The ballroom's atmosphere had shifted into something dark and menacing, the tension thickening with each passing second. The polished elegance of the chandeliers and the soft classical music now seemed jarringly out of place as the thugs in tailored suits moved in, surrounding Rene.Maria’s desperate cries echoed in Rene's ears, her voice cracking with panic as her mother and father restrained her. “Please! Don’t do this!” She struggled against their hold, tears streaming down her face, her words lost in the suffocating air of the room.As his fingers twitched by his side, Rene stood at the center of it all, his sharp gaze taking in the approaching men. His heart pounded in his chest, but his mind remained focused. He could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him, but there was no fear. Only clarity.He took a deep breath, bracing himself for what was to come.Benjamin watched with a smug expression, arms crossed, clearly relishing the moment. “You think you can disres
Benjamin’s face was flushed with anger, his fists clenched tightly at his sides as he glared at Rene. The room had gone deathly quiet, and the air was thick with tension. Maria, still standing beside Rene, watched the scene unfold with wide eyes, her heart pounding in her chest."You think you can just walk in here and act like you're someone?" Benjamin spat, his voice shaking with fury. "You're nothing! A nobody who got lucky! A maid's son... and you have the audacity to stand here and act like you're on our level?"Rene remained calm, his smirk never leaving his face as he studied the gun.The color drained from Benjamin’s face for a second, but his rage only deepened. “You think this is funny? Humiliating me? Humiliating my family? You think we’re going to let that slide?”Stepping closer, Benjamin pointed at Rene’s chest, jabbing his finger forward as if to provoke him. “I want you on your knees. Right now. Kiss my feet, beg for forgiveness, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll let you l
Before Mr. Leland could finish, the bank president stepped forward, his expression hardened, eyes unforgiving. “Mr. Leland,” he interrupted coldly, his voice echoing through the now-silent ballroom, “this has gone far beyond a simple misunderstanding.”The room stilled as the bank president’s eyes narrowed, filled with disapproval. He glanced at the lavish decorations, the chandeliers, the expensive wine glasses glittering in the light, all symbols of the Leland family’s reckless spending.“While you’re busy throwing lavish parties,” the bank president continued, his tone sharp, “your company is drowning in debt. The bank has been more than patient, but we are no longer willing to sit idly by while you mismanage your finances.”Mr. Leland’s forced smile faltered, and he stiffened, his eyes darting toward the guests who now watched in fascinated horror.The president’s words echoed in the room. “We’re prepared to initiate legal action to recover the debt you owe. If necessary, we’ll s
The silence that followed Gunnar’s ultimatum dragged on with the weight of everything that had just transpired. The ballroom, once filled with the soft murmur of conversation and clinking of champagne glasses, now stood frozen in a stunned hush. Every eye in the room was locked on Mr. Leland and his son, Benjamin.A gentleman near the front of the room, a distinguished figure in a well-tailored suit, shook his head in disbelief. "He's done it," he murmured, barely loud enough for those around him to hear. "They have no choice now. Mr. Gunnar has them trapped."The whispers started, quiet at first, but spreading quickly through the crowd like wildfire."Half the company… for their survival," another guest muttered. "It's a devil’s bargain, but they’re out of options."A woman in an elegant gown leaned toward her companion. “The Lelands… they’re finished. I’ve never seen anything like this.”Mr. Leland stood at the center of it all, his face twisted in agony, his pride warring against
The silence that followed Gunnar’s ultimatum stretched unbearably, pressing down on the room. Everyone was watching, waiting for the inevitable. Mr. Leland and Benjamin exchanged one last desperate glance, but they both knew there was no escape. The weight of humiliation bore down on them, their once-proud faces now twisted in agony. Finally, Mr. Leland sighed deeply, the sound full of resignation. With great reluctance, he lowered himself to his knees, every motion stiff, as though his pride were fighting his body. The room watched in stunned silence, unable to believe the sight of such a powerful man brought to his knees.Beside him, Benjamin hesitated, his face burning red with fury and shame. His jaw clenched so tightly that his teeth looked ready to crack, but after a moment, he followed his father’s lead, sinking to his knees. The proud heir of the Leland family, now kneeling in front of the very people he had tried to humiliate.Gunnar stood over them, his expression unreada
The crowd, already buzzing with whispers, grew louder at this revelation.“Is he really leaving ReF Inc.?” a man in the back murmured, his tone filled with disbelief. “That’s insane. No one sane will leave a company like that.”The revelation that Rene might be leaving ReF Inc. sent a wave of shocked murmurs rippling through the room.“He’s leaving ReF Inc.?” a man in the back repeated in disbelief, his tone hushed but incredulous. “That’s madness. Nobody walks away from an opportunity like that.”Juan Rossi, standing at the back of the crowd with his Antonio, shot a quick glance at him. “There’s no way Kia is that foolish,” Juan whispered, his tone sharp. “After what Mr. Gunnar just did for him? There’s no way he’s working for us.”Without a word, Antonio’s scowl deepened, his fists clenching at his sides as he watched Rene.'If Kia turns this down,' Antonio thought, his eyes growing tense, 'everything we’ve planned, all of our positioning… it’s going to fall apart.'His eyes stayed
Rene sat in silence, gripping the steering wheel as the car moved through the dark, quiet streets. The sound of the engine hummed softly, the only noise breaking the tense air between him and Maria. She hadn’t said a word since they left the party. Her arms were crossed, and she stared out the window, the reflection of passing streetlights flickering in her eyes.Even though they were far away from the resort, she could still feel the weight of everything that had happened, her emotions knotted inside her, a mixture of anger, confusion, and exhaustion. She wanted to scream, to tell Rene how reckless he’d been, how much his decision to leave Gunnar’s protection worried her, but the words wouldn’t come. Not yet.The silence between them stretched until something caught Maria’s attention. She furrowed her brow and glanced at the road ahead. They were no longer heading toward home.Her frustration boiled over into confusion. “Kia… We are going the wrong way?” she asked, her voice quiet
Rene paused, his hand hovering over the phone in his pocket, the persistent vibration pulling him back to the reality that had started to slip away in the serene space they’d found themselves in. But then, Maria’s voice, soft, broke through his hesitation.“Don’t,” she whispered, her breath warm against his neck as her fingers traced the fabric of his shirt, slowly making their way to the back of his neck. She pulled him closer, her voice barely audible, but the weight of her words was undeniable. “Not tonight.”Her request was gentle but firm, and it sent a shiver down Rene’s spine. He could feel the tension melting away between them, replaced by something far deeper, more intense. His hand dropped away from the phone, and he let out a quiet breath, turning his full attention back to Maria.Their eyes met, and in the flickering candlelight, the world outside felt distant, insignificant. The frustration, the anger that had been lingering between them, all of it dissolved as Maria m
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