VICTOR'S POVIsla had suspected my "accident" was a lie. She hadn't said it outright, but I could see it in her eyes, in the way she looked at me—too searching, too knowing. She was smart, and I had no doubt she would eventually piece things together. But I couldn’t confirm her suspicions, nor could I tell her the truth.Because if I did, she would learn that I was in this situation because of my grandfather. That I was fighting to get him out of prison because he had been wrongfully accused of a crime that turned her world upside down. Isla’s father’s murder had shattered her life, and even though my grandfather was framed, she wouldn’t care about that—not at first. Justice was justice. And if she knew there was a break in the case, she would want the truth to come out, no matter what.That was the problem.I had hired Isla for a reason—to keep her close, to watch her reactions, to keep control over how much she knew. If she found out the truth, things could spiral out of control, an
DAMIAN’S POVI was never supposed to be my father’s successor. At least, not in his eyes. Jack Lannister never believed I had what it took to run the empire he built. To him, I was soft, weak—an outsider in my own family. It didn’t matter that I was his only son. He always looked at me like I was a disappointment. A wasted potential.That was why, from a young age, I learned not to rely on his approval. I knew I had to be better, to be smarter, to prove to him that I was more than the weakling he believed me to be. Unlike him, I didn’t crave bloodshed to show my dominance. I didn’t believe in brute force as the only solution. No, I was different. I was strategic, calculated, and efficient.Instead of blindly following his ways, I carved my own path. I studied at MIT, earning a degree in Technology and Business Strategy, not because I wanted to impress him but because I wanted to understand power from a different perspective. I wanted to control industries, not just people. While my fa
VICTOR’S POVThe moment I stepped back into the office, I was greeted by a large "Welcome Back" banner hanging across the main hallway. My employees had gone out of their way to show their support, and I could see the genuine smiles on their faces. Isla was there too, standing near the entrance with a soft expression. For a moment, I let myself feel the warmth of their concern.I nodded in appreciation, acknowledging their efforts, but I didn’t linger. There was work to do.As soon as I stepped into my office, I shut the door behind me, the smile fading from my face. My mind wasn’t on celebrations or kind gestures—I was focused on one thing. Revenge.Damian had underestimated me. That was his mistake.I wasn’t just going to sit back and let him get away with everything he had done. The attack on me was personal, but what he did to those cops, what he had done to so many others, was unforgivable. If he thought he could silence me with intimidation, he was dead wrong.I had already begu
ISLA’S POVFor days now, I had been watching Victor closely, and I knew something was wrong. It wasn’t just a minor issue—it was something big, something heavy enough to shift the energy around him. The Victor I knew was always full of life. He was the kind of man who could walk into a room and brighten the atmosphere with his mere presence. He was sharp, confident, and had a way of motivating the people around him. But now, that light was dimmed.It wasn’t just his mood that had changed; it was his entire presence. There was a weight on his shoulders, something pressing down on him so hard that he barely looked like the same man I used to admire. His smiles were forced, his posture stiff, and sometimes, he would space out, lost in thought, as if his mind was elsewhere.I tried to brush it off at first. Maybe it was work stress. Maybe he was dealing with something personal. But the more I observed, the more I realized this was beyond a stressful workload. Something was bothering him d
ISLA'S POVThe moment Damian invited me to the Celestial Elegance Fashion Summit, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. It was an exclusive event, bringing together some of the most influential figures in the industry. It was the kind of event I had dreamed of attending for as long as I could remember. A perfect opportunity to gain insight, build connections, and immerse myself in the world of high fashion and luxury jewelry.But even as I agreed, lingering thoughts of doubt crept into my mind—whispers of uncertainty surrounding Damian. His life remained shrouded in mystery, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something he wasn’t telling me. Victor’s warning about him still echoed in my head, but I decided to push all those thoughts aside, at least for tonight.Damian had insisted on sending me an outfit for the event. When I received the package, I carefully unwrapped it and found a breathtaking midnight silk gown, a black dress that draped elegantly over my body, exuding sophist
ISLA'S POV The seminar was everything I had hoped for—enlightening, inspiring, and filled with some of the greatest minds in the fashion and jewelry industry. The speakers were influential figures I had admired from afar, and I soaked in every bit of knowledge they shared. But despite how much I tried to focus on the discussions, my mind kept circling back to Damian.The revelation that he was the CEO of TItan holding unsettled me in ways I couldn't fully explain. It wasn’t just the fact that he was wealthy or powerful—it was how well he had hidden it. Why had he never mentioned this before? Why did he pretend to be just another guy interested in fashion when, in reality, he held influence over a massive corporate empire?And then there were the bigger questions that gnawed at me relentlessly.Why had Damian swept in at the last moment to steal Victor’s contract? Was it personal, or was it purely business?Why was Titan Holdings hidden in the shadows of Stratos Corp? What was the con
