The announcement of the new production under the Grant Company’s sister branch sent a wave of excitement across the employees. It was a rare opportunity for the company to expand its influence in the entertainment world. A murder mystery romantic drama was an unusual yet intriguing choice, and the buzz surrounding the project was palpable. Selena sat stiffly at the long glass conference table, a notepad and pen in front of her. She tried to focus on her task—writing down key points of the meeting—but her nerves were getting the better of her. Julian was at the head of the table, exuding authority as usual. His calm, measured voice dictated the flow of the conversation, and everyone else in the room hung on his every word. "The story revolves around an unsolved murder in a small coastal town," one of the department heads began, glancing at Julian for approval. "The protagonist, a private investigator, is brought in to solve the case but gets entangled in a romantic relationship w
Selena sat hunched over her desk, her forehead resting in her palm as she stared at the seemingly endless stack of papers. Her mood matched the gloomy gray skies outside. Her stomach churned with cramps, her head throbbed from frustration, and every five to ten minutes, Julian’s sharp tone sliced through the office like a dagger. “Miss Frost!” Julian’s commanding voice made her flinch. He was standing by her desk, holding a paper like it was a contaminated object. “This report is incomplete. Do you even read what you submit, or do you just hope for the best?” Selena bit her tongue, swallowing the retort burning in her throat. “I’ll fix it,” she muttered, keeping her voice even. Julian’s eyes narrowed, and he leaned closer. “Don’t ‘fix it,’ get it right the first time.” He dropped the paper on her desk with a heavy thud before walking off. Selena sighed, slumping in her chair. She grabbed the report, her fingers trembling slightly as she scanned the pages. It didn’t seem incom
"Miss Frost," Julian started, his tone low and dripping with disdain, "how long are you planning to waste everyone’s time with your incompetence? A simple task of taking notes—notes!—and you managed to botch it completely." Her hands clenched at her sides as she bit back the sting of his words. "I’m doing my best," she muttered. "Your best?" He scoffed, throwing the pen in his hand onto his desk with a clatter. "Your best is mediocre, and that's being generous. You think this is some playground where you can show up and coast on your reputation? If you want to survive here, Miss Frost, you need to be better than this." Selena's patience snapped. She slammed the notebook she was holding onto his desk, glaring at him with fire in her eyes. "Why don’t you just say it, Julian? You hate me! You’ve been breathing down my neck all day, waiting for me to mess up so you can pounce." Julian leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. "Watch your fucking tone," he warned coldly. "Or
As the car pulled into the long driveway of Julian’s villa, Selena was too exhausted to pay much attention to her surroundings. She just wanted to get inside, grab some rest, and forget about her tumultuous day. Julian, on the other hand, was unusually silent, his mind still replaying the odd mix of arguments, scolding, and the awkward pharmacy detour. But as soon as they stepped inside the house, Julian froze in his tracks. “Julian Mathers!” a sharp yet familiar voice echoed through the grand hall. Selena looked up, startled, and saw an older woman sitting elegantly on one of the plush sofas. She was dressed in a lavender silk blouse and a pearl necklace that radiated class and warmth. Her silver hair was swept into a bun, and her sharp, intelligent eyes zeroed in on Julian. “Grandma?” Julian muttered, visibly caught off guard. Selena blinked, unsure of what to do. Julian’s grandmother? “I’ve been waiting here for hours, young man!” The older woman stood up with surprisi
Selena stormed into her room, slamming the door shut behind her with more force than necessary. Her blood was boiling, her stomach was aching, and her head felt like it would explode. She flopped onto the bed, clutching a pillow to her chest, and screamed into it.“That insufferable, egotistical, self-centered, pompous jerk!” she yelled into the fabric. “Who does he think he is? God’s gift to humanity? More like the devil’s curse to women!”She threw the pillow across the room in frustration, watching it hit the wall and flop to the floor. It wasn’t nearly as satisfying as she’d hoped.“I can’t believe I’m stuck in this stupid situation!” she continued, pacing back and forth. “And now I have to deal with his stupid face every single day! Ugh!” She dramatically flopped back onto the bed, her hand resting over her stomach. “And on top of it all, I’m dying from period pain! This is all his fault!”She glared at the ceiling as if Julian himself were etched into it. “I hope his socks never
Selena was surprised at how peaceful the next few days turned out to be. After the tension-filled encounters with Julian, she had fully braced herself for a storm of scolding and sarcasm. But instead of criticism, she got... silence.Julian barely spoke to her. Even when she fumbled, he didn’t explode like usual. Instead, he assigned Clara to oversee her work, giving her clear instructions to train Selena thoroughly.Clara, always cheerful and optimistic, was thrilled to take Selena under her wing. “Don’t worry, Selena. You’ll get the hang of this in no time!” she chirped on the first day of their lessons.And Clara was right. Selena, determined not to give Julian any more ammunition against her, poured herself into the work. She picked up everything surprisingly fast, from drafting emails and handling schedules to understanding the basics of business correspondence.“Wow,” Clara said one afternoon, looking over Selena’s completed reports. “I have to say, Selena, you’re a quick learne
