with a warm smile. “Good evening, sir. Do you have a reservation?”“Yes, under the name Maria Rossi,” Rene replied, scanning the room for her.“Right this way,” the hostess said, leading him to a table near the window with a view of the city streets lit by the soft glow of streetlights.As Rene settled into his seat, he glanced at his watch. It wasn’t long before he saw Maria approaching, dressed elegantly in a teal dress that complemented her features perfectly, and her hair was pinned back loosely.Quickly, he stood from his seat, pulled a seat out for her, and pulled her into a hug. “You look beautiful tonight,” he whispered in her ear.Her heart fluttered as she felt the gent
The sound of the alarm clock was buzzing in Rene's ears, but his eyes were already wide open, staring unblinkingly at the ceiling.A faint crease formed on his forehead, and his breathing was slow, steady, and measured.Quietly, he slipped out of bed and padded to the bathroom, careful not to wake her. As he looked at himself in the mirror, his mind replayed the conversation from the previous night. The frustration and disappointment he felt were still fresh, like a wound that hadn't begun to heal.By the time he returned to the bedroom, Maria was stirring. She blinked a few times, then stretched, her eyes landing on Rene as he moved about the room, gathering his clothes for the day. She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes."Good Morning," she said softly, her voice still husky with sleep."Morning," Rene replied, his tone flat. He didn't meet her gaze as he continued to get dressed.Maria's brow furrowed slightly. "Are you okay?""I'm fine," he said curtly, slipping on his shirt.She sigh
Maria drove through the bustling city streets, her fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel in rhythm with the music playing softly from the radio. Pulling up to the ReF Inc. building, she took a deep breath before stepping out of her car. She adjusted her blazer and walked with determined steps toward the entrance. The sleek, modern architecture of the building was impressive, and the glass doors reflected her confident stride as she approached.Inside, the lobby was a hive of activity, with people bustling about and phones ringing. Maria headed straight for the front desk, where a young receptionist greeted her with a polite smile."Good morning! How can I help you?" the receptionist asked."Good morning," Maria replied warmly. "I have an appointment with Mr. Gunnar."The receptionist's fingers flew over the keyboard as she checked the schedule. "May I have your name, please?""Maria Rossi."After a moment, the receptionist looked up with a nod. "Yes, Ms. Rossi. You're schedul
Watching her eyes, Rene could sense the tension, the uncertainty in her tone. "I will try," he replied quietly. "Can you wait until I get back?"Darting her eyes away from him, she hesitated but eventually gave a slight nod, and Rene turned and strode away, leaving the office.A moment later, he walked into Gunnar's office, casually flopping down onto the couch. He leaned back, eyes closed, and let out a heavy sigh. Hearing that, Gunnar, who had been working at his desk, looked up from his paperwork and stared for a long while hesitantly. Then finally, setting down his pen, he approached the couch and took a seat at the opposite end. "Boss, can I ask you something?" Gunnar's tone was cautious, but there was a hint of curiosity in his voice.The was a brief pause, and then Rene opened one eye, giving Gunnar a lazy glance. "Sure, Gunnar. What's on your mind?"Gunnar shifted in his seat, trying to gauge the best way to phrase his question. "Would you let Antonio take Maria's position
Drawing a deep breath, Rene sat back in his leather chair, casually leaning his elbows on the armrests, eyes scanning the office around him. Across from him, Marco stood, hands still tucked into his pockets, his expression as deadpan as ever. René glanced at him and then, with a small grin, spoke in his calm, collected voice."Marco, I need you to understand something. This whole job I hire you for... it doesn't run on loyalty to anyone else. It runs on loyalty to me. I need to know everything that’s going on in this building. You get me?"Locking eyes with him, Marco nodded, his gaze steady. "Yes, boss.""And that means," René continued, leaning forward slightly, "you don’t take orders from anyone unless they come directly from me. Not from Mr. Rossi, not from my wife Maria, not even from my so-called in-laws." He paused, giving Marco a pointed look. "Your loyalty is mine and mine alone.""Understood, boss." Marco’s tone didn’t waver. His dead-eyed stare might have been unsettling
Drawing a deep breath, Alejandro stood in the middle of his destroyed office, his breathing heavy, fists still clenched, when the knock on the door came again.For a moment, he ignored it, staring at the shattered remains of the vase, the overturned coffee table, and the scattered papers. He wasn’t in the mood for company, and whoever was at the door was the last thing on his mind.The knock came again, a little more insistent this time.With a growl of frustration, Alejandro wiped a hand over his face, trying to collect himself. “Come in,” he barked, not bothering to hide the irritation in his voice.The door creaked open, and in stepped a timid figure... a man Alejandro immediately recognized. It was Derek, the guy his grandfather had laid off earlier this morning. He was dressed simply, his face pale and anxious, clearly not expecting to find Alejandro amidst the ruins of what used to be a pristine office.The second Derek saw the mess and Alejandro’s furious glare, he froze in t
As the silence dragged on, Jessica sat there, still on her knees in front of Carlo Rossi's desk, her breath catching in her throat as she tried to hold onto her fragile mask of vulnerability. Her heart raced, hoping that the call Carlo just made would secure her place in the company again, that everything would go as she planned. She waited for the door to open, fully expecting to see Rene walk in.But when the door creaked open, it wasn’t Rene.It was Alejandro.Jessica’s stomach dropped the moment their eyes met.Standing in the doorway, Alejandro’s face twisted in anger the second he saw her kneeling on the floor. His dark eyes narrowed, and his lips pressed into a tight, furious line as he stormed into the room, the tension in his body unmistakable.“Grandfather,” Alejandro greeted, his voice tight, barely masking his rage. “What’s this about?”Quickly, she scrambled to her feet, heart pounding, and brushed off her skirt. She opened her mouth to speak, to explain herself, but th
