2025-04-16 23:26:08
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THE TRILLIONAIRE'S UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE Tense Chat
The next day after Roman's visit, Annabel went to talk to her aunt, Janice. She found her sitting by the pool side. The air smelled of chlorine and freshly cut grass, as well as the faint scent of citrus from Aunt Janice's perfume. Janice was sitting on the edge of a lounge chair and holding a glass of gin and tonic. Annabel sat beside her."Aunt Jan," Annabel called. Janice looked at her. "What was that about yesterday?""What was what about?" Janice feigned ignorance. Annabel sighed. "You ambushed my boyfriend back there with your weird questions. You've never done that before, why did you have to do it today? It was so embarrassing."Janice chuckled. "Oh, that? How's that embarrassing? I was only looking out for you.""And you went about it wrongly. That was his first time here as my boyfriend, and you talked about how expensive his watch is. That is just wrong, Aunt Jan." Annabel's anger was visible now. "You know you could have just let it be a nice day. Now it looks like you'
THE TRILLIONAIRE'S UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE Hooks In
Annabel did not want to laugh, even though it was very funny to see Janice's look of horror.Janice’s face was still very flushed. "You’re impossible," she snapped and picked up her drink. "Both of you. One day, you’ll look back and wish you’d listened to me." Freya waved as Janice stormed off. "Love you too, Aunty!" The moment Janice was out of earshot, Annabel rested completely on the lounge chair. "God, she’s so exhausting." Freya threw another grape into her mouth. "Eh, she’s just pissed because no one’s ever bought her a grand hall full of burgundy decorations." She smirked. "It was rented, Freya," Annabel rolled her eyes. Freya ignored her. "Speaking of, when do I get to meet Kade? I feel like he and I would get along." "I'm sure you guys will get along well. You're both full of humour, both dark and otherwise." Annabel said. "Hand me some of those grapes please."Freya gave her the bowl of grapes and cleared her throat. "So, when's Roman taking us to dinner?" Annabe
THE TRILLIONAIRE'S UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE Change Of Plans
Thursday was fast to come by. The Valey brothers were already in Roman’s office at exactly 10 AM on that day. Roman, as usual, was sitting opposite them. "Gentlemen," Roman greeted them. "Let’s make this quick. I’ve got lunch plans." Pope chuckled and it sounded like gravel against a shovel. "Always the busy man, Mr Averne. But then again, time is money." Roman smirked. "And money’s what we’re here to talk about, isn’t it?" Prance nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes." He immediately went to the details without waiting for his brothers' approval. "We have gotten the manufacturing plants lined up already. So all we need now is your signature next week, and we can start rolling out the first prototypes." Roman nodded. "And the branding?" Dexter immediately answered, as if he was in a competition with Prance that he wanted to win. "Anonymous launch, just like we discussed. We need the rumors to start circulating that Averne company is backing it, then you step in and confirm. Lim
THE TRILLIONAIRE'S UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE Walk Off
Janice had somehow made Annabel wary of the family meetings without even knowing it. Another Sunday had come by, and Annabel sat in her room, wondering whether to go join them or not. The last thing she wanted to hear was anything that Janice had to say about her relationship. But she got ready and joined the family anyway. She had no other choice. Also, she had told her grandfather that she would invite Roman again, but in truth, she said that just because the man had been bugging her with a lot of questions about her boyfriend. Annabel did not invite Roman. She could not risk him being ambushed by Janice again. The family's Sunday breakfast was in full swing when Janice struck. Roman's empty chair at the dining table made some of the family members wonder whether or not he was coming.Annabel picked at her eggs and tried to ignore the way her father kept glancing at the vacant seat where her boyfriend was supposed to be sitting. "Roman not joining us today?" Grandfather Fran
THE TRILLIONAIRE'S UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE Don Talk
The family gathering was slowly coming to an end. Some cousins were already picking up their bags and waving their goodbyes with bright smiles on their faces. Some of the older uncles had gone to the living room, where someone had put on a documentary that no one was watching, while the children were scattered all around. Some of them had gone to the guest rooms, while the others were outside with the dogs.Janice, however, was sitting by herself near the back patio. She had one of her legs crossed over the other, and was holding a half glass of wine on one hand. She wasn’t one to join in the chaos of packing after the gathering was over. She preferred to sit stylishly and sip on whatever alcohol came her way. She was taking one more sip from the glass when Donald saw her.He was one of those uncles that was always around but never too involved. He rarely took sides, but always had something to say when the dust settled. Everyone called him “Chill Uncle Don” in a sarcastic tone tha
THE TRILLIONAIRE'S UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE Daddy Talk
