Scarlet found herself inside the prestigious Sunset Hills Business Club once again, as she nervously adjusted the collar of her shirt, trying to look as professional as possible. Seated across from her was a stout, middle-aged man named Vincent Kaleb Hammer, who was known in the business circles as V. K Hammer. His face bore the deep creases of years of indulgence. He had a reputation for his unsavory behavior, but Scarlet was hoping that he could help her out this time. Scarlet cleared her throat, "Mr. Hammer, as I was saying, I believe our companies could greatly benefit from a strategic partnership. Our market research indicates that collaborating on this project could yield substantial profits for both of us." Vincent leaned back in his plush leather chair, a predatory glint in his eyes. He took a long sip of his scotch before speaking and grinned, his eyes lingering on Scarlet in a way that made her uncomfortable. "Miss Scarlet, you certainly know how to make a proposal s

Scarlet had long since disappeared from his view, but Artis was frozen in his place. For the first time they had been together, she had been so upset at him that she had refused to go with him. And thinking of how hurt she was to do this, Artis' heart was hurting even further. He was really loathing himself right now, even if he wished to place the world in the palm of her hands, it would all be meaningless if he didn't do something to fulfill them. What was the point of having an unlimited amount of money and power, if he could not even compensate for all the times she had suffered because of him? He had to take action, and he had to do it now! Thinking this, he finally came out of his daze, and dialed Mr. Holt's number without thinking twice. "Mr. Hardy?" A voice greeted him within seconds. "Is everything alright with Mrs. Hardy? I apologize, but I hadn't received any intel from you or anyone else, and I was worried-" "That's fine, Mr. Holt…" Artis, thankfully, didn't fixa

K Hammer, still seething and splattered with red wine, hesitated for a moment. With a fierce growl, Vincent was about to leap out of his seat, to chase after Scarlet and continue his pursuit, driven by ego and frustration. How dare that little girl humiliate him so badly, not once but twice! He had to teach her a lesson, then, didn't he? But before he could stand up, his phone began to ring. The ringtone pierced the air with a startling interruption, and Vincent fumbled to retrieve his phone from his pocket. Ne checked the caller ID, only to find that it was an unknown number; but for some reason, Vincent felt compelled to answer it. "Hello, who is this?" "Is this Mr. V. K. Hammer?" An extremely familiar voice asked from the other end… but he couldn't quite place where he had heard it. "Yes…?" "Edmund Sawyer." On hearing this name, the phone nearly slipped out of Vincent's hand, and his face became pale. Mr. Sawyer was his superior at work, who used to hold significant

Scarlet returned to her childhood home after the unsettling encounter with Mr. Hammer at the clubhouse. She felt a bittersweet mix of emotions; she knew that after the matter was settled, Artis expected her to say that she would be coming back with him, but she didn't feel like she was ready for it yet. The opulent Silverman's villa, with its grand facade and lush, manicured gardens, had always been a place of both comfort and contention in her life. The lofty appearance of the building signified their wealth and status, a reflection of her family's prominence in the upper levels of society. Yet, it had also been the site of numerous disagreements and clashes between her and her parents, who had been less than thrilled about her marriage to Artis. As she pushed open the heavy double doors and entered the villa, memories of her childhood flooded back. The familiar scent of lavender and citrus permeated the air, evoking a sense of nostalgia that was hard to ignore. The sprawli

The discussion about the investment opportunity progressed as everyone took their places, and it was Desmond Harrods who took the lead in presenting the ambitious $150 million plan to the gathered shareholders. He started his pitch by highlighting the potential and the market demand for a product that blended the unparalleled luxury of Harrods with the innovative excellence of Texter Technologies, under Artis' command. "Let's consider the facts," Desmond Harrods began. "The luxury retail market is ever- expanding, and Harrods has consistently been at the forefront of this industry. With our long- standing reputation for quality and exclusivity, we have a solid footing in the market." He continued, "On the other hand, Texter Technologies has consistently demonstrated a track record of innovation and cutting- edge technology. And now that the command is in your capable hands, the potential for profit between our brands is undeniable." "My secretary, Miss Clarissa Sanchez, will intr