Melissa turned sharply toward the voice that rang out across the Corecloud lobby. It was a woman’s voice, loud and commanding, cutting through the air like a whip.“DuPont!”The sound of her high heels striking the polished marble floor echoed as she strode forward, her presence overwhelming the room. Jack froze beside Melissa, his hand gripping her arm so tightly that she almost flinched. She turned to him, confused by his sudden reaction.The woman was striking, exuding power with every step. Dressed in a tailored navy-blue suit that perfectly hugged her figure, she radiated authority. Her jet-black hair was styled into a sleek bun, and her sharp features carried an expression of controlled disdain that seemed to dare anyone to challenge her.She stopped just a few feet away, her eyes sweeping over the scene in front of her. DuPont looked like he was about to choke on his own words, visibly rattled as he adjusted his tie and straightened his posture.“Madam,” DuPont stammered, bowin

The cowboy stepped aside, gesturing for Sonia and Jeremy to enter the estate. Sonia hesitated for a moment, her nerves getting the better of her, but Jeremy nudged her forward, a confident smirk playing on his lips. “Relax, Sonia,” he whispered as they crossed the threshold. “This is just the beginning.” The sprawling estate unfolded before them, a blend of rustic charm and modern luxury. The house loomed in the distance, a grand mansion with towering columns and intricately carved woodwork that glinted in the sunlight. Sonia couldn’t help but marvel at the size and beauty of the property. The grass was perfectly manicured, the flowerbeds bursting with vibrant colors, and a stone path lined with lanterns led the way to the main entrance. “This is incredible,” Sonia murmured, her eyes scanning the estate. Jeremy grinned. “Told you this was worth the trip.” As they approached the mansion, a man dressed in a pristine white coat and black trousers appeared at the door. His attire

Melissa stepped out of the cab in front of the Decastro building, her heels striking the pavement with a sharp click. The morning sunlight warmed her face, but Melissa wasn’t in the mood to enjoy the brightness of the day. Her mind was preoccupied with the events of the night before—the argument with Sonia, the bitter words exchanged with her aunt, and worst of all, the way Sonia’s mother had demeaned Jack.Her fists clenched involuntarily as she thought about it. Good-for-nothing husband. Those words echoed in her mind, stoking the simmering frustration she’d carried with her all morning. Jack didn’t deserve that. He worked harder than any man she knew, even if no one else saw it.As she entered the Decastro lobby, Melissa inhaled deeply, trying to compose herself. She couldn’t afford to let her personal life interfere with her work, not when she was trying so hard to prove herself.But then, as her eyes scanned the bustling lobby, her attention was drawn to a man standing near the r

As Eve and Valentina walked into the house, the cool air-conditioning provided a stark contrast to the blazing sun outside. The Thompson estate was as grand inside as it was outside, filled with luxurious furnishings, chandeliers dripping with crystals, and gleaming marble floors. The walls were adorned with exquisite artwork and framed family photographs, each one seemingly more elegant than the last.Eve’s heels clicked sharply against the floor as she led Valentina down the grand hallway, pointing out various details of the home. “This is the main living room,” she said casually, gesturing toward a vast space with plush couches and towering bookshelves. “And over there is the dining hall. We’ve hosted some of River City’s most influential people here.”Valentina nodded politely, her eyes scanning the room. “It’s as beautiful as I remember,” she said with a small smile. “I used to play hide-and-seek with Jack in this very hallway. I remember once he hid behind that curtain and scare

The afternoon sun filtered through the grand windows of the Decastro estate, casting warm, golden light across the polished marble floors. Master Lemaire Decastro, the patriarch of the family, sat in his favorite leather chair in the living room, a faint smile on his face. His composure exuded authority, yet there was a rare twinkle in his eyes that hinted at excitement.“Suzzy,” Master Lemaire called, his deep voice reverberating through the spacious mansion.A moment later, Suzzy, the household manager, appeared at the doorway. “Yes, sir?”“Summon everyone who is still home,” he instructed. “I want them in the living room immediately.”Suzzy nodded and hurried off to carry out his orders. Soon enough, Sonia, her mother Diana, and Louis, Jeremy’s father, made their way into the living room. They were the only ones present at home, as Jeremy had gone to the Decastro enterprise for the day.“Where’s Jeremy?” Master Lemaire asked, glancing around the room.“He’s at the office,” Diana re