LOGINCHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN: CHANGE OF PLANSDAMIAN’S POVShit!The whispered as I forced my expression to remain smooth, stepping deeper into the dimmer part of the ballroom a corridor away from the main bright ballroom.My pulse pounded in my ears. Across that crowded floor, I had watched Serena’s lips move. I had seen the sudden, desperate intensity in her eyes, the way she gripped Caspian’s wrists, and the instant, heavy shift in his posture. She knew. I didn't know how the hell she knew, but it didn't matter. She was handing Caspian the exact key he needed to blow our entire operation wide open before the main stage announcement.If Caspian called his security detail right now, if he alerted the board directors or locked down the estate’s private networks, months of meticulous planning would burn to the ground in minutes.I picked up my pace, taking the steps of the grand side staircase two at a time, retreating into the upper balcony level where the lights were dim and th
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN: STANDING A MOMENT AWAYSERENA’S POVThe moment I stepped through the grand entrance into the main ballroom, the sheer weight of a hundred staring eyes pressed against me. The vast room was a dizzying spectacle of glittering socialites, towering floral arrangements, and rich silk gowns, but I barely registered the high-society crowd.My gaze swept across the floor, searching frantically through the sea of tuxedos and gowns until my eyes locked directly onto him.Caspian.He was standing near the staircase, tall, and striking in his dark tailored tuxedo. The second his dark eyes met mine, the rest of the crowded room seemed to melt away. He was staring at me with an intensity so fierce, it felt as though he wanted to swallow me whole. There was an open hunger in his expression that made my heart give a sudden thud against my ribs.A warm blush crept up my neck, heating my cheeks despite my best efforts to maintain a cool, composed posture. I took a slow
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN: YOU'D SEECASPIAN’S POVThe grand ballroom of the Devon estate was a dazzling sea of shimmering chandeliers, flowing champagne, and chatter.I stood near the grand marble staircase, dressed in my tailored black tuxedo, holding a glass of sparkling water. On the surface, I was the picture of absolute composure, the formidable CEO of Laurent International, commanding respect from every corner of the room. Beside me stood Mr. Vance, one of the most powerful global venture capitalists in the country, talking about a massive corporate expansion deal."We are looking at finalizing the terms by next quarter, Caspian," Mr. Vance said, swirling his glass as he leaned in closer. "A one-billion-dollar joint infrastructure contract. It’s a historic figure, even for Laurent International. My board is entirely on board, provided the internal stability of your executive committee remains as solid as ever.""You have my personal guarantee, Vance," I replied smoothly,
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN: TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT DAMIAN’S POVI stood in the center of the dimly lit dressing room, adjusting the stiff white cuffs of my dress shirt. The hum of the city outside was barely audible through the thick glass. Tonight was the accumulation of endless months of patience, silent wire transfers, secret midnight meetings, and painstaking maneuvering. Everything we had sacrificed, every indignity we had quietly swallowed while watching Caspian Laurent sit comfortably on his throne, it all converged on this single evening.Soft, quiet footsteps crossed the floor behind me.I looked up into the mirror as she stepped into the soft frame of the vanity light. She stopped directly in front of me, reaching up with delicate, steady fingers to take hold of the unfastened black silk bowtie resting over my collar."Hold still," she murmured softly, her dark eyes locking onto mine through the glass before dropping to focus on her hands.I kept my body completely sti
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN: MAKE UP OR BREAKUPSERENA’S POVThe mirror standing in the corner of my bedroom reflected a woman I barely recognized.I smoothed my palms over the delicate fabric of the dress, letting out a breath that made my chest rise and fall against the silk. It was a floor-length, champagne colored backless gown that caught the warm lighting of the room in a subtle, ethereal shimmer. The front was sleek and elegant, draped high at the neck, but as I turned slightly to the side, the back dipped into a dramatic, plunging V that exposed the entire length of my spine down to the waist.It was the dress I had bought a few months ago at the boutique while I was impulsively spending Caspian's moneyI picked up a silver drop earring from the vanity tray, my fingers trembling slightly as I pushed it through my earlobe. The invite had been hand-delivered to my apartment door yesterday afternoon by a official courier from Laurent International. A thick, cream colored en
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE: BASHING REUNION CASPIAN’S POVThe tumbler felt cool in my hand.I stood by the glass window of my study, staring out at the sprawling city skyline. Normally, looking out over this city gave me a sense of absolute control, an unyielding focus that had carried me through every struggle and corporate takeover of my career.Tonight, however, my pulse was racing like an inexperienced boy.Tomorrow was the Devon’s gala.I took a slow sip of the scotch, feeling the warm, liquid burn pleasantly down my throat, but it did nothing to ease the anxiety winding inside my chest. It was an utterly ridiculous feeling. I was Caspian Laurent, a man who had faced down ruthless board members, aggressive corporate buyouts, and hostile media storms without ever losing my composure. Yet right now, the simple thought of walking into a ballroom and standing face to face with my own wife made my hands tremble against the crystal glass.I was nervous. Deeply, and unmistakably ne







