Semua Bab MISTRESS OF THE GAME: Bab 61 - Bab 70

XAVIER STORMI sat there deliberating on what to make of the smug on Roland’s face as soon as he entered the office and the fact that he had the same smug when Garrick called. What the fuck was going on? I asked myself.My hand hovered above my desk, fingers slightly curled like claws aching to grip something, anything, to crush the nerves crawling under my skin. That expression on Roland’s face wasn’t new. I had seen it before. A twitch at the corner of his lips, too damn close to a smirk to be innocent. The same smug look when Garrick had called earlier, spewing threats and venom as if he were the one betrayed.I leaned back in my chair, eyes narrowing on the door that had just clicked shut behind Roland. He had left a few minutes ago while I was still on the call. But that look, why the hell did it keep replaying in my mind?Wait a minute… what if Roland had something to do with the call?The thought slid into my mind with the stealth of a serpent. It was plausible. He had been th

XAVIER STORMI poured myself a glass of wine as soon as he left my office.The bottle gave a satisfying glug as the deep red liquid filled my glass, catching the golden overhead lights in a way that made it look like liquid fire. I took it in one hand, swirling it slowly, watching the legs crawl down the sides. The scent was earthy and rich. Expensive. Like everything else in my life. And yet, as I took the first sip, a certain feeling crept in.Loneliness.It settled in like a quiet fog, wrapping itself around my chest. I leaned back in my chair, letting the wine coat my tongue, and stared at the space Roland had just exited.He had plotted against me.He, of all people, knew what betrayal meant to me. And yet he did it. Quietly. Carefully. Like a man who thought I would never find out.James was the only person I had ever called a friend. Every other person around me was an associate, a business partner, a well-dressed parasite who knew better than to cross me. Roland, he was next c

XAVIER STORMAs soon as I ended the call, my phone rang again. I barely had time to collect myself before the device buzzed loudly against the desk. I glanced at the screen.It was the manager at the Lounge.I let it ring twice before answering, already assuming it had something to do with the account signatory change. This entire transition had brought far more complications than I had anticipated, and it started to get me angry. I answered reluctantly, his voice came immediately,"Hello, sir..."His voice surprised me. It was low, almost trembling, a tone heavy with something beyond formality."Is there any problem?" I asked, sitting forward, my mind wondering what could have gone wrong to make him sound the way he did.He hesitated. Then, spoke. He sounded very cautious, yet pained, "Actually, there is, sir."I closed my eyes briefly. I knew it. Something had gone wrong."What is the problem? Actually, whatever the problem may be, speak to James. He is the boss now."I was about to

XAVIER STORMI arrived at the office earlier than usual. The place was still and oddly quiet. Not many staff had shown up yet, not even Roland. The security team gave me their usual stiff nods, but even they looked surprised to see me. I didn’t bother to return the greeting. I walked straight to my office, the echo of my shoes clicking along the polished floors.The scent of leather and wood greeted me as I stepped inside. I dropped my coat on the armrest, settled into the chair, and powered on my laptop. My eyes stung slightly from lack of sleep, but I ignored the fatigue. I had work to do. My fingers flew across the keyboard as I accessed the surveillance footage of the hotel suite. My breath caught the room was empty, no Marie.I clicked to switch the camera angle. Bedroom, still no sign. Sitting room, nothing.Where the hell was she?A cold wave rushed through my chest. My heart picked up pace. I reached for my phone, already preparing to call the hotel manager, when a thought str

XAVIER STORMThe rest of the night was lovely. That rare kind of lovely that lingered longer than it should, the kind that changed hearts, but my feeling towards Else could not change, the mood was softening, and Else was unbothered by reality. We had returned from the golf club still basking in the warmth of shared laughter and unspoken ease. For the first time in weeks, maybe months, the burden on my shoulders felt a little lighter. Not gone, but manageable.Else had slipped out of her shorts and was already in the kitchen by the time I hung my jacket. The scent of garlic and herbs teased the air. It wasn't much, just the promise of something warm and comforting. She hummed softly as she worked, barefoot, so relaxed, she looked beautiful as always, but there was something in the way she moved around my home, claiming space without asking, that reminded me why I kept her close.I dropped onto the living room couch, letting my head sink into the cushion. The TV remained off. I didn’t