The passing weeks were a whirlwind of meetings, decisions, and long hours as Hunter Lee gradually took the reins of the family business. He threw himself into the role with a single-minded focus, determined to prove his worth not just to his grandfather, but to himself. The shadows of past mistakes loomed large in his mind—chief among them, his disastrous marriage. The bitter memories of how his ex-wife had betrayed him left deep scars, making him wary of trusting anyone, especially when it came to matters of the heart. Amelia, on the other hand, was a model of professionalism and efficiency. As a long-time secretary, she was more than familiar with the inner workings of the company and had become an invaluable asset to Hunter. She was there for every meeting, handled every crisis with calm composure, and often worked late into the night to ensure things ran smoothly. But behind the professional facade, Amelia couldn’t help but notice the subtle changes in Hunter—how he was more wit
The Lee Enterprises office was buzzing with activity as usual, with employees moving quickly from one task to another. Hunter Lee’s office, however, was filled with a different kind of tension. For the past few months, Hunter had been managing the company smoothly, his confidence growing with each passing day. Even Ava, had backed off from her frequent and uninvited visits, leaving him free to focus. Yet, the pressure of proving himself never really left. And today, it was all boiling over. Hunter leaned back in his chair, his face buried in his hands. “Where the hell is that file?” he muttered angrily. The file contained crucial documents for a high-stakes meeting later that afternoon. Without it, the presentation would be a disaster. Amelia entered his office with a cup of coffee, her usual warm smile in place. “Here’s your coffee, Mr. Lee. Anything else I can help with?” Hunter didn’t look up, his jaw clenched tight. “I can’t find the Simpson file. I asked you to organize eve
The overseas medical facility where Michael was receiving treatment was nestled in a serene countryside, far removed from the chaos of the city. Rolling green hills surrounded the centre, and the air was fresh and crisp, offering a peaceful ambiance that seemed to facilitate healing. Michael had been bedridden for what felt like an eternity, his strength sapped by years of slow poisoning, but now, for the first time in years, he was beginning to feel a resurgence of vitality. Charlotte sat beside his bed, her face glowing with relief as she watched the man she had once loved deeply, slowly come back to life. There was colour in his cheeks, a faint gleam in his eyes, and the first signs of movement in his limbs. The doctors were optimistic and credited the improved environment, consistent care, and Charlotte’s presence for his progress. The sensation returning to his arms and legs was a miracle they had all been praying for. One crisp afternoon, with sunlight pouring in through the
Hunter had always been good at pretending. Outwardly, he was confident, suave, and self-assured, presenting the perfect image of a young man destined for greatness. But beneath that polished surface lay a deeply rooted insecurity that had haunted him since childhood. The absence of a father figure during his most formative years left a void that Hunter had desperately tried to fill with achievements, social validation, and eventually, business success.Even back in high school, Hunter had never truly fit in, despite his efforts to be part of the popular crowd. The jocks and socialites may have let him hang around, but it wasn’t because they valued him—it was because he was the smart kid who could help them pass exams and complete assignments. For them, Hunter was more of an accessory, useful only for his brains and resources. And for a time, Hunter convinced himself that proximity to popularity was enough to cover up the loneliness he felt inside.College wasn’t much different. He
The days had settled into a routine again at Lee Enterprises, but things were far from being the same between Hunter and Amelia. Ever since the incident where she collapsed and woke up in a panic, mumbling about things Hunter couldn’t quite piece together, something had shifted between them—something subtle, but undeniably present. Hunter found it increasingly difficult to maintain the professional distance he once upheld so strictly. Before, it had been easy to be stern, to demand perfection, and to keep things strictly business. But now, every time he felt frustration bubbling up, an image would flash in his mind—Amelia, lying on the office floor, clutching the file with frail hands. Her broken pleas echoed in his memory, words laced with fear and anguish that went beyond mere work stress. It made him hesitate, made him softer in ways he didn’t quite understand. He noticed things about her he hadn’t before—the faint shadow under her eyes that concealer couldn’t fully hide, the
The sun hung low in the sky, casting an orange hue over the sprawling estate as Patricia paced along the garden path. Her mind buzzed with thoughts of betrayal and loss of control. Her son, Williams, had left behind everything—the family business, the legacy, and the responsibilities she had painstakingly groomed him to take on. He was out there chasing dreams of adventure and exploration, while Hunter was now the only one left to manage the Lee family empire. It made Patricia’s blood boil. For years, Patricia had banked on Williams stepping up, ensuring that the family legacy would eventually be hers to control. With her husband Michael still overseas receiving treatment and her father-in-law James comfortably retired, the pressure had fallen on Hunter, something that infuriated her. Having grown up in a wealthy family, she knew just what it meant to have sole control over something. However, due to her gender, that opportunity was withdrawn from her. When she married into the L
Patricia sat in her dimly lit study, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the polished mahogany desk. The room was filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee, but the bitter taste of resentment lingered in her mind. Weeks of scheming with Ava had led them to this point. The groundwork had been laid: whispers in the right ears, planted doubts in the minds of the board members, and calculated rumours designed to paint Hunter as a ruthless and manipulative leader. They were confident that the seeds they had sown would soon bear fruit. But Patricia couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at her. For all their efforts, Hunter had yet to show any signs of cracking. Across town, Ava was busy playing her part. She had reconnected with some of Hunter’s old acquaintances from college and strategically let slip comments about how he was always distant, cold, and more interested in personal gain than genuine relationships. “He’s always been like that.” she would say with a practiced sigh,
Ava stood by the window of her luxury apartment, staring at the skyline with a smirk curling at the edge of her lips. It was clear her previous attempts to bring Hunter down and crawling back to her had failed miserably, thanks in no small part to that secretary of his, Amelia. But Ava wasn’t the type to back down easily. If Patricia’s schemes weren’t enough to shake Hunter’s control, then it was time for her to take matters into her own hands—directly. And this time, she wasn’t interested in ruining his reputation. No, she wanted to rekindle the flame that once existed between them, to pull him back into her grasp where he belonged. The plan was simple but effective: tamper with Hunter’s lunch order and let the drug do its work. She had timed it perfectly—Amelia would be on her usual afternoon break, leaving Hunter alone. It was now or never.Hunter’s day had been gruelling. He was swamped with meetings and reports, but he was used to the pressure. What caught him off guard was th