Nobela ni Ricol

Amelia’s POV Audrey’s expression didn’t change. She was as composed as ever, but I could see the flicker of annoyance in her eyes. “That’s exactly the problem, Amelia. You don’t care. You’ve been handed this opportunity, and you’re treating it like a game. This is a business, our father’s legacy, and you’re a nuisance to everyone who’s trying to keep it running.” “Spare me the speech, Audrey,” I shot back, standing up straighter and meeting her gaze. “You think you’re the only one who knows how to run this company? You think just because you’ve been here longer, you’re more entitled to everything? I could do just as well as you, if I wanted to. But unlike you, I have other things I’m focused on.” Her eyes narrowed slightly as she crossed her arms, mirroring my stance. “Is that what you tell yourself? That you could be in charge if you actually cared enough to try? The truth is, Amelia, you’ve never had to work for anything in your life. You think everything will just fall into you

Amelia’s POV Claire chuckled, crossing her arms in return as she leaned against the counter. “That little confrontation was part of the plan. You’re new here, Amelia. If you walked into the boardroom acting like you owned the place from day one, they’d all turn against you. You don’t have the experience, the reputation, or the leverage to pull that off yet. But if we make them think you and I are at odds, that we’re not working together, they’ll lower their guard.” I blinked, momentarily stunned by the shift in her demeanor. “You’re saying you embarrassed me on purpose?” “Embarrassed you? No, no. I created a distraction,” Claire said smoothly. “They’ll see me as someone who’s not on your side, as someone who’s going to challenge you every step of the way. And you? You’ll be seen as someone who’s still figuring things out. It buys us time, Amelia. Time to plan, time to strategize.” I felt the anger bubbling inside me begin to dissipate, replaced by confusion and a begrudging sense

Audrey’s POV I tried my best to not lose my mind and even when it was failing, I was surely holding back my rage. “Amelia,” I said in a firm but measured voice, “this is not just about profits or benefits. It’s about staying true to the company’s direction. Merging with other companies can mess that up.” She rolled her eyes, completely unperturbed by my words. “Oh come on, Audrey. You just fear change. You always have been. But if we want to grow, change is necessary.” I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, Claire Devereux, one of the board’s most influential members, spoke. “Amelia,” she insisted, eyes narrowing in Amelia’s way, “this is no time for small talk. If you want to contribute to this conversation, I suggest you take it seriously.” I appreciated Claire’s intervention, but Amelia didn’t back down. Instead, she turned her attention to Claire, her face hardened. “And who are you to tell me what to do?” Amelia replied, contempt flowing through her voice. “You’r

Amelia’s POV Claire’s eyes flickered with something—interest, perhaps. “Ah, so this isn’t just about the company.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “It’s about my life. My future. I’m not going to let her take everything from me.” “What are you talking about? You seem to be having more of a personal strife.” I sighed. “How about you leave me alone to help myself in this shithole? How about that?” Claire moved closer, her heels clicking softly against the floor. She stopped just a few feet away from me, her eyes studying me intently. “Amelia, let me give you some advice. In this world, no one gives you anything. You have to take it.” Her words hung in the air between us, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure what to make of her. She was a board member, part of the establishment that I despised, but there was something about her that intrigued me. She wasn’t like the others. She wasn’t here to coddle me or play nice. She was telling me exactly what I wanted to hear. It was almost like she w

Amelia’s POV Audrey did her best to remain silent as she riffed through the papers they gave her to hold. “You know, in this company there are policies that simply cannot be taken lightly and this requires someone who actually knows what they are doing.” Her whole focus was on me now, her lips clenched in irritation as she pushed away from the desk. She walked to where my legs reclined on a polished wooden surface, said nothing, and booted my feet off her desk. I don’t think I had a chance to do anything before my legs were dangling at the armrest of the chair, and my body was shaking from where she thrust it. “Well Amelia, what do you demand?” she asked me without hiding her irritation and the royal dislike expressed in her voice. I smiled and thought of the best witty remark to say in return which I never did because I was struck by the realization that I was now fully immersed in this stupid job. “Say that again? Well, good morning to you too, sis.” Thus she folded her arms

Audrey’s POV He pulled back after a moment, glancing at the clock on the nightstand. “I hate to leave you, but I’ve got to get to work.” I pouted playfully, pretending to be upset. “Do you really have to go?” After the incident of the other day, I was seeing Xander in a different light. Maybe he wasn’t as terrible as I had made it look. I gave a little sigh as I saw how his body was snuggly fitted in the suit. He looked so CEO ish with how he was dressed. The whiff of his perfume hit my nose as I smiled and inhaled more of him. He laughed, shaking his head. “Unfortunately, yes. But I’ll be home later, and we can spend the evening together. Maybe we can go out to dinner or watch a movie. Whatever you want.” “Okay,” I said, still pouting a little but knowing he had responsibilities to attend to. “I guess I’ll survive without you for a few hours.” “This is so unlike you. You hate me,” he said as I rolled my eyes. “After what happened last night, I might want to change my mind

