Chapter: CHAPTER 22BENEATH THE FACADEBehind the façade of wealth and power, a web of secrets awaits.Chapter 22Caleb's POV:Ken pushed the door open without knocking, his face already telling the story before his lips parted. He stood in the doorway for a second longer than necessary, shifting from one foot to the other, like a man who’d rather be anywhere but here. I looked up from my desk, the numbers on the spreadsheet blurring into one another. My morning coffee had gone cold. The sun hadn’t fully risen, and already the day felt heavy.“Sir,” he began, voice low, but urgent. “We’re short. The operation unit can’t run on what we have left.”I dropped my pen slowly, locking eyes with him. “What are you saying exactly, Ken?” My voice had a clipped edge, the kind that made most people stammer. But Ken didn’t stammer. He just swallowed, hard.“There’s no money coming in,” he said finally, and his eyes dropped to the floor like they couldn’t bear to meet mine. “No new deposits. No clearance from the las
Last Updated: 2025-04-25
Chapter: Chapter 21BENEATH THE FACADEBehind the façade of wealth and power, a web of secret awaitsChapter 21 Ethan's POV:It was the fifth call that day. Five times I’d stared at her name dancing on the screen, only for it to end the same way, the call being forwarded, her silence, and an ache developing somewhere behind my ribs.She wasn't picking up. And deep down, I knew why.We were caught in the same argument again, like two children. The same issue we’d gone around and around over for months. Two months, to be exact. A hundred times, at least. Maybe more, if you count the words we never actually said out loud.She wanted access. She wanted me to let her in completely. Not the kind you grant with a smile or a temporary password. She wanted to see the vulnerable parts of me. The bruises I never spoke about. The rooms of my mind I kept locked, even from myself.“Why won’t you ever talk about you?” she had asked the last time. Her voice didn’t even carry anger anymore—just exhaustion. “Why can’t I
Last Updated: 2025-04-24
Chapter: CHAPTER 20BENEATH THE FACADEBehind the façade of wealth and power, a web of secret awaitsCHAPTER 20Emily's POV:“Enjoy your weekend ma’am”, her voice sweet and cheerful as always. I smiled, touched by her usual cheerfulness. She always dished out a positive energy and it was contagious. “Thank you, Claire,” I replied, pulling her into a warm hug and pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. She smelled faintly of coconut oil. “You too. Endeavor to rest well, okay?”She nodded, with her arms still wrapped around me before letting go. I watched her disappear down the corridor, heels clicking softly against the marbled floor, and then I let out a deep breath, adjusted my handbag on my shoulder as I walked towards my car.Weekends had taken on a new meaning lately. I used to crave weekends for the serenity it came with. The kind where I didn't have to meet up with deadlines. The kind where I didn't have to be anything to anyone. A bubble bath, a solo date, a book I'd half-read or a movie series I'
Last Updated: 2025-04-23
Chapter: CHAPTER 19BENEATH THE FACADEBehind the façade of wealth and power, a web of secret awaitsChapter 19 Caleb's POV:It had been a full week since I last heard from Andre. Not a call, not even a brief text. But I didn’t panic—at least, not outwardly. Andre wasn’t the type to leave loose ends untied. If anything had gone wrong, he would’ve alerted me without delay. So I told myself everything must be running smoothly, or at least according to plan.But beneath the surface of my calm exterior, there was a steady hum of nerves. The kind that wouldn't let you settle. The kind that had you checking your inbox twice in five minutes, only to slam the laptop shut in frustration.And today? Today was the day. The final verdict on the Petrocorp contract. After months of strategizing, sleepless nights, and meetings that seemed to stretch endlessly, it would all come down to this one moment. One name. One announcement.The event was scheduled to be held in the same grand hall as the initial bidding present
Last Updated: 2025-04-22
Chapter: CHAPTER 18BENEATH THE FACADEBehind the façade of wealth and power, a web of secret awaitsCHAPTER 18Caleb's POV: “Good afternoon, Andre,” I said, extending my hand as he approached. The firm, familiar grip of his handshake met mine with a warmth that felt more like an old friend's embrace than a formal greeting. “Thanks for making the time to come. I really appreciate it.”He gave a short chuckle, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Anything for you, my dear friend. It’s always a pleasure.” His voice carried the easy familiarity of someone who’d long since shed the stiffness of formalities.We slid into the booth at the corner of the restaurant, away from the noise and the eyes. The waiter came around, but we waved him off for a moment. We had business—quiet, off-the-record business.Andre worked directly under the chairman of Petrocorp Group, a man known for keeping things close to his chest. But Andre—sharp, observant, and deeply intuitive—had always had a way of knowing more than he was s
Last Updated: 2025-04-21
Chapter: CHAPTER 17BENEATH THE FACADEBehind the façade of wealth and power, a web of secrets awaitsChapter 17Emily's POV: I had expected her to call. In fact, I had kept my phone close all evening after the picnic, waiting for Nyla to flood me with her dramatic questions…”Em, I need a full download,” or “Don't leave out a single detail, not even the color of his socks.” That was typical Nyla. Always eager. Always hyper. Always curious. But that night my screen stayed blank. No messages. Just silence. At first, I dismissed negative thoughts. Maybe she was busy. Maybe she was tired. But when morning came and there was still nothing from her, I knew all was not well. It was very unlike her. Something was wrong. I tossed the blanket off my legs, grabbed my phone from the other side of the bed where I lay and tapped on the call button. It rang once. Twice. A third time. Come on Nyla. Just as I was about to hang up at the fourth ring, the line clicked and her voice came through. “Hey babe,” she said
Last Updated: 2025-04-20
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