LOGINShare
Machiavellian
Last Updated:
2025-04-23 00:11:27Paolla
I woke up that Sunday morning wrapped in a wave of happiness that seemed to engulf me. The dinner at the Baumann mansion the previous night had been a success, at least for me. Aaron, on the other hand, was apathetic and listless, but that didn’t bother me in the slightest. I knew he was simply following the plan, and that was all that mattered to me.
Our relationship was lukewarm and lifeless, and the lack of an active sex life between us wasn’t a concern anymore. As long as I knew Aaron wasn’t seeing the girl carrying his child, I could sleep peacefully. And thanks to Eric, I was certain of that.
It had been a struggle to convince Eric, but he finally relented and hired someone to follow Aaron’s every move. I needed to know every step he took, and the reports I’d received in the past few days were e
Related chapters
In the Name of Ambition Sibling Talk
AxelLying on the poolside lounger, I felt the sun warming my skin, but my mind was far away, lost in thoughts that had been tormenting me since the night before. I couldn’t stop thinking about Aaron’s expression. It was obvious that my older brother wasn’t happy, even though everyone around him seemed to believe otherwise.Grandpa was simply ecstatic about the idea of a great-grandchild on the way. For the patriarch, this meant the continuation of the lineage and, perhaps, his final mission as the head of the Baumann family. Anton? He was too smitten with Pietra to notice anything wrong with Aaron, blind to everything happening around him. And Anneliese? She was relieved, satisfied that the "dirty work" of providing an heir to the family no longer fell on her shoulders.I, however, was wa
Last Updated : 2025-04-23In the Name of Ambition The Weight of Loneliness
RebeccaThe loneliness in São Paulo was crushing. I had no one—no family, no friends. Just the emptiness of the apartment and the silence. After ending things with Aaron, he respected my decision and disappeared, just as I had asked. I knew it was the right thing to do, that I couldn’t stay trapped in that toxic cycle, but living with this choice was far harder than I’d imagined.I had come to São Paulo full of dreams. I wanted to be an artist, to follow the path that had inspired me since I was a child. But now, I couldn’t even paint. My paints sat untouched, and my brushes were abandoned in the corner of the makeshift studio. Sure, I could blame the nausea that had taken over in the past week, but the truth was my mind was far from settled.Aaron wasn’t part of my life anymore, and I was carrying a baby I didn’t know how to handle.In moments when the anguish felt unbearable, I tried reaching out to my mom. I didn’t want to completely sever ties with them, but my last attempt made m
Last Updated : 2025-04-27In the Name of Ambition A Big Mistake?
RebeccaI stared at her for a few seconds, trying to process what was happening. It felt surreal. First, because I barely recognized myself in my own body, and now I was being approached by two strangers who seemed to live lives far lighter and more carefree than mine. The woman, Anneliese, seemed genuinely friendly, which put me slightly at ease.“Oh, sure,” I replied, still a bit surprised. “I can try to help.”Anneliese stepped closer, holding a small light blue onesie with embroidered white details in her hands. She held it up for me to see.“What do you think of this?” she asked, her eyes shining with anticipation. “We’re picking something out for my nephew, but we’re not entirely sure. Does it seem comfortable?”I studied the onesie for a moment, running the fabric between my fingers. It was soft—a good choice for a baby. But the simple act of being here, invited to weigh in on something so intimate, filled me with a bittersweet sense of irony. I was pregnant myself, yet my role
Last Updated : 2025-04-27In the Name of Ambition On the Edge
RebeccaWhen I regained consciousness, the white ceiling and cold lights of the mall were the first things I saw. My head throbbed lightly, but I was beginning to piece together what had happened. The two women I’d encountered earlier—Pietra and Anneliese—were by my side, their faces etched with genuine concern. My thoughts were still scrambled, but I could hear them.“She’s waking up,” Anneliese said, relief evident in her voice as she leaned closer to get a better look at me.“I’m already calling an ambulance,” Pietra informed, her phone in hand, her posture steady and commanding. There was something about her presence that radiated control as if she were used to managing crises.I tried to sit up, but my legs felt shaky, so I let myself relax back onto the cold floor. The sensation of weakness was unnerving, and my heart was racing. I wasn’t used to feeling so vulnerable. Anneliese crouched beside me, her expression kind, as she gently placed a hand on my shoulder.“Are you okay? I
Last Updated : 2025-04-27In the Name of Ambition Strange Situation
PietraAndressa was finally home, recovering remarkably well. That’s how the doctors described her progress every time we went for her appointments. Every time I heard those words, it felt like a massive weight was lifted off my shoulders. I was so happy, so relieved, that it was hard to put into words.However, I couldn’t deny the important role Anton played in this story. He had been by my side through all the turbulence, and now, we were dating—or at least, that’s how Anton insisted on putting it every chance he got. And me? Well, I was simply going with the flow.That’s how I ended up in a hospital, accompanying a stranger. I was with Anneliese after we’d gone to the mall to look for a gift for Paolla, Anneliese’s sister-in-law, because of her pregnancy. Everything seemed normal until we enco
Last Updated : 2025-04-28In the Name of Ambition Unexpected News
