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The gala
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Their Domineering Son-in-law The Banquet Challenge
Tristan's palms grew clammy as he lingered anxiously alone near the bar, mentally rehearsing potential opening lines for when the moment arrived. One thing was certain - he refused to let Vivian's presence rattle him tonight. She had made her priorities abundantly clear when she cut ties with him without warning. Now it was his turn to move forward and accomplish his own goals, regardless of her scorn.Starting with securing the allegiance of the man currently accompanying his ex-wife on the dance floor. The gauntlet had been publicly thrown down by her showing up with Russell Pine. And Tristan intended to rise to the challenge.Across the ballroom, the financier Russell Pine grew increasingly puzzled by the beautiful young CEO chatting animatedly at his side as they swayed together. He had agreed to escort Vivian Hayes tonight as a strategic networking opportunity - her cosmetics company was quickly becoming a major player in Avalon, after all.But her not-so-subtle hints about a pot
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Their Domineering Son-in-law The High-Stakes Challenge
Spotlights danced across the grand ballroom's polished marble floors as Avalon's elite flooded inside, eagerly claiming their seats. Tonight was the premiere event they had all breathlessly awaited - the climactic showdown between financial phenom Russell Pine and newcomer Tristan Levine in the unprecedented "Investment Duel" challenge.In the lower tier, the city's upper crust jostled each other for a clear view of the sleek dual workstations now set up on the central dais. Higher above in the arched mezzanine, the true giants of Avalon's business world filed into private VIP boxes outfitted with plush leather furnishings and fully stocked bars.Among them, Tristan's ex-wife Vivian Sterling smoothed the beaded skirt of her slinky black gown as she took her seat. Beside her, Vivian's mother Linda accepted a crystal champagne flute from a bow-tied server."This spectacle should prove entertaining, if nothing else," she remarked dryly before taking a delicate sip.Vivian let out a deris
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Their Domineering Son-in-law The Tables Turn
The sun sank below the Avalon skyline, casting the Levine family yacht in a golden glow. Strings of lights twinkled to life along the gleaming white rails as the vessel glided across the harbor. On the upper deck, caterers scrambled to arrange trays of hors d'oeuvres and champagne flutes just so, ensuring every detail was perfect for the celebration about to unfold.Right on schedule, the city's elite began arriving in staggered fashion, the gangplank fluttering under the weight of their footsteps. They represented the top titans of industry - real estate moguls, tech tycoons, politicians and bankers - all flocking aboard the lavish yacht to pay their respects to the guest of honor.The man in question stood gazing out at the water, hands folded behind his back. Tristan cut a striking figure in his dark tuxedo, tall and lanky with chiseled features any ancient warrior god would envy. But his blue eyes glinted with a cunning that heralded danger to friend and foe alike."Quite the reve
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Their Domineering Son-in-law Shadowed Gambits
The amber liquid burned a fiery trail down Blaine's throat as he glared broodingly out the panoramic windows overlooking downtown Avalon. In the nearby leather armchair, his brother Brady lounged with his own tumbler dangling carelessly from his fingers, looking utterly unconcerned."This whole damned situation is unbelievable," Blaine burst out, smacking his glass down on the polished oak end table. Ice cubes jumped, sloshing whiskey over his knuckles. He swore viciously, shaking the sting away. "One victory in a rigged betting pool against lackluster competition, and suddenly our useless damned cousin is the prodigal son again? He waltzes back in after years away and gets handed the company crown just like that?"Blaine pushed off from the windows, the city lights blurring behind him as he paced agitatedly across the thick carpet. He spun and slammed his fist against the paneled wall hard enough to make the antique oil paintings jump. Brady didn't even blink, merely taking another
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Their Domineering Son-in-law A trial?
