ログインGlasses clinked together as Julian poured generous measures of whiskey and picked up the four filled glasses. He walked over to the men seated around the round table, Roman among them.“To taking back everything,” Julian declared, placing the first glass in front of one man, who nodded and raised it at once.“To reminding those fuckers who the top dog is.” He set the next glass down and took a satisfied sip, a sharp smile playing on his lips, before handing one to Roman. “And to my excellent older brother.”Roman accepted the glass, his expression steady.Julian gave the final one to the last man and returned to pour another for himself.“A toast for all our hard work this past month. In only a month, my brother has proven that nobody messes with us. We have everything back under control. Business is running as usual, and all our enemies have been put down. Raise your glasses with me.”The other members of the syndicate lifted their drinks in unison.“A toast to my brother for all the
Her eyes dropped to the files, scanning each name. “I am asking how many shares you hold, Mr Kuznetsov.” she pressed again.“Um.. about 1.2 percent,” he responded, straightening in his chair, uncomfortably.“Okay." Alana focused on the others at the table. "If there are no more questions, I would like to address the board properly now. As the new chairwoman, I will respect the existing management system of this company and enforce changes where necessary. I noticed that the company’s overall revenue has declined by twenty-five percent over the last five years. Why is that?”She looked around the table expectantly. One shareholder cleared his throat. “You would have to ask the previous chairwoman, Miss Ashford,” he answered politely.“I see. So you are telling me the board was unable to question the fact that our revenue had dropped and that company funds were being spent on lavish personal expenses?” she challenged. “It seems none of you truly care about the shares you hold in this c
Alana sat across from her mother in the lawyer’s office, the weight of the moment settling over her like a long waited victory finally within her grasp. “That should be all. Please sign here, Mrs. Gates,” the lawyer instructed politely, sliding the documents over to Stephanie. Stephanie took the documents, scanned them carefully, and signed her name with a flourish. She slid the papers across the table toward Alana. “You would also need to sign here, Mrs. Ashford.” the lawyer instructed. Alana raised her gaze briefly, confirming her mother’s signature before adding her own with smooth flick and movement of her wrist, while her fingers gripped the pen. A small sense of relief washed through her. “It is official,” the lawyer announced. “All shares from Mrs. Stephanie Gates have been transferred to Alana Gates. You are now the new Chairwoman of Flamme Jewelry & Diamonds. Congratulations, Ms. Ashford.”Alana offered the lawyer a warm, genuine smile. “Thank you for completing the proc
Alana decided to visit her aunt Rosalind that afternoon. It had been over a month since they last saw each other. The moment Rosalind came down from her room and saw her niece, her eyes welled with tears. She pulled Alana into a tight, heartfelt embrace, holding her as if afraid she might vanish again.“My dear, sweet girl,” Rosalind whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “I’ve missed you so much.”Alana hugged her back warmly, feeling a comforting sense of home in her aunt’s arms. Once they settled in the cozy living room, Alana shared her news with a soft smile. “I got married, Aunt Rosalie. To Roman Ashford.”Rosalie’s face lit up with pure joy, her hands clapping together in delight. “Ryan explained the situation to me. That’s wonderful! But why didn’t you invite me to the wedding, darling?”“It was a flash marriage,” Alana explained gently. “We wanted something private and quick. There simply wasn’t time for invitations or a big celebration.”Rosalind didn’t fully understand
Roman had left the country two days earlier. On Monday morning, Alana met with her newly appointed lawyer, recommended by Roman himself. Over the weekend, she had called and texted her mother, arranging a meeting to finalize the transfer of shares as well as position of chairwoman in of her father’s company. This time, Alana had chosen the venue: Roman’s penthouse, which now felt like hers by right of marriage.“Would you like me to bring anything, ma’am? Water, perhaps?” Emily, the new housekeeper, asked nervously as she passed by.Alana lifted her head from the file she was reviewing and offered the young woman a warm smile. “I’m fine, thank you.”She glanced across the table at her lawyer. “Mrs. Dandridge, anything for you?”“No, thank you. I’m quite alright,” the lawyer replied with a calm, professional smile.Emily slipped away quietly. Alana checked her watch again. Her mother was already ten minutes late, as usual. When the doorbell finally rang, Alana rose from her seat.“Th
She sighed softly and rose from the pool’s edge, water cascading down her curves as she walked over to him. Without hesitation, she settled onto his thighs, straddling him, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She rubbed her face against the warm, solid plane of his chest, breathing him in.“You smell good,” she giggled.“And you’re soaking me,” Roman replied, though the corner of his mouth twitched with amusement.At that, Alana shook her head playfully, sending droplets flying across his face. Roman tried to block the spray with one hand, laughing despite himself while she dissolved into chuckles.“Come swim with me,” she coaxed, standing up from his lap and tugging gently on his arm. “It’s just us.”“I don’t feel like getting wet this afternoon,” he said, leaning back. “I think I’ll just sit here and enjoy the sun.”Alana rolled her eyes, glancing up at the massive glass ceiling that arched high above the indoor pool. Sunlight filtered through in soft, golden shafts, catching on
"He arranged a family dinner for Friday, and he wants you there," Erin informed Roman."Ask him to reschedule the dinner. I have a meeting in Japan on Friday," Roman replied firmly."You'll need to reschedule that meeting," Erin insisted, his expression serious.Roman shot him a sharp look."And wh
After leaving Roman's room, Alana went straight to the kitchen to make breakfast for herself.She poured cereal into a bowl and added milk to the bowl. Making herself comfortably on a stool, she began eating.A minute later, Erin entered, tapping on his phone. From his attire, Alana could tell tha
"Alana What are you doing here?!" Katherine asked, her shock and surprise on seeing Alana evident in her voice.Words seemed to have left Alana's mouth, as she stared at Katherine then Roman then back to Katherine again, dumbfounded.What on earth could her Mother's best friend; Katherine Haze, be
Putting her last pair of shoes in the her suitcase, Alana looked around her room to make sure she had packed everything. Seeing that there was nothing left, she zipped the suitcase and placed it aside before exiting the room. Her feet padded down the stairs, and she made her way straight to the si







