Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 141 - Chapitre 150

Leona's POV I stormed into my office, the door slamming against the wall with enough force to rattle the framed photographs lining the corridor. The morning had been a disaster from the start, and my mood had only soured with each passing hour. The weight of Nikolai's rejection pressing against my chest was like a physical burden, and no amount of caffeine or busywork could dislodge it. My employees bore the brunt of my frustration. I snapped at my assistant for a minor formatting error in a report, dismissed a junior associate's presentation with a wave of my hand and a cutting remark. Even the intern, who had done nothing more than deliver my coffee, received a glare sharp enough to make her retreat in silence. None of it helped. The anger simmered beneath my skin, hot and unrelenting. I knew Nikolai had never looked at me as anything more than a friend, a sister, even. The knowledge had settled into my bones years ago, accepted and buried beneath layers of denial but acceptance

Nikolai's POVThe penthouse felt different when I walked through the door. It was quieter, heavier, as though the air itself had thickened with unspoken tension. My first instinct, as always, was to find Anastasia. The need to see her, to reassure myself that she was still there, still present, still willing to listen, propelled me forward through the familiar rooms.I found her in the bedroom, seated by the window with her knees drawn up to her chest. The fading light of dusk painted her silhouette in shades of amber and gold, transforming her into something almost ethereal. She stared out the window, her expression distant, lost in thoughts that seemed to weigh heavily on her shoulders.I lingered in the doorway, unwilling to intrude on whatever private moment she was experiencing. The silence stretched between us was comfortable, until her voice broke through the stillness."I know you're standing there."I stepped forward, crossing the room to stand beside her. "I didn't want to i

Nikolai's POVThe moment the door clicked shut behind us, I had Anastasia pressed against the wall. I planted my lips on her neck, trailing hot kisses down the column of her throat while my hands worked the zipper of her gown. The emerald silk gown fell to the ground leaving her in nothing but lace and heels."I thought you said we didn't have time for this," she breathed, her fingers tangling in my hair."I said we didn't have time for slow." I pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. "I never said we didn't have time at all."I spun her around, bending her over the edge of the vanity table. "You're so beautiful," I murmured, my hands gliding over the curve of her hips. "Do you have any idea what you do to me?"She didn't answer with words. Instead, she pushed back against me, a silent plea that sent a surge of need through my veins.I kicked off my shoes, my trousers following moments later. I positioned myself behind her, my hands gripping her hips, fingers digging into her soft f

Anastasia's POVI wove through the crowd, my gaze scanning every face I passed in search of Zara's familiar features. The charity event had drawn a significant crowd, and navigating through clusters of guests required more patience than I currently possessed.Business acquaintances I'd rather avoid materialized at every turn, forcing polite greetings and strained smiles while my attention remained fixed elsewhere."Anastasia! How wonderful to see you.""Lovely event, isn't it?""You must be so proud of Nikolai's work."I smiled and nodded and offered the appropriate responses, my feet carrying me forward with the single-minded determination of someone on a mission. But Zara remained frustratingly elusive, hidden somewhere in the sea of designer gowns and tailored suits.The suspicion that my best friend was deliberately avoiding me grew with every passing minute. Zara had always had a flair for the dramatic, and appearing at the last possible moment seemed entirely in character.I fin

Nikolai's POVThe conversation with Jason Stone had left a sour taste in my mouth, the kind that lingered no matter how much I tried to wash it away. I excused myself as soon as politeness allowed, my mind already racing ahead to the next steps. The drug lord would need to be watched, his movements tracked, his intentions scrutinized.I pulled out my phone, dialing Elias with practiced efficiency."Keep an eye on Jason Stone," I instructed, my voice low. "I want to know where he's staying once he leaves this event. Every detail.""Understood, sir." Elias's voice came through crisp and clear. "I'll have someone on him immediately."The line went dead, and I slid my phone back into my pocket before I turned, ready to rejoin the crowd, and nearly collided with Jackson Reed.The older man was standing there, a glass of something amber in his hand, his smile carefully arranged. "Nikolai. I was hoping we'd have a chance to talk.""Jackson." The name came out flat. "I'm surprised to see you