LOGINElara's POVHe was a silhouette against the blinding headlights. A man in a tailored black coat, absurdly out of place in this dusty, abandoned warehouse.Damien stepped through the destroyed entrance without hurry, without visible weapons, without backup of any kind.His Italian leather shoes clicked against the concrete floor with the same measured rhythm I'd heard him use walking into hostile board meetings.He was calm. Controlled. Fearless.His sheer presence seemed to freeze my captors in place.They raised their weapons with shaking hands, fingers hovering over triggers, but something about him made them hesitate.This was a man who commanded Fortune 500 companies, who could destroy entire industries with a phone call, who wielded power that most people couldn't even comprehend.And he had walked into this warehouse like he owned it.His gray eyes swept the scene with calculating precision, taking in every detail with the same methodical assessment he brought to corporate acqui
Elara's POVI pressed my back against the office chair, forcing myself to breathe steadily despite the panic clawing at my throat.I couldn't fall apart now.Careful planning would get me out of this. Not panic.I began studying my surroundings with new urgency, cataloging every detail that might offer an escape route.The office window was my first consideration, but it was a forty-foot drop to concrete pavement, and I could see at least one guard stationed outside the building. Even if I survived the fall, I'd be caught before I could run.The main staircase was constantly monitored, with at least one guard always positioned where he could see anyone coming or going.But the warehouse beyond the office was vast and cluttered with decades of abandoned equipment. Shipping containers, old machinery, and dark corners that might provide hiding spots or alternate routes.If I could get down there undetected, I might have a chance.I needed a distraction. Something that would give me access
Elara's POVMy head throbbed.When consciousness slowly returned to me, the second thing I noticed was that my hands and feet were bound tightly to a metal chair with rough rope that chafed against my wrists.I was in what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse.The air was thick with mold, rust, and the sharp chemical tang of gasoline.As my vision cleared, I could see three figures standing in front of me, all wearing black ski masks that obscured their faces completely.Behind them, various pieces of equipment were scattered across a makeshift table - including my laptop, which one of them must have taken from my purse."Good, you're awake," said the tallest of the three, his voice a low gravel. "We were starting to think we'd used too much chloroform."He stepped forward and slammed my laptop down on the table with enough force to make me wince."Here's what's going to happen," he continued, his tone businesslike despite the threatening circumstances. "You're going to write out the
Elara's POVThe smile slid right off my face.My mind raced with possibilities. What was he going to ask me? Something I couldn’t handle? My heart hammered against my ribs as I stared at his dead-serious expression.He must have seen the panic on my face. That serious look of his cracked, breaking into a wide grin.“I’m just messing with you,” he said, a spark of mischief in his eyes. “I’ve got good news. No—great news.”A wave of relief so strong washed over me, I let out a shaky laugh.."Don't do that to me," I said, pressing a hand to my chest where my heart was still racing. "I thought something terrible had happened.""Sorry," he said, settling into his desk chair with obvious satisfaction. "But your reaction was worth it."He leaned forward, his excitement becoming more genuine."The Cross Corporation project has been officially approved for full implementation. We're moving forward with your AI integration designs immediately."I felt my eyes widen with surprise.Liam pulled ou
Elara's POVI stared at Isabella's text message, knowing I shouldn't open whatever she had sent me.After all, if we were measuring by wealth and status alone, I was now the clear winner in this competition.The stock transfers, the Beverly Hills estate, Cecile's inheritance—I had everything a woman could want from a marriage to a billionaire.But curiosity was a dangerous thing.I couldn't resist finding out what Isabella thought she could possibly send me now that would have any impact.I opened the message. Two attachments. My blood ran cold.The first was a photograph of an enormous bouquet of red roses - not the elegant arrangements from our wedding, but something much more elaborate and expensive.The second was a picture of a ring that made my wedding diamond look modest by comparison.It was a pink diamond, easily twice the size of the stone currently on my finger, set in what looked like platinum with smaller diamonds creating an intricate halo design.The accompanying text ma
Damien's POVWhat could have happened?What emergency could be so terrible that it would reduce Isabella to that kind of raw, desperate crying?I didn't bother to wait for Elara.I strode quickly toward the door and pushed it open, bracing myself for the worst.Instead, I found myself staring at a scene that made absolutely no sense.Tanya was sitting up in the hospital bed, completely alert and engaged, holding a handheld gaming device.She looked up when I entered, her face brightening with a smile that showed no sign of distress or illness."Daddy!" she said cheerfully, waving the game at me. "Look, I got to the next level!"Meanwhile, Isabella looked up from her phone, a slow, knowing smile spreading across her face. S"You came," she said, as if stating the obvious. "I knew you would. ""What the hell is going on here?" I asked, my voice coming out sharper than I'd intended.She gestured toward the hospital bed where Tanya continued playing her game, looking as healthy as any six-







