Isla pov "You okay, Isla? You look like you're about to pass out. Maybe I should drive," Esther said from the backseat, lazily chewing on a piece of gum. Her gaze met mine through the rearview mirror, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she gripped her shovel tightly, her wide smile entirely too pleased. The grip on my steering wheel tightened as I glared at Esther, struggling to control my growing rage. She merely scoffed, lazily swirling her finger around her gum, looking totally unbothered. “Haha, why do I get the feeling you want to kill me right now, dear Isla?” “Because I do want to kill you,” I shot back without hesitation. Her smirk widened. “Too bad. Get in line—there are plenty ahead of you.” I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “You think I don’t know that?” “You—” Esther started, but Suhyeon cut her off. “You two should stop arguing already. It’s been a year since we last saw each other. Shouldn’t we be happy? Have a beautiful reunion instead of bickering?” she said, not even
Alaric pov "Do you think I should have gone further? That I should have fucked her right then and there?" I asked again, my thoughts spiraling. My eyes narrowed as I tilted my head to the side, staring at nothing in particular. Ever since she left yesterday, I'd been trying to piece together what went wrong. Was she mad about the kiss? Or was she upset that I didn’t take it further? Because for a moment, it felt like she wanted me to. My fingers paused mid-motion as my mind replayed the way her body had trembled beneath me, the soft, breathless moans that escaped her lips, and the way her eyes were clouded with lust. “She wanted me to go further. Little rose wanted me.” The corner of my lips curved into a smirk as the realization settled in. A low chuckle rumbled from my chest as I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk, my thumb grazing over my lips in thought. If she had just begged like a good girl— if she had whispered that she wanted to be touched, to be fucke
Isla pov I wanted to die. No pun intended. I stared into space—my eyes empty, my body weak and sore, and let's not forget the nasty headache threatening to split my skull open. "I hate Esther and Suhyeon," I muttered under my breath, closing my eyes for a brief moment before forcing myself to sit up straighter. With a tired sigh, I reached for my bag, pulled out a pill, and swallowed it down with a gulp of water, hoping it would do something to dull the pain. What did I do last night? Who on earth gets drunk when they have work the next day? No, I couldn’t blame myself—this wasn’t my fault. Yesterday, after Esther and Suhyeon told me they were staying in the country for a month, I had desperately tried to convince them to leave. I reminded them how busy they were back in their own countries, hoping they’d take the hint. But instead, they turned the tables on me, insisting we go to a club and "let loose" for the night. They had said: "Isla, if you really let loose tonight,
Isla pov “Just go inside, delete the video from his phone, and run back out. You can do this, Isla. You can do this,” I whispered under my breath, my grip tightening around the tray as my hands trembled. My eyes were fixed onto the imposing black door of Alaric’s office, and I swallowed hard. After a solid two-minute breakdown which mostly consisted of me tugging at my hair and cursing at my own stupidity, I had desperately tried to delete the video from my end. But apparently, once a video is sent, it stays sent. Seriously, who came up with that ridiculous rule? Now, my only option was to get into Alaric’s office, somehow get my hands on his phone, and delete the video before he had the chance to see it. If he hadn’t already. It was a nearly impossible plan, but I had no choice especially after humiliating myself in that video, admitting that Alaric was the hottest man alive and that I had slept with him. And knowing Alaric, with that infuriating smirk of his, he would never l
Isla pov I must have misheard him because Alaric didn’t just tell me to call him daddy. Was he insane? Call him daddy? I know the contract had explicitly stated that I had to address him that way whenever we were alone, but to be honest, I thought he was joking and I never took it seriously. Then again, I should have known better. This was Alaric Voss— unpredictable and insane. I blinked at Alaric, my palms turning sweaty as we both stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. Neither of us spoke, and in the tense silence, I could hear the pounding of my own heartbeat. My heat throbbed almost painfully as I felt his bulge pressed against me, the urge to lean closer and rub against it was nearly unbearable. “W-what are you saying? You should stop playing around,” I whispered breathlessly, pushing my glasses higher in a feeble attempt to maintain composure despite the undeniable fact that I was perched on my boss’s desk with barely any space between us. “Playin
Alaric pov I wanted to kill someone, and that fool standing in front of me was the perfect target. My eyes narrowed into a glare as I locked onto Alaric, my jaw clenching. Without a second thought, I pulled out of Isla and grabbed my jacket from the seat, using it to cover her body, shielding her from his gaze. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what pissed me off more, the fact that he had walked in just as Isla was about to cum or the fact that he had seen her in such a vulnerable position. Either way, I was livid. And one thing was certain, I was going to kill him. “God, I want to die. What have I done?” Isla muttered under her breath, leaning in and pressing her head against my chest to hide her face. Her body trembled, and I instinctively reacted to the warmth of her pressed against me. I was already hard from the very beginning, and now, with her this close, my dick throbbed, demanding attention. There was something about Isla— something that made my body betray me every damn
