Zara’s POV I was going to make a statement.Not a quiet one, not a subtle one, a very loud, public, scandalous statement that would remind everyone, especially Ethan, exactly who I was.So, I threw a party.And not just any party, a Zara Windsor-level party. Expensive venue, exclusive guest list, champagne flowing like water, and music loud enough to make even the most uptight socialites loosen up, I knew that money was my saving but I don't give a fv*k.Because Ethan and Victoria are the real reason for this grand event. I sent them personal invitations. Because what’s the point of a spectacle if the main characters don’t show up?And to my absolute delight, they did. Oh, this Was Going to Be FunI had something to prove. Ethan wasn’t over me, no matter how many smug newspaper headlines tried to tell me otherwise. And Victoria? Please. She was just a placeholder, a speed bump on the road back to my rightful place by Ethan’s side.Ethan looked… Well, Ethan. Sharp, brooding, annoyin

Zara’s POVI was losing my mind.Three days. Three whole days without my son.At first, I had told myself to be patient. That I needed to let the scandal die down before making any reckless moves. But patience was for saints, and I was not a saint.I needed to see him. Now.“I’m going,” I announced, standing up so fast that Veronica almost dropped her phone.She groaned from the couch. “Oh, for the love of…. !!! Zara, no. That is literally the dumbest idea you’ve had all week.”I crossed my arms. “And why is it dumb?”Veronica didn’t answer. Instead, she turned her phone around, shoving it in my face.The screen was filled with headlines.“Zara Windsor’s Party Meltdown—The Bitter Ex Who Can’t Move On?”“Zara vs. Ethan’s Fiancée: A Love Triangle Gone Wrong”“Ex-Heiress or Ex-Girlfriend? Zara Windsor’s Most Embarrassing Night Yet”“Zara Windsor’s Party Meltdown: Is She Still Obsessed With Ethan Carter?”“Zara Windsor: The Bitter Ex Who Can’t Let Go!”“Husband Snatcher vs. Psycho Fiancé

Leonard's POV I knew things were bad.But is this bad?I sat at my desk, gripping the latest financial report so tightly that the paper crumpled. One by one, my so-called loyal shareholders were pulling out, dumping their shares like my company was a sinking ship. And to make matters worse? They weren’t just selling to anyone.No.They were selling to the Carters.To Ethan Carter, of all people.That arrogant little upstart was circling my empire like a vulture, waiting for me to drop dead.I exhaled slowly, pressing my fingers against my temples. “Unbelievable.”The betrayal. The audacity. The insult.I spent years building this business, turning the Windsor name into one of power and prestige, and now these cowards were running at the first sign of trouble?I was still fuming when my assistant walked in.“Sir,” he said, looking nervous. “You have a visitor.”I narrowed

Zara’s POVConvincing Elizabeth to come out tonight was harder than convincing a cat to take a bath."I'm just saying," she had sighed, arms crossed, "is it really necessary? A small bar? Outside the city? This sounds like one of your terrible ideas, Zara.""Terrible? Excuse me, I have fantastic ideas. Plus, we need this! You’ve been so stressed lately, and we never get to have fun anymore. Come on, Liz. One night. No drama, no responsibilities, just us and some cocktails.""And Elias," she pointed out.I waved that off. "Of course, Elias. He’s like my little sidekick. It’s fine. He’ll be with us the whole time!"The bar was exactly what I wanted, small, cozy, loud enough to drown out any overthinking but not so loud that we couldn’t talk. It was filled with people who didn’t care who we were, which was perfect.Elias sat in the booth between Elizabeth and me, happily munching on fries and sipping his juice. Veronica was already two drinks in, telling a very dramatic story about her n

Leonard’s POVI was sipping my evening whiskey when the door to my study burst open.I didn’t flinch.A man who flinches is a man who loses.Instead, I took another slow sip, letting the silence stretch, letting my men feel the weight of their intrusion.The two guards standing before me hesitated. That was good. Fear kept people obedient.“Speak,” I commanded, my voice calm, but firm.One of them, a wiry man named Clarke, cleared his throat. “Sir… we have information on Zara.”I raised an eyebrow. “Do you?”My fingers traced the rim of my glass, my patience thinning. I told my men following her for a week and everyday I will be expecting a daily reports of where she went, who she spoke to, whether she was still playing her ridiculous little rebellion against my plans.But something about Clarke’s nervous stance told me this wasn’t just routine.“What did you find?” I asked, my voice smooth, but laced with warning.Clarke exchanged a quick look with the miller before he exhaled and sa