AaronI got out of the car feeling a growing sense of gloom that was becoming harder to hide. I walked through the hall without really paying attention to the details around me — the artwork on the walls, the luxurious furniture, the muffled sound of footsteps echoing on the marble. It didn’t matter. Today, like so many other days, my mind was somewhere else.I needed a distraction. My brothers were gathered in the leisure area near the pool, playing pool. Axel and Anton were overly competitive, and it always ended in laughter or heated arguments. I thought watching their game might help me push the chaotic thoughts about Rebecca out of my head — at least for a while.But as I approached the pool table, I sensed something different in the air. The v
Last Updated : 2025-04-28In the Name of Ambition Confrontation at the Hospital
RebeccaThe nurse came into the room to let me know that my companion had arrived, and after saying goodbye to Anneliese and Pietra, I waited for Eric with a sense of unease. Lying in the hospital bed, trying to stay calm, I heard the door swing open abruptly. Eric walked in, and immediately, I felt a wave of tension. His face was filled with frustration, his eyes locked on me as if he were waiting for an explanation I didn’t know I owed. My heart raced, and my body stiffened automatically at the sight of his harsh expression.He didn’t waste any time.“How do you know Anneliese?” he asked, his voice laced with a harshness I hadn’t expected.I frowned, surprised by the question. The tension in the air was palpable,
Last Updated : 2025-04-29In the Name of Ambition Confused Feelings
AaronWhen I arrived at the hospital, I was trying to stay calm, but my heart was racing. I knew Rebecca was there, and I needed to see her. After finding out where she was admitted, I hurried in the direction indicated. But as I approached her room, a nurse intercepted me, blocking the entrance with a professional smile.“I’m sorry, sir, but the patient already has a companion. You’ll need permission to enter.”I took a deep breath, trying to process the information. I knew Eric was with her, but hearing that he was already by her side while I was stuck outside only made my anger grow. I could feel my blood boiling at the thought of him there, next to Rebecca, as if he were in control of everything.But I needed to keep
Last Updated : 2025-04-29
Latest chapter
In the Name of Ambition A Busy Sunday
AaronRight after breakfast, I decided it was time to get my professional life back in order. The past week had been absolute chaos, my thoughts constantly consumed by the search for Rebecca and the never-ending conflicts I had to deal with. After the argument with Eric at the club, I realized I needed to regain control of myself.Work was the only refuge I had left—something that, no matter how difficult, was still within my control. So, I went straight to my grandfather’s library. The peace of that place always helped me organize my thoughts, and I was determined to dive into the projects and reports I had neglected.But right after lunch, the tranquility was shattered. Without knocking, Paolla walked in, impeccably dressed as always, with that determined look that told me she was here to bring up the same topic yet again.
In the Name of Ambition A Good Friendship
RebeccaIt was still hard to believe how quickly everything had changed once again. When I accepted Eric’s offer to enroll in art school, it felt like a distant dream coming true. But in less than twenty-four hours, everything was set: enrollment confirmed, a new apartment in Pinheiros, and a move that happened so fast I barely had time to process it. It was almost as if Eric had planned everything before even consulting me.Despite the strangeness of it all, the apartment was comfortable, and the location was perfect for attending school. In a way, classes came as a relief. Every time I sat in front of a canvas or held a paintbrush, I felt immersed in something that made me forget, if only for a few moments, the man who wouldn’t leave my thoughts: Aaron.I was determined to focus on my future and, most importantly, on mainta
In the Name of Ambition Losing Control
AaronThe week felt like a test of endurance. Rebecca seemed to have vanished from my life. I didn’t know where she was or if she was okay. I tried to stay calm, but the feeling of helplessness was unbearable. With each passing day, my focus and energy were split between the lack of news about her and Paolla’s relentless presence. Even though I had made it clear that things between us were unsalvageable, Paolla insisted on coming to the mansion for family dinners, pretending everything was fine. And out of consideration for my grandparents, I swallowed every word that could turn the atmosphere into chaos. I didn’t want to be the reason for a fight in front of them.But Paolla’s act was testing my patience. Every time I tried to talk, her voice became more insistent, trying to manipulate me into giving in and coming back home. I kept my answer the same, repeat
In the Name of Ambition She’s Going to Leave Me
AntonI was heading home after a long day at Baumann. The past few weeks at the company have been intense but rewarding. Being involved in management, learning, and making real decisions has changed my perspective on so many things. But no change had been as profound as Pietra. The thought that, for the first time, I was building something meaningful—it was all because of her.As I parked my car in the Baumann estate’s garage, my phone vibrated. I picked it up automatically, expecting a message from Anneliese or a colleague from work. But the name on the screen made my heart race: Pietra. The initial relief of hearing from her quickly turned into a sinking feeling as I read the message."Anton, we need to talk about something very serious
In the Name of Ambition What to Do?
