Semua Bab Familiar Strangers : Bab 1 - Bab 10

Elena barely survived the boardroom without melting. Damian's hand had rested on her knee under the table for the entire closing pitch, thumb tracing lazy, possessive circles over her skirt that made her thighs clench and her panties soak through. She'd forced her voice steady through the final slides, but inside she was screaming: five years since he'd split her open and filled her, and her body still betrayed her at his touch.She gathered her laptop with shaking fingers. "The contract terms are generous. I'll have a legal review and sign by morning."Damian rose, towering, his suit jacket unbuttoned just enough to reveal the crisp white shirt stretched across his chest. "No need to rush off." His voice was low, almost intimate. "We should celebrate the partnership."Elena forced a professional smile. "I have responsibilities waiting at home."His gaze flicked to her wrist, the silver bracelet catching the overhead light. "That piece. Unusual. The poker-chip charm... I've seen somet

The elevator to Damian's penthouse rose smoothly, silently, like it was carrying them into another world. Elena clutched Mia's small hand tighter than necessary. Her daughter stared wide-eyed at the mirrored walls, the soft golden lights reflecting endless versions of the three of them: tired mother, sleepy child, towering man who looked far too comfortable in crisis.Damian had insisted. After the silver sedan chase, the threatening text, Lila's voicemail about the debt collector at the office, there was no arguing. "My place has security. 24/7. Gated garage. You and Mia stay tonight. We'll sort the rest in the morning."Elena had packed a quick overnight bag while Damian waited in the living room, scrolling his phone with a face like thunder. Theo's rumor was gaining traction, anonymous posts on industry boards calling her agency "unreliable" and hinting at "CEO drama." Sterling Creative was winning the narrative before the Horizon campaign even launched.The doors opened directly i

Elena’s fingers hovered over the keyboard, staring at the half-finished email to her biggest remaining client…., the fashion startup founder who’d been teetering on the edge of pulling out even before the Vanguard deal. The subject line read “Re: Horizon Campaign Update & Reassurance.”She deleted it. Started over.The rumors were already everywhere.By mid-morning, her inbox had exploded. Three clients had forwarded the same anonymous LinkedIn post: “Reyes & Reyes instability confirmed, CEO personal baggage risking major Vanguard partnership. Proceed with caution.” The post had 1,200 likes, comments speculating wildly: divorce drama, financial troubles, even whispers of “questionable past relationships.”None of it named specifics. But the damage was surgical.Elena’s phone rang. It was Lila.“Tell me you’re seeing this,” Lila said without preamble.“Unfortunately.” Elena pinched the bridge of her nose. “Sterling’s fingerprints are all over it. Theo probably fed them the angle.”“Or

The conference room at Reyes & Reyes felt smaller than usual. Elena sat at the head of the scarred oak table, laptop open, presentation deck frozen on the Horizon campaign mood board. Across from her, Marcus Chen- founder of the rising streetwear-meets-luxury fashion startup that had been her agency's flagship client for eighteen months, fidgeted with his phone. His usual easy confidence was gone. Replaced by a nervous energy that made the air feel charged.Lila stood by the window, arms crossed, pretending to look at the street below. But Elena knew she was listening to every word.Marcus cleared his throat. "Elena, I respect what you've built here. Really. But...""But?" Elena kept her voice even. Professional. Even though her stomach was in freefall."The rumors." He tapped his phone screen, turning it toward her. The same anonymous LinkedIn post that had been circulating for days. Now it had 4,800 likes. Comments ranged from "fire her" to "Vanguard deserves better." One even specu

Elena’s phone wouldn’t stop vibrating. News alerts, texts, missed calls, each one a fresh blade.CNN Business: Vanguard CEO Damian Holt’s Secret Vegas Love Child Exposed – Photos Surface.Bloomberg: Reyes & Reyes CEO Elena Reyes Linked to Holt in Explosive Scandal.Twitter trending: #VanguardBaby #HoltLoveChildShe sat frozen on the couch, Damian’s arms still around her, his fingers still slick from moments ago. The orgasm he’d given her still pulsed between her legs, but the heat had turned to ice.Damian’s phone rang, his father, the retired founder. He ignored it. Another call, Theo. Ignored. A text from Victoria.Victoria: Family meeting. Now. My place. Damage control.Elena’s screen lit up again. Lila.She answered on speaker.Lila’s voice cracked through the room. “The debt collector is here. Right now. In the lobby. He says the photos were his insurance policy, but someone paid him extra to release them early. He’s laughing, Elena. Laughing.”Damian’s grip tightened on Elena’s