The atmosphere in the room was tense, a mix of concern and determination hanging in the air as Mr. Anthony called the emergency meeting. Adrian, Desmond, Lady Hargreaves, and Blinks gathered around the table, each of them aware that the stakes had just been raised. Alexander, Mr. Anthony’s son, had been kidnapped for two hours before being returned unharmed. But the message was clear: Adrian and the others were being watched, and the enemy was willing to go to any lengths to get what they wanted.Mr. Anthony's face was pale but resolute as he began to speak. "They’ve made their move. Whoever is behind this—likely Lazzaro—wants me to step down as acting CEO, or else everyone I care about will be in danger." His voice was calm, but there was an underlying edge of anger.Desmond frowned, leaning forward with his hands clasped on the table. "This is a bold move. If he is willing to kidnap Alexander, he won’t hesitate to do worse. We need to act quickly."Blinks, who had been silently obse

Lady Barbara’s home was rarely this lively. The ornate dining room, often a place for quiet meals or intimate discussions, was now filled with the chatter and laughter of her children. Raymond, the eldest, was the loudest, sharing stories of his recent travels with a boisterous enthusiasm that was hard to ignore. Lazzaro, seated at the head of the table, wore a calm smile as he watched his siblings interact, but there was a flicker of something more in his eyes—calculation, perhaps.Savannah sat next to Raymond, a glass of wine in her hand, her smile more subtle, her gaze sharper. Across from her, Ada fidgeted with her phone, occasionally chiming in with comments about her latest shopping spree or the new designer handbag she’d just ordered.Lady Barbara observed them all, her expression unreadable. She had called this meeting at Lazzaro’s request, knowing that her son had something significant to discuss. Now, as she listened to the banter around the table, she wondered what his true

Mr. Anthony and Mr. Hendricks stared each other down in the dimly lit hallway outside the boardroom, the tension between them palpable. The meeting had barely ended, but neither man had any intention of letting things rest."Stagnant," Hendricks spat out, breaking the silence. "That’s what this company’s been under your so-called leadership, Anthony. Stagnant. Do you even know how to steer a ship like this?"Anthony kept his expression neutral, though his jaw tightened slightly. "We’ve maintained stability, Hendricks. Not everything is about rapid growth. Sometimes, a steady hand is what's needed.""Steady hand?" Hendricks scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. "That’s your excuse? The board expected innovation, progress, and instead, you’ve delivered nothing but mediocrity. You’re just trying to keep the seat warm for yourself, aren’t you?"Anthony frowned faintly, finally allowing his irritation to show. "You don’t know what you’re talking about, Hendricks. I’ve been working to pro

Adrian paced the small, dimly lit room, his mind racing as he waited for Savannah. He had asked her to meet him privately, away from the prying eyes of the board. He knew she was up to something—something that involved Lazzaro—and he needed answers as to why.The door creaked open, and Savannah stepped inside, her expression unreadable. "You wanted to see me, Adrian?" she asked, closing the door behind her.Adrian stopped pacing and turned to face her. "Yes, I did. I need to know why you're supporting Lazzaro."Savannah arched an eyebrow, a small, amused smile playing on her lips. "Why do you think, Adrian? Lazzaro and I aren’t exactly friends.""Then why are you helping him?" Adrian demanded, his voice edged with frustration.She took a step closer, her smile fading. "Because I want power too, Adrian. I want this company. And I'll do whatever it takes to get it."Adrian narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her. "So this isn’t about Lazzaro at all. You’re just using him.""Of course," Sava

Adrian and Rose sat in the cozy corner of the restaurant, the dim lighting casting a warm glow over their table. The city skyline outside the window provided a breathtaking backdrop as they enjoyed their evening together. Rose had just taken a sip of her wine when she looked at Adrian, her eyes filled with a mix of excitement and calm."So, have you thought more about names?" Rose asked, her voice steady.Adrian nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I have. What do you think about Melinda? We could name her after Linda, you know, since she's the reason we met."Rose considered it for a moment, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "Melinda... it’s a strong name. I like it. Linda’s been there for us through a lot; it feels right to honor her that way."Adrian smiled, relieved that she liked the idea. "I knew you'd agree. Melinda it is then."They shared a quiet moment, the weight of their decision settling in. It was a big step, naming their child, and it made everything fe