LOGIN“If I can't have you, no one can.”His words still hunted her in the dream. Even after she woke up this morning, his mark was still there. The claim. His possession and obsession. The memory was vivid. As cool morning air slipped in to mix with the warmth in her room, her body shivered. She stepped back from the open window, a cup of black coffee warming her hands.After last night, Serena didn’t know how to treat any of this anymore. She should have been heartbroken. Instead her head was full of the man who had stolen her sleep. There wasn’t even room left to think of Eric.It was like he’d put a spell on her.“Good morning, ma'am. Mr. Felix is a bit concerned about you. He wondered if you’d prefer breakfast in your room, or if you’ll come down to the dining room later.” One of the maids spoke softly, head slightly lowered.Serena stood in a pink silk robe that hit just above her knees, her long auburn hair swept over her right shoulder. The wedding ring on her finger caught the mor
He wasn't alone.He was with another woman. Someone she didn't even know. And he looked happy.Had he already moved on?Questions ravaged her mind. Not that Serena could blame him. This was meant to happen one day. But why now? They hadn't even resolved their last misunderstanding. Parting ways like this wasn't ideal. Across the lot, Eric stood frozen. His gaze locked on Serena. Surprised. Puzzled. His jaw went slack.Serena remembered every message she had sent after hearing about his sudden transfer. She needed an explanation. But work had swallowed her, and she hadn't gotten the chance to see him.Her chest tightened into a knot. Before she could slip away, Henley pulled her into his chest, blocking Eric from view. His hand came up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear like he’d done it a hundred times. A deliberate line drawn between them and Eric. A man marking his territory. A clean, clear warning.Eric got the message. It showed on his face. His next step was reluctant.“
‘I MISS YOU. YOU MUST HAVE HEARD ABOUT THETRANSFER. LET'S HAVE DINNER TOGETHER BEFORE I LEAVE.’Serena presumed the message was about work, but it was actually Eric's second message she had received that day. She was just about to reply when Henley came around to the other side of the car and held the door open.“Is there an emergency?” he inquired, though he didn’t seem to care. As far as she knew, if it were about work, he wouldn’t allow her to leave because he had intentionally cleared her schedule today so she could come with him.“No. It’s Mum. She’s asking when I’m going to visit home.” She lied and paused for a moment to glance at his face. “Don’t worry. I’ll return her message later,” she added, elegantly stepping out of the car.Telling him that it was Eric who messaged her might cause a problem, so she’d rather lie about it.After he shut the door, Henley gestured for Kevin to drive off. But before turning away, he stopped, pivoted his head over his broad shoulder, and narro
‘Divorce’The word resonated in Serena's mind—foreign yet familiar. As much as she yearned for freedom, receiving an offer for help from her mother-in-law left her feeling puzzled.She furrowed her brows slightly, gathering her thoughts before breaking the uneasy silence in the office. “I appreciate your offer, Ms. Hathaway, but I can't accept it.”Carrie, seemingly unfazed by the rejection, remained determined to continue the conversation. “Aren't you feeling trapped in your marriage? Have you forgotten? You were forced into it. Or is there something you're gaining from it?”Her gaze peered into the depths of Serena's eyes.Shaking her head gently, Serena replied, “I don’t know where you’re getting this from, but I did it for my sister. I wasn’t forced into it.”“I sense that you might not want to be with him,” Carrie interjected, and surprisingly, Serena nodded in agreement. “Then why not consider my offer?”She took a moment to play with her hair, her focus intense as she met Carr
As the door clicked shut with a snap, Penelope reluctantly shifted her focus from the dense pile of documents that had consumed her attention. She glanced up, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the intruder who had just crossed the threshold into her office.Carrie glided across the room with an air of confidence, her vibrant smile radiating genuine warmth. “It's good to see you again, Mrs. MacDonald,” she said, her tone light yet tinged with an undercurrent of something deeper.Penelope, feeling a surge of conflicting emotions rise within her, inhaled slowly, striving to steady the fierce energy that threatened to boil over. “Long time no see, Miss Hathaway. I didn't realize you would be attending the board meeting in person today. Why not the loyal dog?”Carrie's eyes sparkled mischievously. “It doesn’t sound like you’re particularly thrilled to see me.”Jayden gently pulled the swivel chair out for her, who perched herself gracefully on the edge as she settled into the seat opposi
The MacDonald group of companies was the second-largest conglomerate in the country, often said to have a tight grip on the nation's economy. With countless subsidiaries, its most prominent venture was McDonald's mining operation, a multi-trillion-dollar enterprise that had the highest reputation nationwide. If this fortune were to collapse, it could plunge the country’s economy into despair.Despite the company being named after the family, the true power behind it always lurked in the shadows, a name barely known to the public. The infamous tycoon would be attending the annual board meeting today— the last person Henley wanted to see.They would be spending more than two hours together in a conference hall. A situation he's rather avoid.After his assistant, Brian, took his briefcase outside, Henley’s phone rang, prompting him to stop in his tracks. Brian hesitated for a moment, and Henley gestured with his left hand for him to go ahead while he took out his phone with his right han







