Alaric pov Ding! My eyes slowly fluttered open as I reached for my phone, staring at the bright screen. A new message from Adam. Adam: Hey Alaric, it’s your favorite therapist here ( actually, your only LIVING therapist, but let’s not dwell on that). Anyway, remember that session where we talked about controlling your anger and, more specifically, not hitting people with the first object you see? Yeah… we might need to revisit that. Look, I know you’re probably furious about me walking in on your… uh, “session” with Isla. But I swear, I didn’t see anything! And even if I did, I would take that secret to my grave. Literally. Which, judging by your temper, might be sooner than I’d like. So, please, let’s not make today the day you kill me. Okay? I stared at the message, and a dry scoff escaped my lips. "Idiot." "Boss, you're awake. Did you sleep well? We're almost there," Liam said from the driver’s seat. My gaze shifted to him before I exhaled, tapping my foot against th
“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
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
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— 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 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
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 “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 Why should I acknowledge someone who never wanted me? Someone who never cared? Someone who, since the day I was born, never showed me an ounce of love— why should I call that kind of man my father? I remember it clearly. I was just seven the first time he laid a hand on me. A small, clueless child who had never even seen a picture of her mother because, according to him, I didn’t deserve to. My mother had died giving birth to me, and for that, he blamed me entirely. He said I was the reason she was gone, so he hid every picture of her away in his room, keeping her memory out of my reach. It was my birthday that day. But like every other year, my father wasn’t home. Even as a child, I understood why. My birthday was also the day my mother died. That was why I was never allowed to celebrate it. No cake. No candles. No presents. No birthday wishes. I wasn’t allowed to celebrate my birthday like other kids. He said it was the day I was supposed to repent— a day
Isla pov The ringing. It was all I could hear. It drowned everything else out, made my vision blur— made me nauseous. I’ll deal with that bastard for touching you earlier. That was what had been written on the back of the picture I found yesterday after coming back from the club. And the man who had died... was the same man from that night, the owner of the car who had demanded compensation. The video- was from the club that night, the one Isolde had used to threaten me, he had it. No, something told me he was the one who had taken it. But what truly sent a shiver down my spine was the word ‘little rose’. It was what Alaric always called me, but never in public. So, seeing someone else use that name… it made me wonder just how long this person had been watching me. What was going on? Was this a stalker? It couldn't be my family, something deep inside me told me it wasn’t. A shaky breath escaped my lips as I shut my eyes, unable to look at the photo on the TV any longer.
Isla pov “You make me want to rip your eyes out.” That was what Alaric had said and just like that, the entire room turned tense within seconds. I could feel it in the air, see it on everyone’s faces, the shock, the disbelief. All eyes were on Alaric, who stared coldly at Isolde with that same emotionless gaze, and Isolde… she looked like she couldn’t breathe. Fear flickered in her eyes as she stared back at him in both shock and confusion. D–Did he really just say that? Did I hear him right? No one moved or said a word in that moment, and I blinked, glancing around to make sure I hadn’t misheard but the expressions on everyone’s faces confirmed I hadn’t imagined it. James and my father had deep frowns etched into their faces as they stared at Alaric. Kieran looked equally stunned, his mouth hanging open, while Liam— well, Liam was just Liam. His face remained unreadable, blank as ever. Either he was used to hearing such things from Alaric, or he was simply someone who n
Isla pov I couldn’t move. My eyes were glued to the three people in front of me, and instinctively, my hands clenched into fists as I took in their expressions. As usual, my father looked at me with that same empty gaze— cold and unreadable. But I still caught the slight disapproving frown that formed the second he saw me and a second later, he looked away, as if I were nothing more than a stranger. Kieran, on the other hand, stood there with a bright smile plastered on his face, waving enthusiastically at me. His other hand rested casually in his pocket, his posture relaxed, like this was just another normal day. And then there was Isolde. She stood beside him, dressed in a short pink skirt and a white blouse with the top few buttons undone. Her brown hair cascaded down her waist, and her makeup— flawless, perfectly highlighted her already striking features. She looked beautiful. The corner of her lips curled into a smirk as our eyes met. I caught the glint in her eyes just b
