LOGINVictoria’s POVAt first— I’ll admit it, Tristan’s plan didn’t seem entirely idiotic.Risky, yes. Reckless, absolutely. But there was something there. A thread of opportunity buried beneath the chaos. A way to recover, to rebuild, to claw our way back into relevance.Or at least… that’s what I told myself.Because the alternative?Was unthinkable.That is until I stood in the living room a few days later, scrolling through the news on my phone. My stomach tightened with every headline that flashed across the screen."Scandal in Lancaster Enterprise: VP Pembroke Imprisoned for Attempted Takeover.""Tristan Lancaster Removed Permanently from Board Amid Financial Investigation."My grip tightened around the phone."Fuck," I muttered under my breath.The word had barely left my lips when my phone rang.Of course.I didn’t even need to check the name.I already knew.I took a slow breath before answering."…Hello, Dad.""WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON, VICTORIA?!"I pulled the phone slightly awa
Tristan’s POVVictoria tried. God, she really tried.If there was anyone who could twist a situation back into our favor with nothing but a sharp mind and a well-placed smile, it was her.And for a moment—just a moment—I almost believed she might actually pull it off."Rowan," she said smoothly, as if she hadn’t just walked into the middle of a disaster. "This is clearly a misunderstanding."Rowan didn’t even blink."Is it?" he asked coldly.Victoria’s lips curved into that practiced, disarming smile. "Of course it is. Tristan was simply—""Don’t," Rowan cut in sharply.The word landed like a slap.Victoria faltered for half a second, but recovered quickly."Let’s not be hasty," she continued, her tone softening, almost coaxing. "We’re family. There’s no need to escalate this into something… unpleasant."Rowan let out a quiet, humorless laugh."Unpleasant?" he repeated. "You think this is unpleasant?"He held up the folder with evidence."This," he said, his voice dropping, "is crimin
Tristan’s POV"I don’t care what protocol says," I barked into the phone, pacing slowly across the expansive office. "Just authorize the transfer. It’s already been signed off."I stopped in front of the massive glass window overlooking the city, my reflection staring back at me—sharp suit, controlled expression, a man who belonged here.At the top.Finally."You’re overthinking it," I added smoothly. "It’s a restructuring. Internal movement of assets. Perfectly legal."The man on the other end hesitated.I exhaled impatiently. "Listen carefully. By the time anyone questions this, it’ll already be done. So either you process it now… or I find someone who will.""…Understood, sir," he said finally.A slow smile spread across my face."Good," I said quietly. "Do it."I ended the call and lowered the phone, my gaze drifting across the massive office.Standing here, at the very top of Lancaster Enterprises, I could already feel it—the shift. The power. The inevitability of it all.This em
Rowan’s POVI sat there, trapped in that damned wheelchair, watching her disappear down the courthouse steps."Amelia—" I started, but the sentence died in my throat.She didn’t turn around.And that… that was worse than anything."Damn you, mother," I growled under my breath, my hands gripping the armrests so tightly my knuckles turned white."Careful how you speak to me, son," Evangeline replied smoothly, her voice coated in polished sweetness that fooled absolutely no one. "We have an audience."I barely registered her words—until the rapid click-click-click of cameras snapped me back to reality.I turned my head sharply.Paparazzi. Of course.Lurking like vultures at the bottom of the steps, lenses trained on us, capturing every second of my humiliation. Every crack in my composure."Rowan! Over here!""Mr. Lancaster, is it true your ex-wife confessed to attempted murder?""What’s your relationship with Amelia Hartwell?"I let out a harsh breath, dragging a hand through my hair."
Amelia’s POV"You tried to fucking kill her?!" Rowan said, his voice trembling with barely contained fury.Sienna tilted her head, rolling her eyes as if this were all some tedious misunderstanding. "Oh, don’t be dramatic," she said lightly. "I just wanted to scare her."The words hit me like a physical blow.My stomach twisted violently, bile rising in my throat. Scare me? A motorcycle slamming into us at full speed wasn’t fear—it was death. It had nearly been death."You—" Rowan started, his voice rising dangerously, but the intensity sent a sharp jolt through his injured ribs. He sucked in a harsh breath, his hand flying to his side."Rowan—" I stepped forward instinctively, my hand half-reaching toward him."I’m fine," he bit out through gritted teeth, though the strain was obvious. His dark eyes never left Sienna. Not for a second. "Answer me. Did you or did you not hire that driver?"The courtroom felt like it was holding its breath.Sienna’s lips curved slowly into a smile."L
Vienna’s POVThe word echoed through the courtroom.It reverberated through the high ceilings. Through the rows of people. Through my chest.For a moment, no one moved.Then the room erupted. Gasps. Whispered conversations. The sharp scratch of reporters’ pens racing across paper. The muted buzz of phones lighting up with breaking headlines.I exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. My knees nearly gave out beneath me.It was over. It was finally over."She can’t hurt him anymore…" I whispered, more to myself than anyone else.My fingers curled slightly against the edge of the bench.Across the room, Rowan sat very still in his wheelchair.His jaw was tight. His dark eyes locked forward, not on the jury, not on the judge—But on Sienna.There was no relief in his expression. Only something darker. Something simmering.The judge’s voice cut through the noise. "Order. Order in the courtroom."Gradually, the murmurs quieted.Sienna stood at the defendant’s table, her face pal
Amelia’s POVHeat crept up my neck, but I steadied myself and lifted my chin. "Funny," I said, "because the last time I was in your bed, I didn’t exactly stay the night, did I?"Rowan’s jaw tightened. "You disappeared without a word."I folded my arms, cutting him with a sharp look. "And you didn’
Rowan’s POVAfter reading Amelia’s text, I didn’t even think. I just grabbed my keys and drove straight to her apartment.Plans? At this hour? Was she so desperate to avoid me, or was something else going on?I pulled onto her street just in time to see her slide into a taxi. I followed, frowning.
Tristan’s POVI stared at my phone, stunned.Amelia’s new post had dropped just moments ago. A calm, razor-sharp video exposing the truth.My chest tightened.Across the room, Victoria was laughing into her phone, calling a friend without a care in the world.I stared at her.Had she really done th
Amelia’s POV"You’re Rowan’s ex-wife," I said coolly, folding my arms. "Why are you following me?"Her lips curved into a slow, mocking smile. "Following you? Please. Don’t flatter yourself. I was just… curious." Her tone dripped with arrogance. "I wanted to see what kind of toy Rowan’s entertaini







