Novels by emmabuzi1

The silence in the car was a stark contrast to the opulent chaos they had just left behind at the Aurelian. Elara watched the city lights blur past, her mind replaying the humiliating scene with Eleanor Coote. The woman’s venomous words—shameless little slut—still echoed, a toxic whisper in her mind. She felt raw, exposed. The penthouse, which had felt like a sanctuary moments before, now seemed tainted by the encounter.“Should I…” Elara began, her voice small in the luxurious quiet of the sedan. “Should I just go back home today?” The question was absurd. She had no home. The penthouse was a temporary illusion, and the word ‘home’ referred to a life that had been systematically dismantled.Before Leo could answer, his phone buzzed, cutting through the heavy atmosphere. He held up a single finger, his expression shifting into one of focused intensity. “Olivia,” he answered. He listened for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Understood. I’ll be there.” He ended the call and,

The echo of Eleanor’s shriek seemed to hang in the plush hallway long after the sound had faded. Elara stumbled back, her shoulder smarting from the impact, but before she could even process the shock, a steadying hand was on her arm. Leo had moved with a quiet, fluid speed, positioning himself slightly in front of her, a human shield against his mother-in-law’s venom.“That’s enough, Eleanor,” Leo said, his voice low and dangerously calm. It wasn’t a plea; it was a command. “There is nothing improper between us. Your theatrics are unnecessary.”Eleanor let out a derisive snort, her eyes blazing with contempt. “Nothing improper? And yet you bring her to a hotel penthouse? Do you take me for a fool?”Elara, her heart hammering but her voice steady, found her courage. “He brought me here to see the apartment. To offer me a place to stay. It’s not what you’re implying.”For a moment, Eleanor just stared at her. Then, a slow, condescending smile spread across her face, followed by a pe

The lobby of the Aurelian Hotel was a temple to modern opulence. Soaring ceilings held cascading crystal chandeliers that scattered light like diamonds across polished marble floors. The air smelled of white lilies and luxury. For Elara, who had spent the last month navigating the grim, fluorescent-lit offices of debt collectors and the stark silence of her emptied bank account, the sheer grandeur was almost physically disorienting. She felt like a ghost trespassing in a palace.She kept a half-step behind Leo, her borrowed clothes—a simple, elegant sweater and trousers Olivia had procured—feeling flimsy.Leo, in contrast, moved through the gilded space with an unthinking ease, as if he were strolling through a park. He didn’t seem to notice the awe his presence inspired in the staff, who nodded with deep deference as he passed.“The penthouse is a separate lift,” he said, his voice low, guiding her toward a discreet, bronze-doored elevator tucked away from the main thoroughfare. He

The silence in the hotel room stretched, thick and heavy. Leo studied the woman before him. Her answer hung in the air, a stark contradiction to everything else about her. Even sitting on the edge of a hotel bed, weakened and draped in a borrowed robe, she carried herself with an innate grace. Her posture was straight, her hands, though trembling slightly, were elegantly slender with well-kept nails. Her features were finely carved, and her eyes, despite their current distress, held a clarity and intelligence that spoke of education and refinement. This was not someone born into hardship or accustomed to life on the streets. She had the aura of a queen. Seeing the clear doubt in his eyes, she offered a weak, bitter smile. It was a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You’re wondering how someone like me ends up with nowhere to go,” she said, her voice low. She took a shaky breath, as if steeling herself to recite a painful epitaph. “My name is Elara. Elara Parkinson. Until a mont

“They forced me to drink something. I feel so strange.” Her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed forward. Leo caught her easily, her slight frame feeling feather-light in his arms. She was unconscious, her skin feverish to the touch.He knew the signs. She’d been drugged with something potent. A cold dread, different from his personal anguish, settled in his stomach. He’d heard of these substances. If the toxins weren’t purged from her system within hours, they could cause permanent damage, even death. Her last whispered words echoed in his mind: “Please… help me.”---The closest safe haven was a discreet, high-end hotel he knew. He carried her inside, ignoring the curious glance from the concierge, and got a room. There was no time for a hospital; the process would be too slow, too public.Laying her on the bed, he worked quickly and methodically. He was no doctor, but his unconventional life had taught him many things, including ancient, effective detoxification methods. He steril

The city air felt different the moment Leo stepped outside the Coote mansion gates. It was no longer the suffocating atmosphere of a gilded cage, but something colder, sharper, and strangely liberating. Leo's eyes reddened with fury and betrayal, his heart screamed in pain. He walked without a destination, the crisp morning breeze doing little to clear the bitter residue from his confrontation. The signed divorce agreement felt like a lead weight in the inner pocket of his jacket. He had spent years building a fortress of quiet patience around his heart, and in one morning, Amelia had torn it down with the casual cruelty. His phone vibrated, a persistent buzz against his chest. He thought about ignoring it, letting the world fade away. “Hey Boss,” Olivia’s voice was bright, efficient. “Just updating you. The transfer of the Aether Ventures shares is nearly complete. The lawyers are dotting the i’s. In two days, right after she rings the bell, the entire package will be ready. It’