Leaving the old man deep in his thoughts, Benjamin stormed out of his father’s office, barely able to contain his excitement as he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.“Leonardo,” Benjamin greeted as soon as the line connected. "Get ready. We're throwing a party."There was a brief pause before Leonardo’s smooth voice came through. “A party? What’s the occasion? Don’t tell me you’re already celebrating your bruises.”Benjamin chuckled darkly. “No, no. It’s better than that. This is the grand finale, Leo. The one where Kia gets what’s coming to him. We’re making his apology public.”Immediately, Leonardo’s interest piqued. “Public? I like where this is going. What’s the plan?”“I just spoke to my father,” Benjamin continued, pacing as he spoke. “We’re hosting a huge event at the family resort. I’m talking full-on spectacle. We’ll invite everyone... business partners, influential families, reporters. It’ll be the event of the season. And the best part? Kia will have to apologize in
As the front doors of the Rossi mansion creaked open, Rene and Maria stepped inside, their footsteps echoing through the grand foyer. The tension between them is heavy as the silence continues to drag on. Slowly, Maria walked a step behind Rene, and then she stopped, her fingers gently pinching the edge of his coat as he moved ahead of her. She tugged lightly, enough to get his attention but hesitant to speak. As his eyes shut for a moment, Rene stopped mid-step, turning around to face her, his brow furrowed as he met her fluttering lashes. Maria looked up at him, her lips parted as if she were about to say something, but no words came out. She stood there, nervous and unsure, her emotions teetering on the edge.Before either could say anything, the butler appeared at the edge of the hallway. “Kia,” he addressed Rene. “Master Carlo is awaiting you in the living room. He wants to speak to you. Alone.”Still holding her eyes with his, Rene kept his gaze on Maria, ignoring the butle
Saturday night8:00 P.M.As the silence continued to drag in the room, Rene stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his cufflinks, his thoughts scattered. The weight of what the evening would bring pressed heavily on him, knowing what he had to do at the party. His jaw tightened as he glanced toward the bathroom door. Maria had been in there for a while, far longer than usual, and the silence between them was beginning to suffocate him. “She’ll understand after tonight,” he mumbled to himself. He wanted to believe that, to hold on to the hope that after this, after the apology, he could fix things between them. But the doubt lingered. Maybe it was already too late.He finished dressing, straightening his jacket, and smoothing down his tie. He looked sharp, every detail of his outfit perfect, but it all felt hollow. The room felt too quiet, too cold without Maria’s voice. He turned and stared at the bathroom door for the longest time, hating the silence more than anything. Every s
The drive to the Leland family resort felt like an eternity. Rene's grip on the steering wheel tightened with every mile, his mind racing with thoughts of what the night would bring. He glanced sideways at Maria, her face set in an unreadable expression as she stared out the window, the quiet between them thick and suffocating.They didn’t speak the entire way. The tension from earlier still lingered, heavy and unrelenting. Rene had hoped their kiss might have bridged the gap, but it hadn’t been enough. Not yet.As they pulled up to the entrance of the lavish resort, lights from the grand yard spilled out into the night, illuminating the long line of luxury cars and well-dressed guests. It was a spectacle, just as Benjamin had wanted, and the Leland family spared no expense in flaunting their wealth.After bringing the car to a spot, Rene stepped out of the car first, smoothing his suit before coming around to help Maria out. As she stepped out, her hand slipped into his, and toget
As the music died down, the tension in the air grew, and Mr. Leland’s gaze locked onto Rene, the murmurs from the crowd quieted, and all eyes were now on Rene as the ballroom seemed to hold its breath.Benjamin stood smugly beside his father, while Leonardo swirled his champagne, eyes still gleaming with amusement. Mr. Leland approached Rene, his expression darkening with every step.“I trust you’re ready to settle this... unfortunate matter,” Mr. Leland repeated smoothly, though his voice held a barely concealed edge of disdain. His sharp gaze bore into Rene, expecting submission.But Rene didn’t flinch. He glanced at Maria, who stood beside him, her face filled with worry, before turning back to Mr. Leland, his eyes cold and unwavering.“Settle?” Rene’s voice was calm, but it carried through the room. “You mean you want me to apologize for what happened at the restaurant? For what your son did?”A ripple of shock ran through the crowd. Whispers buzzed like flies, shocked gasps es
The ballroom's atmosphere had shifted into something dark and menacing, the tension thickening with each passing second. The polished elegance of the chandeliers and the soft classical music now seemed jarringly out of place as the thugs in tailored suits moved in, surrounding Rene.Maria’s desperate cries echoed in Rene's ears, her voice cracking with panic as her mother and father restrained her. “Please! Don’t do this!” She struggled against their hold, tears streaming down her face, her words lost in the suffocating air of the room.As his fingers twitched by his side, Rene stood at the center of it all, his sharp gaze taking in the approaching men. His heart pounded in his chest, but his mind remained focused. He could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him, but there was no fear. Only clarity.He took a deep breath, bracing himself for what was to come.Benjamin watched with a smug expression, arms crossed, clearly relishing the moment. “You think you can disres
