Gloria Salvador 의 작품

The news broke early in the morning:“Former billionaire Desmond July found dead in prison cell. Apparent suicide.”The headlines spread like wildfire. News channels, social media, newspapers—every platform covered the scandalous downfall of the once-mighty mogul. Analysts speculated, reporters dissected every detail, and the public debated whether justice had been truly served.But inside Diego and Freya’s home, the atmosphere was different. The television was on, but neither of them paid it much attention.Freya sat at the dining table, sipping her morning coffee, while Diego leaned against the counter, scrolling through his phone with a lazy smirk.Noah, dressed in his school uniform, glanced between them, his brows furrowing.“So…Desmond’s really dead,” he muttered, pushing his cereal bowl aside.Neither Freya nor Diego reacted much. Freya merely took another sip of coffee, setting the mug down with a soft clink. “Looks like he finally ran out of ways to escape his consequences,”

5:25 PMThe air in Diego’s office was thick with the usual tension of high-stakes business negotiations.Diego was seated at the head of a long, polished table, in the middle of a board meeting. He exuded his signature confidence—sharp, composed, commanding.The only sound was the soft hum of the projector and the murmured discussions of Diego's business associates. Diego's eyes were fixed intently on the presentation unfolding before him.His executives and business associates sat around him, discussing projections, acquisitions, and expansions for his green-energy empire. The meeting was important, the kind that could shape the future of his company.Yet, his mind was elsewhere.On her.Diego stole a glance at his phone, an itch in his chest growing with every passing minute.It had been hours since he had last spoken to Freya. And he missed her. His mind was fixed on the upcoming weekend and the plans he had with Freya.Just as he shifted in his seat, imagining a steamy night with

6:30 AMThe loud, shrill ringing of Freya’s phone shattered the peaceful silence of the morning.Her brows furrowed in confusion as she blindly reached for it on her nightstand. She squinted her eyes against the faint morning light streaming in from a small opening in the window.Her gaze came to a focus on the phone screen, and the number flashing on the screen made her blink. It was Diego’s chief of security.Immediately, she sat up and snapped out of the sleepy haze. A sudden, terrible feeling clawed at her chest as she quickly answered the call. Diego's chief of security only called when there was bad news about Diego.“Hello?” she breathed, sweeping her disheveled hair backwards.“Ms. Freya,” the man’s voice came through, urgent, tense. “It’s Diego. He…he got into a car accident. You need to come now.”The world stopped the minute he dropped the bomb. Freya's heart slammed against her ribs, and her blood ran cold.No. Not again.Her hands shook as she scrambled out of bed, barely

The living room was filled with a golden glow from the television screen. The breaking news banner flashed across the bottom, repeating the same phrase over and over:DESMOND JULY ARRESTED IN SCANDAL—ABUSE, ATTEMPTED MURDER, AND KIDNAPPING EXPOSED.The anchor spoke with a serious, almost incredulous tone. "In a shocking turn of events, billionaire Desmond July, former CEO of Dexus Innovations, has been arrested and is facing a long list of charges, including domestic violence, child endangerment, and attempted murder. The once-revered businessman was taken into custody last night after damning footage of his crimes was broadcast at his own celebratory gala, exposing years of abuse toward his ex-wife, Freya Dominic, and their son, Noah Dominic. Legal experts predict that with the overwhelming evidence, July could face life in prison with no chance of parole…”The remote slipped from Freya’s fingers and landed on the couch beside her. Her heart pounded as she stared at the screen, her m

Freya walked into the room with a quiet sense of power, her presence commanding attention.She was dressed in a crimson gown— a deep, bold, unapologetic dress that clung to her like molten lava. Every step she took was slow, deliberate, and commanding. And her presence was undeniable.She dressed to fit into the context. After all, this was a grand gala filled with elites from all over the world.However, it wasn’t her dress that stole the breath from every mouth in the room. It was the bruises. The dark, undeniable marks which decorated her arms and cheek. Marks of war.And she made no attempt to hide them. Her dress was sleeveless, and she wore no makeup. She wanted the world to see it clearly.In an instant, camera flashes erupted around her. Paparazzi swarmed forward, fighting to capture the moment, the scandal, the face of a woman wronged.Desmond’s chest tightened as he watched the unfolding drama. His stomach twisted. His body screamed at him to move, to run. But he couldn’t.H

The Dexus Innovations' Tower stood like a beacon of power, piercing the night sky with its gleaming lights. Tonight, the heart of the city pulsed with anticipation. An event unlike any other was about to unfold in the building’s grand ballroom—an affair so spectacular that the world was watching.A scarlet carpet stretched from the main entrance, lined with golden railings and uniformed security. Photographers stood at the sidelines, cameras flashing as an endless parade of luxury cars arrived, their sleek bodies gleaming under the streetlights and the golden glow from within the ballroom.Chauffeurs in crisp suits opened doors with precise elegance, allowing their distinguished passengers to step onto the crimson carpet that stretched into the opulent ballroom.The guest list was nothing short of extraordinary. Billionaires, Hollywood elites, influential tech moguls, and political heavyweights—all gathered under one roof. Their tailored suits and designer gowns shimmered under the li

