Novels by Lady D

The Lawson Tower - Gala NightLillian Stewart walked in through the towering glass doors of the Lawson Tower, and for a single, unguarded moment, her breath seized in her throat. The opulence of it all was like a physical blow, which is a brutal, beautiful declaration of power that made Bio-tech’s headquarters look outdated and insignificant. The crystal, the expensive architecture, the unmistakable buzz of victory, was every thing her father had ever wanted and failed to secure. Then a sharp, unexpected jolt of regret pierced through her heart. This could have been ours. This should have been ours.But the moment quickly passed as it came, with her mind fixed on her mission. She smoothed her crimson silk gown and stepped forward.She had not taken three steps into the glittering crowd when a familiar, mocking voice cut through the buzz of conversation like a sharp shard of ice.“Well, well. If it isn’t the queen of a fallen kingdom. I am genuinely surprised security let you through t

The Lawson Tower — Gala Night.The expensive looking black limousine stopped to a halt at the entrance of the hall, as its polished surface reflects the lights of the Lawson Tower. Through the tinted window, Mike saw a sea of reporters and photographers, flashing their cameras like lightning strikes, as they all spoke excitedly, hoping to be the one to go first.And then suddenly, a sharp memory flashed through his mind.He was twenty six. The moon was shining. He had just secured the Lockwood contract, which was the biggest in Bio-Tech’s history last year. His heart was hammering against his ribs, not from the climbing of the corporate headquarters steps, but from hope. Today was the day, Stewart would finally name him partner. He would take his father’s vacant chair as co - CEO of Bio-Tech group. The reporters had crowded him then, too. “Mike! Is it true you have just closed the Lockwood contract?”“Are you being promoted?”“How does it feel to be Stewart’s golden boy?”He had sm

Austra Headquarters - Conference Room. Mike was poring over the guest list for the gala when the static letters appeared in his vision, las a cold reminder of the unfinished buisness. [Austra Wealth System…] [Host: Mike Robinson..] [Primary Task: Acquire 15% controlling stake in Bio-Tech - PROGRESS: 1%] [Time frame: 28 Days Remaining.] [WARNING: Impending Hostile Action Detected. Nature: Unspecified. Threat Level: Elevated. Maintain Defensive Protocols.] Unspecified. The word was a crack in his mind. It was not danger or Buisness. It was something else, something the system could not or would not identify. Cartier’s voice seeped into his subconscious. “Sir, Mr Croft has arrived. He is in the main conference room with Mr Ginger, Mr Austin and Mr. Liam.” Mike stood and smoothened his tie. “Let us not keep our new friend waiting.” In the conference room, Alistair Croft, a man whose posture screamed of betrayal, was nervously accepting a glass of water from an

Bio - Tech Headquarters - Stewart’s office.The door to Charles Stewart’s office slammed shut with a huge force that rattled the windows. Stewart stormed across the room, with pure rage etched on his face. With a swing, he swiped a bottle of wine and two glasses off his desk, sending them shattering against the wall.“That fool! That back side peasant! How dare he speak to me like that in front of Gregory Lawson!” he roared with fury.Simeon stood by the door, with his hands fisted in anger. “And Lawson…his arrogance is beyond belief. Talking about Lillian as if she were…” he paused and forced his voice to be calm, even though it shook with rage. “The problem is Ginger. We almost had Robinson with the SEC. We were inches from putting the federal chain around his neck. Ginger is the shield. Before we can land a blow on Mike, Ginger has to be removed.”Stewart stopped his pacing and breathed heavily. He shook his head in a grim, defeated gesture. “You don’t get it, Simeon. Arthur Ginger

