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Chapter 33
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Trade Breaker Chapter 34
Although Solo had changed her phone number, on Charles' counsel, she had also transferred all her contacts to this new line, including Dominic's contact information, a contention point now that seemed fortuitous.Charles had been insistent on this precautionary measure—if she were ever found out and received an unexpected call, she could identify the caller immediately. His reasoning was sound—knowledge was power in their precarious world, and to be forewarned is to be forearmed.Now, as Dominic's name lit up her screen, she felt a surge of gratitude for Charles' foresight and thanked herself for heeding his advice. She showed the screen to Charles, who took the phone and answered it."Hello," Charles said."Is this Solaire Dale’s phone?”"Who wants to know?”"I'm sorry, you don't know me. My name is Dominic Hale.”"What can I do for you, Mr. Hale?” Charles asked.“I have a business proposition for Ms. Dale. Would it be possible to schedule a time for me to speak with her?”"Okay, lea
Trade Breaker Chapter 35
Solo ended the call between her and Sapphire, lips taut and fists clenched, frustrated by the woman’s gall. The woman was the epitome of rudeness—Solo was sure that if she looked up the word rudeness in the dictionary, Sapphire’s name would be highlighted in bold capital letters and between square brackets right next to it.Who the hell did this woman think she was? Exhaling a long breath and leaning back in her seat, rubbing her now evident baby bump, her memory drifted back to their first meeting.She could still see how Sapphire had swept into Inigo’s office the day after the investors' gathering. Every step she took was a performance of confidence and self-importance.Her entrance had been more akin to a grand arrival than a business meeting, and Solo had felt her presence—commanding and deliberate as if she were already the most important person in the room.It had been one of Solo’s first collaborative projects for the House of Ricci, a collaboration Inigo was excited about. She
Trade Breaker Chapter 36
The memory faded as Solo’s phone rang, the familiar number flashing on her screen: Hale Enterprises. It was the fifth call in a month.She let it ring once, twice, debating whether to answer. After searching her drawer for the device Charles insisted she carried with her, she sucked in a sharp breath, covered her mouth with a voice changer, and pressed the answer button, bracing herself for the inevitable offer.“Ciao, this is Solaire Dale.” The voice charger gave her a deep, sultry Italian accent.“Miss Dale, this is Dominic Hale from Hale Enterprises,” came the familiar, smooth voice on the other end. Despite her preparation, his voice continued to send a jolt through her. “Thank you for taking the time to speak with me.”“It’s a pleasure, Mr. Hale,” she said, keeping her voice neutral and professional. “How can I help you?”There was a pause on his end as though he was choosing his words. “I wanted to extend an invitation for a potential collaboration between Hale Enterprises and th
Trade Breaker Chapter 37
Dominic paced the length of his office, frustration simmering after his latest conversation with Solaire Dale. He had offered every possible incentive, but she still declined, citing her commitments as immovable for the next three years. Despite his extensive experience in negotiations, her refusal gnawed at him more than he wanted to admit.The door to his office swung open, and his mother strode in with her characteristic air of elegance and command. She looked at her son and raised an eyebrow, reading his expression of frustration.“Well?” she asked, folding her hands in her lap as she sat in one of the leather chairs across from him. “What did she say?”Dominic sighed, lowering himself into his chair. “Mother, I finally managed to speak to her directly, and she still said no. She claims to have commitments for the next three years, and nothing I offered seemed to change her mind.” He said, grabbing a pen from his desk and starting to doodle on a document.Isabella’s lips thinned,
Trade Breaker Chapter 38
Dominic felt a wave of unease settle over him. He had dealt with many designers before, but Solaire's refusal had felt different—personal, almost. He didn't want Sapphire, with her typical cutthroat tactics, bullying Solaire into a decision she'd already made clear."This isn't one of your charity board events, Sapphire. Solaire might not appreciate being strong-armed."Sapphire's smile tightened. "Strong-arming? You make it sound as though I'd be forcing her. I'm only suggesting I present the offer in a way that appeals to her ambition. After all, we're both artists, and Solaire respects that side of things. I think I know her well enough to approach her professionally."Isabella nodded with approval, a look of satisfaction settling on her face. "Exactly. Solaire might simply need a push in the right direction. It's worth the attempt, Dominic. Sapphire understands her, and they're already in close working quarters."Dominic's frustration was mounting. Sapphire's confidence grated on
Trade Breaker Chapter 39
