Ava gripped the steering wheel tightly, her frustration simmering as she drove back to the hotel. She refused to let anyone dictate her designs, let alone make major changes that compromised her vision. Difficult clients were nothing new to her, but they had always respected her professional judgment in the end. Victoria, however, was deliberately making things difficult. Maybe it was time to step away. She had initially taken this project because her studio had been struggling, but now that they were stable, she didn’t have to tolerate this nonsense any longer.Making a firm decision, she swiftly organized her documents and returned to the hotel, determined to wait for Alexander.Meanwhile, Alexander had declined Victoria’s dinner invitation, using work as an excuse. As he stepped out of the elevator, Jonathan followed closely behind, briefing him on the final preparations for tomorrow’s meeting. But as Alexander glanced toward his hotel room, he noticed someone waiting outside. His s
Ava’s pupils contracted slightly, struggling to believe that Alexander had actually said those words.Everyone always said he was an unattainable figure—cold, distant, never seen with a companion. The kind of man who never entertained distractions.She had never deluded herself into thinking she could be an exception. More than anything, the idea terrified her. Her chest tightened with panic, her emotions overwhelming her until she realized she was crying.Alexander’s gaze held an unreadable expression, his sharp eyes laced with disinterest. “Sorry, I mistook you for someone else,” he said casually, his voice as smooth as glass. Leaning against the doorframe, he added, “I thought Victoria had come.”Ava froze before exhaling in relief. So, he had been expecting Victoria tonight?Her fingers clenched briefly before she smoothed them over her wrinkled blouse. If he had mistaken her for someone else, it explained everything. The way he grabbed her. The intensity of his touch. It wasn’t ab
Victoria arrived at the top floor and knocked lightly before pushing open the door. The room was dimly lit, casting a soft glow over Alexander, who was seated on the sofa, engaged in a video conference with overseas executives. The faint scent of shower gel lingered in the air, suggesting he had just taken a shower. At the thought, her body grew warm.Beneath her coat, she wore an alluring outfit—something she had carefully chosen just for tonight. A gift for him. She believed that once he unwrapped it, he would be very pleased. A slight blush tinged her cheeks as she stepped inside and changed into indoor slippers.But just as she squatted down, her fingers froze mid-motion. Two long strands of hair lay on the pristine floor.Her heart pounded. The penthouse was Alexander’s private space, professionally cleaned and disinfected daily due to his extreme aversion to germs. No one was allowed to enter without full coverage, ensuring that not even a single strand of hair would be left behi
The moment presented itself perfectly. They were alone and all she needed to do was persuade him to get back together. Yet just as Victoria was about to speak, a hesitant voice came from the entrance."Miss, Mr. Laurent asked you to return first. I’ll wait here and bring the cat back once the treatment is complete."The softness in Victoria’s face vanished, replaced by a cold sharpness that made the servant lower their head in fear. She took a deep breath, suppressing the irritation rising within her. Ever since returning to the country a few days ago, she had been spending all her time with Alexander, neglecting her father’s calls and inquiries. Now, he must have learned about her visit tonight and wanted to check if she had succeeded in getting closer to Alexander.Her fingers clenched slightly at her sides before she forced herself to ease up."You go back first. I'll wait here," she ordered, voice firm. "And don't let this kind of mistake happen again next time. You should know tha
That night, instead of returning to his usual hotel, Alexander went to Le Châteauesque Manor—a place that, until recently, had been occupied by Rex, the dog. The lingering traces of dog hair triggered his allergy, and despite taking medication, he developed a mild fever by morning.When Victoria heard about this from Hugo, she wasted no time. Since she and Alexander had agreed to mend their relationship, she needed to show sincerity.As she stepped into the Vanderbilt Corporation’s sleek marble lobby, the scent of polished wood and freshly brewed coffee filled the air. The reception area was always buzzing with activity, a hub of well-dressed professionals gliding between meetings. Women came to the Vanderbilt family offices daily, each one hoping to catch Alexander’s attention. Celebrities, socialites, and influencers—all eager to get close to the elusive billionaire. The front desk had learned to turn them away effortlessly. But Victoria? She belonged here. Brigitte—Raphael's girlf
(From here, Ava will be referred to as Serena, as Mr. Vanderbilt Sr., Aunt Torres, and the staff recognize her as “Serena” or “Miss Morales,” Alexander’s wife.) ---The moment Mr. Vanderbilt Sr. saw Serena’s name flash across his phone screen, his heart lifted. "Serena, what is it? Did Alexander mess with you again?"His voice, though laced with concern, carried an undertone of disappointment. Ever since Alexander’s so-called affair had come to light, Mr. Vanderbilt Sr.’s anger had not subsided. Just thinking about his grandson’s betrayal to his devoted wife ignited a fresh wave of fury in his chest.Serena had initially called just to vent, but the warmth in Mr. Vanderbilt Sr.’s voice struck a chord deep within her. He had always been in her corner—more than even her own father. That realization caused a lump to form in her throat, her vision growing misty with unshed tears.Sensing her silence, Mr. Vanderbilt Sr.’s expression darkened. "I knew it. That boy did something again, didn’
