The sun was setting, casting a warm glow through the half-open window as Crystal moved quietly around Adrian’s room, dusting and straightening things up. She couldn’t help but notice how neat everything was almost too neat for a man who seemed so rough around the edges.She picked up a few scattered books and set them on the small shelf, glancing around to make sure she wasn’t touching anything too personal. As she moved to wipe the bedside table, her eyes landed on a small framed picture partially tucked behind a stack of old letters.Curiosity got the better of her, and she reached for it. The picture showed a younger Adrian, smiling softly with his arm around a beautiful pregnant woman. Crystal’s heart ached at the sight she had never seen him smile like that before.Before she could study it further, her wet hand caused the glass frame to slip from her grip. Time seemed to slow as the frame fell to the floor, shattering into countless pieces.Her heart pounded in her chest as she
Crystal didn’t turn. She kept walking, the sting of betrayal burning hotter than ever. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks.Behind her, Betty turned to Evelyn and chuckled. “You see that? She's halfway out already.”Evelyn smirked. “Just a little more… and she’ll disappear for good.”They both burst into soft, victorious laughter as Crystal disappeared down the hallway, alone and broken once again.Crystal stepped into her small room and gently shut the door behind her. The silence was too loud. Her eyes wandered across the dim space: the worn-out chair in the corner, the neatly folded blanket on the bed, the window that barely let in light.Her heart ached.She stood still for a moment, the weight of everything crashing into her all at once. Adrian’s sudden outburst, the cruel taunts of Evelyn and Betty, the fake recording still echoing in her head. “I just want Crystal out of this house.”Her knees weakened. She sat slowly on the edge of the bed, her fingers trembling as they cl
The company lobby buzzed with the usual morning rhythm keyboards clicking, printers humming, hushed voices filling the space like background music. That rhythm abruptly changed the moment Ilda stepped through the revolving doors.Her heels struck the marble floor with intimidating precision. Flanked by two company assigned security men, she walked as if the building belonged to her. Her fitted white blazer hugged her sharp frame, and her dark sunglasses covered her calculating eyes. One of the guards held her designer handbag, while the other cleared the path ahead.She didn’t speak. She didn’t smile. She didn’t even acknowledge the greetings of the staff as she moved through the corridor like a force of nature.Once she disappeared down the hall toward the executive wing, the tension broke.“She really thinks she owns the place,” muttered one of the younger interns, shaking her head.Another scoffed, “She’s not even married to Mr. Christian yet, but she already acts like a CEO’s wife
The corridor echoed with the click of polished shoes as the investors made their way out of the Blake Enterprises executive floor. Their tailored suits caught the soft gleam of the hallway lights, but their voices were low shrouded in careful murmurs, just beneath a whisper.The older gentleman on the left adjusted his cufflink and leaned slightly toward the woman walking in the center. “Did anyone else find it odd,” he said, “that she spent half the meeting praising another company? What was it… Rays & Co?”The younger man on the right chuckled under his breath. “It sounded almost like a sales pitch for them. She mentioned their adaptability, fresh workforce, better tech systems…”The woman gave a knowing smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “She may not have meant to, but she made a stronger case for them than her own company,” she said. “Honestly, I think she knows this place can’t handle our scale of operation. The structure here is” she paused, glancing around, “a litt
The amber glow of evening spilled into the Blake mansion through the tall, glass windows, casting long shadows across the marble floors. The once-lively house was unusually quiet, the kind of silence that pressed against the walls like an approaching storm.Adrian stepped through the front door, his coat slung over one arm and his steps heavy from the long day. He loosened the top button of his shirt and glanced toward the dining room, expecting to catch a whiff of something warm—maybe soup, or her soft voice humming quietly as she moved around the kitchen.But there was nothing.No sound. No scent. No warmth.He paused, brows furrowing, and tilted his head slightly.The kitchen lights were off. The living room was empty. The only sign of life was the soft ticking of the grandfather clock echoing through the hallway. Adrian’s heart gave a slight stir of discomfort, but he shrugged it off, stepping lightly toward the back of the house."Crystal?" he called out, voice low, uncertain.No
The car rolled on in silence. Only the sound of tires against the pavement and the quiet hum of the engine filled the space between them. The city lights faded behind them, and the roads grew emptier. Inside, Crystal sat curled up in the seat, Adrian’s coat still wrapped around her shoulders. Her fingers gripped it like a shield, her eyes fixed out the window, hiding the tremble in her lips.Adrian glanced at her, more than once, but said nothing at first. His grip tightened on the wheel.Finally, he broke the silence.“Why did you do this?” His voice was gentle, but there was a quiet ache behind it.Crystal didn’t answer right away. Her throat tightened. When she finally spoke, her voice came out sharp and strained. “Don’t worry, Adrian. I’m making my arrangements. I’ll leave your house tomorrow.”Adrian’s brow creased. “What—?”“I don't have to be a burden to you!” she snapped, her voice rising. “I don’t belong there. I don’t belong anywhere. I’m tired. So damn tired of pretendi
