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The penthouse was unusually quiet for a Saturday evening. Cassie moved quietly in the kitchen as she arranged plates on the island. She hummed softly with a smile, though no one was around to hear her.“Dinner’s ready,” she called lightly, wiping her hands on a towel.Nikolai leaned against the doorway, watching her. The way she moved—the subtle sway of her shoulders, the focus in her eyes—made his chest tighten. He was no longer the cold, distant husband he’d always been; little cracks were beginning to show. Smiles, chuckles, and even playful remarks had started to escape him more than he liked to admit.“Now that you’re humming with that smile on your face,” he began, his voice low, almost hesitant, “what’s your plan?”Cassie turned, raising an eyebrow, leaning against the island. “My plan?” Her voice was calm, yet there was a spark in her eyes that made him pause.“Yes, your plan. Are you trying to catch my attention with that or what?" Nikolai snorted. Cassie’s lips quirked.
Rachael collapsed against the desk, gasping for air to fill her lungs, her hands flying to her bruised neck. The coughs racked her body as she scrambled upright, her eyes wide with terror.For a long second, she just stared at him.This wasn’t the Raymond she knew. This wasn’t the charming, confident man who bought her expensive jewelry, who whispered smooth promises into her ear. This was something else. Something monstrous.“Raymond…” she croaked, her voice hoarse. But he didn’t answer. He turned his back to her, sinking into his chair again as though nothing had happened.“Get out,” he said coldly.Rachael froze, trembling. "Raymond... I..."“I said get out!” His roar instantly shut her up in fear.She stumbled, nearly tripping over her heels as she scrambled for the door. Her tears blurred her vision, and her breath came in panicked gasps. By the time she fled into the hallway, the fear in her eyes was absolute.The staff and some of the interns outside looked up in shock as sh
Evening was already approaching. From the wide windows of his office, Raymond barely noticed the city's beauty. His reflection stared back at him, hollow-eyed and taut with fury.For hours, he hadn’t moved. Not a sip of water, not a bite of food. His desk was littered with papers he had no intention of reading or signing any document.The only thing in his mind—burning, festering—was Cassie.Cassie, with her proud eyes and venomous words.Cassie, who had been his wife.Cassie, who now belonged to Nikolai Rosewood.Every time the thought circled back, it stabbed him deeper and left him in pain. His hands gripped the armrests of his chair so tightly the leather creaked.'She can’t be happy without me. She shouldn’t be.' He thought to himself. The sound of high heels in the hallway pulled him back from the spiral. He didn’t need to look to know who it was.“Raymond?” a sweet, high-pitched voice called just before the door swung open.Rachael.Of course... who else?She stepped inside
The glass doors of V-Film Productions slammed open that morning, announcing Raymond’s arrival like a thunderclap. His face was full of anger, and the entire reception desk stiffened in unison. The poor receptionist, who had just been sipping her morning coffee, nearly spilled the whole cup down her blouse when she caught sight of him.Raymond Vanderbilt was a man known for his temper, but this morning—it was different.There was a storm in his face, an unrelenting fire in his eyes that made even the bravest intern suddenly remember that they had “urgent work” elsewhere. Nobody wanted to be caught in his path.His jaw was clenched so tightly that a vein pulsed at the side of his temple. His dark suit, crisp as always, did little to soften the aura of danger that radiated off him.The elevator doors opened without delay. People usually rushed to hold the elevator for him, terrified of being caught in his wrath.Today, they scattered before he even reached it. The doors closed, sealing
“Since Raymond owns V-Film Production, and Racheal is now an A-list actress, that’s where I’ll fight them. On their turf. I’ll rise in their world and crush them.”For a moment, Nikolai studied her, silent but intent. There was a certain satisfaction in seeing her this way—no longer broken but blazing with determination. He pocketed his phone and crossed the kitchen, his presence overwhelming even when he moved slowly.Cassie instinctively wanted to move back. Recently, her feelings for him have been growing at a pace that scares her.“Since you’ve already decided,” he murmured, “I’ll help you.”Cassie blinked in surprise, her lips parting. “Really?”A smirk tugged at his mouth. “Was that not our deal? That I’d help you destroy your ex-husband? That I’d take back everything he stole from you for marrying me?”Cassie exhaled a shaky laugh. “Yes, but I thought you’d tell me I’m being ridiculous or that I don’t need to bother with them anymore.”Nikolai’s eyes darkened. “If this is what
Life had slowly returned to how it used to be, which could almost be called normal in Nikolai and Cassie’s lives.Gloria and Lucas were like clockwork—visiting Emily with an enthusiasm that could only come from doting grandparents who felt robbed of her early years. They spoiled her shamelessly, ignoring Nikolai’s pointed comments about moderation.He loves his daughter and would kill and die for her. However, he didn't want her to be overly spoiled.Gloria, with her sharp tongue and iron will, had laughed at him the first time he’d tried to forbid her visits.“Nonsense, Niko. Do you think you can stop me from seeing my granddaughter? Ha! You may be the head of the Rosewood empire now, but I am your mother. And Emily loves me. So unless you plan on moving to Mars, I’ll be here every week. A child can never be too loved.”Lucas had nodded solemnly in support of his wife, though his pockets had been stuffed with chocolate bars that Emily later discovered with squeals of delight.Over t