LOGINThe door to room 312 swung open so hard that it bounced against the wall. Daniel Blackwood stood in the doorway, his chest heaving, his tie loosened, his hair a mess from running his hands through it in the elevator.Katherina lay propped against her pillows, an IV line taped to the back of her hand, a hospital gown hanging loosely on her thin frame. She looked pale and exhausted, but her eyes were alert. Sharp. Almost amused.She blinked at him, clearly unimpressed by his entrance. "Good afternoon to you too, Daniel. It's lovely to see you as well. I see you dressed up for the occasion. Did you forget your manners at the door, or did you leave them in the car?""Don't you dare start with me," Daniel snapped, stepping into the room and pulling the door shut behind him.Katherina shifted slightly against her pillows, wincing at the movement before fixing him with a tired look. "Then don't come into my hospital room shouting like a madman. I'm not deaf, Daniel. I'm dying. There's a diffe
Damien Blackwood walked through the glass doors of Blackwood Industries with his son trailing behind him. Leo wore a navy blazer, a white shirt, and a tie that looked far too tight around his neck. His hair was neatly combed, and his shoes were so polished that he could see his miserable reflection in them.He hated every second of it.“Stand up straight,” Damien said without looking back. “And stop pulling at your tie.”Leo tugged at it again. “It's choking me.”“It's a tie, not a rope. You'll survive.”“That's what people say before someone dies from lack of oxygen.”Damien stopped and turned to face him. “Leo, I'm bringing you to an important board meeting today. You're thirteen, and it's time you started learning about the family business. These people manage billion-dollar deals, so I expect you to behave yourself.”Leo stared at him. “Understood.”“You will sit quietly, listen carefully, and speak only when necessary. No interruptions, no unnecessary comments, and absolutely no
Gabriella was awake when Alejandro entered the room. She lay propped against the pillows, an IV taped to the back of her hand, the monitor beside her bed marking out the silence with its soft, relentless beeping. At the sound of the door, her eyes found him. They tracked him across the room before she could stop them.“Alejandro…”He paused beside her bed. His gaze moved over her face, the IV, the curve of her stomach, then settled on her again. “Wonderful. You’re awake. I was beginning to think I’d have to organise another dramatic family gathering.”The words landed lightly. His shoulders did not.Gabriella’s fingers curled into the sheet. “Is that how you’re going to speak to me?”“What would you prefer? A standing ovation?” He dragged a chair closer, the legs scraping against the floor. “You nearly turned our living room into a crime scene, Gabriella.”She looked toward the window. “I was upset.”“Upset?” A laugh escaped him, too dry to be amusement. He remained standing behind the
Amelia didn't answer. She just stood there with her arms wrapped around herself like she was trying to hold her body together. The office was a mess. Broken glass from a shattered picture frame lay scattered across the floor, and papers were strewn everywhere from where she had swept them off her desk in frustration.Ariana stepped closer, her voice shaking. "You want him to take everything from you? You want him to destroy everything you've built? You want him to stand over your grave and laugh?"Amelia's eyes filled with tears. "I don't have a choice."Ariana grabbed her shoulders and forced Amelia to look at her. "You always have a choice. You just have to be brave enough to make it."Amelia pulled away and walked towards the window. The city lights blurred through her tears. "I'm tired of being brave. I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of losing. Do you have any idea what it feels like to watch everyone you trusted walk out that door one by one? They didn't even look back, Ariana. N
Richard turned to the board members. "The board has agreed that Valentina is our preferred candidate for chief executive. We will now vote on whether to withdraw our support from Amelia if she continues to refuse. All those in favour of walking away from the company if Amelia refuses to make Valentina the CEO, raise your hand."Amelia watched in horror as hands went up around the table. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten.Ten hands. Ten board members. Ten people she had trusted.Valentina smiled. A slow, cruel smile that spread across her face like poison. "You see, sister?" Valentina said sweetly. "No one wants you here. No one wants an ex-convict running this company. They want me. They've always wanted me."Amelia's chest heaved. Her voice shook with rage. "You want to leave? Fine. You all can leave. I can replace you people."Richard laughed a short, bitter sound. "Replace us? With who? No one would want to work with you. You're a convicted criminal. You're
“Sir, please step back. We need room to work.”Daniel’s brows pulled together as he tightened his grip on Katherina’s hand. “I’m coming with her. I’m not staying behind.”“Sir, we need to treat her first. Please, let us do our job.”Daniel’s jaw tightened. He looked from the paramedic to Katherina, his expression tense with worry. After a moment, he reluctantly released her hand and stepped aside, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. He watched helplessly as the paramedics administered emergency treatment before carefully lifting Katherina onto a stretcher.“Is she breathing properly?” he asked, moving closer as they wheeled her towards the door.“We’re doing everything we can. We’ll continue treating her on the way to the hospital.”Daniel nodded anxiously and hurried after them, his eyes fixed on Katherina. A heavy wave of guilt washed over him. He pressed his palms against his face and dragged them down slowly, his fingers trembling. After taking a shaky breath, he pulled o
BLACKWOOD INDUSTRIES ~ NEW YORK Katherina slipped Nicholas Hale’s card into her folder and closed it.Control. That was the word. And that was what she needed to hold on to.She straightened her blazer, smoothed her face, and returned to her desk as if nothing had happened. As if the air in the ro
Marisa jabbed a finger at Amelia. “Yes. You.”The room went quiet.Alejandro tensed. “Mother, don’t.”“No,” Marisa said, her voice cold. “You don’t get to shield her. Let me speak.”She stepped closer to Amelia. “You show up here… and suddenly the Guerras strike. You have ties to the Blackwoods. To
BLACKWOOD INDUSTRIES~NEW YORK Vivian was signing documents when Mia burst into the office without knockingHer voice shook. “Vivian… he’s here.”Vivian didn’t even look up. “Who? Ryan again? Security knows what to do.”Mia shook her head fast, eyes huge. “No. Harrison Cole.”Vivian stopped moving
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