Austra Headquarters —Mike’s Office.Mike’s phone buzzed on his desk with Gregory Lawson’s name flashing on the screen. A wide grin spread across Mike’s face as he answered and placed it on speaker.“Gregory. Tell me you are calling with good news about our digital ghost.”Gregory’s rich laugh boomed through the office. “Patience, Mike. Even ghosts take time to materialize. I am on it. No, I am calling because I just had the most entertaining meeting of my entire career.”“Oh?” Mike leaned back and propped his feet on his desk. “Do tell.”“You will not believe who just showed up at Arthur Ginger’s office, with tails between their legs, begging for an audience.”Mike’s smile widened. “No.”“Yes,” Gregory confirmed with glee. “Charles Stewart and his attack dog, Simeon. I wish you could have seen it, Mike. The sheer, unadulterated desperation. Stewart actually tried to pitch an alliance. ‘For old times’ sake.’”Mike burst out laughing. “He did not! What did Ginger say?”“He gave him ten

Sawdust Industries - Arthur Ginger’s Office.The reception area of Sawdust Industries was going according to its name…rustic, solid and functional, with the rich scent of polished wood and parchment hanging in the air. It was a stark contrast to the cold glass and steel of Bio- tech or Austra.Charles Stewart stood there impatiently, feeling every ounce of that contrast, every second of the humiliating silence as the receptionist made them wait. Simeon stood beside him, like a statue with tension and worry etched on his face.Finally, the woman nodded. “Mr. Ginger will see you now.”Ginger’s office was an enormous space adorned with bookshelves of rare timber and framed blueprints of historical buildings. But Stewart’s eyes weren’t on the decorations. They were locked on the two men seated in the deep leather armchairs opposite Ginger’s desk.Arthur Ginger sat behind the desk, like a king in a throne room. And lounging casually in one of the chairs, swirling a glass of bourbon, was Gr

The private dining room was warm and inviting. A long table filled with food. Candles flickered softly and laughter filled the air. Dante sat at the head of the table. Amara sat beside him, looking beautiful in a simple green dress. Caleb was next to her, already reaching for the bread. Eleanor sat across from them, looking very elegant and poised. Dr. Alice laughed at something Caleb said. Eva poured wine for everyone with a huge smile on her face. Clara sat at the far end, very quiet but present.Dante raised his glass. “I want to say something.”Everyone turned to look at him.He smiled. “A few months ago, I was alone. Fighting battles I did not ask for. Worried about Daisy. Worried about everything.” He paused. “And now? Look at this table. Friends. Family. People who believed in me.”Caleb grinned. “Here, here.”Dante continued. “We have been through a lot. All of us. Be we have made it. Together.”Clara spoke up. Her voice was soft. “I want to say something too.”The room quie

Dante walked through the familiar corridors of the children’s hospital. The smell of antiseptic. The quiet beeping of machines and the soft footsteps of nurses, all brought back memories.He carried a bottle of wine in one hand as a small gift for an old friend.He reached Dr. Alice’s office and knocked lightly.“Come in,” her voice called from the inside.He opened the door to see Dr. Alice sitting behind her desk, surrounded by stacks of files. She looked up and smiled widely as she saw me.“Dante!” She said in surprise and stood up quickly. “What a surprise!”Dante smiled. “I can come back later. You look busy.”“Nonsense.” She waved him in. “Sit. Come sit. These files can wait. They have been waiting all week.”Dante walked in and placed the wine on her desk. “For you. To say thank you. For everything.”Dr. Alice picked up the bottle and examined it. “French. Expensive.” She grinned. “You should not have. But I am glad you did.”They both sat down.Dr. Alice leaned forward and sai

Eva stood behind the counter of her boutique, as she arranges a display of scarves. The afternoon sun streamed through the large windows, bathing the air with warm light, and soft music player in the background.Her assistant, a young woman named Gina, walked over looking confused.“Ma’am, there is someone here to see you, Mrs. Vance. Clara Vance.”Eva’s hands stopped moving instantly. She looked up, with a shocked expression on her face. “Clara? Here?”Gina nodded her head. “She says it is important. Should I tell her to leave?”Eva was quiet for a moment. Then she shook her head. “No. Send her in.”Gina hurried away.Eva exhaled slowly and walked to the small bar innthe corner of her office. She did not know what to expect.Clara walked in a moment later. She looked different. Softer. Her eyes were tired but clear. No make up. And she was on simple clothing.Eva watched her for a second. Then gestured to the bar.“Wine or whiskey?”Clara shrugged. “I am not celebrating. Whiskey.”Ev

