Novels by Ana Stacia

The entire hall was still buzzing with stunned whispers when Lena suddenly rose from her seat, her movements sharp and rigid, like someone whose very bones vibrated with outrage. Her chair scraped loudly against the floor, drawing even more attention to her as she stepped into the aisle. Her heels clicked furiously with each step, announcing her fury even before she opened her mouth.“This is unacceptable!” Lena’s voice sliced through the hall with force. He turned his head to look at her. “This—this is some kind of joke, right? A very cheap, very pathetic joke?”She gestured broadly toward the stage where Connor now stood, calmly holding the golden award. Her hand trembled from anger.“We were invited here to be played with?” she demanded, her voice rising again. “Is that what this is? You called us here to humiliate us?!”Her outrage echoed through the hall, bouncing off the chandelier-lit walls.“How,” she continued, breath hitching, “how can he—” she jabbed a finger at Connor as

Connor watched Lena’s outburst on the stage with a calm expression. He remained seated, calm and almost distant, as though the chaos unfolding in front of everyone had nothing to do with him. His eyes stayed fixed on her, not with anger, not with pity, but with a kind of silent observation—almost as if he had expected this reaction from the beginning.On the brightly lit stage, Mr. Jerry Wills faced Lena with a collected smile that carried a hint of firmness beneath it. Mr. Wills raised one brow at her. “Ms. Montgomery,” he said in a tone that was polite but edged with clear warning, “I am the one presenting the awards. You do not have the authority to interrupt the process or question the structure of this ceremony.”Lena’s face hardened. She took a step toward him, her heels clicking sharply. “Explain what you meant earlier,” she demanded, her voice ringing through the hall. “Explain what you meant by saying things change. The Montgomery business has been flourishing. We have exp

Connor did not respond to anything Lena said afterwards.Not a single word escaped his lips.And somehow, that silence irritated Lena far more than anything he could have said.She sat behind him, her perfectly painted nails tapping rhythmically against her crossed arms as though the sound might force him to react. But Connor remained still, his back straight, his shoulders relaxed, his head angled slightly toward the stage as he focused on Jerry Wills.The event hall buzzed with elegant chatter. Every powerful household in the country had sent representatives, and the atmosphere carried the weight of both rivalry and prestige.But Lena was focused on only one thing—one person.Connor.She couldn’t understand why his silence angered her. Maybe it was because it felt like he was ignoring her existence. Maybe it was because he wasn’t giving her the satisfaction of reacting to her taunts. Maybe it was because, for the first time, she felt as though she had no control over him, no abili

The moment Lena stepped into the event hall, the cool air from the massive air-conditioning unit hit her face, but it did absolutely nothing to calm the fire burning inside her. Her heels clicked sharply against the floor, every step filled with anger and humiliation that hadn’t yet settled in her stomach. Her eyes swept across the grand hall like a hawk searching for prey. The entire venue sparkled with golden chandeliers, polished wine glasses, and perfectly dressed elites, but Lena saw none of that. She was searching for one person — Connor Dryton.Her fingers curled into her palm as she walked deeper into the hall, her breathing tightening with each passing second. Dozens of round banquet tables were perfectly arranged in rows, each decorated with expensive centerpieces, fresh roses, and name tags. The orchestra at the far end tuned their instruments softly, filling the hall with a refined hum. Guests spoke quietly with one another, drinks in hand, waiting for the award ceremon

Lena’s heels clicked sharply against the floor as she stormed toward the two security guards dragging Benjamin away. Her face was flushed, eyes blazing with fury, and her hands balled into fists as her voice rang out.“Hey! Stop! Drop him!” she shouted, her voice carrying authority. “Do you hear me? Stop dragging him this instant!”For a few tense moments, the guards ignored her, their grips tightening on Benjamin’s arms as though her words were invisible. Lena’s frustration boiled over, her chest heaving with anger. “I said STOP!” she barked again, louder this time, stepping forward until she was only a few feet away from them.One of the guards finally paused, his face stiff with discomfort, but he didn’t release Benjamin. Instead, he muttered under his breath, “We’re just… following orders, ma’am. That’s all. We have no personal—”Lena cut him off with a sharp shove to his chest, her strength belying her slender frame. The guard stumbled back a step, startled, and Lena leaned in c

For a long moment, Lena did not move.She stood there frozen—eyes wide, lips parted, breath shallow—as Benjamin was dragged out, now completely out of sight. The murmurs around her swelled like a rising tide. People were whispering behind gloved fingers, pointing subtly at her, glancing between her and Connor as if watching a scandal unfold live.And then, as if something snapped inside her chest, Lena blinked hard and gasped.“No… no, this cannot be happening,” she whispered—then her voice rose sharply. “Mr. Wills… Mr. Wills, please, just a moment!”Jerry Wills, who had been turning to escort Connor further inside, paused and turned his head slowly. His expression was calm, polite, but unmistakably firm. Connor stood beside him, relaxed, silent, and observant.Lena stepped forward, shaking—not from fear, but from pure indignation.“Mr. Wills,” she said loudly, making sure everyone around could hear her, “that was completely unacceptable. Benjamin Carver is not just anyone. He is my f