ISLA'S POV The hum of the private jet filled the space between us, yet the silence felt louder than ever before. I sat across from Damian, watching him swirl the golden liquid in his glass with a precision that betrayed the calm he tried to project.The seminar had been both inspiring and unnerving, and nothing unsettled me more than the secrets that clung to Damian like a shadow.still couldn’t shake the fact that he was not just any businessman—he was the CEO of Titan Holdings.And here I was, determined to get answers, whatever it takes,“I met some of your old friends at the seminar,” I replied smoothly. “They told me you’re brilliant—so brilliant that you could have built a tech empire if you wanted to.” I leaned in a little closer, holdingThere was a moment of silence, a pause in which the weight of unspoken questions hung in the air. Then, Damian let out a low chuckle. “I see. And what else did they say?” he asked, his tone laced with a hint of amusement mixed with caution.I
DAMIAN'S POVAfter I took charge of Stratos Corp, my first priority was making it mine. The company had been my father’s legacy, but I had no intention of merely following in his footsteps. I wanted to reshape it, rebuild it, and own it completely.But from the very first board meeting, I could see they never wanted me there. The board members sat stiffly in their leather chairs, their expressions unreadable but their intentions clear. Some of them even had the nerve to insult my father’s judgment—implying that since he never publicly endorsed me as his successor, it meant I wasn’t fit to lead."If your father believed you were capable, he would have said so," one of the senior board members, Richard Langston, told me during a private meeting. His tone was polite, but his eyes held nothing but greed and calculation.Others took a more direct approach. Some of the shareholders, men who had worked with my father for decades, came to me privately with what they thought was a generous of
VICTOR'S POVI leaned back in the chair, staring out the window as the city stretched endlessly before me. My mind was cluttered, not with the chaos of the world outside but with thoughts of Sienna. The woman who had unexpectedly come into my life and made me see things from a perspective I never thought possible. She was beautiful, strong, and confident, and I couldn’t have been more grateful for her presence. But lately, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of unease—a feeling that things were shifting, and I needed to make sure we were both on the same page.Our relationship had been growing steadily, and we’d reached a point where we were living together. It felt like the natural next step for us. But as much as I loved her, there was something about the future that I hadn’t yet confronted. I had spent so much time building my career in the fashion industry, creating a name for myself, and handling the endless demands of clients, but I was starting to see that I couldn’t do it
NATHAN'S POVThe morning light broke through the glass windows of my restaurant, casting long shadows across the polished floors. The atmosphere was different now—calmer, more refined. I couldn’t help but stare at the space with a sense of pride. This was it—the culmination of everything I’d worked for, everything I’d fought to rebuild after the fire that nearly destroyed me. The grand opening had been a success beyond my expectations, and the momentum was building.New customers were coming in, the buzz around the restaurant was palpable, and I had a growing list of people eager to invest in the business. It was a far cry from the old days, when I could barely keep the place running. Now, I had international clients showing interest, and local influencers were raving about the food. It was almost surreal. If you had told me a year ago that I’d be in this position, I wouldn’t have believed it. But here I was, standing at the helm of a thriving restaurant, ready to take it to the next
NATHAN'S POVThere are few moments in life when everything feels exactly right—when every ounce of pain, sweat, and late nights comes together into something that makes you believe in yourself all over again. That was what my grand opening felt like.My new restaurant wasn’t just bigger. It wasn’t just more luxurious. It was me, reborn.The space gleamed with copper accents, ambient lights, and marble counters that caught the reflection of every glass raised in celebration. The open kitchen concept allowed guests to watch us in action, the aroma of seared herbs, sizzling garlic, and glazed duck drifting across the room. There were private dining rooms now, soundproofed for VIP guests, with curated wine lists and personal chefs. We even had a rooftop lounge with a skyline view that made you forget you were still in the city.I had poured my heart into every detail—from the hand-carved wooden sign that bore my name to the recipe cards we handed out like pieces of art. I hired a stronger