The sun was warm and shining bright. Dante sat on a park bench, watching Dantr run across the grass. She laughed happily as she chased a butterfly. Her small legs running fast and her long chestnut hair flowing wildly behind her.Dante smiled. It was so good to see her happy. After everything she had been through, she deserved this.Dausy stopped running and looked around. Then her face changed.Dante followed her gaze to see Clara standing at the edge of the park. She wore a simple dress without makeup and her hands were clasped in front of her. She looked nervous and scared.Daisy stood up and moved quickly. She ran to Dante and hid behind him and gripped his jacket with her small hands. “It is okay,” Dante said softly. “She is not going to hurt you.”Daisy did not answer. She just held on to his leg tighter.Clara walked toward them slowly. Carefully. Like she was approaching a wild animal. Then she stopped a few feet away.“Daisy.” She said in a soft shaky manner. “Baby, it’s me.

The Lotus boardroom was packed with every seat at the long table filled. Board members whispered restlessly among themselves. Clara sat at the head, with her face pale but determined. Dante sat at the far end, looking very calm and watchful, while Caleb stood by the wall, watching the proceedings with sharp eyes.Then the door opened.Mason walked in like he owned the place. Three lawyers followed him, each carrying a briefcase. Mason entered with a cruel, confident smile on her face.Clara stood up and asked sharply, “what is this, Mason?”Mason did not answer. But one of the lawyer’s stepped forward and announced in a formal tone.“Ms. Vance, my client is now the rightful owner of Lotus Group.”There were Loud murmurs around the table and the board members exchanged shocked glances.Clara asked sharply. “On what grounds?”The lawyer opened his briefcase and pulled out a thick file, then he placed it on the table.“These documents show that Mr. Lockwood has acquired enough shares and

The bar was quiet and dimly lit and Dante sat in a corner booth with Caleb, and a half empty bottle of whiskey between them. Both men looked relaxed, with huge grins over their faces.Caleb raised his glass for a toast and jeered, “To Mason Lockwood. The man who lost everything on one night.”Dante clinked his glass against Caleb’s and smiled, “I will drink to that.”They both laughed and drank.Caleb shook his head in amazement and said in a mocking voice, “I still can not believe it. The gala. Amara. Clara walking in on all of it. Mason losing his hotel, his money, his son, all in one day.” He chuckled. “That is a huge karma.”Dante nodded his head and said, “And the way he disgraced Clara at the gala. Right in front of everything. Fighting over another woman while his fiancée watched.”Caleb laughed loudly. “Shameless. Absolutely shameless.” Then he took another sip. “But honestly, Clara deserved every bit of that embarrassment.”Dante raised his eyebrows and shrugged, “you think s

The embroidered invitation lay on Jace’s desk like a declaration of war. In cream colored packaging, and gilded lettering, lay the annual Luxembourg Economic summit Gala.Reynolds picked it up with a gloved hand with a grim expression on his face. “The guest list is a who’s who of your adversaries, sir. The Montgomerys, the Whitmans, half our restless board…and Marcus Foster, of course. It would be a strategic snub not to attend. But a public appearance…”“Is out of the question,” Jace finished, as turned away from the window. “I have no interest in being their main attraction. They would descend on me like vultures. But you are right, we can not ignore it. So, we won’t.”Then he turned to them, with a plan already fully formed in his eyes. “The two of you will go. In my stead.”Mila, who had been quietly observing the whole discussion, straightened up on her seat. “Sir? As your representative?”“Precisely. Reynold, you are the stoic presence. You will handle the old guard—the board m

