All Chapters of Mr Golden boy, Hand Me Your Crown: Chapter 1 - Chapter 7

“How dare you, Julian?”Althea Cross could barely recognize her own voice.It came out sharp and trembling, carrying four years of swallowed words, lonely nights, and disappointments she had convinced herself she could survive. Her hands were clenched at her sides, her fingernails digging into her palms as she stared at her husband….the billionaire tech mogul, the man high society worshiped. For forty-eight months, she had shined his shoes, quietly managed his public PR crises from the shadows, cooked every single one of his favorite meals and willingly dimmed her own brilliant corporate mind just to keep his fragile ego intact.Julian Alexander Cross looked at her as though she had suddenly started speaking a foreign language.“What did you say?”“You heard me.” Althea drew a shaky breath. Her heart hammered so violently against her ribs that she wondered how she was still standing. “I was awake at four-thirty this morning checking that proposal. I spent months making sure this proje

Julian’s eyes widened, his ego visibly bruised by her rejection. Is she out of her goddamn mind? I am Julian Cross.“Oh, listen to her!” Mrs. Cross shrieked, completely losing her mind at Althea’s defiance. “She’s acting all high and mighty! Julian, she must have stolen something from this house! That’s why she doesn’t want the condo!”In a fit of frantic greed, Mrs. Cross turned and rushed toward the entrance, where Althea’s two suitcases were sitting. She violently ripped the zippers open, tossing Althea’s simple clothes into the air. She dug her manicured hands deep into the fabric until she finally pulled out a small velvet jewelry box.“Is this jewelry the reason you suddenly feel too important to accept what my son is giving you?”Althea’s eyes widened as she rushed to her side.“Those are the only things I have left of my mother!” she screamed, reaching for the box. “Those are for my mother!”“Your mother, my foot,” Mrs. Cross muttered, pulling the box away from her.She tossed

The building's private elevator carried them swiftly to the thirty-second floor.Althea stood beside the towering man, silent, watching the numbers climb. She had visited enough corporate offices with Julian to recognize the typical display of high-society wealth, but Victor Vanguard’s territory felt entirely different. There were no photographs of the CEO shaking hands with politicians, no oversized portraits celebrating the company's founder, and no walls plastered with superficial awards. Everything was sleek, understated, dark, and impossibly expensive.When the doors slid open, a receptionist rose immediately from her desk. "Good afternoon, Mr. Vanguard.""Good afternoon, Clara. Please have the PH files sent to my office. And arrange a temporary guest suite for our visitor."“Of course, sir.”“Mrs. Cross,shall we” Victor added.Althea turned sharply at him. “My name is Althea Kristen Evance.”For years, she'd carried Julian's name. Now, she wanted to reclaim her own.Victor studi

When the doors opened to a pitch-black, sprawling penthouse suite on the top floor, he pulled her inside and locked the door behind them. Slowly, Althea’s eyes adjusted to the dark and she realized it wasn't just a regular room. Scented candles were arranged everywhere and rose petals trailed across the floor, leading to a large arrangement on the bed. Looking around, she felt her breath catch. He had clearly put so much effort into this. Maybe he really, truly was sorry.Julian pulled her back against him, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. "Do you like the little setup?" he muttered, leaning in even closer.His proximity made Althea's heart suddenly race and she felt herself dripping wet down there as she was pressed against the door. It had been almost seven months since he last touched her and her entire body was already shivering with how close they were, wanting him more than ever. Fuck whatever he did, she thought. She was completely ready to give him a second chance.Alth