Elliot Remington’s office was a testament to wealth, power, and precision. Located on the top floor of Remington Enterprises, the suite was designed with modern elegance. Floor to ceiling window offered an uninterrupted view of the Manhattan skyline, casting golden light across the space as the sun dipped below the horizon.
The room itself was massive, yet every inch was carefully organized. A custom made ebony desk, polished to perfection, sat at the center of the space. It was a symbol of authority. The deep leather chair behind it was tailored to his frame, commanding in its presence. To the side, a fully stocked bar gleamed under recessed lightning. It's glass shelves displaying only the finest selection of whiskey, scotch and wine Abstract art adorned the walls, each piece hand-selected to reflect power and sophistication. The dark marble flooring contrasted with the rich wood paneling, and an intricate chandelier hung overhead, a reminder that everything in this space was meant to impress. Yet, none of it mattered. Not right now. Elliott leaned back in his chair, his fingers pressed against his temple. He had spent years turning this company into an empire, yet here he was, being summoned like a child to answer for things that had nothing to do with business. The sound of polished leather shoes against the Mable floor signaled his father’s arrival. Richard Remington never needed to announce himself. His presence alone commanded attention. Dressed in an impeccable navy suit, his silver hair was neatly combed back, his face unreadable as always. Elliot didn't look up. "To what do I owe the pleasure, father?" He said, his voice smooth but void of warmth Richard Remington took a seat across him, moving with the controlled precision of a man who had never wasted a single step in his life. "This won't take long, There's a problem that needs to be addressed.” His father said, his tone calm but firm. Elliott finally met his gaze, his jaw tightening. He already knew where this was going. Richard adjusted the cuff of his sleeve. "The Hawthorne deal is on thin ice." Elliott exhaled slowly, dragging a hand through his dark hair. "If this is about my personal life again–" "It's not just your personal life." Richard cut him off smoothly. "It's the image of this company. The future of our legacy." Elliot clenched his fists under the desk. The word legacy had been drilled into him since childhood. Everything had always been about the family name, the empire his father had built, and the expectations placed on his shoulders. Richard continued, his voice steady. "Hawthorne doesn't just invest in companies. He invest In people. He values stability. And a bachelor CEO? That doesn't scream stability, Elliott." Elliot let out a sharp, humorless chuckle. "So, what? You want me to find some woman, put a ring on her finger, and parade her around like a trophy?" "If that's what it takes." Richard replied. Elliott’s expression hardened, "That's absurd." "No." Richard said smoothly, "it's business". Silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. Elliot could feel the weight of his father’s expectations pressing down on him like a vice. He had spent his entire life proving himself, taking Remington Enterprises to new heights, yet none of it seemed to be enough. His father leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlacing. "You have one month." Elliott’s jaw clenched. "One month for what?" "To find a suitable woman, make it official or I would have to choose for you.” Richard said simply The words landed like a blow, but Elliott refused to show any reaction. Richard continued as if he was discussing a business deal rather than his son’s future. "If you don't, I'll make the decision for you." Elliot scoffed, shaking his head. "You can't be serious." "I am." His father said. Elliot stood abruptly, pushing his chair back. He turned toward the window, staring out at the city. He had built his own empire, expanded the company beyond what his father had imagined, yet here he was being treated like a pawn. "This is ridiculous." "What’s ridiculous is you thinking you can ignore this and expect no consequences." Richard countered Elliot turned back to him, his eyes turned cold. "And what if I don't, what exactly are those consequences?" Richard didn't hesitate. "You step down as CEO.” Elliott’s chest tightened. He had expected his father to be ruthless but this, this was another level. “You're threatening me to strip me of everything i built?” Elliot said. "No," Richard corrected. "I'm ensuring that you understand the stakes. This isn't just about you, It's about the company, the family name, and the empire we've spent generations cultivating. One man's pride isn't worth risking it all.” “This is bigger than you, Elliot.” Richard said, his tone unwavering. It's about securing the company's future. If you can't handle that responsibility, then maybe you're not the right person to lead. Elliott’s stomach twisted, but he masked it with a smirk. "And let me guess, If I step down, you already have someone in mind to replace me?" Richard didn't answer but the silence spoke volumes. Elliot let out a slow breath. "So, that's it? One month to find a wife or I lose everything?" Richard stood, buttoning his suit jacket. "You always claim to be strategic. Prove it." With that, he turned and walked toward the door, his footstep echoing against the marble floor. Just before leaving, he paused. "And Elliott, make the right choice, this company cannot afford mistakes." Then he was gone. The moment the door clicked shut, Elliot slammed his fist against the desk, sending papers flying. His jaw tightened, his mind racing. One month. Find a wife, Secure a deal, Or lose everything he had built. He had faced impossible negotiations, ruthless competitors, and market crashes, but this, This is personal. And personal was dangerous. For the first time in years, Elliott felt like he was loosing control. And he hated it. He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. He needed a plan. Fast.Back at the banquet hall, the music played on, and laughter echoed across the grand chandelier-lit room but something felt off.Elysia returned from the restroom, adjusting her silver dress as she scanned the crowd. Her brows pinched together when she didn’t immediately spot Sarah. She weaved through the sea of guests, moving quickly, checking corners and the lounge near the bar.Still no sign of her.Her smile began to waver.She turned sharply and headed straight to her brother.