Benjamin’s face was flushed with anger, his fists clenched tightly at his sides as he glared at Rene. The room had gone deathly quiet, and the air was thick with tension. Maria, still standing beside Rene, watched the scene unfold with wide eyes, her heart pounding in her chest."You think you can just walk in here and act like you're someone?" Benjamin spat, his voice shaking with fury. "You're nothing! A nobody who got lucky! A maid's son... and you have the audacity to stand here and act like you're on our level?"Rene remained calm, his smirk never leaving his face as he studied the gun.The color drained from Benjamin’s face for a second, but his rage only deepened. “You think this is funny? Humiliating me? Humiliating my family? You think we’re going to let that slide?”Stepping closer, Benjamin pointed at Rene’s chest, jabbing his finger forward as if to provoke him. “I want you on your knees. Right now. Kiss my feet, beg for forgiveness, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll let you l
Before Mr. Leland could finish, the bank president stepped forward, his expression hardened, eyes unforgiving. “Mr. Leland,” he interrupted coldly, his voice echoing through the now-silent ballroom, “this has gone far beyond a simple misunderstanding.”The room stilled as the bank president’s eyes narrowed, filled with disapproval. He glanced at the lavish decorations, the chandeliers, the expensive wine glasses glittering in the light, all symbols of the Leland family’s reckless spending.“While you’re busy throwing lavish parties,” the bank president continued, his tone sharp, “your company is drowning in debt. The bank has been more than patient, but we are no longer willing to sit idly by while you mismanage your finances.”Mr. Leland’s forced smile faltered, and he stiffened, his eyes darting toward the guests who now watched in fascinated horror.The president’s words echoed in the room. “We’re prepared to initiate legal action to recover the debt you owe. If necessary, we’ll s
A hush swept over the ballroom, heads turned. Glasses paused mid-air. Even the chandelier light seemed to bend its attention toward the entrance.She stood there... Catherina Ford.Grace was too small a word.She didn’t walk in, she arrived... poised like she owned the ground beneath her heels. Her dress was a deep emerald silk, folding around her like liquid elegance. Hair up in a classic twist, neck adorned with a single strand of pearls that looked like they'd been fished from the private vaults of royalty. Not a wrinkle in her brow, not a misplaced gesture. Only presence.And it was majestic.Mr. Rossi’s jaw dropped open, actually dropped, hanging loose like a broken hinge before he caught himself with a little cough and a half-step forward.“My God,” he muttered. “Is that-?”Gunnar turned toward the entrance as well, brow lifting in curiosity.Rossi's voice was low but urgent. “Gunnar… please tell me you invited her. We’re not… we’re not close enough to the Fords.”But Gunnar onl
The Rossi convoy pulled into the circular drive of the Grand Meridian, the most opulent skyscraper in the city... glass and steel stretching into the stars. Paparazzi flashes crackled beyond the velvet ropes, their lights bouncing off the tinted windows of the luxury cars. Valets and security formed tight lines, working in sharp, clean choreography.The first wave of family emerged... Mr. Rossi leading with Madam Rossi at his side, flanked by Jason, Antonio, Layla, Bianca, Princess, and the others.Then Maria and Rene stepped out next. He stayed by her side, arm tucked beneath hers, smile faint but present, expression unreadable beneath the golden lights of the entrance.The guards nodded. The family entered.But Alejandro didn’t.He stood off to the side, just beyond the corner of the building where the cameras couldn’t see, leaning against his Jaguar, one leg crossed over the other, a cigarette burning low between his fingers.His tuxedo was only half-buttoned, hair tousled like he'
Maria stood near the window, phone pressed to her ear, her back straight, voice low. She wore a floor-length gown of deep emerald, sleeveless with a high collar and a low, scooped back that exposed the elegant arch of her spine. The silk flowed like water over her body, and her earrings... a cute glimmer of green stones... brought the whole look together with effortless grace.She ended the call with a sigh just as the bathroom door behind her opened.Rene stepped out, adjusting the cufflinks on his crisp white shirt. But it was the suit that caught the room.He wore a midnight black tuxedo, tailored to precision... sharp lapels trimmed in a sheen of satin, shoulders squared, waist nipped, the cut hugging his frame like it had been made by hands that knew him well. Beneath the jacket, the subtle gleam of a black silk vest peeked through, layered over a charcoal-gray shirt with the top buttons undone just enough to be daring, but not vulgar. A small silver pin was fixed on his lapel, a
