The following morning, Alexander found himself at the airport, waiting with his usual composed impatience. The sleek black car had arrived precisely on time, carrying him and Jonathan to greet Mr. Vanderbilt Senior. As Alexander stood in the bustling terminal, his sharp gaze swept over the arrivals area, scanning the crowd with an air of detachment.He glanced at his phone, his brows furrowing when he realized Serena hadn’t replied to the message he’d sent her earlier. He fired off another terse message:Where are you?The message went unanswered, disappearing into the void like his patience. His expression darkened further, and he marched towards the terminal's main hall, his movements precise and commanding.Jonathan followed closely behind, noticing the slight tension in Alexander's jawline. “Has Miss Morales not responded, Sir? Should we try calling her?”A cold flicker crossed Alexander’s eyes, the suggestion met with curt finality. “No need.”Inside the terminal, the din of voice
Morning light filtered through the hospital window, casting soft streaks of warmth on the sterile white walls. The steady beeping of the monitor provided a rhythmic backdrop to the stillness of the room. Alfonso lay propped up on the stiff hospital bed, his face pale and weary. His body ached as if every nerve was on edge.As his eyelids fluttered open, he spotted Araminta seated beside the bed, her posture stiff and her arms crossed. He frowned slightly, his voice hoarse and low. “How did I end up here?”Araminta leaned back, the corner of her mouth tightening. “You passed out at Le Châteauesque Manor,” she said dismissively, smoothing a crease in her silk blouse.Alfonso shifted uncomfortably, a dull throb radiating through his chest. “Where’s Serena?” he asked, his tone softening at the mention of his daughter.At the question, Araminta’s lips pursed tightly. “The nurse sent her to the cafeteria to get some food,” she replied coldly. “Apparently, the hospital serves customized meal
At the Vanderbilt family estate, the night was winding down. Dinner had ended, and the family had gathered in the grand living room, filled with soft lamplight that highlighted the ornate furnishings and gilded frames adorning the walls. Alexander stood up, his tall figure cutting a sharp silhouette against the dim light.“Remember what your grandfather said,” the old master said, his tone firm but kind, “and bring a gift when you visit Alfonso this week.”Alexander’s jaw tightened, though he maintained his composed demeanor. “I know,” he replied curtly.Cordelia, who had been silently observing from the corner, narrowed her eyes. The slight crease in her brow deepened as she watched Alexander leave the room. Unwilling to let the matter rest, she followed him into the garden, where the scent of blooming jasmine filled the air.“Alexander,” she called out sharply, her heels clicking against the cobblestone path. “Are you really planning to visit Alfonso?”Alexander halted mid-step, the
The surprise was so strong that Serena called out Alexander’s name before she could stop herself. Aunt Torres, realizing her oversight, quickly nodded. “Mr. Vanderbilt is in the master bedroom now. Would Miss Morales like to see him?”Serena stiffened at the suggestion. She quickly handed the cup of milk back to Aunt Torres, shaking her head. “Aunt Torres, let me know after he leaves tomorrow morning. I’ll skip breakfast.”Aunt Torres wasn’t blind to what was happening. She noted Serena’s reluctance and deduced that she was avoiding Alexander. Though she was tempted to ask why, she refrained and nodded instead. “Alright, Miss Morales. Rest well.”As Serena closed the door behind her, her heart raced, not with excitement but with unease. Alexander being here felt too close, too invasive. What if he discovered the truth about her? The tension weighed on her as she sipped her milk, trying to calm herself. She decided she would visit the old mansion tomorrow to see Mr. Vanderbilt Senior an
This morning, Ava had sent the finalized construction drawings to the renovation team she had worked with on multiple projects. However, no response had come. She decided to visit their office in person to understand the delay.The office building of Thompson Renovations stood twenty kilometers away from Le Châteauesque Manor, a modern structure with glass-paneled windows that reflected the bright afternoon sun. Ava arrived just as the city began to buzz with the midday rush. The marble-floored lobby exuded an air of professionalism, but as soon as Ava stepped through the doors, she was met by a young receptionist seated behind a sleek, white desk."Hello," the receptionist said, her tone polite but guarded. "Do you have an appointment?"Ava’s brow furrowed slightly. This wasn’t her first time visiting Thompson Renovations. In fact, she had collaborated with them extensively over the years. Typically, her visits required no formalities. "I’m here to see Mr. Thompson," Ava replied, her
Maison Marseille, an opulent dining establishment perched high above the city, exuded an air of exclusivity from the moment Ava stepped out of the car. The building’s glass facade reflected the dazzling skyline, and the glow from the chandelier-lit interior spilled onto the cobblestone driveway.Her eyes immediately caught Alexei Volkov standing near the entrance. He held a large bouquet of deep red roses in one hand, his other tucked casually into the pocket of his pristine white suit. He looked every bit the part of a man accustomed to luxury—effortlessly charming and utterly self-assured.As she came to a halt, Alexei’s sharp blue eyes lit up, and he strode toward her with a practiced ease. The roses, vivid against the evening backdrop, were extended toward her."Miss Alvarez," he said smoothly, his voice carrying just the right blend of warmth and mischief. "These are for you."Ava tilted her head slightly, a polite smile curving her lips as she met his gaze. Instead of reaching f
Alexei stiffened, his expression shifting multiple times as he tried to mask his unease. Finally, gritting his teeth, he scoffed, "Do you think I'd believe that? Marriage certificates like this can be replicated for ten dollars a bundle on any street corner."His tone was laced with skepticism, and his mind raced back to Alexander's cold, detached demeanor toward Ava. How could a man treat his wife like a stranger? It didn’t align with the image of a genuine marriage.Unfazed, Ava leaned back slightly in her chair, her calm composure unwavering. "Believe what you want, Mr. Volkov," she said, her voice smooth and deliberate. "Alexander and I have an understanding. We’ve agreed to remain strangers in public until the day our divorce is finalized. But you've gone too far this time, leveraging Volkov Co. Inc.'s influence and connections to target me. If this continues, I’ll have no choice but to involve Mr. Vanderbilt Senior."She casually reached for her phone, her fingers hovering over
Compared to Alexei's romantic and ostentatious private room, Alexander's had a completely different ambiance. The atmosphere here was sober and businesslike, reflecting his meticulous taste. Reserved for Vanderbilt family use year-round, the room was decorated in a sleek, minimalist style—clean lines, muted tones, and understated luxury that spoke volumes of Alexander’s personality. The Vanderbilt name was synonymous with power, and their empire extended far and wide, with many of New York’s iconic buildings falling under their ownership.Alexander sat at the table, his expression unreadable as he glanced out the window. The faint glow of the fireworks reflected in his sharp, dark eyes. His frown deepened as he wondered why women found such displays appealing. He found them... frivolous.Hugo broke the silence, leaning casually on the back of his chair as he patted Colton on the shoulder. "Colton, you wouldn’t believe it, but Ava is smitten with Alexander. Remember the casino? She thr
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