The room was dim, lit only by the soft golden glow of the bedside lamp. The curtains danced gently as the evening breeze slipped through the slightly open window. Olivia lay nestled under silk sheets, her hair falling over the pillow in gentle waves. Robert lay beside her, shirtless, with one arm resting comfortably behind his head while the other lightly stroked Olivia’s hair.“Your taste hasn’t changed one bit, my dearest Olivia,” Robert murmured, his voice deep, a sly grin on his face as he traced a finger down her bare shoulder.Olivia chuckled softly, playfully pushing his hand away. “Oh please, stop. You’re as dramatic as ever.”Robert smirked and turned to face her more directly. “Dramatic? You mean charming.”“Delusional, maybe,” she teased, her laughter soft and feminine as it filled the cozy room.He laughed along, then leaned in to kiss her forehead. “Still feisty, I see. I might be aging, but trust me… I haven’t lost my energy. Not even a little.”Olivia rolled her eyes wi
The morning sun filtered in through the blinds, casting pale golden rays across the polished floors. The house felt unusually quiet, too quiet. Then came the soft dragging sound of a suitcase wheel against the floor.Crystal appeared at the stairway, dressed plainly, her pale face void of color but carrying a strange calm. The workers passed with other of her luggages as she clutched one small suitcase in her hand. Her steps were slow, deliberate, like someone who had already said goodbye a hundred times in her heart.Downstairs, Evelyn and Betty were seated on the couch, heads close together, giggling over something on Betty’s tablet."Mom, look at this post," Betty cackled, swiping with her pink-polished nails. "Someone said if your maid starts dressing fine, just know your jewelry box is next."Evelyn let out a loud laugh. “These people online have no chill. But it’s true! That girl from the Johnsons, what’s her name—ran off with their family diamonds and left a thank-you note!”Sh
The grand hall of the Blake mansion was filled with urgent footsteps and low murmurs. Within minutes of Olivia’s collapse, the family’s private doctor, Dr. Halden, arrived, his medical kit in hand and concern etched deeply into his brow. He was led swiftly upstairs to Olivia’s room, where she had been laid gently on the bed by Christian and the house staff.Olivia looked pale, her skin clammy, and her breath came in slow, shallow waves. Though her eyes had opened faintly, she remained still and mute, her lips barely twitching as if she were trying to form words that simply wouldn’t come. Her once fierce gaze was now vacant — distant, trapped in a fog.Dr. Halden moved quickly and with practiced hands, checking her pulse, taking her temperature, and examining her eyes. “She’s stable, but barely,” he said gravely. “She’s regained consciousness, but she’s currently unable to speak or communicate properly. Her nervous system seems to be under a kind of strain — possibly induced by strong
“Any news?” Christian asked without turning.John sighed, walking further in. “I spoke with our guys. All airport security stations have been notified — private hangars, commercial lines, even border patrol. His name, face, and passport numbers have been circulated. They’re all on high alert. If he tries to leave the country, he’ll be stopped.”Christian slowly turned, his eyes blazing.“So you’re telling me he hasn’t left yet.” He stepped closer, each word heavier than the last. “That means that bastard is still walking around… breathing my air… after everything he’s done to my family.”John nodded cautiously. “It’s very likely, yes.”Christian slammed his palm on the table, making a stack of files tremble. “Good! That means I still have time. I’m going to make sure he pays for every damn thing he’s done.”He started pacing, fists clenched at his sides.“He stole from my mother. He used her… betrayed her trust. And the nerve — the nerve — to use her private codes to drain her shares,
The fluorescent lights of the hospital corridor flickered slightly, humming in the sterile silence that blanketed the space. Crystal sat stiffly on the metal bench, her hands clutched tightly together in her lap, her knuckles pale from the pressure. Her eyes, red and swollen from silent crying, remained glued to the double doors of the surgical theater.Each second that passed felt like a dagger to her chest.She kept whispering under her breath, "Please God… please… just let him be okay."The wall clock above ticked mockingly — its sound loud and hollow in the hallway. Crystal had no idea how long she had been sitting there. Time had lost all meaning the moment they wheeled Adrian away on that cold metal stretcher.She had begged to see him, just once, before the surgery…But they had refused.Now all she could do was wait…And hope.Suddenly, the doors burst open. Her heart skipped.A doctor in scrubs emerged — his mask lowered, sweat lining his brow. He pulled off his gloves slowly