The heavy air in Le Châteauesque Manor carried the weight of discontent. The tension was palpable as Mr. Vanderbilt Sr. walked in with slow, measured steps, his cane tapping softly against the marble floor. His presence commanded instant attention. He settled into the high-backed armchair across from the sofa with practiced ease. The room, grand yet intimate, was bathed in the soft glow of antique chandeliers, casting a warm contrast against the tension crackling in the air. His sharp gaze swept across the grand room before settling on Victoria, who sat stiffly on the couch. Aunt Torres, ever the dutiful housekeeper, hurried over with a delicate porcelain teacup, steam curling from its surface. The old man accepted it with a measured nod, lifting the cup just enough to brush away the floating tea leaves with its lid before taking a deliberate sip. His voice, steady and firm carrying the weight of authority. “Miss Laurent,” he began, his tone cutting through the thick silence like a
Dear Gentle Readers, This author was denied promotion & the app actually said that this story does not perform well with only 4 readers and 2 comments thus no ads since last week... This author refuses to believe that especially when he saw at least 7 people liked & gave a thumbsup on the last free chapter. Can you please help this author by giving a thumbsup and commenting on this chapter, please? So this author has proof when consulting and reporting this to his editor tomorrow morning. As a token of gratitude for your generous help, please enjoy this chapter free of charge... Grazie mille. Yours, Ethan. P.S. this is actually 2 chapters combined into 1 therefore it is quite long, apologies for that. ---------That night, Serena slept soundly, the kind of deep, dreamless rest that felt like a rare luxury. By the time morning light filtered through her curtains, her spirits were noticeably brighter.The first thing she did upon waking was reach for her phone. A single missed call
Meanwhile, Alexander had just touched down on foreign soil. The sleek wheels of the private jet had barely cooled before he was ushered into a waiting car—Victoria trailing a few steps behind.The sun was beginning to dip below the skyline, casting a golden hue over the glass buildings around them. But the warmth of the city didn’t seem to reach Victoria’s mood.The auction had been a disappointment.Those who had flown in from all over the world had come chasing one thing—a rumored masterpiece by the elusive Master Remington. The buzz had been relentless, the anticipation feverish. Collectors, curators, and connoisseurs all gathered under one roof, poised to outbid one another for a chance at owning a piece of immortality.But the pièce de résistance had never arrived.Instead, the organizers had presented a different set of paintings—fine works, certainly, but none carrying the master’s signature. Whispers swirled through the crowd: the Remington piece had already been given away. P
Ava had just stepped out of the shower, the steam still curling around her from the bathroom. Wrapped in soft pajamas and with her damp hair towel-dried and tousled, she was about to unwind for the evening when a message lit up her phone.It was from the property management office:“Dear resident, we’ve prepared a small gift for you. Please collect it in the underground garage.”It wasn’t unusual in this kind of upscale community. Services like this—holiday gifts, complimentary deliveries—were standard perks. She assumed it was another seasonal gesture and didn’t think much of it.She threw on a light cardigan over her pajamas and slipped into house slippers. There was no need to dress up just to walk through her own building. The community was secure, and the garage private—no one would bat an eye.The garage, however, was packed.Dimly lit rows of polished luxury vehicles stretched in every direction. She stepped carefully between them, the click of her slippers echoing softly. As s
Alexander sat at his sleek glass desk, a shaft of afternoon light slanting across the surface. His fingers moved with precision as he reviewed the final pages of a thick document. With a quiet finality, he pushed the folder forward.Jonathan, ever efficient, stepped forward to take it, bowing his head slightly in acknowledgment. As he turned to leave, the door opened and another figure appeared.Victoria.She stopped short, clearly startled to find Alexander at the office today—especially considering he had been at the hotel earlier. And it was Saturday.Recovering quickly, she walked in with her usual grace, her heels tapping softly against the polished floor."Alexander," she began, her tone casual but calculated, "news just came in from Spain. Master Remington’s painting is officially going up for auction. Everyone’s flying in for it this week—even Colton’s confirmed his attendance. When are you planning to leave?"She studied his face as she spoke, carefully watching for a flicker
