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Chapter 3: Standing Up to the Patriarch
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2026-09-18 18:28:50A suffocating silence settled over Ezekiel’s top-floor office in Vance Tower. Don Gustavo Vance stood before them, his gold-headed cane resting against the polished marble floor as his razor-sharp gaze pierced through Sienna.
"Grandfather," Ezekiel said, stepping calmly between them. "Sienna is my chosen wife. No one—not even you—will alter my decision." "The exiled daughter of the Javier family?!" Don Gustavo’s voice boomed through the room. "Ezekiel, have you forgotten your position? The board votes on the next Chairman of the Vance Empire next month! If you marry a woman with zero wealth or political backing, I will hand the Chairman's seat to your cousin, Marcus!" Sienna’s hand instinctively tightened around the edge of Ezekiel’s suit jacket. She felt the crushing weight of the Vance family dynamic. This wasn't just a contract; it was a high-stakes war for absolute control of the largest conglomerate in the country. Instead of shrinking back, Sienna took a slow, deliberate step out from behind Ezekiel. She held her head high, meeting the old patriarch’s deadly glare head-on. "Don Gustavo," Sienna began, her voice steady, cold, and formal. "I may have lost my standing in the Javier family, but I did not come here to be a useless ornament beside your grandson." The old man’s eyebrows furrowed. "What are you talking about?" "I still hold the thirty percent hidden equity shares in the Javier Group—shares that Tristan and my half-sister are desperately trying to steal," Sienna declared smoothly. "When Ezekiel and I combine forces, we won't just reclaim the Javier Group. The Vance Empire will gain total control over the entire southern shipping sector. Is that what you call zero value?" Don Gustavo went quiet. He stared at Sienna in brief astonishment, clearly unprepared for such razor-sharp composure from a woman who had just been cast out into the rain. A subtle, dark smile played at the corner of Ezekiel’s lips as he looked down at her. "Let’s see how long that brave front lasts, girl," Don Gustavo scoffed, slamming his cane against the floor. "Tomorrow night is the Vance Foundation Charity Gala. Ezekiel will introduce you as his wife in front of the entire high society. If you embarrass this family or make a single mistake... I will personally ensure you leave this city with nothing." Without another word, the old patriarch turned and marched out, his armed bodyguards trailing closely behind. The moment the heavy double doors clicked shut, Sienna let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, leaning slightly against the edge of the mahogany desk. Ezekiel stepped closer, pouring a glass of ice water and handing it to her. "Impressive performance," Ezekiel said, his gray eyes locking onto hers. "But my grandfather does not make empty threats. And Tristan and Chloe will be at the gala tomorrow." Sienna took a sip of the cold water, her expression hardening into pure steel. "Good," Sienna replied softly, her voice laced with venom. "That gives me the perfect stage to begin their ruin."
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Love Between the Two of US Chapter 48: The Monaco Reunion
The white hull of the Vance family yacht gleamed under the radiant Mediterranean sun as the private jet taxied toward the VIP terminal at Monaco’s private airfield.As the aircraft stairs descended, the warm sea breeze greeted Sienna and Ezekiel. But before Sienna could even step onto the tarmac, a tiny, familiar voice echoed from the open doors of the executive terminal."Mommy! Daddy!"A little boy dressed in a miniature navy blazer and khaki trousers came sprinting across the tarmac, his small arms outstretched, his dark hair messy from the sea wind.Sienna didn't wait for the security team to arrange the handrail. She rushed down the final steps, dropping to her knees on the tarmac and catching her son in a tight, desperate embrace."Leo! My sweet boy!" Sienna cried out softly, her voice thick with emotion as she kissed his chubby cheeks over and over again, breathing in the familiar scent of baby lotion and ocean air.Little Leo wrapped his small arms tightly around her nec
Love Between the Two of US Chapter 47: The Final Retreat
The quiet scratch of a fountain pen against thick parchment was the only sound remaining in the drawing room of Villa D’Angelo.Marquis Lorenzo’s hand trembled uncontrollably as he signed his name across the three duplicate copies of the unconditional waiver. His chief attorney stood beside him with a grim, defeated expression, applying the official notary seal before handing the documents directly to Secretary Yang."The filing with the European Family Court in The Hague has been formally rescinded, Chairman Vance," Yang reported concisely, checking his tablet. "The court magistrate has already dismissed the petition with prejudice. The House of D’Angelo no longer possesses any legal or ancestral standing to contest guardianship."Ezekiel didn't say a single word to Lorenzo. He stood up smoothly, unbuttoning his coat and turning his back on the broken nobleman. He reached out his hand to Sienna, his touch shifting instantly from cold severity to absolute tenderness as his long fin
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