All Chapters of Lucky in Love: Chapter 21 - Chapter 29

Chapter 21: The Owner of the EmpirePeter found his father in his office surrounded by papers, documents scattered across the desk, and a glass of expensive cognac within easy reach. Marcus Sterling worked late. He always had. Business came first. Before my family. Before children.Peter learned that early on.“You invited the bastard to the annual dinner,” Peter said bluntly, closing the door behind him hard enough to make his point.Marcus didn’t look up from his papers. “Yes, I invited him.”Peter approached the desk, resting his hands on the polished surface.“You’ve never invited him before. Why now?”Finally, Marcus looked up, removing his reading glasses and setting them aside with slow, deliberate movements. He studied Peter for a moment—that appraising look Peter knew all too well. The look that measured worth, usefulness.“I want to meet the woman he married,” Marcus said simply. “She has our surname now.”Peter let out a harsh, humorless laugh. “She was my employee. An orph

She entered the room and locked the door behind her, as if the simple click could block what she was feeling. She threw herself onto the bed, sinking into the mattress still warm from her own restlessness. His scent lingered on her, clinging to her hair, her skin, the air she breathed. Woody, intense... impossible to ignore.No, she couldn’t feel that.She loved Peter. Or at least she thought she did. So why did her body still vibrate with the memory of those gray eyes? Why did her heart seem to betray everything she believed to be right?She felt guilt settle in her chest like an uncomfortable weight. She closed her eyes, trying to sleep, trying to erase it before it grew. But the night was too long. She tossed and turned, restless, each minute dragging thoughts she didn’t want to have.When she no longer knew if it was dawn or prolonged insomnia, loud music echoed through the house, a strong beat and vibration that penetrated the walls.Female voices accompanied it, exaggerated laug

Sebastian needed to prepare bait for Karen. He planned how to reveal the truth about his identity in a way that would make her depend on him even more. He couldn’t just throw the documents on the table and say, “Surprise, you’re a billionaire.” That would make her run away, seek outside help, lawyers other than Richard.No. it had to be gradual. Organic. As if he were discovering it along with her. As if he cared.So the next morning, when he found Karen in the living room having breakfast—she always ate alone, as if expecting to be kicked out at any moment—Sebastian sat down in the chair next to her.“Good morning,” he said.“Good morning,” she replied, her voice still soft with sleep.“You woke up early again,” Sebastian said.“At the orphanage, we were all forced to get up very early.” She kept her eyes on the cup in her hands. “But I think you know that.”Sebastian was silent for a moment, as if something had crossed his mind. When he spoke, his voice was lower.“I try to forget a

After leaving the casino, Mrs. Malcolm got into the car with steps quicker than her elderly legs usually allowed.As soon as the door closed, she opened her handbag with trembling hands and took out a cigarette. She lit it with the cheap lighter she always carried, a habit she kept hidden from the children at the orphanage.She took two deep drags; the smoke filling her lungs, calming her frayed nerves.Then she threw the half-smoked cigarette out the window, as if the gesture could erase what she had just discovered.She held the crucifix hanging around her neck, worn by time, warmed by her skin, and closed her eyes.she whispered, “Lord, protect that child.”A brief, urgent prayer, laden with decades of faith and newly awakened fear, then she picked up her mobile phone and called Karen.Three rings.“Hello?”“Karen, dear.” Mrs Malcolm’s voice sounded more controlled than she felt. “Can we have coffee now? I need to see you.”After twenty minutes, Karen crossed the snack bar almost r

Karen went to the window and looked out at the city; so bright and dangerous. Las Vegas at night was beautiful in a way that hurt. Neon lights promising dreams, casinos offering fortunes, hotels selling fantasies. All lies. All traps, and she had fallen into one of the worst.Karen felt foolish for believing that Peter, a rich man, would fall in love with her. An orphan. Nobody.Of course it wasn’t real, she thought bitterly. How could it be?At that moment, the cell phone in her dress pocket vibrated.Karen took it out with slightly trembling hands. A message from an unknown number lit up the screen;“I’m sorry.”Two simple, devastating words.And her naïve heart ached. Because she knew who it was from. She would recognize that writing style, that tone, anywhere.Peter.Distraught, Karen looked around as if Sebastian might appear at any moment. As if he could read her thoughts, see through walls, know that Peter had contacted her.She returned to the room with quick steps, almost run