Annabel found solace in a quiet hotel room far away from her father's estate. She refused to go back home that day, and did not also go to meet Roman. She could not afford to let him know what her aunt was saying, and she could not come back home that day. So, she stayed over and went back home the next day when she knew the house would be quiet and back to normal. That morning, she walked into the house quietly. She took off her shoes at the door as if she was sneaking in and trying not to be caught. But the moment she stepped into the living room, she saw her father sitting on the couch with a newspaper in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. The television was on, but muted. He was focused on his newspaper. Harmon did not look up immediately. He waited until she was halfway through the living room before he spoke.“Sit down,” he said in his calm, authoritative tone that made her feel like she was five years old again. Annabel sighed, not because she was annoyed — okay, m
THE TRILLIONAIRE'S UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE Don and Mar
Janice took her bag and phone from the side table, and started making her way down to her car. She was humming too, in her old habitual manner. She had just gotten to her car when she heard someone call her name from behind.“Janice!”She turned. It was Donald again. But this time, he wasn’t alone. Marren was with him. 'Two of them together? That cannot mean anything good.' Janice thought. Janice stepped out of the car and closed the door halfway, then she folded her arms across her chest and watched as they approached her.“Don’t tell me you’ve come to lecture me again,” she said, looking at Donald. Donald smirked. “Not this time. Marren and I… we’ve got something to discuss. And we were hoping you’d host us for a bit.”Janice raised a brow. “At my house?”Marren smiled. “It’s not a long discussion, Jan. Besides, you have the biggest wine rack.”Janice sighed. “You’re buying the next bottle.”“Deal.”Before she could even ask any more questions or say any other thing, the two men
THE TRILLIONAIRE'S UNDERSTATED DOMINANCE Off Feeling
It was yet another Monday, another day for the Valeys to meet with Roman. And as usual, Roman was already in his office waiting for the arrival of the three brothers. Roman didn’t look up when Kade knocked and let the Valey brothers in. He knew they were the ones coming because their appointment was set for that time. He was behind his desk, finishing a cup of espresso that he had brewed himself that morning. He liked doing it himself now. Something about starting the day on his own terms made working go smoother most times. When the three men finally walked in, talking and smiling like they already closed the deal of the century, he slowly raised his head and gave them a casual look.“Good morning, gentlemen,” he said, gesturing toward the chairs across from him.“Morning, Mr Averne,” Dexter said as they took their seats. Prance carried a thin folder with him and Pope was holding his phone as if he was waiting for it to ring.Roman raised a brow. “I believe we were supposed to dis
Latest Chapter
Too Late
Roman turned around. “So what does winning look like?”Martin stood up to stand opposite him near the window.“It looks like strategy, and not pride. You can’t afford to throw punches in the dark. We need tighter surveillance, counter-forensics, and a full reshuffle of the narrative.”“I don’t have the media behind me.”“We will figure it out.”They both stood in silence for a moment. Then Roman returned to the desk and sat again. “I don’t want to lose anything,” he said.“You won’t,” Martin replied. “But don’t lose yourself trying to save it, either.”Then Roman asked, “Do you think I’m making a mistake?”Martin thought for a long second. “I think you’re at the edge of something. It's either the cliff or the breakthrough. Your answer only depends on what you do next.”Roman nodded. “I won’t settle.” Maybe he was trying to convince himself. “Then let’s start preparing like we mean it.” Martin said. Several days later, Freya found herself standing in front of her bathroom mirror, wi
Deliberations
Roman leaned back against the couch. Just then, his phone rang. He stared at it on the table for a second, unsure if he wanted to pick it up.It rang again. He moved to pick it, half expecting some hollow message from a board member, or another headline pinged by his news app.But it was Freya.“Just checking in. I hope you are alright?” she said. “No.” Roman did not know when he responded, and why he just did that. She responded instantly. “Want to talk?”Roman stared at the screen for a long second. Then typed back: “I don’t think I can talk. But I also don’t want to be alone.”He barely had time to keep the phone down before it pinged again.“I’m coming over to your place. Don’t argue. I’m bringing ice cream. Just give me the directions.”And so, Roman gave Freya his location and she was on her way to him that night. When she knocked on his door twenty minutes later, Roman stood up slowly and went to open the door. She stood there, smiling warmly, wearing jeans, a sweatshirt, an
Board Suggestion
Roman straightened the cuffs of his blazer as he stepped into the courtroom. Today was different. It was going to be more intense than the last hearing. The press bench was half full, and a few unfamiliar legal faces lined the gallery. They were likely just observers from other firms who smelled blood in the water. Everyone wanted a seat for the show.Kade walked beside Roman silently, while scanning the room. Martin was already seated at their table. There were stacks of binders and a neat yellow legal pad in front of him. He gave Roman a curt nod as he sat.Across the aisle, Ezra Winfield leaned slightly toward Pope and was speaking in low tones. Pope reclined with an expression that looked close to boredom. Prance sat beside him.The room was very tense. At exactly ten o’clock, the bailiff stood. “All rise.”Judge Hauser entered briskly. She adjusted her glasses, surveyed the room once, then sat.“You may be seated.” She said. Everyone settled. She continued immediately. “This
Shifting
