LOGINAlessandro’s POV“You are not thinking about it, are you?”Micah leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching me read the letter from Romano Corp’s board for the tenth time.“Thinking?” I looked up. “No. Laughing at the irony, maybe.”“The irony that they want you back after you walked out?”“The irony that they want me to lead a merger I would have destroyed a year ago.”“You? Destroy a merger? You would have called it strategic annihilation.”“Do not make me sound like a villain.”“You were one,” he teased. “Now you are just… domesticated.”I pointed at him with the letter. “Careful, Duvall. I can still destroy things.”“Just not me.”I folded the letter neatly and set it on the counter. “Never you.”“So, what are you going to tell them?” he asked.“I already did,” I said.He blinked. “Wait. You already answered?”“Yes.”“And you did not think to tell your co-founder slash boyfriend slash emotional support human?”“I wanted to make sure I was not influenced.”“By me?”“By anyo
Sandra’s POVI knock on the study door softly. “Can I come in?”My father’s voice drifts out, warm but tired. “It is your house, Sandra. Why do you need permission.”I step inside. He is behind his table, documents spread out all over like he is attempting to rebuild his domain one file at a time. “Still working?”“Trying to make myself useful.”“Retirement is not treating you well, huh?”He chuckles. “It is evident, not doing anything is not as relaxed as folks make it appear.”I step nearer and place my hands on the side of the table. “You know you do not have to work. I have got the company covered.”“That is precisely what bothers me.”I lift a brow. “Whoa, thanks for the faith.”He smiles faintly. “It is not that I doubt you, sweetheart. It is that I know how heavy that chair feels.”I breathe, grabbing the chair across him. “Yep, it is not as attractive as it seems. The board is polite to my face but waiting for me to mess up. Investors still side eye me when I walk in.”“That w
Alessandro’s POV“Okay,” Micah says, clapping his hands, “this is not how I pictured our first official day.”I look around the office; half unpacked boxes, coffee stains on desks, and a new intern running around with two laptops and no clue which one belongs to him. “Oh, it is exactly how I pictured it. Pure chaos.”“Chaos with potential,” he corrects, moving a stack of folders from one chair to another.“Yeah, sure. That is what every madman says before the explosion.”He shoots me a look. “You are not helping at all.”“I am observing. With style.” I say with a grin.“Alessandro, your version of ‘style’ involves criticizing everything that breathes.” He simply states.“Not true. I like you.” I look at him, my heart swooning.He looks right back at me like he wants to smack me. “That is very debatable.”“Wow, no faith in your business partner? Harsh.” I put a palm on my chest feigning hurt.He glares at me. “Business partner?” he repeats. “I thought we were co-founders.”“We are. But
Micah’s POVI am presently at Duvall Enterprise to visit Sandra. The employees bow when I walk by, guess habits do die hard.I enter the elevator, get out and walk into Sandra’s office which was my former office and I was stupefied.“You redecorated the whole office.” I utter as I took a seat.“I did. You hate it?” She looks up from whatever it is she was doing before I stepped in.“No. It looks… alive.” I answer her.“I wanted something brighter. The old color scheme was too stiff.” She eyes me.But she did not stop talking. “That is because you designed it like a war room.”“And you are turning it into a garden.” I retorted.“Oh yeah. At least it is a peaceful garden. You are welcome.”“I am welcome for what? Well …You have gotten good at this.”“You sound surprised.”“Not actually surprised. Just proud.”“Proud? Of me? Wow, the world must be nearing its end.”“Do not ruin it. I am serious.”“So am I. I did not think we would ever stand in this office and talk without trying to stab
Alessandro’s POV“I still can’t believe we are doing this,” I whisper as the car slows in front of the Duvall mansion.Micah exhales like someone walking into a warzone. “It is just dinner. A normal regular dinner.”“Yeah. With your sis who happens to be my ex fiancée, your mom who hates me, and your dad fresh out of prison. Sounds relaxing.” I mutter, under my breathe.“Keep that sarcasm to yourself or she will throw you out before dessert.” Micah retorts.“I will take my chances.” I utter.Sandra turns around from the passenger seat, her tone sharp. “Can the two of you shut up before I change my mind about bringing you.”I smirk. “You love us too much to do that.”She rolls her eyes but does not deny it.When the car stops, Mrs. Duvall is already at the door, dressed in pearls and tension. Her posture is perfect, her eyes colder than marble.I do not understand how her car reached here before us since we all left the prison center at the same time.“Well,” Mrs. Duvall says, glancing
Sandra’s POV“Stop fixing my tie, Micah. I can do it myself.”“You say that every time, and every time you do it wrong.”“I am not a child.”“Then stop acting like one.”“I hate you.”“You love me.”Alessandro laughs from the couch. “If this is how you two act before a press conference, I am terrified to see what happens at board meetings.”I glare. “You do not get to talk, mister ‘I own five ties and still borrow Micah’s.’”He lifts his hands. “Fair.”Micah straightens my collar one last time, then nods. “There. The new CEO of Duvall Enterprise.”I exhale. “Feels weird hearing that.”“It suits you.”“You sure?”“Absolutely. And for the record, Dad already said he is proud of you.”“I know.” My voice softens. “He is the only one who always said that, even after everything.”“You earned it this time.”“Do not make me cry, idiot. I have mascara on.”“Then stop being sentimental and go conquer the media.”Later, at the conference hall.“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. It is an honor







