The morning sunlight spilled into the dining hall, painting the polished mahogany table in a soft golden glow. Silverware clinked against fine china, and the faint scent of coffee curled in the air. Amira sat stiffly across from Montez, her fork trembling faintly in her hand as she picked at her eggs. She could barely swallow a bite, her stomach twisted into painful knots. Every sound seemed too loud, every silence too heavy. Montez sat with his back straight, movements precise and calm, though his eyes were hard. He buttered a slice of toast slowly, his mind elsewhere, his jaw flexing from time to time as though he were restraining himself. Neither spoke for several minutes, the air between them thick with the words that had gone unsaid since last night. The heavy doors creaked open. Yanov Sergei entered, his usual arrogance dimmed. His limp was obvious as he crossed the
The mansion had fallen quiet. The household staff had long since retreated to their quarters, leaving the wide marble halls washed in moonlight and silence. Amira moved softly along the corridor, her palms damp against the fabric of her dress. She told herself this was only courtesy. A polite gesture. Montez would expect her to check on his guest, to make sure Sergei Yanov was comfortable. But her heart knew better. Her steps slowed as she reached the guest wing. The polished oak door loomed before her, and her stomach twisted with unease. She inhaled deeply, forced her knuckles up, and knocked lightly. A pause passed. Than that familiar Russian drawl. “Come in.” Amira pushed the door open, schooling her face into calm neutrality. Yanov sat in a chair by the window, his shirt unbuttoned at the throat, a half-empty tumbler of vodka in his hand. His eyes slid over her with the kind of cold amusement tha
Yanov’s smirk lingered in the air long after his words had fallen still. He leaned comfortably into the couch as though the Mansion were his, and not Montez’s domain. Montez didn’t flinch or show the unease that flickered deep inside. He had learned long ago that men like Yanov thrived on fear. “Then stay,” Montez said coolly, his tone even but heavy. “The city will no doubt benefit from your presence, Sergei.” Yanov chuckled, his sharp eyes gleaming. “Generous as always, Montez. I will be around for a few days. Business, pleasure, perhaps both.” His gaze flicked toward Amira, lingering on her in a way that made her skin crawl. Amira felt the weight of that stare like oil dripping down her spine. She gripped the strap of her bag tightly and forced herself to move. “I’ll… go freshen up,” she muttered, her voice tight. Without waiting for permission, she hurried past the men and vanished down the hall.
The tension in the office was unbearable. Nathan’s jaw was tight, his glare cutting into her like knives, but Amira’s survival instincts kicked in. If Montez suspected the truth, everything would collapse. She couldn’t let Nathan’s bitterness ruin what little trust she had managed to build with Montez. Forcing her lips into something resembling calm, Amira stepped forward. “Nathan was only reminding me about… an old article I had abandoned,” she said quickly. Her voice shook but steadied at the end. “He thought it might still help with the anniversary press, but I told him it wasn’t relevant anymore.” Montez’s eyes narrowed. His gaze flicked from her to Nathan, reading the tension, sensing the lie. He didn’t press though. Not yet. Nathan clenched his fists but caught the silent warning in Amira’s eyes. She was daring him to expose her, but he knew better than to cross her with Montez standing right there. Not
Amira’s pen scratched across the page as she reviewed the last of the contracts stacked on her desk. The aftermath of the anniversary still lingered, and Montez had doubled the workload on everyone. She tried to focus, tried to ignore the whispers in the office halls that still followed her, but every time she looked up from the paperwork, she couldn’t help but feel judged. She set her pen down and rubbed her temples. The office was quiet, only the hum of the AC filling the air. She allowed herself a moment to breathe. The door slammed open without warning. Her head jerked up, eyes narrowing as Nathan strode in like he owned the place. His suit was crisp, his hair perfectly styled, but his expression was anything but calm. His eyes burned as he shut the door behind him with a forceful click. “What the hell is wrong with you, Amira?” he spat, stepping toward her desk. Amir
The ballroom pulsed with light and music. Crystal chandeliers glittered above, scattering diamonds of brightness over gowns and tuxedos. Laughter, clinking glasses, and polite applause filled the space as Montez Vitalio was congratulated again and again for the company’s one-hundredth anniversary. The scandal of earlier was already being rewritten by the hour. Where reporters had come thirsting for blood, they now whispered about passion, loyalty, and love. The kiss between Montez and Amira had become the day’s centerpiece, eclipsing every attempt to shame them. Montez played his role well. He shook hands with partners, accepted the warm congratulations of dignitaries, and let cameras capture his polished smile. Yet every time his gaze wandered, it was Amira he searched for. She stood slightly apart, her head bowed as though overwhelmed by the tide of celebration. He excused himself from a cluster of investors