LOGINCopying sutras?
Last time, he’d done it with such ruthless focus because desire had burned inside him with no release.Copying scriptures had been the only way to force down the urge to pin her right on the pages and take her apart.But last night, she’d calmed that restlessness at its core in a different way.It hadn’t been fully settled, no.But it had been enough to douse the raging fire in his chest.So today, he had no need to rely on self-My heart slammed against my ribs.Under the weight of countless stares, I set down my glass and walked through the silent crowd toward him.My fingers found his palm, warm.He closed his hand around mine.Tight.The heat of it seeped into my skin, solid and grounding.He faced the room.His voice was steady, carrying to every corner."Since everyone's here, there are two things I need to make clear.""First. The engagement between Miss Voss and me never began. So what exactly did I betray?""Second. There is someone in my life.""She's not a mistress. And she didn't intrude on anything."Alexander's grip tightened.Our fingers locked together."She's my wife. Legal and formal.""We got married this morning.""The law recognizes it. I recognize it. And sooner or later, every member of my family will have to recognize it too."The moment his voice stopped, the world went silent.Like a bomb deton
Linda's face went white. She could barely stand.She whipped her head toward Alexander, her voice scraping through clenched teeth."You knew all along?"Alexander glanced down, adjusting his cuff."That's an interesting accusation, Linda. You're the one who played the video. How could I have known what was on it?"Linda's voice turned shrill, desperate to regain control."Gerald! Elena must have been forced!"Her composure was gone."Alexander. This is you. You set this up to save yourself!""Elena!"Her voice cracked. One last thread of hope."Tell the truth. Did Luke force you?"Every eye landed on Elena.She stood where the light met the shadow. Her slender back was straight, rigid.Her face was pale. The fabric of her gown was crushed in her grip. But slowly, she lifted her head."No one forced me."Her voice was soft. But clear."I wanted this."Edward Voss shoved away the hands holding hi
Linda's fingers curled into her palms, nails digging in.Alexander's unshakeable calm infuriated her.She hadn't expected him to be this direct.This unflinching.What gave him the right to stand there so steady?The videos and photos she had were enough to destroy Lisa White's reputation.Enough to drag him through the mud too."Alexander. You're determined to protect that girl, aren't you? To hell with the dignity of both our families?"She drew a breath, as if summoning her last ounce of resolve.Her voice lifted, carrying to every corner of the room."Fine. If you want to see, I'll show everyone.""Just don't come crying to me afterward, begging me to take it back.""Gerald."She turned to him, her voice heavy and cold."I didn't come here to cause trouble tonight. But Alexander has pushed me too far. He's treated my family like we're nothing.""If the Knights won't give the Voss family the respect we're
Gerald's fingers stilled.The lid of his teacup clinked softly against the rim.He looked up, gaze heavy as it settled on Linda."Speak."The music in the ballroom had stopped.No one knew when.Every eye was fixed on the head table.Linda drew a deep breath, as if steeling herself for something monumental.She rose to face the room.The polite smile stayed on her lips, but her eyes held pain."Tonight was supposed to be a happy occasion. Another union between the Voss family and the Knights. I know this isn't the right time to speak.""But for the sake of both their futures, I have to."She turned to Gerald, her voice trembling slightly."Gerald. I've watched Alexander grow up. I've always believed in his character, his abilities.""For Elena to be matched with him... it's an honor for our family. A blessing."Then her tone shifted.Heavy with sorrow."Lately, though, I've heard things. Rumors I di
Luke's breath caught in his throat.It hit him like a live ember, searing his chest.He stared at Elena's closed eyelids.Her long lashes trembling slightly.Her cheeks flushed like a ripe peach.She was setting his heart on fire.Twenty-nine years he'd lived.Reckless.Unattached.A man who played by his own rules.He'd heard every line—flattery, seduction, persuasion.But none of it had ever hit him like this.Just a few words from her, and his whole world tilted.The last two weeks, he'd been the one dragging her into chaos, showing her how to be wild.On the surface, he was in control.But only he knew the truth.This little innocent had quietly pulled him into a different kind of life.And now, what he was about to do to her went against everything she wanted.His chest tightened.A strange ache twisted in it, unfamiliar and sharp.For the first time, he didn't want her to
I stepped back into the main ballroom.Lights blazed.Voices hummed.Clara was tucked beside the dessert table, shoving macarons in her mouth.She spotted me at once and darted over."Enchantress. What took you so long?""My brother disappeared too. Did you two…"She froze.Her eyes went wide."No way. Tonight's his engagement party. You two really snuck off?""That's reckless."I calmly pulled my hand away, picked a small cake off a waiter's tray, and stuffed it into her mouth."Don't be ridiculous."Clara chewed, cheeks puffed, and mumbled in protest."Mmph…Don't think you can bribe me with sugar!""My brother vanished right before you did. Not even a dog would buy that coincidence!"I gently squeezed her cheeks."Is that all you ever think about?"Clara giggled.She suddenly remembered something and slapped my arm."Seriously! My brother's getting engaged tonight. Wha
Marcus White slammed his fist on the table."Who do you think you are?!""Lisa White, stay in line."His voice dropped to a menacing growl."Without the Whites, you're nothing but dust."Elaine White's fingers trembled with rage.She pointed a shaking finger at me.
Friday morning, ten o'clock.Knight Group execs packed the top-floor conference room.Ethan Knight stepped in. His gaze locked on the figure by the projector screen.I wore a milky satin shirt tucked tight into a slim skirt that hugged my narrow waist, the fabric clinging to my back and tracing the
A lingering gloom hung over the White Mansion.Since the scandal at Nebula Hotel and the ten million ransom, the White family had been severely weakened. Chloe White stayed home all day, her former arrogance gone.Winnie Carter’s visit felt like an unwelcome intrusion."Chloe
Ethan's head spun. A vein bulged at his temple.She dared to call him that?He instinctively took it as a vicious insult, payback for the things he'd hurled at her back at the cove."Lisa!"His voice came out as a low growl. His fists clenched tight at his sides.He wante