Before Ilda could form a response, heavy footsteps echoed down the grand staircase.Olivia descended slowly, dressed in a dark silk gown, her face lined with exhaustion and worry."What’s going on here?" Olivia asked, her voice tight, her eyes narrowing into suspicious slits.Christian didn’t answer directly.Instead, he reached into the inner pocket of his suit with a slow, deliberate motion, his jaw tight and a storm flickering in his eyes.With a sharp flick of his wrist, he threw a thick bundle of papers at Olivia’s feet.They scattered across the floor like fallen leaves, rustling against the marble tiles.Olivia bent down, her hands trembling as she picked up the papers, her perfectly manicured fingers struggling to grasp them. Her face paled, and a deep frown etched itself between her brows as her chest rose and fell in uneven, shallow breaths.Her eyes scanned the top sheet and her face slowly drained of all color.A deafening silence filled the room.Only the faint ticking o
The heavy front door swung open with a deep, resonant groan, and Ilda stepped inside, her arms burdened with shopping bags and a small piece of luggage. A gust of cold, stale air greeted her, stirring a faint shiver down her spine. The workers, clad in crisp uniforms, rushed toward her, their footsteps tapping sharply against the marble floors.They wore polite smiles—too polite, too rehearsed—as they relieved her of her bags, their movements practiced and mechanical.The mansion swallowed her whole.It felt different.Too cold.Too empty.The grand hall stretched out before her, a cavern of gleaming marble and shadow. The once-warm chandeliers that used to bathe the entrance in soft gold light now flickered weakly, casting long, distorted.Ilda hesitated on the threshold, her heels clicking softly as she shifted her weight. She could hear the distant ticking of the grand clock in the main parlor, each second stretching out with painful slowness. The echoes of the workers’ footsteps r
The late afternoon sun dipped lazily behind the hills, casting long shadows over the winding streets. Inside the luxurious midnight-black Rolls Royce, Ilda sat like a queen basking in her triumph.The car's interior smelled of rich leather and the faintest hint of her expensive perfume.Next to her, several luxury shopping bags, bearing logos of high-end brands, rustled softly as the car glided smoothly along the quiet road.Her fingers absentmindedly brushed over a bag of delicate pastries she had picked up, her lips curling into a slow, wicked smile.Victory tastes sweeter than anything money could buy.Today, she felt invincible — like she had the world spinning in the palm of her hand.Christian Blake — the once untouchable, arrogant businessman — was now no better than the dust under her feet.The memory of his shattered face at the boardroom replayed in her mind like a cherished melody, and she let out a small, satisfied laugh, low and dangerous.The driver, a muscular man dres
The morning sun streamed softly through the large windows of Ethan's luxury penthouse, painting golden patterns across the marble floors.It was a new day — a victorious day.The air inside was sweet with the scent of fresh flowers and the richer, almost tangible scent of triumph.Ethan sat on the couch, a glass of wine in one hand, watching the morning news that recapped the disastrous collapse of Christian Blake’s business empire.The headline flashed boldly:"CHRISTIAN BLAKE: FROM BUSINESS KING TO FALLEN TYCOON"Ethan chuckled darkly under his breath.He leaned back, running a hand through his hair in sheer satisfaction.From the hallway, Ilda emerged, her silk robe trailing behind her like a queen making her entrance.Her face wore a victorious smile — a smile of someone who had waited so long for this moment.As she approached, Ethan’s eyes softened, and he set his glass aside, opening his arms wide."Come here, my queen," he said warmly.Ilda laughed — a rich, soft laugh — and s
His fists clenched at his sides, his jaw tightening with rage.Near the door, Ilda stylishly rushed forward, pretending to be horrified.She placed a gentle hand on Christian’s arm, her voice a perfect melody of fake concern."Christian, please... calm down," she whispered softly."You're going to make yourself sick. Please, let’s sit down. It’s not the end. We can fix this..."Christian wrenched his arm free, eyes burning with frustration.He glared at the remaining workers in the room — the ones who had failed to shut off the footage in time."You’re all useless!" Christian roared, his voice tearing through the heavy tension like a blade.It wasn't just anger in his tone — it was betrayal, humiliation, a man desperately trying to claw back his crumbling world.He stood there, fists trembling, chest heaving with rage.The echoes of his shout bounced off the cold boardroom walls, leaving a deadly silence in its wake.The workers shrank back like scolded children, their heads bowed low
70Christian entered the boardroom with his usual commanding presence, his expensive watch glinting under the light, his polished shoes clicking softly against the tiled floor.John followed close behind, carrying the folders for the meeting.Around the long oak table, the Chinese investors were already seated, their faces stoic, professional, their eyes sharp and evaluating.Christian offered a polite smile, inclining his head respectfully as he greeted them."Good morning, gentlemen. It’s an honor to finally have you here at Blake Enterprises," he began, his voice strong, confident."We’ve been preparing for this partnership for months, and I believe today marks the beginning of a mutually profitable relationship."The investors murmured polite greetings in return, nodding slightly.The translator sitting at the side repeated Christian’s words in Mandarin, ensuring everyone was on the same page.Christian felt the usual rhythm of business flowing through him.This was what he was go