Chapter 8
Elise softened her voice, sensing Calista’s desperation. “Hang ti
( tight. 17l make a tall and see what strings
can pull.”
Calista had always been a star pupil, even skipping the end of high school to enter Stonebridge’s top university on a fast–track bachelor’s and master’s program.
Elise was about to let such talent slip through the cracks.
“Thank you. I’ll be waiting,” Calista replied, her knuckles white as she gripped the phone. Her heart raced as she bit her lip, k make or break her future.
minutes crawled by like hours until her phone finally lit up.
knowing this call could
Good news, Calista. The spot’s yours, Elise announced. “Don’t let this chance slip away. Remember, your future’s in your own hands, no matter what others do
Tears of relief streamed down Calista’s face as she choked out a thank you.
As the call ended, she gazed out the window at the vast sky. Even in her darkest hour, a glimmer of hope had appeared.
Seven years L
years had flown by in the blink of an eye.
Zandora, a bustling city right next to Stonebridge, came alive as
At the
as soon as night fell. Its streets lit up like a festival, buzzing with energy
At the center of the city was the Wellington Grand Hotel, a favorite among the business elite. Just a hundred yards from the entrance, security guards had formed a tight perimeter, keeping a swarm of reporters at bay.
The journalists craned their necks, desperate for a closer look, but tonight’s event was strictly off–limits, Suddenly, a sleek, custom–made Rolls–Royce, impossible to miss, rolled to a stop in front of the
of the hotel. Every head
I turned as the driver’s door swun
swung
open.
A man stepped out, dozing wealth in a tailored suit that screamed high–end. He adjusted his rimless glasses, his sharp features catching the glow of the streetlights. A faint, knowing smile tugged at his lips as he strode over to the passenger side.
“That’s the Cole Group’s CEO someone whispered from the crowd
“He’s even
even hotter in person,” a woman said a bit too loudly, clearly impressed
Adrian shot the crowd a quick, icy glance, hiding his irritation with years of polished practice. He opened the passenger door with a smooth, almost showy gesture.
A slender hand emerged first, followed by a woman dressed in a designer gown that clung to her every curve. She flashed a dazzling, camera–ready smile, her makeup flawless down to the last detail,
The whispers about this glamorous power couple were just starting to peak when someone suddenly shouted, “Holy crap! That’s a limited–edition Stretch Lincoln!”
Adrian’s head snapped in the direction of the voice.
Stepping out of the sleek Lincoln was a tall, striking mun with exotic, commanding features. Adrian recognized him instantly: Connor Halls, the rising star who now led the Halls family empire in Mystoria
But it wasn’t just Connor that made Adrian’s jaw tighten
Connor, always the gentleman, stood by the car door, a charming smile on his face as he bent sli
slightly, offering his hand.
Out of the car came a stunning, graceful woman who placed her hand lightly in his. Her evening gown, custom–made by a top designer from Verenthia, hugged her figure in all the right places. The vibrant Klein blue fabric, this season’s hottest trend, made her skin look almost radiant.
–Teig’s
eyes were instantly drawn to the pearl necklace draped around the woman’s neck. As someone with a background in jewelry design, she knew it wasn’t just any necklace–it was one of Larry’s masterpieces, a world–renowned jeweler from Verenthia The piece was part of a global limited edition, basically priceless
my envy Tests felt melted away the mo
Busany
moment she saw the woman’s face.
The crowd buzzed.
trying to figure out who this i
mystery woman on Connor’s arm could be,
Even Adrian couldn’t pull his eyes away f
from her. Her face, flawlessly made up, was one he never thought he’d see
again.
5.49 PM c c.