The mellow burn spreading through Blaine's limbs raised his tolerance for such necessary unpleasantness a few degrees at least. Let Brady play elastic with any ethical boundaries tonight. He was only here to look receptive and lend the encounter a veneer of legitimacy anyway. And perhaps supply theOdd timely scrupulous protest to make their ultimately damning revelations seem more organically fed and hard won. Yes, Brady could damn well be the unhinged attack dog blindsiding Tristan's pretty ponies tonight. Blaine would stick to subtly poisoning the trough instead. Their mark was too shrewd to confront so openly without inciting suspicion anyway.Before his scattered thoughts could chase themselves in any more useless circles, footsteps echoing down the hallway heralded the arrival of a liveried house servant. Blaine's heart rate instantly redlined. Time to set the stage then."Sirs, your car has arrived to convey you to the Pinetech Tower for your urgent 7 PM appointment," the stuff
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Their Domineering Son-in-law Trial by Fire
The rain came down hard on the windshield of the black town car as it drove through the dark slippery streets of downtown Avalon. In the backseat Naomi watched the blurred neon signs and headlights through the streaked glass, lost in thought. She was thinking back to the meeting just an hour ago in her office at the Pinetech Industries headquarters. Two young men had come to make her an offer, cousins of the current heir to the Sterling empire named Tristan. Their names were Brady and Blaine. Ambitious. Ruthless. They sat down in the leather chairs across from Naomi's desk and looked her straight in the eyes when they spoke. "One hundred million dollars offshore to block Tristan's latest power play," Brady had said. "Untraceable. Enough to set you and your family up in luxury for life."Naomi considered the offer. A bold maneuver. Sloppy execution but the initiative showed promise. Family in-fighting of this magnitude spelled instability in the Sterling ranks. And that could disrupt
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Their Domineering Son-in-law Destiny's Forge
The amber liquid burned a fiery trail down my throat, but did nothing to warm the cold dread creeping through me. I gazed out the rain streaked window of my grandfather's study, tumbler dangling from my fingers. Somewhere out there in the darkened city, forces were aligning silently against me. I couldn't shake Alex's ominous words upon returning to the estate, his usual unflappable demeanor shaken. He had come directly from a covert meeting with the notorious gatekeeper Naomi, proxy to the shadowy titans who secretly ruled Avalon. Her message was unambiguous - the coming days would push me to my limits under trials by fire. For good or utter ruin.Behind me, grandfather brooded in his leather chair before the crackling hearth, face etched with hard lines by the dancing flames. Our empire navigated treacherous straits indeed. But still he refused to speak first, ceding the opening move to me in this newest round of appointments and power plays. The game of thrones intensified among A
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Their Domineering Son-in-law Ashes of Empire
The click of my heels echoed hollowly across the gleaming floors of the Hayes Cosmetics headquarters. The familiar sound used to fill me with purpose and pride. Now it only served as a mocking reminder of ambitions collapsing around me. I swept past the offices and cubicles where my employees dutifully kept their eyes averted. The Board meeting disaster had eroded what little confidence remained in my leadership after the catastrophic loss of the Hamilton deal. My kingdom was crumbling swiftly into ashes before I could grasp at solutions.And now the latest tidings of my public humiliation had arrived to grind salt deeper into barely scabbed wounds - Tristan had left Avalon behind entirely after our bitter divorce. Likely he assumed the airing of our dirty laundry had sufficiently ruined my prospects here as petty recompense. Part of me hoped the news meant he would simply fade into obscurity without the wealth and connections my family name had afforded him for so long. But an insi
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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Their Domineering Son-in-law the heir
Back stiff as forged iron beneath her glittering gown, she scanned the crowd until she located Pine smoking a thin cigar in a far corner, watching her react to the news with undisguised amusement.Very well then. He wished to manipulate and provoke her? She would show him that particular game worked both ways. Approaching him slowly, she plucked the cigar from his fingers and brought it delicately to her own mouth, holding his smoldering gaze all the while. She took one long, slow drag, tilting her head back to exhale a graceful plume of fragrant smoke. When she handed back the cigar, Pine’s eyes had gone molten. Excellent. His hungry reaction galvanized her confidence. No matter who currently had the upper hand, she possessed weapons of her own in this duel with the billionaire power broker. Stepping nearer, Vivian traced one fingernail lightly down the lapel of his tailored suit. “I believe we have some negotiations yet to conclude tonight, you and I,” she purred silkily. Pine i
Their Domineering Son-in-law The Devil's Bargain
Vivian storms out of the failed boardroom coup, still reeling but determined to regain control. Shemeets with her leadership team and remaining loyal department heads to stabilize operations andstem the bleeding from the PR crisis fallout. Implementing austerity measures and tapping emergency reserves keeps the company solvent fornow, but Vivian needs a bold move to secure Hayes Cosmetics' future. She sets her sights oncourting billionaire investor Russell Pine - whose recent hostile takeover of a struggling Avalontech firm grabbed headlines. Vivian pours through every scrap of information on the reclusive financier. She learns Pine has apenchant for beautiful women and enjoys mingling with Avalon's celebrity socialites when notsequestered doing shadowy deals. Vivian has her assistant book her a breathtaking designergown for the upcoming Emerald Gala event she knows he will be attending a few weeks out.She will insinuate herself into his good graces using every all
Their Domineering Son-in-law Ashes of Empire
The click of my heels echoed hollowly across the gleaming floors of the Hayes Cosmetics headquarters. The familiar sound used to fill me with purpose and pride. Now it only served as a mocking reminder of ambitions collapsing around me. I swept past the offices and cubicles where my employees dutifully kept their eyes averted. The Board meeting disaster had eroded what little confidence remained in my leadership after the catastrophic loss of the Hamilton deal. My kingdom was crumbling swiftly into ashes before I could grasp at solutions.And now the latest tidings of my public humiliation had arrived to grind salt deeper into barely scabbed wounds - Tristan had left Avalon behind entirely after our bitter divorce. Likely he assumed the airing of our dirty laundry had sufficiently ruined my prospects here as petty recompense. Part of me hoped the news meant he would simply fade into obscurity without the wealth and connections my family name had afforded him for so long. But an insi
Their Domineering Son-in-law Destiny's Forge
The amber liquid burned a fiery trail down my throat, but did nothing to warm the cold dread creeping through me. I gazed out the rain streaked window of my grandfather's study, tumbler dangling from my fingers. Somewhere out there in the darkened city, forces were aligning silently against me. I couldn't shake Alex's ominous words upon returning to the estate, his usual unflappable demeanor shaken. He had come directly from a covert meeting with the notorious gatekeeper Naomi, proxy to the shadowy titans who secretly ruled Avalon. Her message was unambiguous - the coming days would push me to my limits under trials by fire. For good or utter ruin.Behind me, grandfather brooded in his leather chair before the crackling hearth, face etched with hard lines by the dancing flames. Our empire navigated treacherous straits indeed. But still he refused to speak first, ceding the opening move to me in this newest round of appointments and power plays. The game of thrones intensified among A
Their Domineering Son-in-law Trial by Fire
The rain came down hard on the windshield of the black town car as it drove through the dark slippery streets of downtown Avalon. In the backseat Naomi watched the blurred neon signs and headlights through the streaked glass, lost in thought. She was thinking back to the meeting just an hour ago in her office at the Pinetech Industries headquarters. Two young men had come to make her an offer, cousins of the current heir to the Sterling empire named Tristan. Their names were Brady and Blaine. Ambitious. Ruthless. They sat down in the leather chairs across from Naomi's desk and looked her straight in the eyes when they spoke. "One hundred million dollars offshore to block Tristan's latest power play," Brady had said. "Untraceable. Enough to set you and your family up in luxury for life."Naomi considered the offer. A bold maneuver. Sloppy execution but the initiative showed promise. Family in-fighting of this magnitude spelled instability in the Sterling ranks. And that could disrupt
Their Domineering Son-in-law A trial?