Isla pov He saw it. This day couldn't get any worse. “I-If you saw it, why didn’t you say anything?” I managed to ask, my voice shaky as I retracted my hand from the doorknob, staring at him in disbelief. My other hand clutched Alaric’s hidden phone, the one I had snatched from the desk when he was distracted by his call. Oh my God. He knew all along, and he didn’t say anything? “Because it was cute watching you try to steal from me,” he shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. There was an amused glint in his eyes, his posture relaxed as if he had been toying with me the entire time. I frowned, unable to shake off the feeling of stupidity. Ugh! I really wanted to punch that infuriatingly handsome face. “So, do you really think I’m the most handsome man alive?” Alaric asked, tilting his head slightly as he watched me with amusement. I swallowed nervously, my body betraying me under his intense gaze. For some reason, the way he stood there, watching me, made it feel like he
Isla pov My first thought was Isolde. Isolde was the one who got the video. She was the one who showed it to my father. Why? Because this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. And I was right because when I shifted my gaze to her, she gave me a slow, taunting smile. Her head rested on her hand, eyes narrowed as she crossed her legs with deliberate ease. My heart pounded loudly against my chest, and I bit my bottom lip as tears prickled at my eyes but I refused to cry. Not from the pain on my cheek, but from the ache in my chest. “Answer me! When I’m speaking, you answer me. How dare you do such a thing?!” I flinched, my body tensing as I turned to meet my father’s furious gaze. His whole body trembled with rage, and my stepmother barely managed to hold him back as he pointed a shaking finger at me. “This stupid girl! I said answer me!!” he roared, his voice echoing through the room. Before I could react, he grabbed the vase from the table and hu
Isla pov “God, is it too late to jump off a cliff?” I murmured under my breath, pressing my face into the pillow as I contemplated all the questionable life choices that had led me to this moment. What the fuck have I done? Did I just yell at my father? Did I just call my stepmother a white lotus? And did I really call Isolde out? To be honest, every word I said earlier was the truth, and I meant every single one of them. But now that the courage and adrenaline had worn off, the timid, old me resurfaced— panicked and already dreading the consequences of my actions. “Wait, maybe I’m just overreacting, and it’s not that bad. I was just angry, and tensions were high at the time, so it couldn't be—” “Desmond!! What? You’re not the only one who can yell! I can raise my voice too, Desmond Ashford!” “So do me a favor and shut up. Stop acting like a fucking white lotus when your heart is just as black. And don't get me started on that annoying voice of yours.” “You know, I alway
Alaric pov "Liam, do you know that popular quote?" I asked, drumming my fingers mindlessly against the desk as I took a bite of the apple in my hand. "They say when life gives you lemons, squeeze them into your enemy's eyes." I tilted my head, a smirk curling on my lips as I watched him sigh and shake his head. "Boss, you got it wrong. The quote is 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.'" I chuckled, leaning back. "Yeah? Well, I prefer my version." He didn't say anything; instead, he stepped forward and placed the file on the table before giving me a slight bow. "This is the information you requested on Ashford Corporation, particularly Mr. Desmond Ashford. I was able to uncover everything you asked for, including details from the businesses he's involved with and evidence of his mismanagement of funds and other things you need to know about his relationship with his daughter, Miss Isla Ashford”. I glanced at the file on the table, a slow smile spreading across my l
Isla pov “What?” The word barely escaped my lips as I stared at my father in disbelief, my heart pounding so hard it echoed in my ears. I didn’t hear that correctly… right? There was no way my father had just told me to resign— no way he had just informed me that I was getting married. Yet… the man before me barely spared me a glance as he continued eating. “You’re not deaf. You heard me right, you’re getting married in a month. Resign from Voss Corporation. Isolde will be taking your place.” It felt like a bucket of ice-cold water had been dumped over me. I blinked, stumbling back. “Y-you—” My voice wavered, but I forced the words out. “What are you saying? Get married?” My father’s hand paused on his cutlery as he lifted his gaze, fixing me with a sharp glare. His lips tugged downward into a frown, and I instantly knew why. He hated repeating himself. But right now? I couldn’t care less. I took a step forward, my fists clenching at my sides as I met his gaze. Eve
