LOGINSloane's POVThe chronometer on the primary console clicked smoothly to forty-five minutes past eight o'clock in the evening. The internal environment of the penthouse suite remained fixed at an immaculate eighteen degrees Celsius, completely sealed against the thick, amber-tinted harmattan haze lingering over the capital district below.I sat behind the obsidian console, my column gown of midnight-navy silk draping in unbroken, fluid lines to the marble floor. My fingers rested flat against the dark stone surface, the family emeralds glowing with a calm, cool fire against my throat. On the main projection glass, every single global distribution channel, regional maritime feed, and commercial banking node glowed in a steady, unblemished silver."The secondary encryption loops for the night cycle are fully locked, Mother," Alexander reported, stepping up to the console with his digital slate tucked under his arm. His expression was cool, composed, and completely devoid of fatigue. "Th
Sloane's POVThe digital chronometer embedded in the dark obsidian console updated to precisely half past eight o'clock in the evening. Within the high-altitude master penthouse suite, the climate control systems held the room at an immaculate, unwavering eighteen degrees Celsius, completely insulating our space from the thick, orange-tinted harmattan dust rising over the Abuja business district below.I sat with quiet, unbending posture behind the master desk. My column gown of liquid-navy silk drapes flawlessly around my heels, while the legendary family emeralds rest cool and heavy against my throat, reflecting the quiet silver data feeds flowing across the projection glass.Knox stood beside me, his broad-shouldered frame casting an extensive, protective shadow over the workspace. His heavy palm rested firmly on the curve of my shoulder, radiating a grounded, possessive warmth through the thick silk."The late-night trade manifests for the central corridor have locked into their b
Sloane's POVThe primary interface on the master obsidian desk updated silently as the clock reached precisely fifteen minutes past eight o'clock in the evening. Within the high-altitude executive suite, the environmental controls held the climate at a cool, immaculate eighteen degrees Celsius, completely separating our sanctuary from the dense, harmattan-laden haze hanging over the capital district below.I sat with absolute composure behind the desk, my hands resting gracefully on the dark, polished surface. My column gown of midnight-navy silk fell in unbroken lines to the white marble floor, while the family emeralds rested cool and heavy against my skin, reflecting the steady silver data feeds flowing across the projection glass.Knox stood directly beside my chair, his broad-shouldered frame casting a protective, towering shadow across the workspace. His heavy palm rested firmly on the curve of my shoulder, radiating a grounded, possessive warmth through the silk. To our left, A
Sloane's POVThe digital chronometer embedded in the obsidian surface of the master console chimed once, soft and resonant, marking precisely eight o'clock in the evening. Within the high-altitude sanctuary of the executive penthouse, the ambient environment remained suspended at a pristine eighteen degrees Celsius, completely indifferent to the sweeping harmattan haze that painted the capital skyline in hues of indigo and gold.I stood beside the floor-to-ceiling glass, a crystal glass of mineral water resting lightly between my fingers. The reflection of the central trading wall danced across the dark silk of my gown, mapping the flawless flow of global commodities currently clearing through our automated conduits.Knox stepped up behind me, his massive frame enveloping me in a familiar, unyielding warmth. His heavy arms slid smoothly around my waist, his broad hands resting over my abdomen as he pulled my spine firmly against his chest. The steady, deep rhythm of his breathing was
Sloane's POVThe clock on the primary interface shifted to precisely forty-five minutes past seven o'clock in the evening. Within the executive penthouse suite, the climate remained fixed at a serene, unwavering eighteen degrees Celsius. The vast expanse of floor-to-ceiling glass offered a panoramic view of the capital skyline, where the glittering silver and blue light nodes of the Hartley Global network lit up the dark cityscape like a constellation.I sat with quiet composure behind the obsidian desk, my hands resting lightly over the darkened interface. The weight of the family emeralds against my collarbone was a familiar, grounding presence—not a burden, but a statement of absolute permanence.Alexander stood near the high arched doorway, his posture tall and commanding, his coat neatly buttoned. He checked his slate one last time before looking toward us."The secondary security grids have completed their transition to autonomous night protocols, Mother," Alexander said, his vo
Sloane's POVThe clock on the primary executive interface displayed exactly thirty minutes past seven o'clock in the evening. Within the high-altitude master suite, the environmental control systems maintained a quiet, unchanging eighteen degrees Celsius, completely insulating our sanctuary from the dense, harmattan-laden air that hung over the capital metropolis below.I sat behind the sprawling obsidian desk, my column gown of midnight-navy silk falling in clean, unbroken lines to the white marble floor. The family emeralds rested cool and heavy against my skin, their deep green radiance reflecting the steady, silver data streams flowing across the main projection glass.Knox stood beside me, his broad-shouldered frame casting an extensive, protective shadow across the desk. His right hand rested firmly on the curve of my shoulder, his heavy palm radiating a grounded, possessive heat through the thick silk. To our left, Alexander finalized the evening operational protocols on his sl
Sloane's POVThe way his face instantly went white sickened me. It shamelessly told me that he still thought I was going to do his bidding, playing the loyal shadow to his failures while he chased after his mistress.What a joke.I reached for the crystal glass of vintage bourbon Knox had poured f
Finn’s POVI grabbed her arm without warning, but the sheer coldness in her eyes made me drop my grip before I could even find my words."Are you happy now? What if this little stunt you're pulling ruins my reputation before the corporate audit?!" I blew up at her, my voice echoing down the empty h
Sloane's POV"Sloane, if you walk out that door, don't expect to ever step foot back into my life!"A cold smile ran from one ear to the other, curling my scarlet lips. "Who says I'm planning to return anyway? I'm kicking both you and your entitlement out of my world."Finn was completely dumbfound
"Are you done packing? Either you step out of this apartment quietly or I'll have security escort you out. Make your choice, Sloane." My boyfriend’s icy voice reeled into my ears. I looked at him from under my lashes, mouth agape. Ten long years. Gone in less than ten seconds. Right in front of







