One ti beca another... and then another.
Until it didn’t feel like a mistake anymore. Infact they had fucked every chance they got.
Clarisse blinked, the mory fading as she returned to the present.
Nothing about this was going the way she had planned.
Not the pregnancy.
Not Alex.
And definitely not the storm she had just stepped into. She had to find a way to convince Alex to forget about the baby. At least for now.
But how?
....
Sowhere at the shipping yard, a woman sat in a white Porsche, the tinted windows cutting off the rest of the world.
She was pretty and had on a very deep red lipstick. She tapped her stylus against the tablet screen, watching the live GPS feed of Julian’s car. A small, cold smile touched her lips.
"He’s back at the house," she murmured to herself.
She took a slow sip of her wine, her deep red lipstick staining the glass. She had a file open on the screen — a file on Lyvana Montclair.
A ssage appeared.
The ’Phantom’ has been spotted. Lily is digging. Should we shut her down?
No. Let her dig. The more she finds, the more interesting things beco. Focus on Lyvana Montclair. I want her gone.
Working on it, ca the instant reply.
The woman leaned back against the leather seat, a small, smile touching her lips. She didn’t just want Julian, she wanted to see the look in his eyes when everything he treasured turned to ash.
She wanted him to feel the sa cold, empty silence he had left her with all those years ago.
She shifted the Porsche into gear, the engine humming to life.
"Enjoy your evening, Julian Harrison Grant III," she muttered, pulling away from the shadows of the containers. "It’s one of the last ones you’ll have in peace."
....
When Marco drove Lyvana to the office, he inford her that he would take her to her suite at The Royale when she was done with work.
Lyvana turned to him, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
"The Royale? Is the room ready now?"
"Your private suite is ready," he confird. "Security has been tripled. The biotric locks are active. And your belongings were moved in this morning."
Lyvana leaned back slightly, taking that in.
"Thank you Marco," she murmured.
Marco glanced at her briefly.
"Is sothing wrong ma’am?"
Lyvana smiled. "I am fine Marco."
Marco was observant; he had spent too many hours guarding her to be fooled by a polite smile.
As they pulled up to the Aurora headquarters, Marco stepped out to open her door, his expression returning to its usual professional mask.
She entered the building and went straight to the sewing room. The seamstresses and tailors were busy with work. There were many orders to fulfill, and every garnt had to be perfect.
She walked over to Liora, who was sewing a wedding gown. Lyvana had designed it specifically for Emily. It was a high-end dress, based on a design Lyvana rembered well.
This was the first ti Aurora had ever made a wedding dress. It was a huge step for the company. Lyvana touched the soft fabric, it was perfect.
"The lace on the top was hard to work with, Ms. Lyvana," Liora said. "But we pulled it off. The silhouette... it’s exactly what you sketched. It’s absolutely beautiful."
"You truly are the best, Liora."
Liora gave a bright smile.
"When can we do the first fitting?" Lyvana asked.
"We can do it tomorrow."
Emily will be here at ten then. Make sure everything is ready."
Liora nodded and went back to work. Lyvana felt proud of her team. When she got back to her office, she found Emily unpacking a large, silver box on her desk.
"What is that?" Lyvana asked, looking confused.
"It’s your breakfast," Emily said. "Julian hired a nutritionist for you. She is working with a top chef from L’Oiseau Bleu. They will be planning all your als from now on."
Lyvana stared at the expensive containers being lined up on her desk.
"You need to try these," Emily continued, opening the lids. "There are four different al sets here. Julian wants you to tell the nutritionist which ones you like, and which ones make you feel sick."
Lyvana’s mouth dropped open. She couldn’t believe it. Julian wasn’t just giving her a ho; he was controlling everything, down to the very food she ate.
"He hired a nutritionist and a chef... for my als?" Lyvana whispered.
Emily shrugged, though she looked a bit impressed. "He said you haven’t been eating enough. He wants you at your best, and I agree. So, which one are you starting with?"
"Wait... isn’t that a bit over the top?"
"Do I need to tell you your man is completely obsessed with you? And that, you are carrying his heirs. He even told that if you skip a single al, he wants to know. He’s keeping a log."
"Ok, now he is being too much," she stiffled a laugh, though her stomach growled at the sll of the food.
"He is not too much," Emily corrected, setting a silver spoon next to a bowl of berries.
Lyvana sat down in her chair, looking at the al.
"I can’t even pick my own eggs anymore." Lyvana said. "Isn’t that a bit too much?"
"Apparently not," Emily said. "But look at the bright side. Most people would kill for a private chef from L’Oiseau Bleu. Just pick up a spoon and eat. And talk to the nutritionist. When you are done, we can go flower shopping for my wedding."
Just as she finished tasting the first small bowl, Bertha knocked on the door.
"Ms. Montclair? There is soone here to see you. She doesn’t have an appointnt, but she says it’s urgent."
Lyvana wiped her mouth. "Who is it?"
"She didn’t give a na. She just said she’s an ’old friend’ of Julian Blackwood."
A woman in a sharp white suit sat in the conference room. It was the sa mysterious woman from the shipping yard. Her bright red lipstick stood out against her pale skin.
She looked up and smiled when Lyvana walked into the room.
"The famous Ms. Montclair," she said. "A pleasure to finally et you in person."
Lyvana reached out and shook her hand.
"I don’t think I am famous," Lyvana said. "But it is nice to et you, too. Have you done business with Aurora in the past?"
"No, I haven’t," the woman replied. She leaned back in the chair, looking perfectly at ho. "But I think you will want to hear what I have to say."
Lyvana sat down across from her, smoothing her skirt. "Alright. What can I do for you today?"
"I want to invest with Aurora."
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