Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 261 - Chapitre 270

Serena's POVSophia's voice cut through my sleeping like sunshine through the curtain."Wake up, your highness," she said, her tone dripping with mischief. "How can the owner of Diamond Company be sleeping this late? You've got empires to run, Miss CEO."I groaned and rolled over to the other side of the bed, dragging the blanket over my head. "Five more minutes," I mumbled into the pillow.Sophia laughed. "Five minutes? Serena, it's almost nine! Even the janitors at your company are awake by now."I peered out from under the blanket and squinted at her. Standing by the window in a casual white blouse and jeans, with her hair tied back into a neat bun, she looked annoyingly fresh for anyone who probably had been up for hours."Go away," I muttered. "You're enjoying this too much."“Oh, absolutely,” she said, smiling. “This is payback for all the times you woke me up before dawn to review reports or talk about ‘strategic goals.’”Slowly, I sat up, glaring at her. “I swear, Sophia, I am

Serena’s POV I stepped back into the dining room. Found Ella and Sophia already seated, chuckling over something that likely wouldn't have gotten a laugh out of me. The smell of brewed coffee and crisp toasted bread wafted through the space intertwining with the hum of sunrise light spilling through the towering windows.Sophia’s eyes flicked up the instant she caught sight of me, a wry grin tugging at her lips. "Well well, look who finally decided to join the living. It took you enough Serena.”I pulled a chair out. Eased into the seat opposite her, an eyebrow lifting enough. "I wasn’t gone long.”“Enough for your phone to have rung six times," she said, slouching back and throwing her arms across her chest, with flair. "Kyle’s been blowing up your line nonstop while you were tucked away in Damien’s room doing God‑knows‑what.”Ella gagged on her juice, fighting a laugh that threatened to escape, while I held a gaze on Sophia. "Really? That’s where your mind goes this early, in the

Alexander's POVThe knocking of knuckles against wood startled me awake. For a second I wasn't sure where I was-dull gray from morning light streamed faintly through the curtains, the inside of my head heavy from barely three hours of sleep.I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and sat up, the knock coming again, softer this time. “Come in,” I said, my voice hoarse.In came Alexa through the door, her neat composure somehow already perfect this early.She had on a pale-colored blouse tucked into high-waisted slacks, her hair pinned back in that effortless way she did everything: unruffled, efficient, and a little distant.“Good morning,” she said with a slight smile.“Morning,” I said, swinging my legs off the bed. “You’re up early.”“I could say the same.” Her voice sounded light enough, but there was that undertone of a question in it. “I noticed you came in very late last night. I was already preparing to sleep when I heard your car.I let out a slow breath, running my hand through my h

Serena’s POVI watched Kyles land on me, his warmth filling the room with light.I was down to the dregs of my coffee when I asked, "So where will you be staying?”“In that hotel " he said, adjusting the strap of his bag. "I managed to snag one of the lounges. The suites were already taken.”I gave a nod. "That’s nice. We’ll check on you later.”He let out a modest, almost amused chuckle. "You make it sound like I’m patient.”“Since you spent an eternity at the airport just waiting for me to finally pick up your call," I teased "you might well be.”Kyle let out an amused chuckle. "Fair enough," he said. He pivoted toward Damien and the others offered a greeting then fixed his eyes back on me. "Already heading out?”“​Yes," I said, getting up from my chair. "I won’t be back until evening, there’s a day ahead.”“Alright " he murmured, a smile playing on his lips. "Don’t let the work grind you down.”“ I’ll do my best not to " I replied.After a round of small talk Kyle offered his parti

Serena’s POVWhen Damien and I stepped into the board hall every eye in the room instantly latched onto us. Bathed in the chandelier’s spill the long glass table shimmered, its surface mirroring the countenances of the firm’s senior executives. The atmosphere was saturated with a tension the kind that always seemed to fill the room whenever the reins of power were about to shift.I slipped into the chair at the head of the table casting a glance, over each face. Damien settled into the seat beside me thumbing through a folder as the meeting got underway.The discussion opened on a note slipping easily into conversation. The executives then unfurled a series of reports that charted the company’s momentum, its profit streams and the slate of pending projects. I held back my words for most of it, letting them take the lead. Now. Then my eyes swept the room taking note of their reactions the way they spoke and the unmistakable eagerness to impress.The current Managing Director, Mr. Ha