MasukNo one spoke.Mr. Sterling tried again, careful now. “Belle is winning with younger buyers. TikTok. Influencers. Viral campaigns. We’re still relying on traditional marketing.”Sophia nodded once. “Then we evolve.”She faced the entire room now.“I want a full list of top beauty influencers. Every platform. Every follower count. Who they work with. Who they hate. Who they can be persuaded.”A pause.“We’re going to take them.”Ms. Crystal frowned. “That could cost millions.”Sophia didn’t even blink.“It could cost billions to lose.”Her gaze swept across the table sharp, challenging.“I’m willing to spend whatever it takes.”A beat.“Are you?”No one answered.Another executive spoke up. Ms. Vance. Product Development. "Ms. Langston, the board has concerns about your leadership. The recent firings. The aggressive tactics. People are talking."Sophia walked slowly toward Ms. Vance. Her heels clicked on the floor like gunshots."Let them talk." She stopped in front of her. "I don't ca
LANGSTON MANOR – MORNINGDamien stood by the window, his coffee was in hand while he was staring out at the perfectly trimmed gardens like they might give him answers. His shoulder was fine now. The wound had healed into a thin scar.But inside? Something still felt wrong. Heavy.Behind him, the bathroom door opened.Sophia stepped out like she had everything under control silk robe, perfect hair, not a single flaw on her face. She smiled when she saw him.“You’re up early.”Damien didn’t turn. “Couldn’t sleep.”She walked over slowly and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his back. “Bad dreams My Love?”A small pause.“You could say that.”She leaned in closer, trying to pull him into her warmth. “I can help with that.”But he didn’t move. Didn’t react.That’s when she knew.Sophia pulled back and looked at him properly. Her smile faded, little by little.“You’re thinking about her again.”Damien finally turned, his expression tired. “I’m thinking about a l
FAVINO PENTHOUSE – THE NEXT MORNINGThe morning sun came through the big windows. Amelia sat at the kitchen table in her bathrobe. The folder Victor had given her lay open in front of her. Photos. Bank records. Secrets.Her younger sister Valentina walked in, yawning. She was still in her pajamas, her hair a mess. She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down across from Amelia.Valentina pointed at the folder. "What's that?""Insurance," Amelia said quietly.Valentina frowned. "Insurance for what?""For the war. Against Don Eduardo. Against Alexander. Against all of them."Valentina stared at her sister. Her eyes went from Amelia's face to the folder and back again. "You're going to use it? Whatever is in there?"Amelia looked down at the evidence. Pictures of Catalina Reyes with another man. Letters. Proof of money being stolen from her own father."I don't know yet," Amelia admitted.Valentina shook her head. "Yes, you do know. You're just afraid to admit it to yourself."Ameli
VICTOR SANTOS'S OFFICE – LATE THAT NIGHTThe office was hidden in an old, dirty building. No name on the door. No windows facing the street. You could walk past it a hundred times and never know it was there.Inside, Victor Santos sat behind a massive wooden desk. His hands were folded in front of him. His eyes were sharp like a knife. He was Alejandro's uncle. The mafia connection. The man who fixed problems that couldn't be fixed legally. The man who made people disappear.Amelia sat across from him. Her hands were in her lap. Her face looked calm, but inside she was tired. Very tired.Victor studied her for a long moment. Then he spoke."You look tired, Amelia.""I am tired," she admitted."Good." Victor nodded slowly. "Tired people make better decisions. They don't waste time on emotion. Emotion gets people killed."Amelia almost smiled. "Is that why you wanted to meet with me so late?"Victor leaned back in his chair. It creaked under his weight. "I heard about Don Eduardo.
STONE INDUSTRIES – BOARDROOM – MORNINGThe boardroom was freezing cold. Not because the air conditioning was broken, but because of the mood. Everyone sitting around the long wooden table looked miserable. Their faces were pale. Their hands shook slightly as they flipped through open folders. On the large screens behind Amelia Stone, red numbers flashed everywhere. Losses. Bad news. Nothing good.Amelia sat at the head of the table like a queen on a broken throne. She looked calm on the outside, but her fingers tapped quietly against the armrest. She was angry. Very angry.Mr. Harrison, an older man with gray hair and a nervous tie, cleared his throat. "Ms. Stone," he said, his voice tight like a rope about to snap. "I have bad news. Don Eduardo Reyes has announced that his shipping line will no longer do business with any company connected to Stone Enterprises."Amelia's jaw tightened. She didn't blink. "How many contracts does that affect?""Three major ones," Mr. Harrison sa
OUTSIDE THE RESTAINT – CONTINUOUSThe night air was cool against Valentina's skin. The city lights glittered behind them like tiny diamonds. But her focus was entirely on Richard. He stood very close. His hand was still holding hers. His eyes were searching her face like he was trying to read a book."Business opportunity?" Valentina raised one eyebrow. "You want to talk business on our first date?"Richard smiled. But this smile was different from before. Less playful. More serious. Like a man who had been waiting a long time to say something important."I know. Bad timing. Terrible timing, actually." He ran his free hand through his hair. "But I've been looking for the right partner for months. Almost a year. And then I met you, Valentina."He paused. He looked down at their hands. Then he looked back up at her eyes."I felt like I could trust you," he said quietly. "The moment we started talking. I just knew."Valentina's heart fluttered in her chest like a bird trying to escape.
ALEJANDRO STUDY ROOM ~ SPAINAmelia’s voice dropped, almost a whisper against the heavy silence of the study. “But I can’t do it alone.”Alejandro, who had been leaning against the doorframe, straightened. He nodded slowly. “Who do you need?”“I need Ariana,” Amelia said, the plan solidifying as sh
THE FAVINO ESTATE — LATE MORNINGThe house felt different after Marisa left.Amelia noticed it first.The servants moved softly, avoiding eye contact. Phones were kept on silent. Even the sunlight pouring through the tall windows felt restrained, like it didn’t want to interrupt whatever storm was
ALEJANDRO STUDY~SPAINShe opened her eyes wide and stared right into his. As he watched her lose control from his touch, all the walls between them came crashing down. This wasn't just about their bodies it was giving in completely, becoming one, like a promise whispered in the shadows."Oh God, t
THE GUERRA ESTATE ~ SPAIN Gabriella burst into her father’s study at the Guerra estate.Her hair was messy, her makeup streaked, and her eyes were wild with anger.“He humiliated me!” she yelled. “He threw me out like trash!”She didn’t wait for Esteban to respond.“Alejandro had his guards drag m