Karla’s pov Alaric immediately knew the healer was not taking any of his bullshit and clamped his mouth shut. Kai sighed. “Okay but we are just leaving our food here.” I shook my head with a smile. ‘‘I’ll eat. Just go guys.’’ They hesitated, looking at each other until finally, they filed out. Axel was the last to leave and he cast me a long glance before he muttered, “So don’t get any ideas that this means you like Alaric more than me.” “Get out, Axel.” I laughed. He growled before leaning as he slammed the door behind him. With them gone, I sighed and leaned back in my pillow. The healer chuckled. "That bad?" “You have no idea.” “I don’t know about that but you do have to understand that we still need to continue with your therapy today. Oh and it’s going to be tough so I hope you are ready to handle it.” I nodded, glad that the room had become quiet at last. The healer helped me when I tried to step forward, but I couldn’t walk. My legs seemed as if they weren’t really

Karla’s pov I lay in bed and looked at Kai, who sat on the edge of my bed with a plate of food. His calm eyes told me all I needed to know about him as he watched me with curiosity. “I can keep this here for you if you want,” he said. “You look like you need something to eat.” I didn’t know what to say to him but to give him an awkward smile. I couldn’t even say anything as I knew there would be a war soon enough when Alaric and Axel would show up. “Actually, there’s something I have to tell you,” I said as the door almost immediately reopened and before speaking even one word, two loud voices intruded. “I got here first, Alaric!” Axel’s voice rang out. “You did not! I was literally right behind you!” Alaric shot back. I sighed as they marched into the room. Each had a tray of food and both were so engrossed in their argument that neither saw Kai until they reached us. Then, both of them stopped dead. Their faces changed from annoyance to disbelief. “Kai?” Alaric said, blink

Karla’s pov Axel leaned forward in his chair, his elbows on his knees as he studied me. There was something different in his sharp gaze today—less arrogance, more curiosity. I wasn’t sure what to make of that. "I'll be honest." His voice was lower than usual. "I didn't like you at first." I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "No shit. You don’t need to repeat this over and over you know, we get it." “Oh I’m sorry. Did I hurt your feelings?” I could easily have taken that as a sarcastic joke but he was serious about his words. He really wanted to know if I was hurt and this was a shock to me which I shrugged about and decided to shrug. “No.” was all I could say. He smirked, but there was something softer in his expression. “But,” he continued, “I think I might be starting to like you.” I blinked at him, thrown off for a moment before letting out a sharp, humorless laugh. “Yeah, okay. Whatever you say, Axel.” I didn’t believe him for a second. These brothers were full of lies. I had a

Axel’s pov I kept my face neutral as she asked me that. “Not far. I didn’t go anywhere far.” Her eyes slitted a little. “You were seen driving with Lysander outside the pack lands.” I didn’t flinch. “We were checking the treeline.” Mother didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t press further. Instead, she sighed and sat down behind her desk. “Axel, you know rogues can never be trusted,” her voice lowered now. “Whatever your plans are, please be careful.” I nodded, keeping my face emotionless. “I always am.” She studied me for another moment, then sighed. “Go eat. We’ll talk more later.” I stood up, giving her a small nod before walking out. Even after I was finished with her, her words stayed with me. She really knew something. And now i knew i had to be more careful than ever. I barely had time to breathe after leaving my mother ́s study before Lysander appeared in front of me, his fingers closing around my wrist as he towed me into a quieter stretch of the hall. His expres

Axel’s pov Karla stared at me for a long moment, then laughed – a bitter laugh. “You know, Alaric wouldn’t have let this happen.” I squinted at her. “What?” She leaned back against the pillows, her hands weakly resting in her lap. “Alaric. He’s kind, thoughtful. He listens. Why aren’t you like him?” I felt my patience waning but held it together. “Karla, come on! Just because we’re quadruplets and look exactly alike doesn’t mean we all have identical personalities.” She scoffed and shook her head. “You’re right. Alaric is kind but you… you’re just a self-absorbed, arrogant prince who thinks the world revolves around him.” My fists clenched at my sides as anger raged inside me, hot and fast, and I snapped without thinking. “That’s not fair.” "Isn't it?" she shot back. Before I could reply, the door opened and a nurse entered, holding a clipboard. She looked from her to me, clearly picking up on the bad vibe. “I don’t think I’m needed here,” I mumbled, getting to my feet. Ka

Axel’s pov Lysander and I wordlessly treaded down the dimly lit halls of the packhouse, still feeling the weight of Father’s words between us. I knew he was still thinking about it too, likely questioning whether or not lying had been worth it. I looked at him and whispered, “We can’t tell anyone.” He scoffed, but kept walking. "Easier said than done Axel, you know I can't stand lying to Father." I sighed, running my hand through my hair. "I understand that, but think about what happens when he does find out. He will be pissed at us brother! He will see it as an act of treason and we will face his wrath for it. We might even have our titles stripped from us!" “You really think he’d go that far?” Lysander stopped walking. He turned to me, narrowing his eyes. I crossed my arms. “You know he would. We went against his orders, we made a deal with a rogue leader, and we lied about it. You think he’ll just let that slide?” “No you made a deal with the rogue. I just stood there becau