Isla pov “It will be fun.” That was what Alaric had said back in his office, and now, as I walked behind him, I couldn’t help but stare at his back, my brows slightly furrowed in confusion. Why exactly did he want me to come with him to this meeting? I mean, it wasn’t like it was unheard of for me to attend— after all, I was his secretary. But still, Liam had told me when I started last week that he usually accompanied Alaric to all his meetings, and that since I was new, I should focus on paperwork instead. I shook my head and drew in a sharp breath, trying not to think about the wicked glint in his eyes when he’d said it. As soon as I looked up, I noticed the staff instantly bowing their heads the moment they saw Alaric. They quickly scurried away like the devil himself was hot on their heels. Another thing I couldn’t ignore, none of them, especially the women, dared to look Alaric in the face, and if they did, they never held his gaze for long. It was as though doing so
Alaric pov Lust— use it to mask your pain. Laughter— use it to hide your emotions. Always smile to conceal your nightmares. Let no one see the scars on your wrists, the demons you carry inside. Let them never know how weak you really are. Because weakness is a disease. “But how do you feel about wrapping those pretty lips around my dick instead?” I murmured, a slow smirk curving my lips as I felt her stiffen, my breath grazing her ear. Her skin flushed a deep shade of red in an instant. She gasped softly when my hand moved to her neck, gently brushing her hair back, while the other hand trailed down to her shirt, swiftly undoing the first button, then the second. Without hesitation, I tugged the shirt back slightly, revealing just her shoulder to me. The moment I saw it, I ran my tongue over my teeth, the urge to sink them into her flesh and leave my mark there nearly overwhelming but instead, I leaned in and whispered under my breath. “Hm? Do you want to, little rose?” I mu
Isla pov What just happened? One second I was about to fall, and the next, I was perched on Alaric's lap, his arms wrapped tightly around my waist as he held me close— so close that for a moment, I froze, inhaling sharply. My entire body went rigid as Alaric leaned in, resting his head against my shoulder, keeping me there like he had no intention of letting go. I could hear my heartbeat, its echoes pounding in my ears like drums as Alaric's hands tightened around my waist. And for some reason, despite him not even doing anything— just his touch, just this position, was enough to make heat pool between my legs. I bit down on my bottom lip, my face turning a deep shade of red as I tried to think straight. “A-Alaric, what are you doing—” I began, but my words caught in my throat as he leaned in, his nose brushing the crook of my neck and then... He sniffed me. Yes. He sniffed my neck, taking in a deep breath before his body visibly relaxed. His breathing, which had been un
Isla pov As soon as I stepped into my office, I placed my bag on the desk and pulled out the bank card, a small smile tugging at my lips as I shook my head, remembering the scene from earlier. Suhyeon and Esther had always been there for me, ever since the day we met. Through thick and thin, they made sure I was okay— even back in college. Suhyeon had taken on the role of the mother I never had, something my stepmother never even attempted. And Esther… she was like the troublesome sister I had always wished for. And I wasn’t talking about the Isolde kind of troublesome. That thought made me pause, I wondered how they were all doing back home. Not that it mattered anymore. I’d run away, blocked them all, cut every tie. I didn’t want to see them or hear from them again. “Time to get to work,” I muttered under my breath with a small smile, slipping the bank card back into my bag and reaching to turn on the laptop. But before I could, a knock at the door froze me in place.
Isla pov Little rose, I’m sorry for scaring you like that. I was just a little upset you met with another man at the club today. I hope you weren’t injured and don’t worry, I’ll deal with that bastard for touching you earlier. Have a good night! The words from last night kept echoing in my head, and I couldn't help but grip the fork in my hand tighter as I stared blankly at the plate in front of me. My mind was a mess, desperately trying to process everything. ’Little rose.’ That was Alaric’s nickname for me. He was the only one who ever called me that. The only one I’d ever heard say it and I liked it when he did. But last night, for the first time, the word made me feel uneasy. It left a sick feeling in my stomach, and I hadn’t been able to sleep properly since. And the picture, it was truly terrifying, especially knowing it had been taken just a week ago. It made me wonder how long this person had been following me to capture such a moment. Was this some kind of sick