THE COLD CEO UNKNOWN HEIR

Piper’s POVThe sound of clinking champagne glasses echoed through the grand ballroom, mixing with the subtle jazz music humming in the background. Glittering chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting soft golden light on perfectly polished floors and people dressed in designer tuxedos and dresses worth more than my monthly allowance and I stood there, like a mannequin in a glass case—beautiful, untouchable, and completely hollow inside.Everyone looked at me like I had it all….. Ethan Miller’s wife, the queen of this castle but what they didn’t know was that my crown was made of thorns and my throne, cold marble.I adjusted the thin strap of my silver dress, the sequins scratching against my skin. I hated this dress. Ethan picked it out, he said it made me look “presentable.” That was the word he used for me these days. Presentable, like a vase or an antique or something expensive, dusted occasionally, and placed on display when needed.A waiter passed by with a tray of flutes. I grabb

Chapter Three Piper’s POVMy heart seized in my chest as Ethan’s voice echoed faintly from the hallway.No, shit, he wasn’t supposed to be here. He had a dinner meeting, in the up part of town and Cameron confirmed it. I double-checked it myself.So why—Why was he here?I froze, standing in the middle of his office like a thief caught red-handed. The only sound was my own ragged breathing, the quiet hum of the laptop still open behind me, and the unmistakable cadence of Ethan Miller’s voice growing closer.I had seconds or even maybe less.I yanked the flash drive free, shoved it into my pocket, and scanned the office in a blur of panic. There was no time to backtrack and no way I’d make it down the executive elevator without crossing him in the hall, I had only one option.The adjoining door leads to his private conference room. I bolted for it and slipped inside, closing the door gently but firmly behind me just as the main office door creaked open.My back was pressed to the cool

Chapter Five Piper’s POVThe dress fit like armor.The charcoal silk hugged my curves, the high slit daring but necessary—I needed freedom to move tonight. Not just in the literal sense, but in the emotional one too. If I had to wear a mask of elegance while playing chess with monsters, I’d at least do it on my terms.I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the necklace Cameron insisted I wear. A single diamond teardrop. I was simple, understated and dangerous, because tucked into the clasp was a micro-transmitter barely the size of a fingernail.“Everything’s working,” Cameron’s voice crackled through the earpiece hidden behind a lock of hair. “Stay near the center of the gala floor. We lose signal if you go deeper into the wings.”“Got it,” I murmured, swiping on a final layer of lipstick— it was wine red.The gala was a benefit hosted by the Ashcroft Foundation—one of Ethan’s many foundations. The kind of event designed to launder reputations under chandeliers and charity smiles

Piper's povWhen I woke up, I squinted at the brightness of the room. I tried to get up but my entire body ached. I let out a soft groan and gently laid back on the bed. My eyeballs perching from one corner to the other, I scanned the room, I was the only one in there. With my gaze resting on the monitor that was beeping beside me, I began to wonder where Christopher or Selena maybe, or Ethan at least.I tried to remember how I got here but my mind was all blank. Suddenly, the door flew open and Ethan emerged wearing a straight look on his face. With that expression, I couldn't decipher what was going through his mind."Oh you're awake now." He said as he made his way towards me."How did I get here?" I asked, still struggling to remember what happened in the past few hours."Piper, er... Its a long story but... I wanted to start by apologizing to you for everything." He cleared his throat as he continued to speak. "What I did, and how I treated you was very insensitive and cruel cons

Ethan's pov."Selena has returned, and so?" I asked, trying to calm myself down as Piper's questions only irritated me the more. I unbuttoned my shirt and started dressing up so I could meet up with office work that day."I was wondering if you've heard from or been in contact with her?"I paused and turned to her. The first thought that came to mind was if she was suspecting anything or if she was just asking. " Why would you even ask that? Even after what I told you about her? ... Piper, I don't think I have time for this, as you can see I need to get to the office."" I just wanted to be sure that's all.""Okay..fine. No, I haven't heard from her. Happy now?" I flashed my eyes at her before ei continued ransacking the wardrobe."Won't you rest a bit, since you just returned from the office?" She asked like she noticed anything fishy."No," I responded blatantly."You've been working all night. I think maybe you should get some rest --"" Piper please!" I sparked. She flinched at t