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One Hour With Me

Author: Evelyn Joness
last update Last Updated: 2026-01-06 03:23:21

INT. BLACKWOOD INDUSTRIES – KATHERINE’S OFFICE – LATER

The room was no longer frozen in panic. Now it buzzed with sharp, nervous energy.

Nicholas Hale stood by the table, calm and precise in his tailored suit. Papers were spread everywhere contracts, numbers, projections.

Katherine paced back and forth like a trapped animal.

Vivian sat stiffly in a chair, eyes locked on Nicholas, her expression guarded. She didn’t trust easy answers.

Nicholas ended a quiet phone call and set his phone down. “I’ve spoken to their representative,” he said. “The Ariadne Group is… aggressive.

But they’re real. And the money they’re offering is enough to wipe out the Cortez case and fix our worst debt problems.”

Katherine stopped pacing. “So they can save us.”

Vivian didn’t move. “What’s the price?” she asked sharply.

Nicholas met her gaze. “What they call ‘total cooperation.’”

Vivian’s jaw tightened. “Meaning?”

“A full reset,” he said calmly. “They’ll want the board cleared out. New leadership they app
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  • The Return Of The Betrayed Bride    Line by Line Euro by Euro

    STONE ENTERPRISES~ NEW YORK Amelia Stone’s office was quiet, but her head was anything but.One screen showed the Cortez case files. Another held Ariadne Group’s ruthless offer to Blackwood. And floating over both was the photo she couldn’t escape Alejandro on a balcony, Gabriella at his side, caught mid-laugh by a hungry camera.She had smashed her favorite paperweight yesterday.Today, she didn’t feel like breaking anything. Today, she was planning.Ariana had left earlier, a half-eaten salad on the desk and a warning look in her eyes. “Remember,” she’d said, “the target is Blackwood. Not your… wandering husband.”“I know,” Amelia replied flatly. “He’s just distraction.”But distraction could be useful.Anger sharpened her focus. The cold burn in her chest wasn’t pain anymore it was power.Her phone buzzed.A calendar reminder flashed on the screen, one she hadn’t acknowledged in years: Favino Family Quarterly Dinner — Seville. 72 hours.She swiped it away without hesitation. Let

  • The Return Of The Betrayed Bride    Careful what you Negotiate for

    Nicholas leaned casually against the railing, hair still messy, eyes dark and teasing.“Morning,” he said, voice low. “Making coffee without me?”She swallowed, suddenly aware of the sweater and the way it clung. “Someone had to,” she said, trying to sound casual.He smirked and walked closer, hands in his pockets. “Careful… I might decide you’re my breakfast now.”Katherine’s heart skipped. “Breakfast?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.“Mm,” he said, dark and playful. “I mean my breakfast. You look dangerous in my sweater.”She laughed, nervous and flustered, heat creeping up her neck again. “You’re impossible.”“And yet,” he murmured, leaning closer, “you keep showing up anyway.”She rolled her eyes, but the compliment landed anyway. “Flattery before caffeine is dangerous.”He crossed the kitchen in three strides, came up behind her, and wrapped both arms around her waist. His bare chest pressed warm against her back. He rested his chin on her shoulder.“I’m not flattering,” he murmu

  • The Return Of The Betrayed Bride    Accusations Not Proof

    Alexander straightened slowly. Whatever shock had crossed his face vanished, replaced by surprise. “No,” he said.The word hit the room like a gunshot.Amelia stared at him. “No?”“I won’t call off the engagement,” Alexander said, voice even, controlled. “And I won’t destroy Vivian.”Ariana let out a sharp breath. “After everything you just heard?”Alexander turned to her, eyes cold. “I heard accusations.”Amelia laughed, short and bitter. “You heard the truth.”“You heard fear,” Alexander snapped. “And grief. Not proof.”Ariana pushed herself upright despite the discomfort, her voice tight. “She named the school, Alexander. Not just the name the gate, the drop-off time, the blind spot by the fence.”Alexander didn’t blink. “And yet my son my godson is alive. Unharmed.”Amelia’s hands curled into fists. “Because I signed the return of shares agreement contract.”“No,” Alexander said sharply. “Because nothing was ever going to happen.”She stared at him. “You’re saying she was bluffin

  • The Return Of The Betrayed Bride    Engaged to A Monster

    STONE INDUSTRIES~ NEW YORK "Mr. Blackwood," Amelia said, not bothering to stand. "You have a strange definition of 'appointment.'"He stepped inside, letting the heavy door click shut behind him. His eyes swept the room, pausing on Ariana, who was now awkwardly trying to sit up straighter on the couch. He gave a slight, dismissive nod before his gaze landed back on Amelia."Some matters are too urgent for appointments," he said, his voice a low rumble. "And too delicate for secretaries.""Iris, please give us the room," Amelia said, her eyes never leaving Blackwood. "And hold all my calls."As the secretary rushed out, Ariana pushed herself up from the couch. “I should be on my way out let me give you too privacy ”“Stay,” Amelia and Alexander said at the same time.Amelia shot him a sharp look, then turned to Ariana. “Please. Stay.”Ariana hesitated, then slowly sat back down, her eyes moving between them.Amelia leaned against her desk, folding her arms. “So,” she said coolly, “t

  • The Return Of The Betrayed Bride    Temptation Wrapped in a Suit

    NICHOLAS HALE APARTMENT ~ NEW YORK The kiss hit like fire weeks of tension spilling out all at once. No holding back. His hands tangled in her hair, tilting her head deeper into his. She gripped his sweater, pulling him close until there was no space between them.He tasted like wine and heat, everything she’d been denying herself. She moaned, and he responded with a low growl that shook her chest.When they finally pulled back, both gasping, his dark eyes burned with desire.He didn’t hesitate. He took her hand and led her upstairs.The bedroom was big, dark wood, white sheets, city lights sparkling through the windows. He turned her to face him, fingers brushing the strap of her dress.“Last chance to lecture me about conflicts of interest,” he said, a teasing curve to his lips.She smirked and yanked his sweater over his head. “Shut up, Nicholas.”He laughed low, rough and then his mouth was on hers again. He walked her backward until her knees hit the bed. Clothes came off in a

  • The Return Of The Betrayed Bride    Schemes of Desire

    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 herself smile a sharp, triumphant curve.She picked up her phone and dialed. The line connected on the second ring.“Papá,” she said, voice smooth, controlled, and a little satisfied.“Speak,” Esteban Guerra’s deep, cold voice answered. “He’s taking the bait,” she said, letting a slow, deliberate pause hang. “Alejandro… he gave in last night. On the balcony. Completely. He couldn’t resist me.”A low hum of approval came through the line. “Good. Very good. The family dinner is next week?”“Yes. He’ll invite me. I know him too well to think otherwise.”“Make sure he does,” Esteban said, tone icy with pleasure. “Make him need you. Remember, Gabriella, the goal isn’t just a wedding ring on your f

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