Ava shot upright in bed, her heart thudding as her eyes scanned the breaking news headlines on her phone.Ryan Kuzmin Detained in International Crime Probe—PW Group Offices Raided.Details unfolded line by line like a script in a legal thriller. Ryan had been arrested on suspicion of overseas criminal activity. That morning, the authorities had swept through PW Group’s towering headquarters, raiding offices and seizing documents. The scandal was larger than anyone had anticipated.Further investigations revealed damning evidence: years of tax evasion, vast embezzlement schemes, and a tightly knit circle of executives siphoning company funds for personal gain.The outcome was swift—and brutal.PW Group had been slammed with devastating penalties. Their bank accounts frozen. Assets forcibly liquidated. Half their senior executives were already behind bars.And Ryan? He now faced the terrifying possibility of a twenty-year prison sentence.All of it—undeniably—was Alexander’s doing.With
Ava was completely drained. Every inch of her body ached as if she’d been taken apart and reassembled—twice.Alexander Vanderbilt, she thought bitterly, was not someone an ordinary woman could keep up with.She was still lying in bed, limbs heavy and muscles sore, when her phone lit up. The name Rachel flashed on the screen.Ava groaned internally but forced herself upright and answered the call."Ava! I brought something up for you—I’m downstairs and on my way up!" Rachel's cheerful voice burst through the speaker.Snapping out of her haze, Ava quickly sprang to her feet and checked her reflection in the bedroom mirror. She smoothed her dress, adjusted her hair, and ensured nothing about her appearance betrayed her disheveled morning. With a small breath of relief, she stepped back just as the doorbell rang.She hurried over and pulled open the door.Rachel stood there glowing in high-waisted designer jeans and a black camisole with delicate lace sleeves hugging her arms. Her outfit
Alexander rose from his chair and made his way toward the bedroom.The room was a blend of understated elegance and quiet opulence—decorated with muted colors, gilded moldings, and a custom-made European-style bed that looked as though it belonged in a palace. A long row of mahogany cabinets lined one wall, their polished surfaces gleaming under the soft light.An air of subtle luxury hung over everything, understated yet unmistakable.Alexander opened one of the cabinet doors. The scent of expensive wood polish and crisp linen filled the space. Neatly arranged inside were rows of impeccably pressed suits—his armor for the world outside.But tucked beneath them, nearly hidden among the shadows, sat a beautiful woman.Ava.She was curled up against the side of the closet, her knees drawn tightly to her chest, wrapped in nothing but his oversized white shirt. Her bare feet were tucked under her, her shoes hastily kicked somewhere under the bed in her rush to hide.For a long moment, nei
Alexander leaned in, brushing his lips against Ava’s earlobe—a whisper of a kiss, soft and lingering like a lover’s secret murmur.Ava stiffened slightly, unaccustomed to this kind of closeness.In truth, she had never been this intimately connected with anyone before. The sensation of his warm breath against her sensitive skin felt almost foreign, startling.Despite her naturally cool and reserved demeanor, her body betrayed her easily. A soft pink hue blossomed across her cheeks, spreading down her neck, making her look even more delicate under the sunlight.Without daring to meet his gaze, Ava slipped away, heading toward the bathroom, still dressed in his oversized white shirt.Alexander watched her go, his dark eyes trailing her graceful movements. He never would have imagined that his stiff, formal shirt could look so sinfully beautiful draped over a woman’s body.She was the very picture of effortless allure—elegant, yet undeniably tempting.Inside the bathroom, Ava quickly spo
Ava rushed out of the hospital, her heels clicking against the pavement as she hurried to her car. Once inside, she started the engine with shaking fingers and glanced at her phone. Her heart dropped. The roads were packed—an evening traffic jam clogging the city like a pulse grinding to a halt.Her fingers clenched the steering wheel, frustration bubbling up. She honked the horn more times than she could count, each one sharper than the last. A twenty-minute drive had now turned into a maddening forty-minute crawl.Alexander had given her exactly one hour.With every passing minute, her heart beat faster, the pressure building like a kettle about to boil over.And then—bang.Her car lurched forward. She’d been rear-ended. The sudden jolt slammed her head into the steering wheel, sending a flash of pain through her skull. Her eyes stung with tears, but she blinked them away, biting down on her panic. The driver behind her got out, waving his arms and pulling out his phone to call the
Alexander couldn't focus, his thoughts scattered and restless. As his phone rang with a call from a business partner, he seized the moment and stood up.“Grandpa, the business partner is calling. I need to go over the details of this morning’s meeting,” he said, already moving away.Grandpa let out a long, weary sigh. To him, it looked like Alexander was just eager to escape. “If you put that much effort into Serena,” he grumbled, “you two would have had a house full of kids by now. Go on, but no matter how busy work gets, don’t forget the wife waiting for you at home.”Alexander didn’t answer. He slipped into his car and glanced at the dashboard clock—8:00 PM. Ignoring the call still ringing on his screen, he turned the key and headed straight to the hotel.By the time he arrived, it was 8:30.His phone buzzed again. It was Jonathan, this time with more urgent news—Ryan had been arrested, and sensitive information about PW Group had been leaked. By morning, the media would be ablaze w