Chapter: Chapter 39Ravenna and Soren made their way back inside, the tension between them palpable. As they entered the living room, Astrid's eyes lit up."Ravenna! Come sit by me," Astrid called, patting the spot next to her on the sofa. "I want to hear all about your business ventures."Grateful for the distraction, Ravenna settled next to Astrid. "Well, what would you like to know?"As the two women chatted, their conversation flowed easily from business to fashion to travel. Ravenna found herself genuinely enjoying Astrid's company, her wit and intelligence a refreshing change from the usual socialite crowd."You know," Astrid said, lowering her voice conspiratorially, "I haven't seen Soren this engaged with someone in years. You must be pretty special."Ravenna felt a blush creeping up her cheeks. "Oh, I don't know about that. We're just business partners."Astrid raised an eyebrow. "Mhmm. Sure you are."Across the room, Mara and Lyra were deep in conversation, their eyes occasionally darting to Ra
Last Updated: 2024-09-17
Chapter: Chapter 38 Ravenna pushed open the front door of her family home, the familiar scent of her mother's cooking enveloping her immediately. She followed the aroma to the kitchen, where she found her mother, Mara, bustling about in a frenzy of culinary activity."Mom?" Ravenna called out, eyeing the array of dishes spread across the countertops. "What's going on? Are we feeding an army?"Mara turned, her face flushed from the heat of the kitchen. "Oh, Ravenna! Perfect timing. We're having guests for dinner tonight."Ravenna raised an eyebrow. "Guests? Who?""The Blackthorn family," her mother replied, turning back to stir a simmering pot. "Soren Blackthorn and his parents and sister."Ravenna felt as if the ground had suddenly shifted beneath her feet. "Soren Blackthorn? As in... my business associate, Soren Blackthorn?""The very same," her father's voice came from behind her. Ravenna turned to see him entering the kitchen, a warm smile on his face. "I recently played golf with his father, Cedric.
Last Updated: 2024-09-16
Chapter: Chapter 37Ravenna stifled a yawn as she left the office, the weight of the day's meetings and strategic planning settling heavily on her shoulders. The sun was already setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. As she walked to her car, she remembered her nearly empty fridge and decided to make a quick stop at the supermarket.The fluorescent lights of the store were a stark contrast to the fading daylight outside. Ravenna grabbed a basket and began wandering the aisles, her mind still partially occupied with thoughts of Rylan, Soren, and the intricate web she was weaving.As she turned into the produce section, her attention elsewhere, she collided with someone. Apples tumbled to the floor, rolling in every direction."Watch where you're going!" a sharp voice snapped.Ravenna looked up, an apology on her lips, but it died as she recognized the young woman before her. With striking red hair and piercing green eyes, there was no mistaking Quinn, one of Lilith's twin sisters.Quickly c
Last Updated: 2024-09-16
Chapter: Chapter 36Ravenna's heels clicked against the pavement as she hurried to meet Soren at their usual spot, a discreet café tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. Her mind raced with the events of the past few days – the confrontation with Lilith, her calculated confession to Rylan. Everything was falling into place, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking a razor's edge.As she entered the café, she spotted Soren immediately, his tall frame unmistakable even in the dimly lit space. He looked up as she approached, his face an unreadable mask."Ravenna," he greeted her, gesturing to the seat across from him. "Right on time, as always."She slid into the chair, eyeing him warily. "Well, when you say you have important information, I tend to take it seriously."Soren nodded, pushing a steaming cup of coffee towards her – black, no sugar, just how she liked it. The gesture, small as it was, reminded Ravenna of how well he'd come to know her over these past months."So," she said, t
Last Updated: 2024-09-16
Chapter: Chapter 35Ravenna's heels clicked against the polished marble floor as she strode through the lobby of Rylan's office building. Her heart raced, but she kept her expression calm and confident. As she approached the security desk, she plastered on her most charming smile."Good afternoon," she greeted the guard. "I'm Ravenna Thorn, here to see Rylan Matthews."The guard checked his list and nodded. "Of course, Ms. Thorn. Mr. Matthews is expecting you. Please take the elevator to the 30th floor."As the elevator ascended, Ravenna took deep breaths, steadying her nerves. The doors opened, revealing a sleek, modern reception area. Rylan's assistant, a petite blonde woman, looked up with a bright smile."Ms. Thorn, welcome. Mr. Matthews is just finishing up a call. Please, go right in."Ravenna nodded her thanks and pushed open the heavy oak door to Rylan's office. The room was impressive – floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city, while tasteful artwork adorned the walls. Rylan
Last Updated: 2024-09-16
