جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 30

At exactly 8 pm, the lights dimmed and a hush fell over the grand ballroom. A golden spotlight hit the stage as the host, Aaron Perry, stepped into it with a brilliant smile, his tuxedo was looking sharp and crisp. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 20th Annual Grand Fashion Gala,” he began with a voice smooth like velvet. “Tonight, we’re not just here to witness elegance, we’re here to celebrate art, vision, and the fearless spirit of designers who dare to create magic—not with the kind done with wands, but with hands, scissors, thread and vision. Applause erupted across the room filled with the elites-celebrities, businessmen, fashion critics. But honestly most of them were not paying attention, they all knew what they came for; the real battle was between Cooper’s Group, who were the last year winner and Williams Group, the same company that bought the last year winner’s designs. Despite the other companies’ models that walked on the runway and showcased their dresses, the crow

Aaron blinked. “You’re saying there’s proof?” The netizens weren’t kind either. “Where’s the evidence then?” “Don’t play victim. Show us.” Ria waved over a nearby waiter and handed him a flash drive. With Aaron’s permission, it was plugged into the big screen. The video started. A woman’s face appeared-it was the waitress from three years ago. “I was paid to slip something into her drink. I took the photos myself and sent them to someone who promised to give me money, we spoke on phone throughout the whole deal, so I don’t know the person. But nothing ever happened between Keisha and the director, she was unconscious the whole night.” Kelly’s fingers dug so hard into her palm that her nails broke. Blood seeped out but she didn’t care. She didn’t even flinch. She just sat frozen, staring at the screen blankly. Nathan noticed her reaction but he said nothing. Gasps rippled through the room and the murmurs began—this time around it was different. Even the comments on t

Ria woke up sore like she’d been hit by a truck—a sexy truck by the way.Every inch of her body ached, even in places she didn’t know she could ache. She barely had the strength to roll over and when she did, the other side of the bed was empty.Typical Alex.Seriously, how was he able to wake up early after what he did to her last night.The memories made her cheeks warm. Alex as like a beast uncaged last night—demanding and insatiable. He didn’t hold back, he kept taking until she had nothing left to give, and to be honest, she’d let him—she wanted him just as much as he wanted her.Those damn movies she watched lied. It never told her that the method was going to be this effect and also leave her this sore. Thankfully, it was weekend, there was no need to get up early, there was no way she would be able to walk properly.She sat up slowly, dragging the blanket over her chest and reached for her phone. The note on the nightstand caught her eyes, it was from Alex.“Had an emergency at

“Play the footage,”Noah placed the tablet on the table and pressed play and the video of the cafe came to life.The man in black had entered the cafe few minutes after Anna had left, he sat two seats away from where she had been and ordered a cup of coffee, then barely thirty seconds later, he stood up and went to the restroom.”“Pause it there,” Alex said sharply.Noah hit the pause key.“Zoom in,”He obeyed, using his to pinch on the screen while the frame closed in. They saw that as the man walked past Anna’s table, his brushed the edge of the table and a key entered his hands. There was no doubt that he’s a professional in this kind of thing.It was a car key.“She left it there and then took a damn bus so that she her accomplice would not be discovered.” Alex voice was grim.He leaned back into his chair; his jaw was already tightening.“Find out who he is, I want a name, family, friends or anything.”Noah nodded and left.He returned after an hour with a strange look on his fac

"My grandparents raised me, actually my grandmother. My grandfather died when i was four," Alex leaned his head back against the pillow as he started. He rarely shares his story with anyone but with her he felt safe and he wanted her to know everything about him. Ria remained quiet and listened, she knew how important this moment was for him, knowing that it wasn't easy for him to open up. "My dad was always too busy running the company," he continued, his voice was a little shaky now and filled with emotion; all the pent-up frustration were in it. "And my mom... she's a professor of medicine now." "After she had me, she went abroad to further her education, she was determined to reach the highest level and she did. Now she works at Central City hospital, only on appointments though... and my dad is now retired, the heart diseases from five years ago made him draw back from the business while i take over. Someone may argue that i had the best of life while growing up and indeed i