The gala was everything the city expected it to be— polished, extravagant, and dripping with money. Crystal chandeliers cast soft light across marble floors, and the air was filled with the scent of expensive colognes mingled with aged wine. To the public eye, it was a gathering of the city’s brightest and wealthiest minds. But to Niccolo, it was a battlefield where masks concealed more than faces; they concealed intentions.He shook hands, smiled when necessary, and played the role of the accomplished CEO who had reclaimed his throne. But his mind never wandered far from the real purpose of his presence —exposing the truth behind the orphanage.When the owner finally approached him, dressed in a sharp tuxedo and wearing a smile that seemed almost too polished, Niccolo returned the courtesy with calm precision. They exchanged pleasantries, talked about charity projects, and even clinked glasses. Yet, behind every word, Niccolo sensed something hollow. The man’s eyes darted too often,

The glow of Phoenix Corp’s towers always looked different at night. Most of the city saw it as a symbol of wealth and power; for Lyla, it was a stage, and tonight she was ready to step onto it.The building was mostly empty. The hum of the elevators echoed in lonely shafts, and the polished floors reflected her slender frame as she walked toward the top office. She had waited for this moment— when the staff had gone, when the halls were quiet, when Niccolo was alone.Her heels clicked like a countdown. Her dress— shorter than ever, fabric that glittered with suggestion— hugged her body in a way that made her confident and nervous all at once. This was it. If she played this right, she could finally wedge herself deeper into Niccolo’s world— not as just another employee, but as someone unforgettable.She opened the door without knocking.Niccolo was at his desk, sleeves rolled up, the faintest glow from the city painting sharp lines on his face. He didn’t look up at first. He was writi

The first blow came from Veronica Steele.The cameras flashed as she stood tall on the stage, her crimson dress a calculated choice to exude both power and elegance. With a cold smile, she announced to the city that Steele Enterprises had officially withdrawn every investment and stock tied to Phoenix Corp.“I will not work with a tyrant,” she said confidently, her voice echoing through the microphones. “Niccolo Morrandi might think he can rule with fear and intimidation, but that is not how true leaders conduct business. Steele Enterprises is cutting all ties with Phoenix Corp— effective immediately.”The reporters cheered at the drama, pens scratching furiously as if history itself was being recorded.The next day, it was Lorenzo Vega’s turn. He stood in front of his company’s logo, a sharp suit emphasizing his calculated precision.“Phoenix Corp under Niccolo’s leadership is reckless,” he declared. “No integrity, no respect for his staff, no regard for stability. Vega Industries wi

From the moment the sun rose that morning, Kimberly was already restless. She hadn’t slept well in weeks. Memories of Gregory’s fall and the collapse of the life she once flaunted played in her head like a broken record. Yet, through it all, one thought consumed her— Niccolo.She dressed carefully, putting on a dress she thought was elegant yet alluring, the kind she believed would remind Niccolo of who she was, who she used to be. Her makeup was done with precision, her perfume subtle but lingering. She wanted him to remember the woman who once held his attention, even if only for fleeting moments.By 08:00 AM, she arrived at Phoenix Corp headquarters, heels clicking sharply against the marble tiles of the front entrance. The guards at the gate immediately straightened.“I need to see Niccolo,” she said firmly, her chin raised.One of the guards, a man who had worked at Phoenix Corp for years, shook his head. “I’m sorry, ma’am. You’re not on his schedule. We can’t let you in.”Kimber

Gregory stood in the hallway outside Lyla’s apartment, fists clenched at his sides, his jaw locked so tightly that a vein bulged along his temple. He had come here expecting answers, maybe even loyalty, but the look in Lyla’s eyes as she leaned against the doorway told him everything before she even spoke.“You’re suspended?” he barked, disbelief dripping from every syllable. “That was your big chance to corner him, and you— what? You embarrassed yourself instead?”Lyla’s lips curved in a bitter smile. She wore her dress like armor, her arms folded across her chest. “Don’t talk as if it’s so easy. If you think you can outsmart Niccolo, then by all means —try it yourself. I’m not your errand girl, Gregory.”Her words cut deeper than he expected. His pride stung. “You’re a failure,” he spat, his voice low but sharp, “and you know it.”Her eyes flashed, cold and dismissive. “Then stop wasting your time here. If there’s anything worth telling you, I’ll call. Until then, don’t come to my a