LOGINJessica's PovThe room felt smaller now. Everyone was looking at me. I could feel their eyes judging me, weighing me, finding me guilty without a trial. The same people who had smiled at me hours ago now stared at me with doubt and suspicion."I didn't take anything." My voice came out steady even though my hands were shaking. I maintained my posture, trying not to let them see how frustrated I was."Liar, You stole the piece," A man uttered from the crowd.The words hit me like a punch. It stole my breath and reminded me of the past I had tried so hard to escape and work hard over the past months. I had rebuilt my reputation piece by piece. Proven myself at work. I had shown everyone how capable I was. Now it was all falling apart in seconds."Everyone, please stay calm." Mr. Bernard's voice cut through the noise with authority. "We will sort this out," He added."Sort what out?" A woman shouted from the crowd. Her expensive dress shimmered under the lights as she pointed at me. "Th
Jessica's Pov"Jessica, the guests from the Whitmore Foundation just arrived.""I'm on my way," I said immediately. I smoothed the front of my blazer and took one last look around the ballroom before walking toward the entrance.The room looked exactly the way I had imagined it yesterday.Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow across the polished floor. Round tables dressed in white linen filled the ballroom, each decorated with fresh flowers that carried a faint scent through the air. A string quartet played softly near the stage while waiters moved between guests with practiced ease.I felt so at ease. Everything was running smoothly. No last-minute disaster, demanding guests or unexpected surprises. It was Just the way I liked it."Good evening, Mr. Whitmore," The elderly gentleman smiled warmly as I greeted him."I've heard wonderful things about this hotel," Mr. Whitmore uttered."I hope we live up to them," I said to him."I'm sure you will," He added.I personally escorted him to
Jake's Pov"Tell her I'm busy.""Sir, she says she won't leave."I looked up at my assistant, my eyes burning with exasperation.Of course she wouldn't. Linda had never been good at accepting boundaries."Fine."My assistant hesitated."Should I send her in?" She asked politely.I already knew what would happen if I said no. Linda would simply find another way inside."Yes." I replied.A few moments later, the office door opened. Linda walked in like she owned the building.She looked confident, and elegant. I returned my attention to the reports spread across my desk."You're getting harder to reach," She started, her eyes rested on me."That's usually what happens when people are working," I responded, while raising my eyes to meet hers. The last thing I wanted today was another pointless conversation.She dropped into the chair opposite me."I haven't seen you in weeks."I signed the document in front of me before speaking."Congratulations."Her lips pressed together. The silence
Jessica's Pov"Move the flower arrangement two feet to the left."The event coordinator looked at me like I had completely lost my mind."Two feet?" He asked."Trust me," I added.He let out an exaggerated sigh but motioned for one of the staff members to move it anyway.I waited until they finished before stepping back and studying the ballroom again. Immediately, the entire room looked better.The aisle felt wider, the stage no longer seemed crowded, and the tables looked balanced instead of squeezed together.The coordinator followed my gaze before shaking his head."I hate that you're always right."A smile tugged at my lips."No, you don't.""You're right.""Exactly."A few nearby staff members laughed.Preparations for tomorrow's charity gala had taken over half the hotel. Employees moved in and out carrying decorations while technicians adjusted lighting above the stage. Someone was testing microphones near the podium while another team worked on seating arrangements. I liked d
Jake's Pov"You're staring at that file like it insulted your family."I looked up from my desk.Gabriel stood in the doorway holding a cup of coffee.I hadn't even heard him enter."Maybe it did," I answered with all honesty.Gabriel walked inside and dropped into the chair opposite me."You've been saying strange things lately.""I work with strange people," I uttered in agreement."Fair."He took a sip of coffee before glancing at the stack of documents spread across my desk."What is all this?" He asked curiously.I pushed one of the files toward him.He opened it, and his eyebrows rose."Roman?"I nodded in agreement.For the past two days, I had been digging through every report related to Roman's recent investments.At first, I thought I was wasting my time, but now I wasn't so sure.Gabriel flipped through several pages."You've been investigating your cousin?" He questioned with surprise."I've been investigating a problem," I replied in all honesty."And the problem happens
Jake's Pov"You've been avoiding us."The moment the words left Lucian Stone's mouth, every conversation around the dining table died.I slowly set my glass down and looked across the table.My uncle sat at the far end, exactly where he always sat.At the head of the table, the position he claimed belonged to him long before my father died and continued to occupy even after I became CEO.Some habits were difficult to break, and power was one of them.The dining room itself was impressive enough to belong in a museum. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead. Portraits of dead Stone family members watched from the walls. The table stretched so far that a person could probably raise a family at one end without knowing what was happening at the other.Growing up, I used to think the room looked beautiful, but now it only felt cold.Everything about the Stone estate felt cold.The polished marble floors, the expensive artwork, and the carefully rehearsed smiles.Even the air seemed different her
He found meJessica's POVIt was a chilly morning when I stirred from sleep,my arms wrapped around Rolda who had spent the night in my room.There was a comforting warmth in having someone by my side.A sudden knock on the door jolted me awake, and I muttered in irritation. "What the hell...." My e
Unexpected Encounters Jessica's POVThe first rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains,nudging me awake."Good morning, sleepyhead," Rolda's cheerful voice floated in,and I groaned, stretching lazily.The room smelled faintly of coffee and the promise of a new day."You're dressed already? Is
She didn't Just leave, She disappearedJake's POV "Any news?" My voice was calm. Too calm.The two men standing in front of my desk shifted uncomfortably,their eyes avoiding mine as if looking at me directly would burn. That alone told me everything I needed to know."No, sir," One of them finally
I'm Not Running Anymore Jessica's pov"We're here, ma'am." The cab driver's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.I blinked, staring through the window at the familiar street, my fingers tightening slightly around the strap of my bag and for a moment I didn't move.New York.Two years later and I w