The mellow burn spreading through Blaine's limbs raised his tolerance for such necessary unpleasantness a few degrees at least. Let Brady play elastic with any ethical boundaries tonight. He was only here to look receptive and lend the encounter a veneer of legitimacy anyway. And perhaps supply theOdd timely scrupulous protest to make their ultimately damning revelations seem more organically fed and hard won. Yes, Brady could damn well be the unhinged attack dog blindsiding Tristan's pretty ponies tonight. Blaine would stick to subtly poisoning the trough instead. Their mark was too shrewd to confront so openly without inciting suspicion anyway.Before his scattered thoughts could chase themselves in any more useless circles, footsteps echoing down the hallway heralded the arrival of a liveried house servant. Blaine's heart rate instantly redlined. Time to set the stage then."Sirs, your car has arrived to convey you to the Pinetech Tower for your urgent 7 PM appointment," the stuff
Their Domineering Son-in-law Shadowed Gambits
The amber liquid burned a fiery trail down Blaine's throat as he glared broodingly out the panoramic windows overlooking downtown Avalon. In the nearby leather armchair, his brother Brady lounged with his own tumbler dangling carelessly from his fingers, looking utterly unconcerned."This whole damned situation is unbelievable," Blaine burst out, smacking his glass down on the polished oak end table. Ice cubes jumped, sloshing whiskey over his knuckles. He swore viciously, shaking the sting away. "One victory in a rigged betting pool against lackluster competition, and suddenly our useless damned cousin is the prodigal son again? He waltzes back in after years away and gets handed the company crown just like that?"Blaine pushed off from the windows, the city lights blurring behind him as he paced agitatedly across the thick carpet. He spun and slammed his fist against the paneled wall hard enough to make the antique oil paintings jump. Brady didn't even blink, merely taking another
Their Domineering Son-in-law The Tables Turn
The sun sank below the Avalon skyline, casting the Levine family yacht in a golden glow. Strings of lights twinkled to life along the gleaming white rails as the vessel glided across the harbor. On the upper deck, caterers scrambled to arrange trays of hors d'oeuvres and champagne flutes just so, ensuring every detail was perfect for the celebration about to unfold.Right on schedule, the city's elite began arriving in staggered fashion, the gangplank fluttering under the weight of their footsteps. They represented the top titans of industry - real estate moguls, tech tycoons, politicians and bankers - all flocking aboard the lavish yacht to pay their respects to the guest of honor.The man in question stood gazing out at the water, hands folded behind his back. Tristan cut a striking figure in his dark tuxedo, tall and lanky with chiseled features any ancient warrior god would envy. But his blue eyes glinted with a cunning that heralded danger to friend and foe alike."Quite the reve
Their Domineering Son-in-law The High-Stakes Challenge
Spotlights danced across the grand ballroom's polished marble floors as Avalon's elite flooded inside, eagerly claiming their seats. Tonight was the premiere event they had all breathlessly awaited - the climactic showdown between financial phenom Russell Pine and newcomer Tristan Levine in the unprecedented "Investment Duel" challenge.In the lower tier, the city's upper crust jostled each other for a clear view of the sleek dual workstations now set up on the central dais. Higher above in the arched mezzanine, the true giants of Avalon's business world filed into private VIP boxes outfitted with plush leather furnishings and fully stocked bars.Among them, Tristan's ex-wife Vivian Sterling smoothed the beaded skirt of her slinky black gown as she took her seat. Beside her, Vivian's mother Linda accepted a crystal champagne flute from a bow-tied server."This spectacle should prove entertaining, if nothing else," she remarked dryly before taking a delicate sip.Vivian let out a deris
