Chapter 361

MadisonThe afternoon dragged on. I kept my head down, avoided the executive floor, and worked methodically through my tasks. By five o'clock, I had cleaned out my personal items from my desk and organized all my files. I took one final look around my office, then walked to the elevator. As the doors closed, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Whatever came next, I was ready. At home, I found Mom in the kitchen, humming as she stirred something that smelled delicious. "You're home early," she noted, glancing up from the pot. "I had a light day." I set my bag down. "That smells amazing." "Just beef stew. Nothing fancy." She turned down the heat. "Are you alright? You look... different." I hesitated. "Mom, we need to talk." Her face immediately creased with concern. "What's wrong? Is it Alexander?" "Sort of." I sat at the kitchen table. "I've been thinking about making some changes." "What kind of changes?" "Big ones. I'm considering leaving Knight Industries. And maybe Ne

Last Updated : 2025-09-18

Chapter 362

MadisonThe weekend arrived with unexpected sunshine and a sense of anticipation. Mom and I packed overnight bags and set off for Connecticut in a rental car. "It feels like an adventure," Mom said as we drove out of the city. "I haven't been on a road trip in years." I smiled, feeling the tension of the past weeks begin to fade. "Me neither." The drive was pleasant, the countryside gradually replacing the urban landscape. We listened to oldies radio, singing along to songs we both knew by heart. Our first stop was a small colonial-style house in a quiet neighborhood. "It's charming," Mom said as we pulled up. The realtor, a cheerful woman named Linda, showed us around the property. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a spacious kitchen, and a backyard that made Mom's eyes light up. "I could plant a garden here," she said, looking out at the empty space. "It's a great starter home," Linda assured us. We visited three more properties that day, each with its own charm. By the end, w

Last Updated : 2025-09-19

Chapter 363

Madison"We're pretty casual around here," Ellen explained as she showed me my desk. "No staying until midnight unless there's a genuine emergency, and even then, we'll probably just tell the client to wait until morning.""That sounds healthy," I said, setting my bag down on my new desk. It was simple but functional. Just a regular office setup with family photos of people I didn't know still in the frames.Ellen noticed me looking at them. "Oh, those are from the last person who sat here. Feel free to toss them in the drawer or bring your own.""Thanks." I glanced around at my new coworkers. "So what's our current project load?""We've got three major developments in progress," Ellen replied, handing me a folder. "The Riverside apartment complex, the Main Street revitalization, and the Hartford medical center expansion. I'm putting you on Riverside to start."I flipped through the folder. The project was similar to ones I'd managed at Knight Industries, but at about a quarter of the

Last Updated : 2025-09-28

Chapter 364

AlexanderI strode through the lobby of Knight Industries, nodding briskly at the security guard. The news of my engagement to Katherine Sinclair had spread like wildfire, and everyone seemed determined to congratulate me. Even the elevator operator gave me a knowing smile. "Congratulations on your engagement, Mr. Knight." "Thank you," I replied automatically, already scrolling through emails on my phone. The doors opened to the executive floor, and I stepped out, expecting to see Madison at her desk. Instead, I found an empty chair, her computer screen dark. The pristine surface of her desk looked wrong without her stack of color-coded folders. I checked my watch: 8:45 AM. Madison was never late. In fact, she typically arrived before me. Strange. I walked to my office. Perhaps she was in the project manager's office downstairs, preparing for the morning meeting. That would explain her absence. A knock interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I called, loosening my tie slightly. L

Last Updated : 2025-09-28

Chapter 365

Alexander5 Years Later I stood in the conference room, watching as the last board member filed out. The acquisition of Oakridge Holdings had been contentious, but I'd managed to secure the votes I needed. Another win for Knight Industries. "Excellent work, Mr. Knight," said our CFO, pausing at the door. "We'll finalize the paperwork by the end of the week." "Make it tomorrow," I replied, gathering my notes. "I want this locked down before their shareholders get cold feet." He hesitated, then nodded. "Of course, sir." The room emptied, leaving me alone with the smell of coffee and expensive cologne. I checked my watch: 2:17 PM. I'd been in meetings since 7 AM, barely stopping for lunch. My phone vibrated in my pocket. Katherine. Again. I silenced it without looking at the screen and headed back to my office. She'd called three times this morning, each time more persistent than the last. Whatever she wanted would have to wait. I glanced at the desk outside my office, now occupi

Last Updated : 2025-10-03

Chapter 366

AlexanderI ended the call and tossed the phone onto my desk. Madison Harper. Running a café in Connecticut. Five years without a word. No calls, no emails, not even a damn text. Just gone, like she'd never existed except in my memories and the occasional dreams I refused to acknowledge. "Harper's Haven," I muttered. What kind of name was that for a café? Too cutesy. Too small-town. Too... Madison, actually. I could almost see her, standing behind a counter, serving coffee with that small smile she used to reserve for moments when she thought I wasn't looking. I shook my head, trying to clear the image. This was ridiculous. I was Alexander Knight, CEO of Knight Industries. I had an empire to run, deals to close, a fiancée to... Ah, yes, Katherine. My eternally patient fiancée. Patient wasn't exactly the right word. Distracted was more accurate. We both were. Our engagement had become a comfortable arrangement. She had access to the Knight name for her fashion line, and I had a s