Chapter: Chapter 34The morning sun cast long shadows as Ravenna crouched behind a parked car, her eyes fixed on Rylan's office building. She'd been there for hours, hoping to catch a glimpse of something—anything—that might give her an edge. But so far, all she'd seen was the usual parade of suited executives and harried assistants.Just as she was about to call it quits, a flicker of movement caught her eye. A man dressed in black, his face obscured by dark sunglasses, slipped out of an alley across the street. There was something off about him—the way he moved, the constant scanning of his surroundings. Ravenna's instincts screamed danger.Heart racing, she ducked out from behind the car and began walking briskly in the opposite direction. She could feel the man's eyes on her back, hear his footsteps echoing her own. Panic threatened to overwhelm her, but she forced it down. She wasn't some helpless victim—not anymore.Spotting a busy coffee shop ahead, Ravenna ducked inside and wove through the crowd
Last Updated: 2024-09-16
Chapter: ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 25: ꜰɪꜰᴛʏ ᴍɪʟʟɪᴏɴ ʀᴇᴀsᴏɴs ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀ ʙᴀᴅᴅɪᴇ: ᴅᴇᴀʟ!Deja nearly jumped out of her skin, scrambling backward on the bed. Her guardian angel stood at the foot of the bed, examining its perfectly manicured nails with a look of mild disappointment."You're back?" Deja gasped. "It's already been a month?""Yes, girl, I'm here to talk about your progress," the angel confirmed, conjuring a glowing tablet from thin air. It scrolled through some celestial spreadsheet with a deepening frown. "And let me guess—you already know you're failing."Deja groaned, flopping back on the pillows. "That bad, huh?""Let's check the receipts, shall we?" The angel tapped the screen, and glowing percentages appeared in the air:
Last Updated: 2025-05-27
Chapter: ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 24: ᴅᴏᴍɪɴɪQᴜᴇ's ʜᴇʀᴇ, ᴄʜᴀᴏs ᴇɴsᴜᴇsShe glanced at the caller ID. Her eyes narrowed."Oh HELL no, why is she calling me?"Ming leaned in with visible interest. "She who?""Dominique," Deja muttered, but then—an idea. A brilliantly petty idea bloomed in her brain.Wait. Wait a damn minute. Dominique coming here could fix everything.Her voice immediately went fake-sweet like syrup on grits. "Deja, darling cousin," Dominique's saccharine voice oozed through the speaker. "You forgot your medication at home. Your mother is terribly worried."Deja's t
Last Updated: 2025-05-27
Chapter: ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 23: sᴏᴜʟ ʏᴇᴇᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ sᴜɴ: ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴏʀɴɪɴɢ ᴀꜰᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴇsᴛ ᴛᴏᴜᴄʜSunlight streamed through the gauzy curtains, falling across Deja's face. She scrunched her eyes tighter, trying to hold onto sleep, but the brightness was relentless. Groggily, she reached for her phone and checked the time.11:02 AM."ELEVEN?! Oh HELL no!"One fuzzy slipper flew off as she scrambled out of bed, knocking into a suspiciously delicate vase that she caught just in time. She skid across the polished floors like a cartoon character, grabbed the edge of the bathroom doorway, and whipped herself inside."Not me missing rich people breakfast," she muttered, yanking a bonnet off her head like it had betrayed her. "I swear,
Last Updated: 2025-05-26
Chapter: ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 22: ᴛʜɪʀsᴛʏ ᴀᴛ 3 ᴀᴍ: ᴀɴᴅ sᴜᴅᴅᴇɴʟʏ, sʜɪʀᴛʟᴇss ᴛᴇᴍᴘᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴBy dinner, Deja decided to try again—because clearly, the universe was drunk and the family was not playing their role. "Dominique mentioned she's been working on a business proposal," she said brightly, locking eyes with Edward Zuo across the twelve-foot mahogany table. "Luxury pet accessories. Real innovative. Like, silk bonnets for emotional support chihuahuas."Edward blinked. "Is that... a real market?""Oh absolutely," Deja nodded, stabbing a dumpling like it owed her money. "Rich folks will buy anything if you slap the word 'bespoke' on it. Dominique's gonna make millions off poodles in rhinestones."Ming coughed discreetly into her napkin. Lily didn't bother—she full-on snorted into her soup.
Last Updated: 2025-05-26
Chapter: ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 21: ᴏᴘᴇʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ: ᴀɴɴᴏʏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀɴᴄᴇsᴛᴏʀs (ᴛᴀsᴛᴇꜰᴜʟʟʏ?)It wasn't planned. It wasn't precise.But it was definitely a kiss.They both froze.Deja blinked.Ren blinked back at her.Earl barked once, tail wagging like he'd absolutely meant for this to happen.Deja rolled off of him, sitting up with a stunned laugh. "That... wasn't in the schedule."Ren sat up slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Definitely not on the itinerary."They sat in silence for a moment,
Last Updated: 2025-05-25
Chapter: ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 20: ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋᴅʀᴀᴍᴀ?!"Have you seen what your fiancée has done?" she said, with way too much delight."I'm looking at it right now," Ren replied, still scrolling through the photos in disbelief."Earl has more followers than that influencer I hired for our last campaign," his mother continued. "And the engagement is incredible. People are obsessed."Ren paused on a particularly ridiculous image of Earl wearing a tiny chef's hat, apparently "cooking" in what looked like Deja's kitchen. "This is... I don't even know what this is.""It's marketing genius, is what it is," his mother replied pragmatically. "Do you have any idea how much pet influencers make in spo
Last Updated: 2025-05-25
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