The knock on the glass was sharp, demanding. Jalen’s head turned slowly, and his chest tightened when he saw her again. Elena. That smile, that audacity. She leaned slightly forward, her polished nails drumming lightly on his window.He pressed the button, lowering the glass halfway.“That was not a way to treat a lady,” Elena said, her hands resting on her hips. The firmness in her tone was the kind that expected no argument.Jalen frowned faintly. “Um… Ms. Foster, I thought I already apologized for what happened back there.” His voice was low, cautious, confused. But deep inside, he was beginning to sense where this was heading.“Not enough,” she countered smoothly, tilting her head. “And not Ms. Foster. It’s Lena. Call me Lena.” She stretched the word as though it were a song she wanted him to repeat.Jalen sighed, his fingers tightening on the steering wheel. “Okay. Lena. What else do you want?”Elena rolled her tongue slowly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Gush! Are you al

“So, to what do I owe this—” Jalen gestured with his hand, his brows raised as though he already knew the answer but wanted to hear it from her lips. “This meeting?” He lifted his glass of wine and took a sip, his voice calm but laced with impatience.Across from him, Elena’s face dimmed slightly. The sparkle in her eyes faltered. “You need to calm down, prince charming,” she said softly, leaning back in her chair with elegance that looked rehearsed.Jalen dropped his glass on the table gently and tilted his head. “Do you have to keep calling me that? Prince charming?”She laughed lightly, brushing an imaginary strand of hair from her forehead. “Of course. That’s what you are to me. Don’t you see it?”He chuckled, shaking his head. “You women and your sweet words. You’ve not even told me about yourself, yet you already branded me royalty.”“Exactly why we’re here,” Elena said, her smile tugging wider. “First, let’s get to know each other.”“Fine,” Jalen said, folding his arms. “Tell m

“This one you’re calling now after weeks of nothing,” Tiana’s voice came low and unhappy over the line. “It better be something good.”On the other end, Elena chuckled softly, her tone rich with ease. “Apologies, my dear. Jalen has been… a little difficult to pin down. But not to worry. I’ve crossed the first stage.”Tiana’s brow arched. She turned in her chair, one leg crossing over the other. “First stage? What exactly are you talking about?”Her excitement was like spilled wine; quick, staining everything it touched. “I got him to fall for me, Tiana. We’ve already had lunch together. Twice, in fact. We talked. We laughed. We even planned to see again soon. He trusts me now.”Tiana’s lips curved slowly, satisfaction dripping from her expression. “Good. Very good. But don’t get carried away. Lunches and laughter are child’s play. What I need is blood from his veins, not just his smile.""You must get close enough to strip his empire bare. I want access to Adesins Corporation from the

The morning light slanted through the blinds of Jalen’s office, spilling over the table where files, contracts, and reports lay scattered. His eyes were fixed on the spreadsheet before him, yet his mind wasn’t fully in it. He was still nursing the unease of the last two days: the confrontation with Aisha, the danger of those leaked files, and the bitter taste of knowing someone close was plotting his downfall.The low buzz of his phone jolted him out of thought. It vibrated against the wooden surface, the number flashing on the screen strange and unfamiliar. He hesitated for a second, then reached for it.“Hello?”The voice that came through sent a cold shiver down his spine.“Hey, prince charming.”Jalen’s lips parted slightly, but no words came, recognizing the voice. He leaned back into his chair, pressing his fingers against the bridge of his nose.“I want us to have dinner tonight,” Elena’s voice dripped like honey. “At my place. Please don’t say no.”For a moment, silence str

“How did it go last night?” Tiana’s voice slid through the phone, sharp and impatient. “Ain’t you supposed to report back to me by now?”On the other end, silence stretched. Long enough for Tiana’s annoyance to simmer hotter. Finally, Elena’s voice came, low and hesitant.“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I failed. I almost had him, Tiana. He was softening, I swear. But then, then his girlfriend showed up. She ruined everything. Just when I was about to succeed in my second move, she walked in and it ended in chaos.”The disappointment in Tiana’s voice was like ice. “So, once again, I’m left with nothing but excuses. Do you think this is a game? Elena, do you know how much I’ve invested in this? You have one last chance. One. I don’t want to hear stories again. Get the job done. Tear him apart, or don’t come back to me at all.”The call ended before Elena could reply. She stood frozen, the sting of Tiana’s words echoing in her ears.*****************At Adesins Corporation, Jalen tried to