One hour to the party.Staring at her closet, Maria kept chewing on her nails, thinking of the possibilities of how she should look tonight.Suddenly, Rene stepped in front of her, and she stopped biting her nails and gazed up at him.Smiling, he said, "Let me be your stylish?""Huh? You?" Maria chuckled, raising her eyebrows."Are you accusing your husband of not having any fashion sense, Mrs. FLores?" Rene retorted.The was something about him calling her by his last name that made Maria bite her lip subconsciously, waking up feeling in Rene that he was struggling to control himself.His eyes darted away from hers, and then he walked over to the closet, opened the door, and rummaged around inside.Unable to hold it in, Maria burst into laughter, causing Rene to turn around to see her smiling broadly at him.He furrowed his brows before returning to searching through his closet. Eventually, his eyes lit up upon finding what he was looking for and he pulled it out.It was a stunning e
Immediately, Leonardo's face fell as he watched Rene approach him, his face blank and indifferent. "You shouldn't be here," Leonardo spoke quietly, his voice laced with distaste, causing Rene to stop in front of him."Who are you?" Rene asked with a raised brow.A look of annoyance crossed Leonardo's features as he looked at Rene through narrowed eyes."How dare you look down on Mr. Varga?!" Ron, Leonardo's head of security shouted.But Varga raised his arm, silencing Ron. He met Rene's cold gaze once more before replying, "Ah-ah... Why get offended? You don't expect such a thing to beware of my image?"A smirk played on his lips at Rene's silence, and then he leaned forward, speaking quietly. "What if I told you that I'm the one interested in your wife?"His smirk faded when Rene continued to glare at him silently. "I know your dumb brain can not comprehend a single word of what I have just said," he said cooly. "But believe me when I tell you that I mean every word."His bodyguards
“Kia,” Maria began, her voice barely above a whisper. “What are you doing here? You weren’t invited.”Rene met her eyes, his gaze unwavering. Slowly, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, elegant envelope. The golden seal glinted under the chandelier's light, and he handed it to her with a soft smile.“Mr. Gunnar didn't see me as useless after all,” he said quietly, but with a hint of pride. “He sent my invitation later than the rest of the family, and I kept it a secret because I wanted to surprise you. I wanted to make you proud of me.”Tears prickled at the corners of Maria’s eyes as she took the envelope. She could feel the weight of the moment, the tension in the room, the stares from her family and the guests. But all that mattered was the man standing in front of her, the man who had always been by her side despite everything.“Are you proud of me now, Maria?” Rene asked, his voice gentle as he brushed a tear from her cheek. “I know I may not be up to their standar
The smirk on Ron's face widened as he lifted his shoe slightly, raising a brow at Rene, and mumbled, "Go ahead and amend for your mistake. Lick it."The room was cold with silence and some guest anxiously waited with a mocking smile, their eyes glinting with a cruel interest. Within the blink of an eye, the tip of Rene's shoe slammed into his neck, bringing Ron to his knees with a choked gurgle.Before he could catch his breath, Rene grabbed him by the neck, snatching the smashed Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs off the floor, squeezing his neck till his mouth opened wide enough, and then he shoved the egg into his mouth.When Rene let go, Ron dropped to the floor, choking for air, his eyes widening in horror, unable to speak as he desperately tried to take another breath.The look of horror on the guests' faces deepened, and no one dared move for a while as they watched.A frown finally crossed Leonardo's face, and a bloodthirsty look settled there. He was about to take a step when his fat
As the initial shock of the confrontation began to wear off, the murmurs in the room grew louder, each guest grappling with the unexpected turn of events. The members of the Rossi family exchanged bewildered glances, their faces reflecting a mix of shock and concern.“Did you see that? Mr. Gunnar just sided with that... that son-in-law of ours against the Varga family. This is a disaster!” Vittoria's eyes were wide as she whispered to her husband, her voice trembling with disbelief. Josh’s face was pale as he looked around, trying to make sense of the situation. “How could he? This will only anger the Varga family more. They won’t forget this. We’re in serious trouble.”Staring at her parents, Layla couldn’t contain her disbelief. “Did Mr. Gunnar really just back him up?""He's new in the business circle and he dares make enemies with the Vargas. How foolish... He is in for a rude awakening. A lot of people may not want to work with him now." Mr. Abett mumbled with a sigh.Mr. Rossi,
The room buzzed with whispers and hushed conversations as the Fords entered. The sudden appearance of such powerful figures sent ripples of shock and curiosity through the gathered guests. Gunnar's heart pounded in his chest as he watched Rome Ford, Catherine, Mr. Ford, and Mr. Miller make their way through the crowd. He could feel the weight of their presence, their reputations preceding them.When Rome finally approached him, Gunnar instinctively bowed slightly, a gesture of respect mingled with nerves. But to his surprise, Rome extended a hand, grasping Gunnar's in a firm shake. The tension in Gunnar's shoulders eased just a fraction as he straightened up."So, you are the young fellow making bold moves recently," Rome said, his voice carrying a mixture of curiosity and approval.Gunnar tried to stay humble, his voice steady but respectful. "Yes, sir. It's an honor to meet you. Thank you for coming."Rome gave a small nod, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "I've been hearing q
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
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