After leaving Dominic’s office, she returned to her own. Dominic had given her ample office space within his building to work from—that included a bedroom and washroom. She entered into the washroom with a single thought in mind. She needed to call Solaire and get her to accept the Hale's offer.Sapphire sat at her marble vanity, stared at her reflection, then adjusted her diamond earrings. The image staring back at her was every bit the poised, unshakeable figure she had crafted over the years.Today, her eyes had an edge, a flicker of impatience. She planned to bring Dominic back in check, and its execution revolved around a single person—Solaire Dale.She lifted her phone and scrolled through her contacts until she found Solaire’s number. The small victories she’d had so far with Solaire at the House of Ricci had encouraged her. After all, she was Sapphire Lin, director of the jewelry division at House of Lin and Hale Enterprises. She was also a Lin by name.With her influence and
Trade Breaker Chapter 40
A loud thud could be heard in Inigo Ricci’s office as his fist landed heavily on his desk. He leaned back in his chair, pressed his fingers to his temple, and exhaled a frustrated sigh. He hadn’t dealt with anyone as infuriating as Sapphire Lin in years, and his patience was thin.With her constant overreach and veiled attempts at undermining Solaire, she proved to be more trouble than she was worth.He lifted his phone and weighed through his contacts until he reached Solaire’s name. His irritation softened as he dialed, hoping to check on her before informing her of Sapphire’s latest interference.After a few rings, Solaire picked up, her voice warm yet tired. “Inigo, hi.”“Ciao, Solaire. I hope I’m not calling at a bad time,” he said, his voice softening as he pictured her with a sketchbook open before her, perhaps cradling the small beginnings of one of her designs. “Just wanted to check in. How are you feeling? And how are the little ones?”She chuckled on the other end, a sound
Trade Breaker Chapter 41
The silence from Inigo's abrupt disconnection of their call irked her. Sapphire lowered the phone, her fingers still curled tight around its frame, and breathed, trying to rein in the fury beneath her composed exterior.The audacity, the nerve of him to cut her off, to shield Solaire from her—was nothing short of insulting. Her manicured nails dug crescents into her palm as she fought to control the tremor in her hands.In her mind, she replayed each interaction she'd had with Solaire since their collaboration began. There were too many instances where she could have shown more charm and been more welcoming.The memory of Solaire's hesitant smile during their first meeting flashed through her mind, a gesture she had dismissed with a glance.But she had brushed those opportunities aside, convinced that her name and authority alone would command respect. As she thought back on each short phrase of discomfort, each utterance forced through the tight-lipped response that Solaire had given
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Trade Breaker Chapter 66
Charles flew through the hospital corridors, his footsteps echoing on the polished floors. His heart pounded in his chest, and the immediacy of the situation was sharp in his mind.He hadn’t even stopped to drop his luggage at home, instead heading straight to the hospital after the call from one of the nurses. Solo had gone into labor, and all he could think of was being there for her.He paused outside her door, running a hand through his messy hair. His reflection in the glass of a nearby cabinet revealed the toll of sleepless nights and long flights, but that didn’t matter. All that mattered was her.Gathering his composure, he pushed the door open and stepped inside. The soft sound of rustling blankets greeted him, along with the faint cry of a newborn settling into sleep. The sight before him stilled his breath.Solo lay propped up in bed, her face pale but serene, her hair framing her tired yet glowing features. Beside her, one of her twins rested in a bassinet, his tiny hand c
Trade Breaker Chapter 65
The soft, sterile hum of the hospital room felt suffocating. Aralise lay in the center of the made bed, her head propped up by stiff, firm pillows. An overhead light illuminated the room, casting shadows that danced along the edges of the walls. She glanced toward the crib beside her, where the baby slept, her delicate features visible under the pink blanket.Aralise’s fingers tapped on the hospital sheet as she tried to compose her expression. She didn’t dare look at the baby too long. The longer she stared, the more a strange discomfort grew within her—as if her body rejected the child, as though the entire situation threatened to unravel.The sound of approaching heels snapped her out of her thoughts. The door swung open to reveal the midwife, her sharp, calculating eyes scanning the room. She carried a clipboard under one arm and a handbag hanging from her shoulder.Her movements were brisk, purposeful, and unyielding, like someone accustomed to cleaning up messes.“Well, Miss Wat
Trade Breaker Chapter 64
The café hummed with life, its cozy atmosphere warmed by the afternoon sun as they sat outside and more people arrived. Solo pushed a piece of lettuce around her plate, lost in thought, while Kirael sipped her soup and stole curious glances at Aralise, who consumed a salmon dish with gusto and sipped her double espresso unphased.“So,” Aralise said, setting down her coffee cup. “What’s the news with your twins, Solo? Any updates?”Solo glanced at her, smiling. “The doctor said they’re doing great, but they’re planning to induce me after my next checkup. They don’t want me going too far past six weeks because you know—twins.”Aralise’s eyebrows rose in mock surprise. “Oh, that’s sooner than I thought! How exciting. My baby’s due around that time too. What about you, Kirael?”Kirael's fruit cocktail juice in hand froze mid-sip, her glass hovering in the air. Her eyes flicked to Solo, then back to Aralise, a flicker of suspicion flashing across her face.“Really? My baby’s also due then.