Roman reached his office and closed the door quietly behind him. He saw that there was already a coffee cup waiting on his desk.He stared at it for a minute before letting out a small breath through his nose. He could tell that it wasn’t from his assistant. It was a different kind of cup, the kind that came from the cafe just down the block.Freya had been there. It must have come from her. She was the only one he knew who liked that place a bit too much.He picked it up. The cup was still quite warm, meaning that she had been there not long ago. A note was even tucked under the cup.“Didn’t want to interrupt. Thought you might need this.”Roman sat down and stared at the cup for another beat before finally sipping. Too sweet again. She still didn’t know how he took it.But he drank it anyway. It wasn't her fault he didn't like too sweet coffee. It only made him remember Annabel. She knew how to make his coffee perfectly. Roman took his focus to the work at hand, and by late afterno
Stubborn Gf
The days blurred together after his encounter with Freya.Roman moved through them the way a man wades through deep water. Work didn’t pause for grief, or exhaustion, or the quiet unraveling of everything he had built.The lawsuit was bleeding him dry. And if he wasn't as wealthy as he was, he would have been bankrupt. Investors were calling in daily to withdraw their stocks. His board members held emergency meetings he wasn’t always invited to.The press did not help much either, with their news. Roman responded the only way he knew how, which was to bury himself deeper into the grind.But even that did not feel like armor anymore. It felt like weight. Overworking. And the worst part wasn’t the pressure, or the losses stacking up in inevitable columns.It was the silence, the empty apartment he came home to, the unanswered messages, and the way Annabel’s name sat in his phone like a ghost he didn’t know how to speak to anymore.And as if it was some wrong timed thing, Freya started
Mislead Her
In no time, two weeks ran by and it was time for the second court hearing. The second hearing moved faster than the first.Roman sat at the defendant’s table again. His hands were loosely clasped together. Martin sat beside him, flipping calmly through the day’s submissions, but even he couldn’t hide the sharpness in his movements.The Valeys sat across the aisle, looking confident. Pope, Dexter, and Prance; they were all dressed in shades of gray and black. Ezra Winfield sat nearest to the bench, perfectly composed, with a faint smirk at the corner of his mouth.The courtroom beamed with a restrained energy. Today mattered.The bailiff called them to order, and Judge Hauser took her seat with the same clipped efficiency as before."This is the matter of Valey Group Incorporated versus Roman Averne, continued for preliminary evidentiary review," the clerk announced.Judge Hauser peered over the rim of her glasses. "I understand both sides have submitted documentation since our last he
Another Coincidence
The morning light was very bright. Annabel blinked against it, realizing only as she sat up that she hadn’t made it to her bed the previous night. She was still curled on the living room couch, with a thin throw blanket tangled around her legs. Her sweatshirt was rumpled from hours of restless half-sleep.Her mouth was dry. Her head ached from the tension that had knotted her entire body and refused to let go.Her phone buzzed once on the table, and it made her stomach tighten immediately. She picked it up without thinking. It was Roman.The message was clipped. “I’m sorry. Call me when you’re ready.”She stared at it for a long time. She could almost hear his voice, the way it had sounded when he tried to explain, right before everything had broken.Annabel kept the phone back down without replying. She pushed herself up and made her way toward the kitchen. She found a little solace in the normal rhythm of her morning routine, which was coffee, breakfast, emails and other mundane st
Not From Him
Annabel was busy scrolling through the internet when she saw it.She was sitting at the kitchen counter at home, with her laptop open while a half a bagel was growing cold on her plate. Her coffee was already lukewarm. It was a quiet morning and she had called in sick at work, just to be able to spend the whole day at home. So, that morning, it was just her, and the comfort of an unhurried breakfast.She was scrolling mindlessly and clicking through headlines on a news app out of boredom more than interest. There were politics, a celebrity divorce, and even a new city ordinance on traffic lights. Then—“Roman Averne Faces Lawsuit Over Breach of Contract”She blinked.Her finger hovered for a second before tapping the article. And when she did, the headline expanded and a photo loaded. Roman was walking out of a courthouse with Martin beside him. There was no expression on his face.The article was short. "Valey Group Incorporated filed a civil lawsuit against Mr Roman Averne citing
Preliminary
The conference room on the forty-second floor of the Valey tower was cold. There were no windows and no distractions. Pope sat perfectly still at the head of the table with his hands folded beneath his chin as he read through the printed schedule for tomorrow’s court hearing. Even though it was night already, his suit remained neatly pressed and unwrinkled, as if it had been made exactly for this moment. Dexter leaned back in his chair across him, while chewing on a toothpick and spinning a silver pen between his fingers. Prance sat beside him, scrolling on a tablet, and occasionally tapping out notes.At the far end of the table, Ezra Winfield was flipping through a tabbed binder, page by page. He was skimming but not rushing. Every tab was color-coded. Every section was marked. And his glasses rested low on his nose.“So,” Ezra said without looking up, “we’re first on the docket. Judge Hauser. 9:00 a.m sharp.”“Hauser’s a stickler,” Pope said. “I assume you’ve played this clean?”