Sophia's eyes fluttered open.For a moment, she was disoriented—soft sheets beneath her, sunlight streaming through the curtains, the familiar weight of her blanket tucked around her.Her room.She was in her bed.But she didn't remember getting here.Sophia sat up slowly, blinking away the remnants of sleep. Her mind felt foggy, reaching for the last thing she could recall.The movie. The terrible action movie with all the explosions. Sitting on the couch with Liam.And then... nothing.She must have fallen asleep.Which meant...Sophia's cheeks warmed.Liam must have carried her to bed.She pressed her hands to her face, feeling the heat radiating from her skin. The thought of him lifting her, carrying her down the hallway, tucking her in—it made something flutter dangerously in her chest.Stop it, she told herself firmly. It's not a big deal. He was just being nice.But the fluttering didn't stop.She imagined it—Liam's arms around her, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, the warmt

Sophia stared at her phone screen, reading the email for the third time."Thank you for your interest in the Marketing Coordinator position at Rue & Co. While we were impressed with your qualifications, we have decided to move forward with another candidate who more closely aligns with our current needs..."The words blurred together.She set the phone down on the coffee table, carefully, like it might shatter if she moved too quickly.Another rejection.She'd known it was coming. Had felt it in her gut when she'd left the interview, despite Liam's reassurances. But knowing didn't make it hurt any less.The apartment was quiet. Too quiet.Sophia pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. She stared at the blank TV screen, her reflection ghostly and distorted in the black glass.Maybe I should start up a business, she told herself. I can't remain like this.But the words felt hollow.The front door opened.Sophia straightened quickly, swiping at her eyes even thou

The boardroom was all dark wood and glass walls, designed to intimidate.Edward sat near the middle of the long table, surrounded by other department heads and senior executives. The air was thick with tension—everyone knew what this meeting was about, even if no one dared say it out loud.The new CEO was being introduced today.Edward's jaw was tight, his hands clasped on the table in front of him. He'd barely slept in the past week, running searches, making calls, trying to find out who had bought his company out from under him.Nothing.Apex Strategic Holdings remained a ghost.Just then, the door at the far end of the room opened.Conversations died mid-sentence. Everyone straightened in their seats.A man in a sharp navy suit stepped in first—sleek, professional, tablet in hand. He moved to the side of the room, positioning himself near the head of the table.And then he walked in.Tall. Commanding. The kind of presence that didn't ask for attention—it demanded it. His suit was i

Edward sat behind his office desk—mahogany, imported, the kind that cost more than most people's cars—reviewing quarterly performance reports with the mechanical precision of someone who'd done this a thousand times. His phone buzzed.He ignored it at first. Probably another memo from Corporate Communications about "synergy" or some other buzzword designed to make people feel productive without actually doing anything.But it buzzed again. Insistent.With an irritated sigh, Edward swiped up the notification.Subject: URGENT – Internal Announcement – Regal EnterprisesHis thumb hovered over the screen. Something in his gut twisted—an instinct telling him this wasn't routine.He opened it.The words hit him like a punch to the sternum."Effective immediately, Regal Enterprises has been acquired by Apex Strategic Holdings. Ownership has been transferred. Press release pending. All personnel are to remain at their current positions until further notice."Edward's breath caught.He read

The interview had been grueling.Sophia sat across from three stern-faced executives at Rue & Co., answering question after question about marketing strategies, brand positioning, campaign analytics. She'd stumbled once or twice, but recovered quickly, drawing on everything she'd learned, everything she'd prepared.By the time they thanked her and told her they'd be in touch, she felt like she'd run a marathon.Now, stepping out of the sleek glass building into the cool afternoon air, she exhaled a long, shaky breath.I did it.She didn't know if she'd gotten the job. But she'd done her best. And for the first time in months, that felt like enough.She pulled out her phone, ready to call a cab——and froze.Across the street, leaning casually against a modest silver sedan, was Liam.He had his hands in his pockets, his gray eyes scanning the building entrance. When he spotted her, his entire face changed—softened—and he straightened up, a small smile playing at his lips.Sophia's heart

Sophia stood in front of the bathroom mirror, her hands gripping the edge of the sink.Her reflection stared back at her—hazel eyes wide with nerves, hair pulled into a neat bun that she'd already redone three times. She wore a simple black blazer over a cream blouse, paired with tailored pants. Professional. Polished.But inside, she was a mess."You can do this," she whispered to herself. "It's just an interview."Except it wasn't just an interview. It was her chance to prove she wasn't useless. That she could stand on her own two feet. That all those rejections hadn't broken her.Her stomach twisted into knots.She exhaled slowly, trying to calm the storm raging in her chest. Then she turned and headed back to her room to grab her bag.When she stepped into the living room, Liam was already there.He stood near the kitchen counter, dressed casually in jeans and a gray henley that fit him just right, emphasizing his lean, athletic build. His dark hair was slightly tousled, like he'd