LOGINTristan’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 POVThe room went still.I could feel every single pair of eyes on me. Judging. Weighing. Waiting.My pulse roared in my ears as the lawyer’s question lingered in the air, sharp and deliberate, like a blade held just inches from my throat.And then—I saw it.Slowly—so slowly it made my stomach turn—Victoria lifted her hand.Her finger traced across her throat. A slicing motion. Subtle, but unmistakable.My breath hitched.That was a threat. Not implied. Promised.A chill ran down my spine, ice-cold and suffocating.For a split second, the courtroom disappeared. And all I could see was that gesture.That smile tugging at the corner of her lips. That look in her eyes that told me she meant every second of it.My fingers tightened against the wooden edge of the stand. The motorbike accident flashed through my mind. My stomach dropped.Could she—No.No… her own sister… that was insane. Or was it?I swallowed hard, forcing myself to breathe.Focus. You’re under oath.I took a s
Amelia’s POVThe courthouse loomed ahead of me like something out of a nightmare—cold stone, towering pillars, and far too many cameras flashing at once.I froze at the bottom of the steps for half a second, my heart thundering in my chest.This was it. There was no turning back now."Miss Hartwell! Over here!""Is it true you’re testifying against Sienna Rhodes?""Are you still involved with Rowan Lancaster?"The questions came rapid-fire, sharp and invasive, like knives thrown from every direction.I kept my head down, gripping my bag tighter as I pushed forward."No comment," I muttered, though my voice was barely audible over the chaos.A reporter stepped closer, shoving a microphone toward my face. "Miss Hartwell, sources say you were present during the alleged medical abuse. Can you confirm—""Please move," a security guard cut in firmly, creating a path for me.Thank God.I slipped inside the courthouse, the heavy doors shutting behind me and muting the noise outside.But the q
Amelia’s POVAs we walked toward the changing rooms, Liz leaned closer to me and whispered, "Wow. She is not over that.""I didn’t do anything wrong," I muttered, though my chest felt tight."I know," Liz said. "But that doesn’t mean she knows."I glanced back once, just in time to see Maya watchin
Amelia’s POVMy stomach twisted so hard I felt light-headed. "This is none of your business, Rowan.""The hell it isn’t!" Rowan roared, the sound splitting through the observatory dome like thunder.I flinched.Gabriel’s arm instinctively moved in front of me. "Lower your voice," he said calmly. "S
Amelia’s POVThe observatory was glowing like a glass temple against the night sky. Its curved dome shimmered under the moonlight. I stepped out of Gabriel’s car and took a breath of the cool, star–scented air."Gabriel," I whispered, staring up. "This is… God, it’s stunning."He smiled, hands tuc
Amelia’s POVMy breath caught. "Cheating? Rowan, we weren’t together.""We were!" he shot back. "Or at least—I thought—Jesus, Amelia, you were in my bed. Hours before—""And then you went out with Sienna," I fired back."That wasn’t—it wasn’t like that!""It sure looked like it," I snapped. "To me.







