The moment Leander stepped off his Gulfstream, a cool breeze hit him, carrying with it a mix of anticipation and urgency. The tech summit was already buzzing, and he could feel the energy as he made his way through the city. Every banner, digital billboard, and street sign seemed to be promoting the event, boasting the names of the biggest players in the industry.An official car was waiting for him at the exit, and he settled into the back seat, scrolling through his schedule on his phone. It was packed—panel discussions, exclusive meetings, and a closed-door dinner with a select group of CEOs. One name on the list caught his eye: Jason Becker, CEO of Circuitron, one of the tech industry’s most notorious power players.As they pulled up to the summit venue—a towering skyscraper wrapped in sleek glass panels—Leander took a moment to appreciate the architecture. The building seemed to glow with an artificial aura under the evening lights, a fitting choice for a gathering of innovators

Leander leaned against the kitchen counter, his sleeves rolled up and his hands busy chopping vegetables. The soft hum of the refrigerator filled the air as the smell of garlic and herbs began to waft through the spacious, sunlit kitchen. Brianna walked in, barefoot and carrying a tablet, her face lighting up when she saw him."Wait—are you actually cooking?" she teased, placing the tablet on the island.Leander shot her a mock offended look. "You doubt my abilities? I can cook, you know."Brianna laughed, walking over to peer at his chopping skills. "You’re slicing those peppers way too thick. You’re lucky I like you; otherwise, I’d kick you out of the kitchen."He smirked, sliding the chopped peppers into a bowl. "I don’t remember inviting you to critique my culinary masterpiece. What are you working on, anyway?"She grabbed a piece of carrot from the counter, munching on it as she leaned against the island. "Just reviewing some proposals for the charity gala. But clearly, you’ve go

Leander leaned against the railing of their beachfront villa, watching the turquoise waves crash gently against the shore. A breeze carried the salty tang of the ocean, mingled with the scent of tropical flowers from the garden below.“Morning view doesn’t get better than this,” he murmured as Brianna stepped out onto the deck behind him, a steaming mug in her hands.She smiled, handing him his coffee. “You say that every time we go on vacation.”“And I mean it every time.” He took a sip, savoring the rich, nutty flavor. “This, right here? Worth every canceled meeting and rearranged schedule.”Brianna chuckled, leaning against the railing beside him. “I’ll remind you of that when you start checking emails later.”“Not happening,” he said with a mock-serious expression. “This trip is about us. Work can wait.”“Good answer,” she said, bumping her shoulder against his.For a few moments, they stood in comfortable silence, watching the sun climb higher into the clear blue sky.“What’s the

Leander paced the hospital corridor, his footsteps echoing off the sterile walls. The antiseptic scent and muted sounds of medical equipment buzzed faintly in the background. His jaw was tight, and his fists clenched as he wrestled with frustration and worry.Wyatt, his closest friend and confidant, had collapsed at work earlier that day. The news had been a gut punch, and now, as Leander waited for updates, his mind raced with questions. How could this happen? Was it stress? Had Wyatt been pushing himself too hard?The door to the waiting room swung open, and a group of high-ranking officials from Wyatt’s company entered. Their tailored suits and polished appearances contrasted sharply with Leander’s casual shirt, which was slightly wrinkled from the frantic drive over.“Leander,” called out Malcolm, the Chief Operations Officer, his voice tense but composed. “Any updates?”“Not yet,” Leander replied, running a hand through his hair. “The doctors are still running tests. He’s unconsc

The next morning, Wyatt Crowley stirred awake with a groan, his head pounding as though a jackhammer had taken up residence inside his skull. The golden sunlight streaming through the windows of his penthouse was unforgiving, stabbing at his half-closed eyes like needles. He attempted to sit up but immediately regretted it as a wave of dizziness hit him.“Oh, for crying out loud,” Wyatt muttered, rubbing his temples.His blurry memories of the previous evening—Leander’s triumph at the Evans family’s dinner, a few too many glasses of wine, and the roaring laughter that echoed in his mind—painted a chaotic but satisfying picture. Leander had gone home hours ago, leaving Wyatt to celebrate a little too enthusiastically.A sharp knock on his bedroom door startled him. It creaked open, revealing his ever-efficient assistant, Maxine, carrying a tray laden with water, aspirin, and what smelled like a hearty breakfast.“Good morning, Mr. Crowley,” she said, her voice devoid of judgment but ti