Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 121 - Chapitre 130

Lily's POVLearning about Richard's ruthless business tactics felt like losing my father all over again.I'd created an image of him as noble businessman who'd built something meaningful.Finding out he'd destroyed people along the way shattered that comfortable fiction."He sued a small competitor into bankruptcy over a patent dispute." I read through the files Alexander had compiled. "The family lost everything.""It was legal." Alexander said carefully. "But yes, it was cruel.""And this one." I pointed to another case. "He used political connections to win a contract then hired away the competitor's entire team leaving them unable to fulfill other contracts.""Strategic but ruthless." Alexander agreed. "Richard played to win regardless of collateral damage."I spent two days reading through documentation of my father's aggressive tactics.Each case showed a pattern of prioritizing success over people.Of viewing business as warfare where casualties were acceptable."He wasn't a go

Lily's POVAlexander had been acting strange all week and I was pretty sure I knew why.He'd been secretive and nervous and kept checking his phone like he was coordinating something."He's planning to propose." I told Catherine during our mentoring lunch. "I'm like ninety percent sure.""And how do you feel about that?" Catherine smiled knowingly. "Are you ready?""I think so." I played with my napkin nervously. "We've talked about forever and I know I want to marry him. But actually having it happen feels huge.""Marriage is huge." Catherine agreed. "It's permanent commitment to building life together.""What if I'm not good at being married?" I voiced my fear. "What if I'm too independent or too focused on my career or too-""Stop overthinking." Catherine cut me off gently. "Lily, you and Alexander are already partners in every way that matters. Marriage just makes it official.""But what if things change once we're married?" I worried. "What if the pressure of legal commitment cha

Lily's POVThe moment Alexander asked me to marry him all my fears disappeared."Yes." I said it with absolute certainty. "Yes, I'll marry you."He slipped the ring onto my finger and it fit perfectly like it had been made specifically for me.Which I realized it had been."This is the most beautiful ring I've ever seen." I stared at the blue sapphire catching candlelight. "Alexander, it's perfect.""The sapphire matches your favorite ocean color." He pulled me into his arms. "And the small diamonds are from Richard's watch."I touched the ring with tears in my eyes because having my father be part of this moment meant everything."Thank you for including him." I kissed Alexander deeply. "For making Richard part of our engagement."We stood on the beach holding each other and I felt complete happiness for the first time in my life.This man who I'd hated and fought and eventually fallen in love with was going to be my husband."I can't believe we're engaged." I kept looking at the rin

Lily's POVWedding planning started the week after our engagement announcement and I quickly realized how much work went into even a small ceremony."We need to book the venue first." I told Alexander as we reviewed our to-do list. "Everything else depends on location and date.""You wanted the botanical garden." He pulled up their website. "Let's see what dates they have available."We visited the garden that weekend and fell in love with the orchid room immediately.Natural light streaming through glass walls illuminating thousands of orchids in every color."This is perfect." I turned in a circle taking in the beauty. "Can you imagine saying our vows here?""I can." Alexander smiled watching me. "It's very you. Natural and artistic and beautiful."We booked the space for six months out on a Saturday afternoon in May."That gives us time to plan without rushing." I felt excited and overwhelmed. "Now we need to figure out everything else."The guest list was easier than expected sinc

Lily's POVThe emergency board meeting was called two days after Victor's lawsuit became public and I knew it wouldn't be good."Some members want us to sign prenuptial agreement." Alexander had warned me on the drive over. "To protect company interests.""A prenup?" I felt offended. "That seems like they don't trust us.""It's not about trust." Alexander tried to explain. "It's about protecting the company if our marriage ends badly.""Our marriage isn't going to end badly." I was firm about that."I know that." Alexander squeezed my hand. "But they want legal protection just in case."The board room was tense when we entered with members looking uncomfortable.William gave us an apologetic look that confirmed this meeting would be difficult.Robert Hartley led the discussion as usual."Thank you for coming on short notice." Hartley's tone was formal. "We need to address Victor Walter's lawsuit and its implications for company leadership.""The lawsuit is baseless." I spoke up immedi