LOGIN**Hazel’s POV** The engine of my car hummed softly as I pulled out of the gates of Kai’s estate and headed down the empty highway. The city was quiet at this hour. Most of the office buildings stood dark, their windows reflecting only the occasional streetlight. The roads held almost no traffic, just long stretches of asphalt broken by the steady flash of yellow lamps sliding past my window. I kept both hands tight on the steering wheel, my foot steady on the gas pedal, and forced myself not to check the time again. Looking at the clock only made the distance feel shorter than it actually was. Every mile that brought me closer to Grand Crest Towers pulled the knot in my stomach tighter. It sat low and heavy, a constant reminder of what I was driving toward and everything that could go wrong once I got there. I reached up and touched the small, clear earpiece sitting neatly inside my right ear. Soft static hummed against my
**Hazel’s POV**The afternoon sun was slowly sinking.I held my phone in my hand and stared down at the screen for what felt like the hundredth time. The anonymous message from the so-called site worker was still glowing there, short and unsigned, promising the original contract pages and the cash receipt hidden in the floor safe at Grand Crest Towers. The words had not changed, but the longer I looked at them, the heavier they felt.I couldn’t just sit here and wait. If there was even a chance this was real, I had to take it.I pressed Adrian’s contact and brought the phone to my ear. It rang twice before he picked up.“Hazel?” Adrian’s voice came through the speaker, tired and strained. “Did something happen?”“I got a lead, Adrian,” I said, my voice dropping into a more serious tone. “A text message from someone claiming they worked on the Grand Crest site with Arthur Pendelton. They said Arthur hid the original, signed procur
**Melissa’s POV**I sat back on the soft leather sofa, a glass of cold water in my hand, and watched Rosario work.The room stayed quiet except for the steady sound of his fingers moving across the keyboard. Three large screens glowed on the desk in front of him, casting a pale light across his face and the dark surface of the wood. Outside the tall windows the morning looked ordinary and bright, which only made the conversation inside the apartment feel sharper.“Did it send?” I asked, leaning forward.Rosario didn’t look back at me. He hit one last key with a firm click. “The text went to Hazel’s personal phone two minutes ago. It used a temporary, untraceable number. If she tries to trace it, the signal will come back as an empty field.”A slow smile spread across my face. “Good. She’s desperate right now. She wants to save her name and her family’s company so badly that she’ll jump at anything.”“I still don’t like this, Meli
“No, Kai,” I said immediately, shaking my head as I pulled my phone back toward me. The screen still glowed with the short, unsigned message. “The text specifically says I have to come alone.”Kai’s dark eyes narrowed. His posture stiffened at once, the easy calm he had been wearing only moments earlier disappearing as if it had never been there. “Hazel, think for a second. An unknown number texts you out of nowhere, claiming to have hidden physical evidence inside a deserted construction site at night. It has ‘trap’ written all over it.”“I know it sounds risky.” I raised my hands gently, trying to keep my voice calm so we wouldn’t end up raising it. The kitchen still smelled faintly of coffee and toast from breakfast, but the air between us had already changed. “But what if it’s real? What if this person is a real site worker who is scared of Moretti? If I show up with a fleet of dark SUVs and fifteen armed guards, they are going to panic and run away. We could lose the only physica
Hazel’s POVI woke up with a knot in my stomach that hadn't gone away since the day of my suspension.Even after standing my ground against E&H Legal yesterday, the quiet stillness of the morning felt heavy. I threw on a soft cream sweater, pulled my hair into a loose clip, and made my way down the grand spiral staircase.As I reached the bottom floor, the rich, savory scent of sizzling bacon, melted butter, and freshly brewed coffee drifted down the hallway.I paused, frowning in confusion. The house staff usually kept the kitchen quiet in the mornings when Kai wanted privacy. I walked into the main kitchen, and the sight waiting for me made me freeze in my tracks.Kai was standing by the central stove island, wearing dark lounge pants and a simple gray t-shirt. Tied loosely around his waist was a plain black kitchen apron. He was flipping fluffy golden pancakes in a skillet with the calmness of a seasoned chef.I blinked, taking a step closer. "Am I dreamin
Melissa’s POVIn the quiet comfort of my living room, the muted television screen above the fireplace played the same repeating news loop: "E&H CEO Hazel Sinclair Suspended Amid $5 Million Embezzlement Scandal."I swirled the deep red wine in my crystal glass, a slow, triumphant smile spreading across my lips.For months, Hazel had stood in my way—acting untouchable, hiding behind her family name, and blocking every move we made. But watching these clips of her walking out of ENH headquarters under the watchful eyes of security guards? It almost felt unreal. The great and powerful Hazel Sinclair, brought down by her own signature and a clever little paperwork swap."To hard work," I murmured to the empty room, raising my glass toward the TV screen before taking a slow, delicious sip.A sharp ding at the private elevator doors interrupted my thoughts.A moment later, Clara walked into the penthouse, looking sharp and composed in a tailored charcoal suit. Rosar
I had the divorce papers ready by evening.I called my lawyer, Mr Hartley, someone who didn't ask too many questions. I told him exactly what I wanted-a clean break. No alimony. No fighting over assets. I just wanted my freedom and my dignity, what little I had left of both.He prepared the papers q
The emergency room was chaos.Doctors and nurses rushed past us in a blur of white coats and urgent voices. Melissa was already being taken deeper into the hospital, away from us, and Damon was following her, his hand on her shoulder, his expression a mixture of rage and desperation.I came through
I stood at the top of the stairs, completely frozen, unable to move, unable to process what had just happened."No," I whispered. "No, no, no. Melissa!"I hadn't pushed her.I hadn't meant for this to happen.It was an accident.But she was lying at the bottom of the stairs, not moving, and Miss Mia
Damon left early in the morning.He didn't tell me where he was going or when he would be back. He just kissed Melissa goodbye at the kitchen table while I was making breakfast, and then he was gone. Gone to handle the Moretti family business. Gone to do whatever it was that men like him did when th







