LOGINThe boardroom fell silent when Richard cleared his throat. He placed both palms flat on the mahogany table and looked directly at Amelia, who was already growing impatient with the discussion“Temporarily,” he said.Amelia raised an eyebrow and gave him a disbelieving look. “Temporarily? And who exactly do you have in mind to take control of my company?”“Me. Me!” Valentina quickly interrupted, leaning forward with an eager smile. “I’m the one who should take control of the company temporarily.”Amelia slowly turned towards her sister, then let out a mocking laugh. “Who else would it be? Apart from the backstabbing, attention-seeking BBL whore who’s been waiting for an opportunity to steal what she couldn’t build herself?”Valentina’s smile vanished as her face twisted with anger.“Enough of the vulgar language!” Richard snapped, glaring at Amelia. “You’re insulting your incoming CEO.”Amelia rolled her eyes. “Incoming CEO? Is that what we’re calling her now? How touching. I didn’t rea
Daniel Blackwood stood outside the hotel room door. His jaw was clenched. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets. He had been up all night, thinking about what his father had said. About responsibility. About being a father. About doing the right thing.He knocked on the door. "Katherina. It's Daniel. Open up." No response. He knocked again, louder this time. "Katherina! I know you're in there. Open the door!"Still nothing.Daniel's heart started to pound. He pulled out his phone and called her. He could hear the phone ringing inside the room. But no one answered."Katherina, if you don't open this door, I'm going to break it down!"Silence. Daniel stepped back. He took a deep breath. Then he charged forward and slammed his shoulder against the door. It burst open. He stumbled inside. The room was a disaster. Clothes were scattered across the floor. A half-empty glass of water sat on the nightstand. The curtains were drawn, casting everything in a dull grey light.He stepped insi
Alejandro lunged forward, but the officers were already moving. One grabbed Gabriella’s wrist while the other caught her arm, trying to wrestle the knife from her hand. Gabriella fought back, screaming and twisting so violently that both men struggled to keep her under control. “Let go of me!” she screamed. “Don’t touch me!”“Ma’am, drop the knife!” one of the officers ordered.But Gabriella refused to listen. In the struggle, the blade suddenly plunged into her lower abdomen. She let out a sharp, agonizing scream. Her fingers immediately loosened, and the knife slipped from her hand, hitting the floor before spinning to a stop.For a moment, nobody moved. Gabriella slowly looked down, her eyes widening as she noticed the blood spreading across the front of her clothes. “Oh, God…”Her knees gave way. “Gabriella!” Alejandro shouted, rushing towards her.The officers caught her before she could hit the floor and carefully lowered her down. Gabriella pressed one trembling hand against he
STONE SHIPPING INDUSTRIES ~ NEW YORK CITY Valentina was seated at the head of the conference table, wearing an expensive cream suit. A smug smile spread across her face when she saw Amelia. “Well, well. Look who finally decided to return to work.”Amelia ignored the remark and walked towards the head of the table. “Get out of my chair, Valentina.”Valentina raised an eyebrow. “Excuse me?”“You heard me. Get out of my chair.”A few board members exchanged uncomfortable looks. Valentina, however, remained seated. “I’m afraid you’re confused, Amelia. This is no longer your personal kingdom. We’re holding an important meeting to discuss the future of Stone Shipping, and I happen to be the person being considered for the position of chief executive.”Amelia stopped beside her. “Being considered doesn’t mean you’ve been appointed. Now get out of my chair before I lose my patience.”Valentina slowly stood, laughing under her breath. “Still as arrogant as ever. I suppose prison didn’t teach
The knife trembled in Gabriella’s hand as she backed away from the two police officers. “STAY THE FUCK BACK!”Both officers stopped, keeping their eyes on the blade. Gabriella’s chest rose and fell rapidly. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her trembling fingers struggled to maintain their grip.Alejandro stood in front of Sofia, one arm stretched protectively across her. “Put the knife down, Gabriella,” he ordered coldly.She laughed bitterly. “Now you’re worried about me? After everything you’ve done?”“I’m not going to repeat myself.”“Why? So you can send me back to that miserable guest room while your precious Sofia enjoys my bedroom?” She pointed the knife toward them. “You’ve taken my marriage, my home, my friends and my dignity. What else do you want?”Sofia folded her arms, looking at her with open disgust. “Can you stop acting like the whole world owes you something? You’re standing there with a knife because Alejandro doesn’t want you anymore. Have you completely lost you
Amelia’s jaw tightened, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her lose control.“You really do enjoy hearing yourself talk, don’t you? Don’t mistake a problem for a defeat. I have a board to deal with, a company to protect, and a sister who clearly needs reminding of her place. None of that changes the fact that Leo is my son.”“Then deal with your problems first. We can discuss Leo when you’re in a better position.”“There’s nothing to discuss. You don’t get to decide when I’m allowed to speak to my child.”“Good luck with your board meeting, Amelia. You’ll need it. And while you’re busy trying to save your company, don’t forget about my offer. Delay the launch of your three ships if you really want to speak to Leo.”Amelia let out an irritated laugh. “You’re still going on about those ships? Damien, do you ever get tired of embarrassing yourself?”“There’s another option, of course.”“What option?”“Come back to me.”Amelia went quiet for a moment, certain she had he
THE GUERRA GRAND MANSION~ SPAINGabriella stepped into her sunlit bedroom at the family villa outside Madrid. The red dress from last night still draped over a chair, a trophy of her victory. Her skin still tingled from Alejandro’s hands, his desperate kisses, the way he’d lost control. She let he
AMELIA STONE OFFICE ~ STONE INDUSTRIES The door to Amelia’s office opened without a sound. Nicholas Hale stepped in, closing it behind him with a soft click. The room seemed to shift, charged with something unspoken.Amelia stayed in her chair, leaning back with calm, controlled ease. Her usual CE
ALEJANDRO MASTER BEDROOM ~ NEW YORK The phone had been buzzing nonstop.Alejandro walked into the master bedroom, holding it up. “Mi reina, your phone has been ringing non-stop.”Amelia pushed herself up against the pillows, exhausted. “My phone? Are you serious? I thought I had it with me all alo
Alejandro stood on the sidewalk outside Amelia’s towering apartment building. The crisp New York morning air did nothing to clear the fog in his head. His duffel bag felt like a brick in his hand, heavy with the few clothes he’d grabbed in a rush.Suddenly, cameras clicked around him. Paparazzi app







