LOGINJason's POV
I pulled up to Clara's apartment building, a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a bag of takeout in the other. I had been thinking about Katherine all day while at the office—the way she had collapsed, the terror in her eyes, the helplessness I felt as I caught her in my arms.I needed to see her. I needed to make sure she was okay.I knocked on the door, my heart pounding with a nervous anticipation I hadn't felt in years. Clara answered, her expreJason's POVThe office was quiet, the afternoon sun casting long shadows across the desk. I was staring at a spreadsheet that made no sense, the numbers that blurred together, the debts that seemed impossible to overcome, and in that moment, my phone rang.I glanced at the screen and the moment I saw the caller, I felt my stomach drop. I had been expecting this call for weeks, and had also been avoiding it, hoping for a miracle, hoping that somehow the situation would resolve itself. But miracles didn't happen especially in my current state.I answered, my voice steady despite the dread coursing through me. "Jason Richmond.""Mr. Richmond." The voice on the other end was cold, professional. "This is Thomas Bradley from First National Bank. I'm calling regarding the loan that is now three months overdue."After the deal with the Enzogrande's fell apart, I had to look for a way out and it was Thomas who helped me three months
Mikel's POVOlivia was crying openly now, her shoulders shaking, her voice breaking. I watched her, a strange tightness forming in my chest."I came to you because I was desperate," she continued, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "I know our families are rivals. I know you have no reason to help me. But I thought... I thought maybe you'd understand. You saved me, Mr. O'Connor. You didn't have to, but you did. That meant something to me. It meant everything."I didn't know when it happened, but I felt a tear escape my eye. It slid down my cheek, warm and unexpected. I wiped it away quickly, but not quickly enough.Olivia looked up at me, her eyes red and swollen. "Are you... are you crying?"I let out a shaky breath. "I suppose I am.""Why?"I didn't answer right away. I thought about my father, lying in a hospital bed, fighting for his life. I thought about the attack on my family, the conspiracy that
Mikel's POVThe office was quiet, the afternoon sun streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting long shadows across my desk. I was reviewing financial reports—numbers that blurred together after hours of staring at them—when a soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts."Come in," I said, not looking up.My secretary, Margaret, poked her head inside. "Mr. O'Connor, there's someone here to see you."I glanced at her, frowning. "I wasn't expecting anyone. Who is it?""Olivia Richmond, sir."I blinked, certain I had misheard. "Olivia Richmond? Jason's sister?""Yes, sir. She says it's important."I set down my pen, my mind racing. Olivia Richmond. The last time I had seen her was the night I saved her from that drunk at the restaurant. What could she possibly want with me?"Usher her in," I said, curiosity getting the better of me.Margaret nodded and disappeared. A moment later, the door opened again, and Olivia stepped inside.She was dressed simply—jeans, a soft swe
Jason's POVThe house was quiet when I walked in. The lights were dim, the hallway empty, the silence pressing down on me like a physical weight. I didn't bother turning on any more lights. I didn't want to see the empty rooms, the reminders of everything I was trying to hold together.I walked to my study and closed the door behind me. The decanter of whiskey was on the sideboard, and I poured myself a generous glass. I didn't bother with ice. I just stood there, staring out at the city skyline, the glass cold in my hand.The company is drowning.The thought echoed in my mind, a relentless loop I couldn't escape. Richmond Holdings was in debt—deep, crippling debt. No bank would give us a loan. The creditors were circling like vultures, waiting for us to fail. And the board—the board wanted to sacrifice the workers to save themselves.Thirty percent. A thousand people.I took a long sip of whiskey, the liquid burning as it went down. I thought about Maria in accounting, whose son was
Jason's POVThe Richmond Holdings boardroom had never felt more hostile. The air was thick with tension, the silence heavy with unspoken accusations. I sat at the head of the table, my hands clasped in front of me, my expression carefully neutral.Around the table, the board members watched me with a mixture of expectation and distrust. They had called this emergency meeting, and I knew exactly why.Mr. Volkov had backed out of the deal.The Russian investor, who had been our best hope for financial recovery, had pulled out citing "unforeseen circumstances." The news had hit the company like a bombshell. Stock prices were plummeting, creditors were circling, and the board was looking for someone to blame.That someone was me."Mr. Richmond," Harold Sterling began, his voice cold. "I believe we all know why we're here. The Volkov deal has fallen through. The company is facing a financial crisis unlike anything we've seen in decades. We need to discuss our options."I nodded, keeping my
Mikel's POVThe hospital room was quiet, the only sound the steady beep of the heart monitor and the soft hum of the ventilator. My father lay still in the bed, his face pale, his chest rising and falling with a rhythm that felt too fragile, too uncertain.I sat in the chair beside him, my elbows on my knees, my head in my hands. Sophie had left hours ago, promising to return in the morning. I was alone now, alone with my thoughts and my fears.I pulled out my phone and dialed Marcus's number. He answered on the second ring."Mr. O'Connor." His voice was grave, professional. "I was just about to call you.""Do you have anything?" I asked, my voice hoarse. "Any word on Katherine?"There was a pause on the other end. Then Marcus spoke, his voice careful."Not yet, sir. We're following every lead, but whoever took her is good. They've covered their tracks well."I felt a surge of frustration, hot and bitter. "That's not good enough. I need you to find her, Marcus. Whatever it takes. What