“Brother,” she said, tugging at Elliot’s sleeve. “Have you seen Sarah?”Elliot turned to her, clearly distracted. “She was just here.”“Well, she’s not anymore,” Elysia said, her voice a little more urgent now. “I’ve checked the whole place.”A flicker of something unreadable passed through Elliot’s eyes. He set his drink down immediately.“Let’s go,” he said, already walking.Elysia followed closely, her heels clicking hurriedly behind him.They didn’t speak on the drive home, both hoping she’d be there.Th
Sarah stood in the corner of the room, alone again after Elysia left for the restroom. Her eyes scanned the crowd again, searching for Elliott. He was speaking with a group of men in suits, wine glass in hand, cool and unreadable. She waited, hoped he'd spare her a glance, a sign or anything.But he didn’t even look at her.The humiliation had settled like fire in her chest, burning hotter with each passing moment.She couldn’t take it anymore.She walked out of the banquet hall, her heels clicking against the marble floor, each step she took was fueled with anger. As she stepped into the cold night, the air felt sharp against her flushed cheeks.She glanced down the street, considering calling a cab. She could make her way back to the penthouse alone. She didn’t care what Elliott thought, that's if he even noticed she’d left.Just as she reached for her phone, the screech of tires ripped through the silence.Two black cars pulled up beside her, their tinted windows gleaming under the
The next morning, Sarah arrived at the office for the first time as Elliott’s personal secretary, expecting to at least have something to do. But as the hours dragged on, she found herself sitting idly in his office, doing absolutely nothing. She wasn’t given any work, no one directed her anywhere, and Elliott had barely acknowledged her presence since they arrived.She sighed, tapping her fingers on the desk impatiently. “Why am I even here?” she muttered under her breath.The only sound in the office was the soft ticking of the clock and the occasional flipping of pages as Elliott worked through some documents. Sarah was bored out of her mind. She had imagined that working in one of the most prestigious companies would be an exciting experience, but instead, she felt like a piece of furniture placed there for show.She glanced at Elliott, who remained focused on his work, showing no signs of including her in anything. Sarah frowned, frustration bubbling inside her.“This is ridiculo
Elliott sat at his desk, flipping through documents with a sharp, calculating gaze. The floor-to-ceiling windows of his office showcased the towering skyline, but his focus remained unwavering. His assistant had informed him minutes ago that his mother was on her way up.When the heavy oak doors swung open, Vivian Remington walked in, her heels clicking against the polished floor. She exuded elegance, dressed in an emerald green suit, her hair neatly styled, but her expression was anything but composed. Her face was set in a deep frown, her sharp eyes locked onto her son the moment she entered.Without waiting for an invitation, she sat across from him, placing her handbag on the desk with a thud.“So, it’s true,” she began, her voice laced with irritation. “You really went through with this ridiculous marriage.”Elliott didn’t bother looking up. He flipped another page in his file before responding in his usual calm, detached tone. “It’s already been done. There’s no point in discuss
After the dramatic confrontation with James, Sarah felt suffocated by the weight of everything. the banquet hall with murmurs and watchful eyes felt constricting. She needed a moment alone. Spotting a waiter passing by, she gently stopped him.“Excuse me, where’s the bathroom?” she asked.The waiter pointed toward the hallway to her left. “Just down that corridor, Miss.”She nodded, muttering a soft thanks before making her way through the lavishly decorated hallway. The sound of clinking glasses and polite laughter faded as she distanced herself from the main event.Once inside the restroom, she leaned against the marble countertop, exhaling deeply.Her reflection stared back at her from the mirror her perfectly styled hair, flawless makeup, an elegant dress hugging her frame. To anyone else, she might have looked poised and composed, the image of a woman who belonged in a place like this.She had spent years loving a man who betrayed her, wasted time on a friendship that was nothing
Sarah and James’s eyes met, and in that instant, she saw panic flicker in his. He wasn’t expecting her. His face went pale, his expression twisting as if struggling to process what he was seeing. For a moment, he just stared, his body rigid, his mind clearly racing. Then, as if something snapped, his lips parted, and he barked her name.“Sarah.”His voice was sharp, filled with disbelief, cutting through the conversations around them.He took a step forward. “What the hell is going on?” he demandedSarah kept her expression calm, refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, a smirk curled her lips, subtle but intentional.Sarah raised an eyebrow. “You’ll have to be more specific than that.”His jaw clenched, “Why are you here? Why are you with another man?” His eyes flickered to Elliott, but he didn’t hold his gaze for long. The weight of Elliott Remington’s presence was suffocating. Instead, James returned his attention to Sarah.“You’re my fiancée,” he said, voice