All Chapters of Charmed By A Rival: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

"Be safe on the way home, CEO Vergara, Miss Diaz." Employees greeted Ralph and Dawn as they walked out of the building late that afternoon. "Goodbye, Sir. Have a good rest, Miss Diaz," polite smiles and greetings followed as they both stepped through the doors."Miss Diaz is so lucky to have CEO Vergara. Successful and rich. Living in a high-end condominium, and his family even acquired a vacation home along the famous Lax River. And look at his car—it was imported from overseas, fully autonomous, and insanely advanced."They continued talking about Ralph as they watched the pair approach the vehicle. Dawn and Ralph shared a satisfied, smug smile, hearing every whisper. They were enjoying the attention and even took their time walking toward the car that had caused an uproar in the city when it first arrived.Ralph’s car was one of the first few production units released by a company that manufactured fully autonomous, a Level 5 self-driving vehicles. He had become an instant cele

“You’re hurt.”The words left Zach’s mouth low and dangerous—no question, only a hard confrontation. His face was shadowed, jaw locked tight as he stared down at Bella’s bandaged palm in his grip. Ugly scrapes ran the length of her forearm. His gaze dropped lower, taking in the matching marks on her legs, already treated but still raw enough to make something violent shift behind his eyes.“Yes,” Bella said simply, and swung one leg over his thighs, settling fully into his lap.His head lifted at once. Those dark eyes locked onto hers with sudden, unblinking intensity.She hadn’t expected him this late. The moment he stepped into her hotel room he had discarded his jacket, loosened the top buttons of his shirt, and claimed the couch like it belonged to him. His presence should have set her more on edge. Instead it quieted the residual tremor in her nerves—even as the air between them thickened with something far more dangerous.“That bastard is going to pay, Isabella.” His voice was

“K-Line Shipping’s stock is plummeting. Partners are preparing to walk away, and the board has already ousted the Chairman. Tell me, CEO Vergara—what possible benefit does Wright Group stand to gain from this collaboration when there are dozens of established, credible shipping companies lining up to partner with us?”The boardroom fell into a thick, expectant silence as Zachary’s voice cut through it like a blade.His eyes remained locked on Ralph, cold and unblinking. The weight of that stare made Ralph’s pulse hammer in his throat. He could feel the board members anxiously shifting in their seats.“Vice President Simon—” Ralph began, forcing the words out before they could die in his mouth. His voice came out tighter than he intended. He swallowed hard and tried again. “The partners have not officially withdrawn. Yes, several have indicated they do not intend to renew once the current contracts expire—but that is still months away. We still have time to reverse the situation. The

“Behave yourself, Bella.” Ralph’s voice was a low, cutting whisper as he leaned in, close enough that his breath brushed her ear. “This gala exists for one reason—to prove to the partners that K-Line Shipping has solid ground and real weight. Open your mouth with nonsense and I will have you dragged out in front of everyone.”The moment Bella stepped into the venue, Ralph, Dawn, and the Vergara couple closed in. Their eyes were flat, warning, devoid of anything resembling courtesy.Bella met Ralph’s gaze without flinching. “I don’t need to speak, CEO Vergara. These men are not children to be bribed, nor fools who swallow rumors. They are established operators with real power. They already know what they’re looking at.”Silence stretched. Ralph’s mouth tightened, nothing came out. Dawn and the Vergaras stared at her as though she carried something contagious.Bella’s eyes slid to Dawn, cool and precise. “I came to watch how you keep them from walking out the door. Fortunately for

“What do you want to do with K-Line Shipping?” Zachary asked, gently taking the hairdryer from Bella’s hand. He switched it on to a low, warm setting and began carefully drying her damp hair, his free hand combing through the strands with slow, deliberate strokes.Bella blinked at their reflection in the mirror, surprised. She watched him work as if he’d done this a hundred times before— completely at ease with the quiet domestic task. She never expected this kind domesticity from someone like Zachary Wright Simon.“What is your plan, Bella?” he asked again, still focused on the careful motion of the dryer and his fingers.“You seem used to drying a woman’s hair,” she said instead, meeting his eyes in the mirror. A small unease settled in her chest while she waited for his answer, as if she almost dreaded what he might say.“Drying hair isn’t complicated, Bella.” His voice was calm. “But if you’re asking whether I’ve done this for someone else… no. I haven’t. Not even for my mothe