LOGINThe command center at Zane’s independent firm was turned into a high-stakes hunting ground. It had been exactly three hours since Mich vanished from the penthouse, and the air inside the room was thick with tension. Computer screens flashed with live traffic feeds, public transportation manifests, and terminal logs. Zane stood at the head of the conference table, his jacket long gone, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looked like a man possessed, his eyes bloodshot and his jaw locked in
The moment Mich’s hand slid into Zane’s open palm, a collective wave of mutters rippled through the front line of the media corral. The camera flashes, which had already been intense, erupted into a blinding, continuous sheet of white light. Zane’s grip was warm, solid, and incredibly tight as he pulled her out of the luxury SUV. He didn't let go. He didn't tuck her behind him or walk a step ahead to shield her as if she were a secret to be kept. He stood exactly parallel to her, their shoulders brushing under the grand marquee of the hotel entrance."Zane! Over here! Is she your official date for tonight?" a reporter from a major entertainment portal shouted, thrusting a microphone forward past the security line."Sir, what happens to the Delos Reyes alliance?" another voice boomed over the noise.Zane didn't give them a single glance. His jaw remained set, his dark eyes fixed forward as he guided Mich onto the plush crimson carpet. His stride was slow and deliberate, m
The transition from the quiet afterglow of dawn to the high-stakes reality of the evening was swift, pero ang katahimikan sa loob ng penthouse ay hindi nawala. After Zane dropped the news about the grand charity gala, he spent the rest of the morning handling logistics from his home office, while Mich worked closely with her styling team from Serafina Studios. There was an electric current running through the apartment—isang halo ng kaba at pananabik para sa gabi na magpapabago sa takbo ng kanilang mga buhay.By seven in the evening, the grand lobby of the hotel was already teeming with life. The Villanueva Group’s official charity gala was touted by the media as the corporate comeback of the century. After the explosive scandal at the second engagement party, high society was eager to see how the empire would rebuild its image. Reporters from top lifestyle networks and corporate magazines lined the velvet ropes of the red carpet, their cameras locked and loaded for the arrival
The pale, soft light of dawn slowly replaced the shadows in the master bedroom, bringing a calm serenity to the penthouse. The heavy, intoxicating heat of the midnight fire had settled into a comfortable, quiet warmth. Mich lay tangled in the high-thread-count silk sheets, her body aching in the most satisfying way possible. Every inch of her skin felt alive, still marked by the fierce, possessive grip of Zane’s hands and the lingering warmth of his lips. She turned her head slightly, finding Zane already awake, propped up on one elbow beside her. His chest was bare, his dark hair messy, and his gaze fixed entirely on her. The lethal, ruthless corporate king who had terrified the Villanueva board just days ago was gone, replaced by a man looking at his entire world with absolute devotion. "Good morning," Mich whispered, her voice still beautifully low and raspy. Zane leaned down, his lips brushing softly against her forehead before tracing down to press
The aftermath of their raw, desperate reunion left the master bedroom thick with heat and the quiet sound of their tangled breathing. The storm outside had long passed, but inside the penthouse, the air was still heavy with a primitive intensity. Zane lay on his back, his muscular chest glistening with a fine layer of sweat, his large arm securely pinning Mich against his side. He wasn't sleeping. His dark eyes were fixed on the ceiling, his hand slowly tracing down her bare spine, mapping out every curve of her body as if to reassure himself that she was truly back.Mich stirred against him, her skin warm and sensitive from the friction of his heavy body. She shifted, propping her chin on his chest, her long hair falling over his shoulders like a dark silk curtain. "You're still awake," she murmured, her voice beautifully raspy, a direct consequence of the hours they had just spent completely consumed by each other.Zane’s eyes snapped down to hers, his gaze darkening insta
The quiet hum of the private elevator was the only sound breaking the thick, charged silence as they rode back up to the penthouse. The smooth victory of the evening, the wine, and the sheer relief of finally standing in the light had shifted into something far more intense between them. The moment the elevator doors slid open directly into the dark, familiar space of the apartment, the pristine, controlled corporate heir completely vanished.Zane didn't even bother turning on the lights. The doors had barely closed behind them when he caught Mich by the waist, his large hand gripping her hip with an unyielding intensity as he pulled her flush against his frame right there in the penthouse foyer. Before she could even gasp, his mouth came down on hers in a deep, bruising kiss that carried all the pent-up frustration, the terror of almost losing her, and the raw hunger of the past few weeks.Mich let out a soft moan against his lips, her hands instantly flying up to grip the
The evening sky over Bonifacio Global City was painted in deep shades of violet and gold as the city lights began to flicker alive. Outside the exclusive, reservation-only rooftop restaurant, a handful of lifestyle journalists and elite lifestyle bloggers had gathered, tipped off that the country’s most talked-about corporate heir was dining out. There were no hidden corners tonight, no private dining rooms locked away from the public eye. Zane had chosen a place surrounded by glass, fully exposed to the world.When the sleek black sports car pulled up to the valet, the atmosphere instantly shifted. Zane stepped out, looking effortlessly striking in a dark velvet blazer. He walked around to the passenger side, opening the door for Mich. She stepped into the cool evening air wearing an elegant, minimalist emerald dress, her hair cascading down her shoulders.For a brief second, seeing the flashes of cameras in the distance, Mich felt her muscles tense up. But before the old a
Zane’s POV The bass of the music echoed across the dark walls of Bachelor’s Hub Bar habang nakaupo ako sa pinakadulong bahagi ng VIP section, hawak ang isang baso ng whiskey na ilang beses ko nang pinaikot pero hindi pa rin inuubos. Sa ibaba, nagkakagulo ang mga tao sa dance floor. Bodies pressed
Mich's POV Mahina kong ibinaba ang maleta sa gilid ng airport chair habang nakatitig sa malaking salamin sa harapan ko. Sa likod noon ay ang runway na nababalot ng dilim at ilaw mula sa mga eroplanong paalis at paparating. People come and go. Parang lahat may pupuntahan. May babalikan. Samantalan
Maingay. Iyon agad ang unang pumasok sa isip ko habang nakaupo sa gitna ng engrandeng ballroom ng Villanueva Grand Hotel. Tunog ng champagne glasses. Mahihinang tugtog ng violin. Paulit-ulit na tawanan ng mga taong nagkukunwaring masaya. Nakakasakal. Humigop ako ng whiskey habang malamig na pinagm
Tanging ingay ng kubyertos, mahihinang usapan ng customers, tunog ng wine glasses, at sunod-sunod na tawag ng head chef ang maririnig sa loob ng Verdanza Restaurant. Elegant ang buong lugar—dim lights, mamahaling chandelier, soft piano music, at mga taong mukhang walang ibang problema kundi kung an




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