PietraThe morning began with a gentle breeze flowing through the house, and even though my mind was occupied with a thousand thoughts, I felt excited. Despite all the ups and downs, things finally seemed to be falling into place.I entered Andressa’s room with a smile, determined to start the day with positive energy. Seeing that she was already awake, I went straight to the window to open the curtains and let the sunlight fill the space. “Good morning, sleepyhead,” I teased, turning to her.Andressa responded with a weak "good morning," and my heart immediately tightened. There was something different in her tone, a lack of enthusiasm that worried me.
In the Name of Ambition Unexplainable Resemblance
AxelWhen Fred walked into the room, I knew she’d be right behind him. My heart raced, and for a moment, I had to mentally prepare myself to finally face the woman who had haunted me since Santorini. It was strange because, even though my memory of that night was hazy, the emotional impact she had on me was painfully clear.But when she stepped through the door and the soft light of the room illuminated her face, I was hit with a shock so strong it nearly took my breath away. The resemblance to Priscila, my ex-wife, was uncanny. For a moment, I was frozen, as if I were seeing a ghost. It didn’t make sense. What was this? How was it possible?I stayed silent, struggling to mask the storm raging inside me. My mind tried to connect the dots, but nothing added up. Fred,
In the Name of Ambition Decisive Moment
KimberlyMore than a month. A full month since I sent the first email to Axel, which, of course, went unanswered. Then came the messages on social media, the indirect attempts to reach out… but nothing. His fame didn’t make contacting him easy, and yet, a part of me persisted. Maybe it was naivety, maybe a desperate attempt to resolve the situation, but I was following his every move in the media. When they announced his signing with an English team, Kathleen almost exploded with excitement, saying that fate was working in my favor.I hesitated to hold onto any hope, but Kathleen insisted. Through her journalist contacts, she managed to get me into that packed auditorium for the press conference. I wasn’t sure if I’d confront him, but at least I’d see him one more time.The room was full of people, voices, and expectations surrounding him, and the energy was a mix of euphoria and curiosity. I was there, just a few meters away from the father of my child, but deep down, I just wanted t
In the Name of Ambition Press Conference
AxelAfter the meeting with Antonella on Saturday in my apartment, I spent the next two nights practically wide awake, trying to prepare for what lay ahead. I needed to resolve this once and for all. Antonella was the girl I had been with just once, during my vacation in Brazil, and I knew we had been careful. The possibility that she was pregnant with my child didn’t make sense. Still, I needed her to publicly admit the truth so this whole story could be put to rest.The conversation, however, did not go as I had expected. Antonella seemed to be enjoying every minute of the exposure and fame that the story had brought her. Ever since she leaked the supposed "romance" to a gossip website, her followers had multiplied into the millions. It was obvious that she was relishing being the center of attention and, to my surprise, now considered herself some kind of celebrity. However, the conversation revealed that she had no character whatsoever, and I quickly realized that it was impossibl
In the Name of Ambition Postponing the Truth
AaronI asked for a divorce, and for a brief moment, I saw Paolla’s expression shift. It was as if every conflicting emotion passed across her face—surprise, anger, disbelief. I braced myself for an explosion, but her words shocked me even more."Divorce? You must be out of your mind, Aaron." Her voice was low and cold, almost like a challenge. She took a deep breath, adjusted her purse on her shoulder, and with a calculated movement, lifted her chin and added, "Actually, I’m the one who needs some time alone now—to forget the absurdity that just came out of my own husband’s mouth."I watched, stunned, as she prepared to leave as if this were just a trivial argument."Paolla, wait… we need to talk about this," I insisted, taking a step toward her. "Where a