Trade Breaker Chapter 63
Solo shifted on the examination table, the crinkling paper beneath her amplifying her discomfort. The clinic room was sterile, the faint hum of medical equipment filling the air. Across from her, having finished her prenatal examinations, Kirael sat in a plastic chair, thumbing through a magazine. Her brows furrowed, but her mind seemed elsewhere.“I wish they’d just get this over with,” Solo muttered, one hand protectively cradling her rounded belly.Kirael looked up, offering a small smile. “Relax, these things always take forever. It’s routine. You and the twins are fine.”Before Solo could respond, the door swung open, revealing a young trainee. Her movements were awkward, and the nervous energy of someone new to the job was evident in how she adjusted her stethoscope.“Miss Dale,” the trainee greeted with a polite smile. “We’ll be listening to the babies’ heartbeats today.”Solo nodded, reclining as the trainee prepared the Doppler. The steady thump of the first heartbeat filled
Trade Breaker Chapter 62
The afternoon sun filtered through Aralise’s small apartment, casting a warm glow over the furniture. Her baby bump lay discarded on the sofa. As she paced the room, her frustration bubbled beneath the surface. She glanced at her phone, waiting for it to ring.The silence in the apartment was oppressive, amplifying the sound of her restless movements. She paused by the window, staring at the bustling street below. Families strolled together, their laughter drifting upward like a cruel reminder of the distance between her and her goal. The world—oblivious to the tangled web of lies she was spinning.She sighed, ran a hand through her hair, and then tapped her nails against the window frame, her impatience growing with each passing second.Her phone buzzed on the coffee table, the screen lighting up with a familiar name.“Mother,” she said, snatching up the phone and answering. “I was beginning to think you weren’t going to call.”Her mother’s voice came through, smooth and calm. “Darli
Trade Breaker Chapter 61
Dominic paced the living room of the Hale estate. His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he marched back and forth. His jaw clenched tight, and his keen and sharp gaze was clouded with frustration.“You called her, didn’t you?” he said, his voice cutting through the silence like a whip. His posture screamed God alone knows what I would do to you if you weren't my mother?Seeming unphased sitting on the plush sofa, Isabella raised an eyebrow and sipped her tea with feigned calm. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, though the slight upward tilt of her chin betrayed her guilt.“Don’t lie to me, Mom.” Dominic stopped pacing and faced her, his voice growing louder. “You’re the only person who would have done this. Do you want me to believe Sapphire just happened to show up at the house right after I told you what happened? Please, don’t insult my intelligence.”Isabella set her cup down with deliberate precision. “Dominic, you’re overreacting. Sapphire needed a chanc
Trade Breaker Chapter 60
After the call ended, Sapphire stared at the screen, her mind racing with frustration and disbelief. Her nails tapped against the coffee table in sharp, erratic rhythms. Her lips curled into a humorless smile, anger bubbling beneath the surface. She tossed her phone onto the couch, a sharp huff escaping her lips. "That stupid old hag." The thought struck her with venom as she leaned back on the sofa and drummed her nails on the armrest. Does she even know her son? If she did, she'd know that just showing up at the house wouldn't fix anything—her plan was doomed to backfire. Dominic doesn’t cave under pressure—he digs in deeper. Her stupid suggestion would only make things worse.Sapphire sighed, stood, and began pacing the room. Her frustration simmered, fueling the calculations running through her mind. She couldn’t let this slip through her fingers. Dominic was the key to everything she’d worked for—everything that defined her ambitions rested on keeping him within her grasp. Yes,
Trade Breaker Chapter 59
Despite her mother-in-law's warning, she didn't want to give up on having Sapphire as her daughter-in-law. The conversation she had with Madam Hale the other day had left Isabella's mind spiraling.She sat in her private sitting room, stirring her tea. Her gaze was distant, filled with memories she hadn’t revisited in years. Watching Sapphire maneuver her way into Dominic’s life had sparked an unusual sense of camaraderie, though she’d never say it aloud.Sapphire reminded her of herself in her early years—young, ambitious, and willing to secure her future by any means necessary. That’s how Isabella had won her place in this family, though she’d learned too late that the empire wouldn’t pass to her husband.Her musings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. She looked as the housekeeper entered, her expression tight, eyes filled with concern, her usual composure ruffled.“What is it?”“The young master is here, but his posture is strange. He looks ready to explode.”I
Trade Breaker Chapter 58
Dominic strode through the front door of his mother’s house, each step echoing his tumultuous thoughts. The cool night air had done little to calm the storm within him, and with each breath, he felt the weight of what had just transpired pressing down on him.I was so stupid, he thought, slamming the door harder than he intended. How could I let my guard down like that?He tossed his keys on the small table by the entryway, the clatter sounding loud in the quiet of the early morning. He was supposed to be the strong one, the unshakeable Dominic Hale, who kept his composure at all costs. Yet there he was, feeling anything but composed.As he moved through the darkened hallway towards the kitchen, his mind replayed the night’s events—a vortex of anger, confusion, and a deep-seated violation that he couldn’t shake. Sapphire’s touch, her weight against him, the way she’d tried to manipulate his vulnerability made his skin crawl.He poured himself a glass of water with hands that weren’t q
