TH

ily mansion's grand foyer, her perfectly manicured hand resting on the antique mahogany table. "When is she coming h

the passenger seat of my Bentley, the secret meeting we were rushing to, the cargo truck ahead of us carrying steel rods. I'd been so

hands. I couldn't save him. The great Nathan Cole, who could buy

I managed, my voice

down to her height. Even at sixty-two, Charlotte Cole commanded attention like a queen. "You have u

she knew about Alexis. Beautiful, brilliant Alexis, who'd finally accepted my proposal. The t

dialed Anna's number. She'd been reliable in her role at NatsTech, my technology empire that had revolutionized e-commerc

. Hope all prepara

a grand welcome?" Her tone bordered on insubordina

," I cut the call short,

el, today transformed into something magical. Red carpets stretched from the gates to the entrance

for only one person. Where was Alexis? Her modest Toyota Corolla – a car I'd

ng for a marketing position... I'd known immediately she was meant for more. As my assistant, she'd proven herself invalu

away with three bottles of fifty-year-old scotch, curs

ling in. "That's the last day you'll drive that Toyota, my love," I

tood at my glass door, looking expectant

e's ready for

ly." I dismissed her with a

rs worth more than some cars, and today, festooned with flowers that filled the air with subtle fragra

ve called this meeting to express my appreciation for your dedication to this f

ill be changes in NatsTech's management structure. I'm stepping down-" Murmurs erupted,

," I announced, then added, "Except you, Alexis. We have matters to discu

oticed she'd started wearing after her marriage – couldn't hide the tension in her shoulder

Within moments, my personal assistant appeared with two cups of imported Itali

ured, her voice lacking its usual

ouldn't you say?" I pulled out my phone, sending a quick text to sec

moment, I saw something raw and wounded there befor

an elegant leather portfolio from my briefcase. "I have som

pened it, her eyes widening at the details of her new role: CEO of NatsTe

tarted, then stopp

the backbone of this company for years, Alexis. It'

ays. "Do you know what I see when I look out there?" I didn't wait for her answer. "I see potential. Opportuni

before she blinked them away. Something was definitely wrong,

inued, keeping my voice professional despite the emotion churning inside me. "After

up at that. "Yo

es. It's time you met her properly, don't you thin

t from Mira, my childhood friend and current hea

ally after I'd hinted at my plans regarding Alexis. But w

my team prepare this for you as well." I slid across a set of keys attached to

he started, but

ed closer, close enough to catch the subtle scent of her perfume. "I

ng her things. "I need time

er here, to discover what was causing the pain I could se

ffee cup she'd left behind. My phone buzzed again – Mira, then my mother

uilding. I noticed how she avoided eye contact with everyone, how her usual confident stride seeme

to cross someone under my protection. I hadn't built an empire by being pas

I'd had him keeping tabs on Alexis's husband, Logan, for months. Not my pr

uation," the message read.