ISLA'S POVI had always known Lucas wouldn't go down without a fight. But I never expected him to fight this dirty. Every morning I walked into the office now, I braced myself for the newest headline, whisper, or suspicious glance. My name had been dragged through boardroom gossip, backchannel emails, and anonymous memos. All fingers pointed at one person: Lucas.Ever since I helped Nathan, Lucas had made it his mission to tear me down. He couldn’t touch me directly—at least not in a way that would be obvious—but his games were relentless. Strategic leaks to the media. Internal rumors that I forged financial reports. Claims that I was emotionally compromised and prioritizing personal relationships over the company’s future. It was all carefully designed to paint me as a liability.But I wasn’t about to back down.At work, I held my head high, keeping my focus razor-sharp. If Lucas wanted a war, he’d get one. Only, I wouldn’t fight him the way he expected. He’d try to rattle me, make m
NATHAN'S POV hadn’t planned on stopping by Isla’s apartment, but after another late night of overseeing the renovation of my new restaurant, something in me craved the familiarity of her presence. It had been a long few months since the fire. A long few months since everything blew up—literally and emotionally.She opened the door with a blanket over her shoulders, her eyes slightly puffy, like she hadn’t been sleeping well either. We didn’t say much at first. Sometimes silence was our safe space.The new restaurant was finally coming together.I stood in the middle of the main floor, tools still scattered, the scent of fresh paint still clinging to the air. It wasn't just a rebuild. This was something better—a new version of everything I wanted to be. A statement. A fresh start.But even as I stood there, admiring the polished countertops and the ambient lighting we tested last night, my mind wandered.Victor.Sienna.I didn’t hate him. I couldn’t. Victor was a good man, even if his
SIENNA'S POVI don’t know when exactly it happened—when Victor stopped being just the man Isla used to love and started becoming the man I couldn't stop thinking about.Maybe it was in the little moments—like our late-night phone calls, or how he’d drive across town just to bring me food when I had a long day. Maybe it was in the way he looked at me, as though I was the only thing in his world that made sense. Love didn’t hit me like a train. It came slowly, gently, until suddenly I couldn’t imagine my life without Victor in it.I still remember the way he asked me to move in with him. We were sitting on his couch, legs tangled together under a throw blanket, watching an old rom-com. I had just made a snarky comment about how unrealistic the couple in the movie was, when he turned to me, his voice calm but deliberate."What if we tried it?"I looked at him, confused. "Tried what?""Living together. You and me."My heart skipped a beat.He smiled when he saw the look on my face. "I kn
SIENNA'S POVWhen Nathan told me about the fire in his restaurant, my heart dropped. The words came out casually—like it was just another rough day—but I could feel the weight behind them. I stared at him, waiting for him to say it was a joke or maybe an exaggeration. He didn’t.“Wait—what?” I asked, almost breathless. “Your restaurant… it burned down?”He gave me a quiet nod, eyes slightly distant, as if replaying the moment in his head. “Last night. Caught me off guard.”I stood frozen in his living room, my fingers tightening around the edge of my phone. “Oh my God, Nathan. Are you okay?”“I’m fine. Just… pissed.” He rubbed his hand through his hair. “Everything was gone. Tables. Kitchen. Décor. Even the cash register melted.”I moved to sit beside him on the couch. “Do you know what caused it?”Nathan’s jaw clenched. “I’m sure it was Lucas.”The name sent a wave of anger through meeven though I don't even know who he hisNathan then told me how he had been making him and Isla liv
SIENNA’S POVI’ve always liked having things figured out. Plans. Boundaries. No room for surprises.But lately, Victor has been nothing but a surprise.He asked me out yesterday.And the strange part? I wasn’t shocked.Not because I saw it coming, but because deep down—if I’m being completely honest with myself—I’d been waiting for it. Hoping for it, maybe. Even if I didn’t want to admit it.There’s been this… spark between us. A silent pull. We dance around it every time we talk. We laugh too much, our conversations last too long, and we look at each other just a second too slowly.There were never any secret feelings. No big, buried truth. Just a growing, electric sort of chemistry I kept ignoring.Until I couldn’t.Until he asked me out.And I should’ve told him before he did. I should’ve said, Hey, this thing between us? It’s not just you. I feel it too.But I didn’t.And now he’s launched the idea of us, and I’m floating somewhere between giddy and terrified.Because I like him.
VICTOR’S POVThere were exactly three things I was good at: solving problems, handling pressure, and pretending like I wasn’t slowly falling for Sienna Collins.The last one? Not going so well lately.She had this habit of showing up in my head at random times—during meetings, workouts, even while I brushed my teeth. I’d hear something funny and instantly think, Sienna would laugh at this, or smell something that reminded me of the cinnamon scent she always carried, like she rolled in fresh bakery air every morning.It was annoying.And addictive.We hadn’t called it anything—whatever this was between us. We hadn’t kissed. We hadn’t confessed anything. But the tension? It was there. Palpable. Thick enough to stir with a spoon.So I did the only reasonable thing a grown man with mildly obsessive thoughts could do.I planned a date.A real one. With no interruptions, Just her. And me.And possibly a small romantic ambush.---I picked the spot carefully. A rooftop garden restaurant in