ANMELDENElena’s POV "I am telling you, Chloe, I was only enthusiastic for the first five days," I said, stirring my iced latte with a straw. "And that was purely because I wanted to shove my new title right into the faces of those arrogant Carnegie executives who looked down on my mother for years."Chloe burst into laughter, leaning back against the plush velvet booth of the cafe. "So you're telling me you don't want to sit in a giant leather chair, signing billion-dollar shipping contracts every morning?" "It is exhausting!" I laughed, shaking my head. "The files are endless. The meetings are boring. Julian makes it look so easy, but I honestly do not think I am built to run a massive corporation long-term. It is way too much hard work." "Must be nice," Chloe teased, rolling her eyes with a dramatic sigh. "I wish I had that kind of stress in my life. Look at you, you're a whole CEO, you have a gorgeous, powerful billionaire taking care of your business, and you get to go home to a hands
Julian walked over to the door, opened it wide, and signaled to two towering security guards standing in the hallway. "Escort the Aldridge sisters off the property," Julian ordered coldly. "If they ever step foot past the outer gates again, fire the entire guard team." "Yes, Mr. Vane!" the guards replied instantly. Cynthia stood frozen for a second, her jaw clenched so tightly her teeth hurt. She had never been so thoroughly humiliated in her entire life. She looked at Catherine, hoping for a shred of sympathy, but Catherine’s face was as cold as marble. "Listen to my son, Cynthia," Catherine said with absolute authority. "If you ever target my grandson again, Julian won't even need to ruin you. I will do it myself. Leave now." Realizing she had completely lost, Cynthia grabbed her designer purse, turned on her high heels, and stormed out of the room. Victoria scrambled right behind her, practically running toward the main exit to escape the suffocating pressure of the mansion
Cynthia stared out the window of the luxury car, her heart pounding with a mixture of anger and desperation. Her first visit to Catherine Vane had been an absolute disaster, but she refused to accept defeat. The Aldridge family was falling apart, the banks were threatening to seize their assets, and Julian Vane was her only way out. "Cynthia, you need to calm down before we get there," Victoria said softly, sitting beside her in the plush leather seat. They had just left the spa, and Victoria was holding a silk shopping bag from an elite antique boutique downtown. "If you walk into Catherine’s house looking like you want to pick a fight, she will just throw you out again." "I am not trying to pick a fight!" Cynthia snapped, though her trembling hands betrayed her nerves. "I am trying to claim what is rightfully mine! That family owes us!" "I know, I know," Victoria soothed, placing a comforting hand on her sister’s arm. "That is why we bought this antique tea set. Remember how muc
Miss Davies paused for a brief moment, her smile turning a little more reserved as she looked around the courtyard to ensure no other parents were hovering nearby. She stepped slightly closer, keeping her voice low and professional. "Mr. Vane, before you leave, there is a small matter I felt I should bring to your attention directly," she said softly.Julian’s dark eyes narrowed slightly, his sharp instincts instantly activating. "What is it?" "Earlier this afternoon, during dismissal prep, young Toby Irvine’s nanny approached me," Miss Davies explained carefully. "She was asking several detailed questions about Leo and your family. She explicitly stated that her employer, Madam Victoria Aldridge, was very keen on setting up a formal playdate between Toby and Leo at their estate."Julian’s jaw tightened, a cold, dangerous flicker passing through his dark eyes. Victoria Aldridge. The woman who had cornered him this morning with a fake, sweet smile while her sister Cynthia tried to
The heavy glass doors of Carnegie Shipping’s executive floor rattled slightly as Julian Vane walked out of the main conference room. His dark blazer was unbuttoned, his silk tie loosened just a fraction at his collar, and a faint line of exhaustion was carved between his eyebrows.Taking over an entire rival shipping empire was no easy task. Because he had insisted that Elena stay home and rest after the intense ordeal with Mark, Julian had taken the entire workload onto his own shoulders. Running Vane Enterprises was already a massive, full-time job. Managing the chaotic transition of Carnegie Shipping on top of it was pushing even his stamina to its absolute limits.Marcus walked half a step behind him, holding an iPad and a stack of urgent legal folders. "The legal team has cleared the remaining transport contracts, Mr. Vane," Marcus reported smoothly. "However, the head of logistics at the eastern port is requesting your signature before five o'clock." "I’ll sign it when we ge
Cynthia stormed through the grand glass doors of the luxury spa, her high heels clicking violently against the tiled floor. Her face was bright red with anger, and she gripped her designer handbag so tightly her knuckles turned white.She bypassed the polite reception desk and walked straight into the private, dimly lit relaxation lounge. Victoria was lying on a plush velvet massage table, her eyes closed with two cucumber slices resting over them. A quiet, peaceful melody played from the speakers in the room.Cynthia marched right up to the table and snatched the cucumber slices off her sister’s face, throwing them onto a nearby tray."Get up, Victoria!" Cynthia snapped, her voice trembling with rage. "Get up right now!"Victoria gasped, blinking rapidly in the sudden bright light. She sat up quickly, looking completely startled. "Cynthia! What is wrong with you? I was in the middle of a wonderful facial treatment!""Catherine Vane is what is wrong!" Cynthia hissed, pacing back and f
Elena’s POVThe house was a hive of activity that morning. Men in black suits were moving everywhere, checking radios and looking at the gates. I held Leo’s hand so tight my knuckles turned white. He was unusually quiet, clutching his teddy bear and staring at the floor. I could feel his small hea
The fire was small at first. It climbed the silk curtains like a glowing orange snake. Elena stood by the open window, her heart hitting her ribs like a hammer. The room was getting hot. The sweet smell of her expensive perfume was being replaced by the thick, biting scent of smoke."Go," she whis
ELENA’s POV The sun was shining through the windows of the big bedroom. I was sitting up in bed, drinking the tea Julian had made for me. I felt much better than I did during the night. The pain in my stomach was gone, but my heart still felt heavy. I kept thinking about Mark. I wondered where he
ELENA’s POV The tablet felt heavy in my hands, like a piece of lead. The screen was bright, showing a grainy but clear video feed from the security cameras at the house I used to call home. I stared at the screen, my breath catching in my throat.There was Mark. He wasn't crying. He wasn't callin







