MasukLucca froze mid-step when he saw them—Alexander and Serena—walking in hand in hand. The sight hit him like a slap. His stomach twisted with a mix of jealousy and bitterness he didn’t want to acknowledge. For a split second, he thought about turning around and leaving altogether.His expression darkened instantly, the corners of his mouth tightening as his gaze locked on Alexander.Alexander, however, looked perfectly composed. He moved with effortless grace as he guided Serena to her seat. After sitting down, he handed her the menu, his tone calm and natural, as though the tension in the air didn’t exist.“Serena, what would you like to eat?”She shook her head lightly. “You order. I’m fine with whatever.”Without hesitation, Alexander waved the waiter over and ordered a couple’s set meal.When the menu returned to the table, Alexander casually turned his head toward Lucca, his voice slow and pointed. “I just ordered a couple’s set. Everything comes in pairs, so there’s nothing left f
Dear Gentle Readers , before you proceed to read the rest of this chapter , ler us play a game. Guess who said that line : That never stopped me from wanting you. & write your guess on the comment section. No cheating & deleting wrong answers please. Per favore this is just for fun. Grazie a mille. *********The lights of E.A. Corporation glowed late into the evening, the hum of computers and quiet tapping of keyboards echoing through the upper floors. Serena was still at her desk, shoulders squared and eyes fixed on the glowing spreadsheets before her.For weeks, she’d been living in this rhythm — long nights, cold coffee, and the faint buzz of fluorescent light. Ruiz Star Entertainment had been in turmoil lately, firing executives in waves as the media feasted on their downfall. But the government had yet to step in.That didn’t bother Serena. The damage was done. Ruiz Star had lost credibility, and every company that once courted them now turned eagerly toward E.A. Corporation. Th
The tension in the conference room had finally lifted—just a little.For weeks, the executives of the Vanderbilt Group had been walking on eggshells. The company had been in chaos—projects delayed, departments bickering, and leadership meetings that felt more like interrogations. The newly promoted executives, in particular, lived in fear of misstepping under Alexander Vanderbilt’s sharp, unrelenting gaze.But today felt different.The morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting golden stripes across the polished mahogany table. Alexander sat at the head of the table, suit immaculate, posture effortlessly commanding—but his tone was… calm. Almost serene.He spoke evenly, his voice low and smooth, like the steady hum of a cello. Gone was the biting edge that made even seasoned execs flinch. Instead, he reviewed reports with quiet precision, offering brief feedback without so much as a sigh. When t
By the time Serena slowly stirred awake, most of the staff on the top floor had already gone home. The world outside was quiet now—only the hum of the city below lingered faintly, carried through the tall glass windows. Neon lights shimmered against the skyline, painting streaks of color across the ceiling.Alexander lay beside her, still asleep, his arm wrapped firmly around her waist. His warmth pressed against her back, his breathing steady and deep. Serena tilted her head slightly, watching the faint glow of city lights reflect off his face. In that fleeting moment, she wished time would stop—that he would never let go.The room was dim, illuminated only by the faint gleam of the city outside. She reached up, brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, and gently nudged him. “Alexander,” she whispered. No response.She tried again, but instead of waking, he moved—pulling her down, his lips finding hers in the shadows. The kiss deepened quickly, rough and hungry. Serena let out a s
The moment Raphael overheard the office chatter about Serena, something in him snapped.Across the open floor of the Vanderbilt Group, a cluster of employees huddled together, their whispers thick with scandal. Laughter rippled among them — sharp, careless, the kind that could slice reputations to pieces.“Did you hear?” one of the women said in a low but eager tone. “Chiara admitted it herself on Facebook. She said she spent the night with Alexander.”Raphael froze mid-step, the words hitting him like a slap. His eyes darkened, jaw tightening as he stormed toward them.“Who the hell is spreading this crap?” he barked, his voice echoing through the hallway. “Serena’s Alexander’s girl. If he finds out you’re running your mouths like this, you’re finished — all of you!”The women exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier confidence faltering. Lately, rumors had been swi
Colton turned his head, his expression shadowed by a mix of disdain and quiet warning.“Love makes people blind,” he muttered. “Sooner or later, you’ll lose yourself.”There was no sentimentality in his voice—just cold certainty. Colton had never believed in love. To him, women were distractions, bodies for release and nothing more. He treated them the same way he treated expensive liquor—enjoyed briefly, discarded without a second thought.Hugo, on the other hand, had a more refined cruelty. He could charm a woman, make her feel seen, and still walk away without a trace of guilt. They both used women, but at least Hugo wrapped it in politeness. Colton didn’t bother. He despised women who coasted on seduction and weakness.Alexander didn’t respond. His gaze lingered on the phone in his hand, his thumb hovering above the screen. After a moment of hesitation, he began typing a reply to Serena’s last message.Alexander: [Alright, then don’t stay sober. I’ll come to you after I’m done.]W