Without sparing a second glance at Rene, Jessica stormed out of the office, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she clenched her fists at her sides. HHer mind was racing, fury bubbling just beneath the surface as she thought, 'Fired? Just like that? I don't think so."As she reached the elevator, she took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She was going to fix this. She knew exactly where to go.The elevator doors opened, and Jessica stepped inside, tapping the button for the executive floor. A plan was already forming in her head. She knew how to play her cards right... after all, she had been working in this family’s empire long enough to know how things worked.When the elevator dinged on the executive floor, Jessica straightened her posture, letting her face soften into a look of vulnerability. She walked briskly to Carlo’s secretary’s desk, her expression shifting from anger to desperation.“Hi, I need to speak with Mr. Rossi. It’s urgent,” Jessica said, her vo
The doors of Rossi Enterprises slid open with a soft hiss, and in walked Rene. He wore a sharp black suit, perfectly tailored to his lean frame, with a crisp white shirt and no tie, giving him a mix of sophistication and rebellion. His dark hair was swept back neatly, and there was an effortless swagger in his step. But what really turned heads was the guy trailing behind him—a cocky-looking dude with dead eyes, like he had seen too much and cared too little. His expression screamed "try me," and his hands were casually tucked into his pockets. Whispers started almost immediately as René strode through the lobby.“Is that… Maria's husband?”“That’s Kia. You know, the guy who-”“Yeah, I heard. He destroyed the Lelands last night... used Mr. Gunnar to get them down on their knees.”“Wait, isn’t he taking over Alejandro’s position? How did that even happen?”As their faint whispers brushed against his ears, René’s lips curved into the faintest hint of a smirk, like he knew exactly wha
Monday9:00 A.MAs his eyes hardened, Alejandro slammed the drawer shut, stuffing the last of his files into a black leather briefcase. The faint sound of his office door opening went unnoticed until the hurried click of heels caught his attention. "Morning boss... What's going on?" his assistant, Jessica, asked, her voice laced with concern. She stopped in the doorway, eyes wide, taking in the sight of her usually composed boss in the middle of packing his things. “Are you… leaving?”Reaching for another folder, Alejandro didn’t look up immediately, but the scowl on his face deepened. “It’s happening,” he muttered darkly. “That lowlife, that nobody, is taking my position.”As her brows drew together, Jessica’s heart sank. She had heard whispers in the office, but to see it unfold like this, right in front of her, made the situation all too real. "Kia?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. "Yeah, my so-called cousin-in-law," Alejandro spat, throwing another folder into his bri
The soft hum of the air conditioner filled the room as Juan paced back and forth in his study, his hands clasped behind his back. His children... Princess, Alejandro, José, Luis, and Luca sat in various states of boredom or concern around the long table. The dim lighting cast shadows across the study, making the atmosphere feel heavier than usual.Suddenly, Juan stopped, turning to face them. "You all understand what happened last night, right?"Princess, leaning lazily against the armrest of her chair, rolled her eyes as she let out, "Yeah, Dad, we get it. Kia embarrassed the Lelands, and now everyone’s acting like he’s some kind of genius.""Exactly," Juan replied, his voice carrying a tinge of frustration. "And if Father can take Alejandro’s position in the family and just hand it over to someone like Kia, what does that mean for the rest of us?"Alejandro, who had been sitting quietly in the corner with his arms crossed, looked up sharply. His jaw was tight, and his eyes glinted
In the dimly lit study of the Rossi mansion, Jason, Antonio, Layla, and Bianca sat in tense silence, each of them processing the events of the previous night. The air felt tense with the weight of their unspoken thoughts, their faces betraying a mix of shock and uncertainty.Antonio sat at his desk, fingers drumming against the wood, his mind racing as he tried to piece together the next step. Across from him, Jason leaned casually in his chair, his eyes sharp and calculating, while Layla sat beside him, her expression unreadable. Bianca, meanwhile, slouched in an armchair near the window, her brows furrowed in frustration.Finally, it was Bianca who broke the silence, her voice tinged with bitterness. “Well, now that Kia doesn’t have Mr. Gunnar’s protection, he’s no threat anymore. We don’t have to worry about him.”Her words were met with a sharp glare from both Jason and Antonio. Jason shifted in his seat, his gaze hardening as he turned toward his sister.“Bianca,” he said, his to
The morning sun filtered through the soft curtains of the Rossi mansion, casting a warm glow across the master bedroom. Mr. Rossi sat on the edge of the bed, his brow furrowed, fingers tapping restlessly against his knee. He hadn’t slept much after the events of the previous night. Madam Rossi, still in her silk robe, sat at the vanity, brushing her hair. She glanced at her husband, noticing the tension in his posture, the way he seemed lost in thought.“They’re not home yet, are they... Maria and Kia?” Mr. Rossi asked, his voice low, though it held an edge of concern.His wife paused for a moment, setting down her brush before turning to face him. “No, they’re not,” she replied calmly, though there was a hint of curiosity in her voice. She noticed the way his shoulders were stiff, the way his fingers had stilled their tapping and now pressed into his palms.She frowned slightly, studying him. “What’s on your mind?” she asked, her tone soft.Mr. Rossi sighed deeply, running a hand