Selena entered Julian’s office with a steaming cup of coffee, carefully placing it on his desk. She half-expected his usual sharp critique or, at the very least, his cold indifference. Instead, he glanced up from the document he was reading and said, “Thank you.” The two simple words froze her mid-step. She blinked, her mind racing. Had she misheard him? Julian Grant thanking someone? Still, she managed to recover quickly and replied, “You’re welcome,” before turning to leave. “Wait,” his voice stopped her in her tracks, smooth and commanding. Selena sighed inwardly and turned back toward him. “Yes?” Julian leaned back in his chair, his piercing gaze studying her for a moment before he casually said, “I wanted to inform you that I’ll be working through the weekend. There’s some business to attend to with the sister company.” Selena raised an eyebrow, already suspicious. “What does that have to do with me?” “You’ll need to be available,” Julian replied smoothly. “Isn't i
Selena left the garden, her thoughts spiraling. Cassandra’s nonchalant attitude had shaken her. She couldn’t understand how someone could take such risks. The industry was notorious for its strict policies about dating and fraternizing with colleagues. Companies often imposed morality clauses, especially on actresses, to maintain their "wholesome" image. Even during Selena's heyday as an A-list star, she had been barred from dating. Publicly, she was supposed to seem available, approachable—an unattainable dream for her fans. Any romantic rumors could tarnish her career in an instant. And here Cassandra was, brazenly ignoring all those unspoken rules. Selena sighed, shaking her head. "She’s playing with fire," she muttered to herself, heading toward the canteen for lunch. The company canteen was buzzing with chatter, employees laughing and gossiping in their cliques. Selena grabbed a tray and loaded it with a simple meal. She didn’t have much of an appetite after the bizarre mo
Julian sat alone in his office, the dim glow of his desk lamp casting long, jagged shadows across his face. The room was silent, save for the faint hum of the city outside, but the quiet did nothing to soothe the tempest raging within him. His hands, clenched into tight fists, rested on the polished surface of his desk, the knuckles white with tension. His chest felt like it was being crushed under an invisible weight, each breath shallow and labored, as if the air itself had turned against him. The divorce papers lay in front of him, signed and finalized. She was gone. It was what he had wanted—wasn’t it? Then why did it feel like his entire world had just been ripped apart? He leaned back in his chair, his head falling heavily against the leather headrest. His eyes, bloodshot and weary, stared blankly at the ceiling. The room seemed to close in around him, the walls pressing closer with every passing second. His mind was a chaotic whirlwind of thoughts, each one sharper an
Selena’s hands trembled as she folded the last piece of clothing into her suitcase. The divorce papers lay abandoned on the bed, the inked words blurring in her tear-filled vision. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, but the tears kept coming. This was really happening. Julian was releasing her. She had lost him. Not that she ever truly had him in the first place. Dragging her suitcase behind her, she stepped out of the room that had once been theirs. The hallways of Julian’s mansion felt colder, emptier than ever before. Every step away from this place felt like a dagger twisting deeper into her chest. She had thought she had found love. But all she had found was pain. The servants looked away, some whispering amongst themselves. No one stopped her. No one said a word. It was as if she had never belonged here. Julian had made sure of that. Outside, the driver stood waiting. His gaze was somber, but he didn’t question why she was leaving with nothing but
Selena sat on the cold floor of Julian’s study, her entire body trembling as silent sobs wracked her frame. The weight of his words still echoed in her mind, suffocating her. "Did you really think I fell in love with you? That I wanted you for anything other than revenge?" The man she had loved, the man she had foolishly given her heart to, had never once seen her as anything other than a target. A means to an end. Her chest ached, a deep, unbearable pain that wouldn’t go away. She wanted to tell him the truth. She wanted to scream that she wasn’t the one who had killed his parents. But she couldn’t. Because if she did, then Samantha— Her phone suddenly rang, the sharp sound cutting through the suffocating silence. With shaky hands, she reached for it, barely able to see the screen through her tear-filled eyes. Samantha. For a moment, Selena hesitated before answering. "S-Sam…" Her voice was broken, barely above a whisper. "Did you tell him?" Samantha’s voice c