Jace’s voice was a calm, authoritative buzz in the spacious office, as he addressed his international investors through the huge monitor. “The dip was always anticipated, gentlemen. It is a market correction, not a crisis. We are using it to secure our position. The panic sellers are simply finding our future acquisitions.”Suddenly, the door to his office swung open without a knock, and Marcus Foster stood there, with a feigned concern on his face.Jace did not flinch. He simply held up a single finger to his cousin, with his eyes fixed firmly on the screen. “If you will excuse me for one moment. The market in Tokyo seems to require my immediate attention.” He muted the call and said calmly, “This is a private conference, Marcus. It had better be urgent.”Marcus strolled in as if he owned the place, which Jace knew, was his intention. “Cousin. I am just checking in. We never finished our conversation about that…unfortunate leak. The board is restless. I am restless. I want to help. H

The sad gloom of the Whitman mansion’s drawing room was interrupted as Ethan Montgomery bursted through the doors, with triumph boldly etched on his face, so unlike his normal expression. He looked like a man who had just stumbled upon a well in a desert.“I found it! I found him!” He announced happily and threw a thick wad of document on the oak coffee table which scattered a few art magazines. “Giovanni ‘Gio’ Chan. A titan in Milan. Private companies, manufacturing, and a growing interest in cutting edge with medical tech. He is interested!”Stella, who had been staring wishfully into the fireplace, sprang to her feet, with her eyes bright with hope. “Ethan! Are you serious?”Finn Whitman, as the cautious brother, remain seated and folded his fingers together. “Interested is a long way from invested, Montgomery. What are the terms? What does he want?”“The terms are what we are to negotiate,” Ethan said as he paced with a restless energy. “But he is agreed to a meeting! This weekend

The luxury mall was a sanctuary of noise and chaos. Jace felt anonymous, in his simple outfit, like a ghost observing the world that had once rejected him. But the peace he felt was interrupted by a familiar, high pitched scream.“DADDY!”A small force of energy slammed into Jace’s legs and wrapped his tiny arms around him. Jace looked down in shock and saw the smiling face of Liam, the little boy he had loved as his own for six years. Before he could organize his emotions, Stella suddenly appeared beside him, with an expression of revulsion etched on her face and dragged Liam away from him forcefully.“Liam! Don’t you ever touch that!” She snarled, and shoved the little boy behind her. Liam scrunched his face in pain, with tears welling up in his eyes.Jace looked at her calmly and said, “He was just saying hello, Stella. No harm done.”“Hello?” She spat at him furiously, which drew the attention of nearby shoppers. “He has nothing to say to a man who sleeps in gutters. Look at you.

The Montgomery Medical boardroom was like a war zone. The long, polished table was like a battlefield, and Ethan and his father, Charles, were surrounded on all sides.“Sign over our remaining shares for a dollar?” Mr Albright roared, his face purple with fury. “It is not a negotiation, it is a execution! You have led us to our own slaughter, Charles!”“We had no choice!” Charles Montgomery shot back with hands trembling on the table. “The clinical trial data…if that gets out—”“You were the ones who buried it!” A mousy faced woman, Director Ivey, shouted and slammed her hands down on the table. “Your negligence, your secret, and now we are all paying the price with our livelihoods? The company has been brought to its knees by your family’s incompetence!”Ethan tried to regain control and raised his voice through the chatter. “We are not here to reminisce the past! We are here to decide on a path forward. This offer, however insulting, is the only one on the table.”“The only one from

Jace listened to Mila’s narration of the dinner, with a blank expression on his face. When she finished, he did not rage or celebrate. “A private meeting,” he snickered as he swirled the scotch in his glass. “They are that desperate.”“They are terrified,” Mila corrected with her arms crossed. “Stella offered me a million dollars in cash. Ethan looked like he was going to be sick. They are drowning, and they think you are the only one who can hand them lifeline.”“Oh, I will throw them a line,” Jace said, his voice turning to deadly whisper. “I will just make sure it is attached to an anchor.” He turned to Reynolds. “Set it up.”Reynolds didn’t shake. “Parameters, sir?”“Anonymous. Neutral ground. A private room at the Oak Room, tomorrow night at nine. Tell them the CEO will meet with Ethan Montgomery alone. No lawyers. No Stella. Especially no Stella. If he brings so much as a bodyguard, the meeting is over before it begins.”Mila frowned. “You are actually going to meet him?”“No,”