LOGINMitchelle Jason seemed to realize his error and tried to recover by engaging the audience. "Can anyone here tell me what the most important factor in long term business success is?" he asked desperately. Complete silence, everyone kept mute. Not a single hand raised, not a single voice offered a response, and the awkwardness stretched on for what felt like an eternity. Jason's face turned bright red and he mumbled something about thanking everyone for their time before practically running off the stage. Elena Petrova returned to the microphone with an expression that could have frozen water. "I must say I'm highly disappointed in that presentation," she stated bluntly while looking directly at where Jason had retreated to his seat. "Perhaps this explains why Hunt Enterprises has fallen so dramatically. I had mistaken their decline for a temporary setback, not realizing the company needs fundam
MitchelleTwo weeks had passed since Dorian and I discovered that Mallory was connected to the Hunts, and we still hadn't made a final decision about whether to terminate her employment or keep her suspended while we gathered more evidence. The uncertainty gnawed at me some mornings, but today I couldn't afford to think about office politics or backstabbing employees.Today was the Petrova event.Elena Petrova's annual gala was legendary in tech and business circles, a gathering of the most innovative minds in New York where deals were made and reputations were either built or destroyed in a single evening. Dorian had been personally invited, and when Elena specifically requested he bring his new wife, he asked me to prepare something substantial in case I was called upon to speak.I stood in front of my vanity mirror applying the last touches of mascara while my phone sat propped against a jewelry box, Danika's face filled the screen on a video call."Babe, we're running late!" Dori
JasonI pushed my chair back from the dining table and stood up while wiping my mouth with a napkin, and I was halfway to the kitchen when I heard the front door open followed by the unmistakable sound of shopping bags rustling against each other.Chloe walked into the house loaded down with designer bags from every high end store in town, the sight of her struggling under the weight of her purchases made something snap inside me."Babe, don't tell me you're coming from another shopping spree again," I stated while crossing my arms.Chloe smiled that careless smile I had grown to resent and set her bags down on the marble floor."I can't help it," she replied while pulling tissue paper out of one of the bags. "You know, being a billionaire CEO's wi...""What billionaire?" I cut her off sharply, stepping toward her. "The same company, Hunt Enterprises, that you and I both know is about to collapse? Have you seen the news? Have you seen that Dorian's company is topping the market while
Mitchelle I practically walked out of the conference room the moment Dorian left, and the second I reached the hallway I pulled out my phone and dialed Danika. She answered on the first ring like she had been waiting for my call."Girl, now what?" she asked immediately."Chill babe, guess what," I replied while trying to keep my voice down as I walked toward my office."What?" Danika demanded, and I could hear the impatience in her tone."Dorian debunked everything this morning when I confronted him," I explained while closing my office door behind me. "He told me he loves me.""Love you?" Danika's voice shot up several octaves. "Oh my god, he loves you! Girl, maybe this contract marriage thing is going to end up becoming forever.""Stop it," I laughed while dropping into my chair. "You know he just said that, he doesn't actually mean it."Even as the words left my mouth I wondered if I was trying to convince Danika or myself, and the memory of Dorian's face when he said those words
MitchelleDorian kissed me one more time before we finally managed to pull ourselves apart and head to our separate cars, and the smile on my face refused to fade even as I drove through morning traffic toward Rothschild Enterprises. Our lovey dovey morning had stretched longer than either of us intended, and by the time I glanced at my dashboard clock I realized we were both extraordinarily late.Extra late.I parked in the executive garage and grabbed my bag while trying to smooth down my hair, and I could already imagine the knowing looks from staff who would piece together exactly why the CEO and his wife arrived at the same time well past nine in the morning.Dorian's personal assistant met him at the entrance with a tablet in hand and an expression that screamed urgency."Mr. Roth, the investors have been waiting in the conference room for forty minutes," she announced while falling into step beside him."Tell them I'm on my way," Dorian replied smoothly, and he shot me a quick
Jason"We need to infiltrate that company," Mum announced. "But the best way to destroy someone isn't through direct confrontation, it's by being friends with them first. You get close enough to know their next move before they make it, you understand their weaknesses and vulnerabilities, and then you strike when they're not expecting it."I leaned forward in my chair because this was exactly the kind of ruthless strategic thinking that had made my mother one of the most feared women in our social circles."What are you suggesting?" I questioned."I can use my relationship with Dorian to soften the ground," Diana explained while stopping her pacing to look at me directly. "I'll invite Dorian for tea at my estate, make it seem like I'm extending an olive branch for the sake of family unity. He won't be able to refuse without looking petty and vindictive in front of our people."It was brilliant in its simplicity and I felt hope rising in my chest again for the second time today."I act
JasonI stood in front of my closet changing out of my work clothes when Chloe walked into the bedroom with that satisfied smile she had been wearing constantly since we announced the wedding."What do you want to eat babe?" she questioned. "Your mom and my mom are still downstairs going through th
MitchelleI sat in the living room of the Hunt house for the last time with a lawyer on either side of the large table. Danika sat to my right reviewing the divorce papers one final time, and Jason's lawyer, Mr. Bernard sat across from us with his briefcase open and his expression professionally ne
MitchelleI stood in front of the full length mirror and smoothed my hands down the red dress that hugged every curve of my body, and the fabric stopped just above my knees in a way that was elegant but daring. I twisted my hair into a sleek bun that showed off my neck and collarbones, and I applie
MitchelleI walked through the front door that morning and immediately heard voices coming from the living room. My stepmother, Diana and Chloe were sitting together surrounded by wedding magazines and fabric samples, completely absorbed in their planning."Good morning," I greeted them as I passed