Julian noticed something was off the moment Selena stepped into his study.Her face was pale, her hands trembled slightly as she clenched the fabric of her dress. She looked like she had seen a ghost.His brows furrowed."What’s wrong?" His voice was softer than usual, concern flickering in his dark eyes.Selena opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her throat was too dry.Julian stood up from his chair and slowly walked toward her. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch surprisingly gentle."Selena, say something." His concern deepened.Selena gulped, gathering her courage. I have to do this… for Samantha."I… I need to tell you something," she finally whispered.“Okay,” Julian’s gaze sharpened, sensing the weight of her words. "What is it?"She hesitated, her lips trembling. "It's about the accident," she forced out. "The accident of your parents."The air in the room changed instantly.Julian’s expression hardened, his grip on her shoulder tightening unconsciously."Go on,"
Selena sat curled up on the couch, her knees drawn tightly to her chest, as if the physical act of folding herself into a smaller shape could somehow shield her from the storm raging inside her. The morning light filtered through the blinds, casting long, jagged shadows across the room, but Selena barely noticed. Her mind was a whirlwind of fear, doubt, and betrayal, each thought colliding with the next until she felt like she might drown in the chaos.When her phone rang, the sound was like a gunshot in the silence. She flinched, her heart lurching painfully in her chest. The name on the screen—Samantha—sent a fresh wave of dread crashing over her. She hesitated, her finger hovering over the answer button, as if by ignoring the call she could somehow delay the inevitable. But she couldn’t. She never could.“Samantha?” Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it was enough to unleash the torrent on the other end of the line."Selena! Help me!" Samantha’s voice was raw, desperate, and
The moment she stepped inside, her face lit up with a practiced, dazzling smile.“Julian!” she exclaimed, her voice dripping with warmth.Before Selena could even greet her, Samantha had already thrown herself at Julian, wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug that lingered far too long to be considered appropriate.Julian stiffened instantly.His sharp gaze flickered with irritation as he felt Samantha pressing against him just a little too closely. He didn't return the hug, instead letting his arms hang by his sides, cold and unwelcoming.Selena, however, was used to her sister’s affectionate nature—or at least, that was what she had always believed.“Samantha,” Selena said gently, her voice laced with affection, “you didn’t tell me you were coming today.”Only then did Samantha finally acknowledge her. She turned and offered Selena a small, innocent smile, her eyes blinking as if she hadn’t just ignored her completely.“Oh, Selena! You know how much I missed you,” she cooed swee
The phone cracked against the wall, its shattered pieces scattered across the floor like her broken plans. Samantha Frost stood frozen in her penthouse, breathing heavily as she stared at the news article glaring back at her from the TV screen. ''"Julian Mathers, CEO of Grand Entertainment Inc., Publicly Announces His Marriage to Selena Frost."'' Her fingers curled into fists, her nails digging into her palms so hard they nearly drew blood. 'Married?' Julian Mathers—the ruthless, unattainable billionaire. The man every woman in the country wanted. And her perfect, golden sister had gotten him. Samantha let out a bitter, humorless laugh, but there was no amusement in her expression. Her eyes burned with pure rage. '"Again. Again, she takes everything from me."' Selena, the golden child. Selena, the perfect daughter. Selena, the one who had stolen their father’s love. And now, she had stolen Julian too. Samantha’s mind spun back to the past, to the years she spent locked a
The sound of keys jingling at the front door signaled Julian’s return from work. Selena glanced up from where she was setting the table, her hands still slightly wet from washing the last dish. She saw his tall frame enter the house, his sharp eyes scanning the room until they landed on an unexpected sight—Grandma, sitting at the dining table with a satisfied smile on her face.Julian arched a brow. “Grandma, what are you doing here?”Grandma scoffed. “What kind of greeting is that? Do I need a reason to visit my grandson?”Selena stifled a smile at the way Grandma always managed to put Julian in his place. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, before walking over to kiss Grandma’s cheek.“You’re always welcome here,” he said, before his gaze flickered to Selena. “But I didn’t expect you to cook.”Selena shrugged, feeling a bit self-conscious. “Grandma helped.”Grandma beamed proudly. “We made your favorite. Sit down, eat, and don’t complain.”Julian smirked, taking a seat at the h
The warm aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the air as Selena set the tray down on the coffee table. She smiled, feeling a rare moment of peace as she poured the tea into delicate porcelain cups. Across from her, Julian’s grandmother sat comfortably on the plush couch, her wrinkled hands resting on her lap as she observed Selena with warm, knowing eyes. Grandma had come specifically to visit her today, and Selena couldn't deny how happy that made her. She had always liked Grandma—her presence was soothing, her words wise, and despite the sharpness she sometimes directed at Julian, it was clear she loved him deeply. Selena settled down next to her, offering her a cup. “I’m so glad you came, Grandma. It’s been a while since we last saw you.” Grandma accepted the tea with a gentle nod. “Of course, dear. I had to see how you were doing.” She took a sip, her sharp gaze flicking over Selena’s face before she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “Now, tell me honestly, are you pregn