"Who do you think you are, barging into my office like this?" Oliver’s voice was calm but edged with a menace that made the tall, broad-shouldered man in front of him falter for a split second.The man, dressed in an expensive suit with an air of entitlement, recovered quickly and smirked. "I’m Marcus Leighton. Perhaps you’ve heard of me? CEO of Leighton Enterprises."Oliver leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. "And why should that name mean anything to me?"Marcus’s smirk faltered, his arrogance dimming slightly. “I thought you’d appreciate a visit from someone who understands the value of true power and influence.”Oliver raised an eyebrow. “Get to the point, Leighton. My time is valuable, and I’m not in the mood for games.”Marcus stepped closer, placing a thick folder on Oliver’s desk. “The point is, Mr. Roberts, your time might not be as valuable as you think. I’ve been reviewing your company’s recent financial moves, and it seems you’ve been stepping into

Elena sat at a corner table in the elegant restaurant, the soft hum of conversation and clinking glasses creating a lively yet intimate atmosphere. She had come to honor the invitation of Abby Thompson, her old college acquaintance, who was celebrating her upcoming wedding with a pre-wedding dinner. Although they had never been close, Elena felt it was polite to attend.Abby was at the center of the room, radiant and commanding attention with her laughter and charm. Elena, on the other hand, quietly sipped her drink, observing the women around her as they chatted animatedly about their successful partners. The conversations were filled with boasts about husbands and fiancés who were CEOs, heirs to family fortunes, or owners of luxurious properties.“Oh, Elena,” Abby’s voice cut through the chatter, dripping with faux sweetness as she addressed her. “You’ve been so quiet. Tell us, how’s your husband? What does he do?”All eyes turned to Elena. She set her glass down carefully, feeling

Not long after, Oliver arrived at the restaurant. Heads turned as he walked in, his confident stride drawing attention despite his simple, non-designer suit. His tall, sturdy frame and strikingly handsome features caused murmurs to ripple through the crowd.“Who’s that?” whispered one of Abby’s friends, nudging her companion.“That’s Oliver Roberts, Elena’s husband,” another replied, her tone laced with curiosity. “He’s good-looking, but… you know, he’s from a poor family. And wasn’t he in prison before?”“Such a waste,” someone else muttered. “With a face like that, he could’ve done better if he were born rich.”The whispers grew louder, but Oliver paid them no mind as he approached Elena.“Elena,” he greeted, his voice warm and steady.Elena’s eyes lit up, though a hint of worry lingered in her expression. She stood to greet him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “Oliver, you shouldn’t have come. You must have left work for this.”“It’s nothing,” Oliver replied, gently resting

Abby’s wedding party was as grand as one would expect. Crystal chandeliers bathed the hall in golden light, and tables adorned with lavish floral arrangements created an air of luxury. The crowd buzzed with conversations and laughter, but not all attendees were enjoying themselves.Oliver and Elena arrived hand in hand, their composed demeanor masking the apprehension they felt. From the moment they stepped into the venue, the tension was palpable. The glances thrown their way were not of welcome but disdain, orchestrated by Abby herself.“Elena, Oliver,” Abby’s voice rang out as she approached, a saccharine smile plastered across her face. Her wedding gown glittered with an ostentation that matched her attitude. “I’m so glad you could make it. I wasn’t sure if this sort of event was… suitable for you.”Oliver’s jaw tightened, but he managed a polite smile. “Thank you for the invitation, Abby. It’s a lovely venue.”Abby’s eyes flicked to Elena, her smile sharpening. “Oh, Elena, your d

As the trio left the shadowed perimeter of the ballroom, Oliver glanced at Natalie. Her hands trembled slightly, but her jaw was set with determination.“Natalie,” Oliver said, his voice firm but kind, “what made you decide to come forward now?”She hesitated, her eyes darting to Elena for reassurance. “I’ve been working for Mr. Grey for two years. At first, I thought his tactics were just… aggressive business practices. But when I saw the lengths he was willing to go—bribery, blackmail, ruining lives—I couldn’t stomach it anymore. Especially after he targeted you.”Oliver exchanged a glance with Elena, whose expression had softened into concern.“You’ve put yourself in a dangerous position,” Elena said gently. “Do you have anyone supporting you? Family? Friends?”Natalie shook her head. “I’ve been on my own for a long time. This job was supposed to be my big break. Now…” She trailed off, her voice breaking.“You’re not alone anymore,” Oliver assured her. “We’ll figure this out togeth