Isla pov I stared blankly, my mind clouded with emotions all at once. Mortification, shock and fear all suffocated me at once. "What did I just do… What the hell did I just do?!" I groaned, gripping the steering wheel tighter before dropping my head against it with a dull thud, trying to wrap my head at what just happened with Alaric. I practically embarrassed myself, begging Alaric to make me cum, and when I finally did, it was unlike anything I had ever felt, it was intense and intoxicating. The pleasure was so consuming that I couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to take the real thing. But just as I was about to give in, ready to finally cross that line, Alaric caught my hand when I was about to reach for his pants, his grip firm yet gentle. "You’re not ready yet, little rose," he murmured, his voice rich with amusement. Then, as if he hadn’t just unraveled me completely, he leaned back, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Now, how about I make you bre
Isla pov Did I trust him? I barely knew Alaric. We had hardly crossed paths before all of this because I had always avoided him. So how could he ask me that? No, that wasn’t the real question. The real question was, why had I answered so easily? Why couldn’t I push him away? Why hadn’t I just walked out and stopped whatever was happening? And more than anything… why had I said yes without hesitation? Why? Why? Why? I had so many questions racing through my mind, but my thoughts felt hazy, unable to focus on anything except the way Alaric's fingers plunged deep inside me, the way his tongue worked me over. Every stroke, every flick sent me spiraling over the edge, my body arching instinctively, desperate for more. "Fuck!" My head fell back against the sheets as he found that unfamiliar perfect spot again, sending pleasure rippling through me. My senses blurred, drowning in the ecstasy he mercilessly dragged me into. “Oh God! Alaric, right there— please” I pleaded, my
Alaric pov “I— I want to apologize… I got you involved in that situation with the video, but I promise I’ll do everything I can to make sure it doesn’t affect you in any way. I’m so sorry, Alaric. I will resign, I am so stupid… I always drag everyone into my mess.” That was what she had said last night as she cried. But that wasn’t why I had been mad. The reason was the redness of her cheek, an unmistakable mark of a slap, and the blood trickling down her leg. Someone had done that to her and at that moment, I wanted to kill the bastard and even though she wouldn't tell me who it was, I wanted to make them bleed in the worst possible way. To take everything they loved, to break them until they had nothing left, until they were on their knees, begging for mercy from her. And I would. “Y-you erased the videos?” she stammered, her voice shaky. She looked flustered, disbelief written all over her face. A deep shade of red crept up her neck, her mesmerizing eyes locked onto
Isla pov "Zzzzz..." "Zzzzz..." "Zzzzz—" I groaned, licking my lips as I raised a hand to block the sunlight streaming through the window. Turning to the other side, I swung my arms and legs to the left, trying to escape the brightness but the moment I did, I froze. My heart stopped. With my eyes still closed, I suddenly let out a laugh at the absurd thought— the idea that someone, a man no less, and not just any man, but him was in the same bed as me right now. It was impossible. It couldn't be. Right? But the steady rise and fall of someone's bare chest beneath my hand proved otherwise and not to mention the fact that my leg was draped over him like a clingy koala. Shit. Slowly and cautiously, I cracked my left eye open, my pulse hammering in my ears as I desperately prayed that this wasn’t really happening. But to my utter dismay, the moment my vision adjusted, I saw him— Alaric, in all his handsome glory, asleep beside me. Even without my glasses, I knew it
Alaric pov I walked out of the house, twirling the car keys around my fingers as I whistled, a smug smile playing on my lips. I could feel Emmanuel’s and the maids' heated gazes on me, but I ignored them and reached for the car door. Just as my fingers brushed the handle, a cold voice sliced through the air behind me, stopping me in place. “You didn't come to really fight for the project, did you?” My eyes narrowed, fingers instinctively tightening around the door handle and I couldn't help as my grin stretched as I turned around. James stood there, dressed in a simple sweater and trousers, hands tucked into his pockets, a frown tugging at his lips as he stared at me. My eyes met his, and there it was— an all-too-familiar emotion that I knew too well. Hatred. I smirked, and continued twirling the keys between my fingers as I leaned against the door, tilting my head slightly to the side while casually stroking my chin. "Hmm, what might you be talking about? I have no idea what
“The Voss family has done it again, securing their place as the wealthiest family in the country. Power, connections, money— what don’t they have?” "Breaking News: The Voss Enterprise Acquires a $30 Billion AI Defense Contract, Cementing Its Place as a Global Tech Giant" “The CEO of Voss Enterprise, Magnus Voss, has donated over 100 million to the Clearbrookes Orphanage. In his interview, he stated, ‘Children should never go hungry; they deserve to be fed and happy. Whenever I see them, I’m reminded of my own children when they were young. Now that my grandchildren are all grown up too, this old man just enjoys being around kids.’” Interviewer: "Which family would you love to marry into?" Show Guest: "Oh, definitely the Voss family! Have you seen their two grandsons? They’re not just rich, they’re insanely hot too, especially Alaric Voss. That man could step on me, and I’d still thank him. Since we’re on the topic... Mr. Alaric Voss, if you’re watching this, please call me! I