Selena’s POV I was still in the office with the committee team, going over a stack of designs one of the assistants had brought in.My head was buzzing from this morning’s meeting. Silver had managed to sit through everything with that cold, unshakable poise of hers, but I knew she was boiling underneath. She always does when I'm in the room.And the lunch wasn't my idea to begin with, my assistant Kate had told me about a new spot and had pleaded we try it out.I tried to hide my surprise when I saw her there, but that would come with a little acting, of course.Getting on her nerves has to be the best part of my day.I was flipping through papers when movement caught my eyes. Through the glass, I spotted her leaving her office in a hurry.Her assistant wasn't trailing behind her, and neither was her driver waiting by the lobby.Her phone was clutched in one hand while her bag was firmly gripped with the other.Strange.Silver didn’t strike me as someone who moved without order, a
Nyla's POV Selena stood by our table longer than necessary, her teammates exchanged awkward glances before whispering. The words weren’t loud, but I picked up a few.“Is she… really going up against Mrs. Valenti?”“She’s bold, I’ll give her that…”I didn't need to look at her to know that the whispers of their uncertainty got to her.I picked up my fork and returned to my meal as if her presence meant nothing. Ava followed my lead, her hands fidgeting with her napkin, clearly trying to match my calm.Finally, Selena let out a soft, dramatic laugh before sauntering off to a corner booth with teammates. Her heels clicked against the floor loudly.Only then did Ava lean closer, her voice quiet but careful. “Are you sure you want to stay here? We can go somewhere else… if it’s too much.”I lifted my gaze from my plate, meeting hers with deliberate steadiness. “I tolerate far more than her being in the same restaurant, Ava.” My lips curved in the faintest trace of a smile. “She’s living u
Nyla's POV After a few more hours, the meeting eventually came to an end. Executives and board members were whispering among themselves,I didn’t have to strain my ears to hear what they were all saying.“She’s brilliant, that Moretti woman.”“Did you see the numbers she projected? Incredible.”“Exactly what the Valenti name needs at the hundredth-year mark…”Every word was dipped in admiration and directed at Selena.Ava gathered my notes into a neat stack, but she wasn’t nearly as composed as she pretended to be. Her lips pursed, her brows furrowed slightly.I rose slowly from my chair, the legs of the chair scraped softly against the polished floor. Selena was at the far end of the room together with a group of executives swarming her with questions. As their laughter rises, with the way she was subconsciously flaunting her hair, one could tell she was enjoying every bit of the attention.My heels clicked with sharp finality as I crossed to the exit, Ava quickly at my side. But w
Nyla's POV I would have been lying if I had told myself that I wasn't satisfied with the scene that had just unfolded right in front of me as I slowly sipped from my coffee.After last night, I told myself that the best way to handle people like Selena was by keeping quiet and slowly enjoying her being tormented when there's no response.I took the last sip from my coffee before smoothing out imaginary dust from my dress as I stood up, grabbing onto my handbag. I lifted my eyes, and they slowly ran into Luca, who I assume must've been staring down at me all this while.My breath hitched a bit, heat creeping at the back of my neck. His stare was so intense I had to mentally pinch myself to break out of it.I tilted my head slightly towards Selena, revealing a small smirk.“I'll take my leave now,” I muttered under my breath, now turned towards Luca, unsure of what else to say as I walked out of the dining room with the sound of my heels clicking hard against the marble floor.Matteo w
Luca's POV I reluctantly took Selena upstairs after witnessing the dispute between Selena and Silver. The only thing I could conclude was that I had to take her far away from Silver even though I already knew it was useless and impossible, they were both ready to draw claws at each other's neck.“You act like you aren't glad I'm back,” Selena huffs behind me.The wheels of her luggage rolled faintly against the marble floor as staff followed behind us.“I've had enough of your drama for a night… Selena,” I scoff, but she only rolled her eyes dramatically.I stopped at the far end of the hall, this was the least I could do to keep her away from Silver. “Wait… You aren't trying to tell me that you'll be leaving me all alone in this place!” She shrieked, her face in complete horror, but I only ignored her.“The room is cozy enough,the staff had been taking care of it before now,” I muttered coldly without sparing her a glance.She frowned.“This isn't fair… this place looks creepy and
Nyla's POVAfter storming out of Luca’s room, with anger burning hot in my chest, I collapsed onto my bed. But I couldn’t sit still. I stood up, pacing back and forth as if the walls of the room were closing in.I pulled out my phone, scrolling once more through Ethan’s email.The photo glared back at me.Selena. Behind the wheel of a sleek black car, driving out of Mr. Williams’ penthouse.Luca’s father.My pulse quickened, the pieces clicking together in ways I didn’t want to admit. Selena wasn’t just back for revenge or drama, no… She was confident when she cornered me in the elevator, too confident for someone who was just bluffing.Now I understand why.If she had ties with Mr. Williams, then she was more than just an ex-girlfriend meddling in my life. She might know something about me, about the cover, or worse, she was trying to figure out something. I pressed a hand to my forehead, exhaling sharply. If my identity is exposed this early, everything I’ve worked for, everything