LOGINDOMINIC “Gentlemen, we’re aligned on the quarterly targets. I expect those reports on my desk by end of week. Any questions?” A couple of them muttered agreements, one or two asked minor clarifications on timelines, which I handled quickly. “Good. Meeting adjourned.” I ended the call and exhaled, rubbing the back of my neck. I wrapped up the video call with a firm nod, leaning back in my chair in the quiet study. The screen showed the last of the board members signing off and I did too. Business as usual. But today my mind kept drifting elsewhere. To the reunion dinner and to Valerie. Not that I was nervous but, the board would be there. If Valerie and I don’t pull off our act right then it would all be for nothing.I refreshed my news feed out of habit, and there it was, the headlines and social mentions popping up everywhere about the Cantrell family throwing a private reunion dinner. “Cantrell Family Welcomes New Member in Exclusive Affair,” one outlet read. Another: “Old Mon
MADELINEHe looked surprised but relieved, patting my shoulder gently. “Good girl. Think carefully. You’ll see I’m right.”I hurried out of the study, pulling my phone out before I even reached the hallway. My fingers flew across the screen as I dialed Ethan fast, heart racing with new, dangerous energy. The plan was already taking shape in my mind. I don't need dad or his final random judgements. I need Ethan.He picked up on the third ring, his voice cautious. “Madeline?”“Hey, are you at your company?” I asked immediately. “Yeah I am. What’s wrong?” he sounded genuinely worried. “It’s urgent. I’m on my way to your company right now. Don’t go anywhere.”“Wait I thought you were at the old Cantrell villa?” he asked. “I was. Now I'm coming to you." He sighed, sounding tired and wary. “Okay.”The drive across town felt too long, every red light a personal insult. I tapped my nails against the steering wheel, replaying Dad’s words and Dominic’s casual dismissal at the dinner. By the t
MADELINE I stormed through the front doors of Ross Manor, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor with every furious step. I felt humiliated. Angered. Of all astonished because the bitch was actually a slut! Grandmother Eleanor made her findings herself and found out about this only to what? Not kick her stupid ass out the very second? What the hell happened to "prestigious" family name. One of the maids stepped forward with that same fake sweet smile they always wore when I returned home. Staring at me all stupid with that submissive posture.“Welcome home, Miss Ross. Would you like—”“Shut up,” I snapped, not even sparing her a glance. “I don’t need your fake cheerfulness today. Just stay the fuck out of my way. Got it?”She shrank back immediately, bowing her head and murmuring apologies as she retreated. Good. I didn’t have time for servants pretending they cared about my day or my mood. They were paid to serve, not to offer comfort. I marched straight to my father’
MADELINE I stormed through the front doors of Ross Manor, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor with every furious step. I felt humiliated. Angered. Of all astonished because the bitch was actually a slut! Grandmother Eleanor made her findings herself and found out about this only to what? Not kick her stupid ass out the very second? What the hell happened to "prestigious" family name. One of the maids stepped forward with that same fake sweet smile they always wore when I returned home. Staring at me all stupid with that submissive posture.“Welcome home, Miss Ross. Would you like—”“Shut up,” I snapped, not even sparing her a glance. “I don’t need your fake cheerfulness today. Just stay the fuck out of my way. Got it?”She shrank back immediately, bowing her head and murmuring apologies as she retreated. Good. I didn’t have time for servants pretending they cared about my day or my mood. They were paid to serve, not to offer comfort. I marched straight to my father’
VALERIEMy face heated up instantly, a flush creeping up my neck. I glanced quickly at the front seats, but Hawthorne and the other man remained perfectly still, eyes forward like they were trained not to hear a thing. “That’s not the point.”“It is very much the entire point,” he countered, his hand finding my thigh under the privacy of the center console. The touch was light but intense, sending sparks racing up my leg. “I haven’t looked at anyone else since this started. And I have no plans to because my wife is quite good enough.”We went back and forth the whole drive, the argument filling the car like a live wire. “This isn’t just about appearances, Dominic. What if someone asks questions? What if they dig into how sudden this all was? Your grandmother already grilled me. The whole family is going to do the same but worse.”He squeezed my thigh gently. “Let them ask. We’ll handle it together. That’s what husbands and wives do, right?”“Fake husbands and wives,” I muttered, but t
VALERIE I was still looking at Dominic across the breakfast table, my fork paused halfway to my mouth, when Grandmother Eleanor dropped the bomb without any warning. I waited for Dominic to say something against it. Not that I fully understood what the hell it was about but given the name I might have a vague idea. One that I fear. Still Dominic sat there looking effortlessly composed and sipping his coffee like he didn't hear what she had just said. A family reunion.“Family reunion?” I repeated, blinking hard as the words sank in. My stomach did a little flip, the kind that had nothing to do with the perfectly prepared eggs on my plate.Grandmother Eleanor nodded once, decisive as ever, her posture straight as a ruler even in her chair. “It is tradition. We are a prestigious family. We cannot accept a new member without the proper formalities. And so, as per our tradition everyone will be there. Dominic's uncles, aunts, cousins from every branch.” this isn't good. “They all need
VALERIE Cassie hummed thoughtfully. “He’s not wrong…”“No.” I shook my head immediately, cutting in before she could even finish aligning herself with him again. “Absolutely not.”Dominic’s eyes slid to me, intrigued now. “I don’t want shortcuts,” I continued despite the way his gaze felt like it
VALERIE For a second, Madeline just stared at Dominic like she was trying to figure out if pushing more would work. Then she stared at me and back at him. What followed was a huff, clearly annoyed, her expression slipping into something more childish than composed.“Fine,” she muttered, turning sh
VALERIE I pulled it out and froze slightly when I saw it. A bank receipt. Five hundred thousand dollars transferred to my account. My name on it clean and clear. And one word under description. Gift. I stared at it longer than I meant to, my grip tightening slightly because I wasn’t expecting that
VALERIE My thighs pressed together instinctively before I forced them apart again, forcing myself to stand still, to not give him more than I already had, but it was getting harder, way harder than I expected.Then It finally pressed down on my clit. Right over the fabric and my entire body reacte







