Vivian storms out of the failed boardroom coup, still reeling but determined to regain control. Shemeets with her leadership team and remaining loyal department heads to stabilize operations andstem the bleeding from the PR crisis fallout. Implementing austerity measures and tapping emergency reserves keeps the company solvent fornow, but Vivian needs a bold move to secure Hayes Cosmetics' future. She sets her sights oncourting billionaire investor Russell Pine - whose recent hostile takeover of a struggling Avalontech firm grabbed headlines. Vivian pours through every scrap of information on the reclusive financier. She learns Pine has apenchant for beautiful women and enjoys mingling with Avalon's celebrity socialites when notsequestered doing shadowy deals. Vivian has her assistant book her a breathtaking designergown for the upcoming Emerald Gala event she knows he will be attending a few weeks out.She will insinuate herself into his good graces using every all
Back stiff as forged iron beneath her glittering gown, she scanned the crowd until she located Pine smoking a thin cigar in a far corner, watching her react to the news with undisguised amusement.Very well then. He wished to manipulate and provoke her? She would show him that particular game worked both ways. Approaching him slowly, she plucked the cigar from his fingers and brought it delicately to her own mouth, holding his smoldering gaze all the while. She took one long, slow drag, tilting her head back to exhale a graceful plume of fragrant smoke. When she handed back the cigar, Pine’s eyes had gone molten. Excellent. His hungry reaction galvanized her confidence. No matter who currently had the upper hand, she possessed weapons of her own in this duel with the billionaire power broker. Stepping nearer, Vivian traced one fingernail lightly down the lapel of his tailored suit. “I believe we have some negotiations yet to conclude tonight, you and I,” she purred silkily. Pine i
TristanThe glass door to my corner office slid open and my assistant Alex strode in, tablet in hand. His sharply tailored suit and perfectly styled chestnut hair gave him an air of smooth professionalism."The Hamilton deal is nearly secured, sir," he informed me briskly. "Just awaiting their final signatures."I smiled, reaching up to adjust my thick black-rimmed glasses that kept sliding down my nose. "Perfect. Be sure to expedite any requests from their executives. I want this to go as smoothly as possible for Vivian."Alex nodded. "Of course, sir."My phone buzzed with a notification from my security team - Vivian was back in town today after a week-long cosmetics conference. I quickly wrapped up the meeting with Alex."Change of plans - get the jet ready to head home immediately.""Right away, Mr. Levine." Alex pivoted sharply and exited my office, already barking orders into his bluetooth earpiece.I tidied up the mountain of paperwork on my desk, thoughts drifting to Vivian ar
TristanNumbness washed over me as I turned to gather a few personal possessions into my old canvas shoulder bag - the ratty flannel shirt Vivian used to tease me about but secretly loved, my favorite coffee mug that always made her smile, the Moleskine notebooks filled with story ideas I would sketch out late at night when insomnia kept me up.Just a handful of the everyday items that contained a thousand little memories of our life together. My life, which had imploded in the span of one excruciating hour.“And just where do you think you’re going with those bags?” Linda's sharp voice cut through the haze like a whip crack.I froze, the frayed straps of my bag clutched in one hand. “I...I was just going to take some clothes and my notebooks...” I stammered, shrinking under her piercing glare.“Absolutely not,” she snapped. “You forfeited any claim to possessions in this household when you signed those papers. The only things leaving this house will be the clothes currently on your b
TristanI stood uncomfortably in the opulent ballroom, keenly aware of the eyes assessing my every move. It had been years since I socialized among the upper crust Sterling relatives and family friends. Tonight’s dinner gala was foreign territory.Still, I tried to exude an air of calm confidence as Grandfather introduced me around. Can’t show any weakness to these sharks.“Tristan, allow me to reacquaint you with your uncles Francis and Victor,” Grandfather said, leading me over to two middle-aged gentlemen. “Your father's brothers.”“Uncle France, Uncle Victor, it’s been too long,” I said politely, shaking their hands. Their smiles didn’t reach their eyes. They likely resented Albert overlooking them for succession and favoring me instead.“You’re looking well, my boy,” Uncle France remarked. “Marriage must agree with you.”I tensed slightly, but kept my tone light. “It has its ups and downs like anything. But I can’t complain.”The uncles exchanged a subtle, knowing look that immed
TristanMorning sunlight streamed in through the towering cathedral windows of the opulent Sterling family mansion master suite, rousing me reluctantly from sleep. For a blissful moment I forgot where I was, the plush king mattress and silk bedding feeling foreign and disorienting.Then everything came crashing back in a gut punch of recollection. The humiliatingly public divorce from Vivian. Being cast out and losing everything I had worked for, with only the clothes on my back to my name. And my estranged, domineering grandfather swooping in at my lowest point to reclaim his “wayward heir” like a piece of property.I swallowed hard against the lump forming in my throat. So much for waking to peace and optimism this morning.A brisk, no-nonsense rap at the carved mahogany door heralded the arrival of Viola, one of the many crisply uniformed housekeepers employed by the estate.“Good morning Mr. Sterling,” she pronounced crisply, wheeling in a polished silver serving cart laden with d
Bella Stepping off the plane into the bustling Avalon City airport terminal, I breathed a deep sigh of relief. The long cross-country flight was finally over. Now, to track down the man I had impulsively dropped everything to come find - the only man who had ever truly held my heart. Tristan. Just the thought of his name was enough to send my pulse quickening. So many years had passed since we were both awkward, studious teenagers at Avalon Prep. Back when I'd secretly nursed a hopeless crush on the gangly, bespectacled boy with the shy smile. Never in my wildest daydreams did I envision he would grow up to become the elusive, brilliant tycoon who anonymously saved my family's struggling company from impending ruin. His quiet kindness and generosity, hidden behind an unassuming facade, left me utterly smitten. Not that I ever stood a chance at catching his eye, not with him devotedly married all this time to that narcissistic shrew, Vivian. But now, with news of their bitter divor
VivianThe rhythmic click of my designer heels echoed through the glossy corridors of the Hayes Cosmetics corporate headquarters. Employees jumped to plaster themselves against the walls, averting their eyes as I strode past. One of the perks of being the boss.I rounded the corner and came to a stop outside the sleek frosted glass door bearing my name. Stepping inside my corner office overlooking downtown Avalon City, I paused to take in the view. My kingdom.Rolling my neck to relieve the tension coiled there, I sank into the plush leather executive chair behind my desk. Time to tackle the mountain of paperwork and prepare for this afternoon's critical meeting. Securing a partnership with Hamilton could be the breakthrough Hayes Cosmetics desperately needed to reach the next level.I flipped through the proposal one last time, memorizing key details. A knock at my door drew my attention. My assistant Jess poked her bubbly face in, chirping, "Vivian, your 10 o'clock is here!"I glanc