The evening of the party had arrived.Beyond the grand windows of the Rossi estate, the sky bled into twilight, a deep indigo shroud setting the stage for the storm that loomed unseen. The Rossi residence shimmered with golden light, and distant voices echoed in the halls.The party.The celebration no one could stop.In the master bedroom on the top floor, the world was quieter... thicker with tension.Madam Rossi stood before the ornate mirror, a dark sapphire gown hugging her figure like silk. Her hands were at her sides, clenched and still. The diamonds at her ears glinted like ice, and the sharp bones of her face gave her a statue-like elegance. Yet the furrow between her brows betrayed her.Behind her, Mr. Rossi was finishing the final touches. He moved with an eerie calm, slipping the delicate chain of her necklace into place around her neck. His fingers were steady as always. Precise. Cold.“Your hands haven’t aged,” she murmured, watching his reflection. “Even after all these
The dining room was uncomfortably quiet without Maria and Rene.Jason sat at the head of the long table, his hand around a half-filled glass of wine, his eyes dull and unblinking. Layla sat beside him, unusually still, her perfectly styled hair tucked behind one ear, a forced smile frozen on her lips. Juan and Antonio were seated opposite each other, eating calmly but watching everyone else with barely disguised suspicion.No one spoke unless necessary. Only the soft clinking of silverware and the occasional shifting of chairs filled the room. A storm brewed behind every glance, every twitch of a brow, every sip of water. It was the kind of quiet that could split open at the slightest provocation.Abruptly, Layla’s phone buzzed sharply against the table, slicing through the silence. She flinched. Glancing down at the screen, her stomach turned."Dad."She cleared her throat gently, offering a courteous smile to the table.“Excuse me,” she said, her voice smooth, though her fingers gri
Rene tilted his head slightly, the faintest curve of a smile teasing at the corner of his lips. He gave a soft, contemplative hmm, as though the matter were merely an intellectual exercise. The silence dragged, intentionally, until even Madam Rossi’s fork stilled halfway to her mouth.“I must say,” Rene began, voice light, polite, dangerously unbothered, “you make a compelling case, sir. Betrayal, dishonor, public shame… It’s almost Shakespearean.” He set his water glass down with an elegant clink. “But there’s just one problem.”Mr. Rossi’s eyes narrowed to slits.“I didn’t betray anyone,” Rene said, voice sharpening beneath the charm. “I didn’t cheat. I didn’t lie. And I certainly didn’t ask to be used as some sacrificial pawn in your public relations game.”Jason scoffed quietly, just loud enough to be heard. “You act like you’re above the family, like none of this matters to you.”Rene turned his gaze slowly, lazily, toward Jason. “Oh, it matters. Just not the way you want it to.”
The early morning light spilled through the sheer curtains, casting pale gold streaks across the floorboards. Rene stood shirtless before the mirror, the soft scratch of gauze brushing against his ribs as he wrapped the bruises with practiced ease.The muscles in his shoulders twitched slightly at every pull, his face set in quiet concentration. The wound, though shallow, was enough to remind him of the night before... of passion, of pain, and of the call that followed.He barely flinched as he secured the bandage with a strip of medical tape, the sting long dulled. The quiet was broken by a knock on the door.Maria stirred from the bed, tangled in the sheets. Her voice was groggy, but steady. “I’ll get it.”She padded across the room, pulling his shirt over her shoulders, and cracked the door open. One of the younger maids stood there, neatly dressed with her hands clasped in front of her. She dipped into a polite bow.“Good morning, Miss Maria. Your grandfather requests your presenc
Suddenly, Rene rose from the bed, reaching for his belt and unbuckling it. He tossed it aside, then pulled his T-shirt over his head, throwing it across the room as well. His jeans followed quickly after, and when he threw them all aside, his boxer was the only piece left.Rene stared at her for another moment, his eyes flickering down her body. Then, he smiled faintly, a little selflessly, “What now?" Staring down at him, Maria’s breath hitched. Her eyes moved over the bruises on his ribs, the faint marks across his skin. Her hand reached out instinctively, trembling slightly as it hovered near his side.But Rene stepped forward, catching her wrist in his hand and gently lowering it. His touch was warm, patient, but there was finality in it.“Don’t look at me like that,” he murmured, his voice low with a hint of pleading. “Not today.”Maria opened her mouth to protest, but he silenced her with a kiss, soft at first. His lips brushed hers like a question, not a demand. She exhaled ag
Staring ahead, Gunnar reclined on the leather couch in his private office, one ankle resting casually atop his knee, a tumbler of untouched whiskey in one hand. The room was dim, bathed in the warm golden hue of late afternoon light. The only sound was the faint ticking of the antique clock mounted above the fireplace.Across from him, Rene sat stiffly, one arm draped over the couch’s backrest, the other nursing his ribs with deliberate restraint. A thin bruise was forming along his jawline, still fresh from his father’s rage. He wore it like an afterthought, uninterested in pity."Will you tell me who did that?" Gunnar asked, lowering his gaze to the cut."No," Rene said casually.Just then, Gunnar’s phone buzzed on the table between them.He glanced down at the screen, then back at Rene. “Your grandfather-in-law is calling.”Rene smirked faintly, though his eyes remained dull. “Answer it.”Gunnar hesitated only a moment, then tapped the screen. “Okay, boss.”He placed the phone on s