Out Of Her Ex-Husband's Shadow, Into The Tycoon's Embrace

Chapter 1 Let's Get A Divorce When the anesthesia began to fade, Hailey Bennett drifted back to consciousness. Her lashes fluttered open, and across the dim hospital room, a television flickered to life--broadcasting the results of the international wildlife photography contest. After months of near-disasters and sleepless nights chasing the perfect shot, she had expected to see her own name. For a brief second, her lips curved upward--then went still, the smile dying halfway. The winning photo was credited to Malinda Fletcher--the woman Kieran Riley, her husband, had always favored. A sharp disbelief twisted through her ch**t. During those two grueling months she'd spent chasing sunsets and survival in the wild, every message she'd sent him had gone unanswered, vanishing into silence. Meanwhile, headlines were filled with Kieran's name, each article intertwining his story with Malinda's. Before she could process the betrayal, her phone shrilled on the nightstand. On the glowing screen appeared a single word she hadn't said in months--"Darling." The same number she had dialed again and again until she'd collapsed from exhaustion, never once reaching him. With trembling fingers, Hailey pressed the answer button, her tone raw and rasping. "Kieran... why is my work under Malinda's name?" asked her. On the other end came that familiar, frost-edged tone--steady, detached, and every bit as cold as the man himself. Even through the line, it carried that same unyielding chill she remembered in his gaze. "This is my compensation to Malinda--on your behalf," he replied. The words struck like a spark to tinder, burning through her restraint. "I've told you over and over--it was me who saved you that night!" "I only trust what I see." Kieran's tone cut like a shard of ice, detached and merciless. Each syllable landed with the sting of a s**p, leaving her reeling. A bitter smile curved her lips as if to mask the hollow ache spreading in her ch**t. The cold seemed to seep into her lungs, leaving her shivering from the inside out. Drawing in a sharp breath, she steadied herself. "Kieran, I nearly died getting those shots. Every one of them cost me bl**d and sweat. I won't let you hand them to Malinda just like that." His reply dripped with scorn. "Do you honestly think you can cover your mother's hospital bills alone?" The abrupt change of subject made her knuckles whiten around her phone, veins stark against her skin. Her voice shook with rage as she retorted, "So to please Malinda, you're resorting to blackmail now?" The last thread of Kieran's patience finally tore, leaving only cold fury behind. "Let me spell it out for you--you don't have the power to challenge me." A searing ache twisted through Hailey's ch**t, stealing her breath. There had been a time when Kieran's voice was warm, his care unwavering. Before Malinda appeared, he'd been gentle, even tender. Now, that man was gone. "Let's get a divorce," she blurted suddenly, her tone steadier than she felt. Kieran's reply came clipped and cold, the edge in his voice unmistakable. "Hailey, I don't have time for your games." "This isn't a game," she whispered. "I'm serious..." But the call ended before she could finish. The harsh beeps rang in her ears like a final rejection. Hailey stared at the screen, her lips trembling as she tried--and failed--to form a smile. Tears slid down her cheeks, falling on the blanket, each drop stinging like salt on an open wound. Enough was enough--she'd break free from this marriage. And she would never allow Malinda to steal her work and bask in the spotlight built on her effort. Hailey pushed through the discharge paperwork with brisk determination, her movements sharp and precise. The moment she returned home, she tore through drawers and folders, gathering every scrap of evidence that proved Malinda's deceit--train tickets, boarding passes, rolls of negatives still smelling faintly of chemicals. Each item carried her struggle, her risk, her truth. She uploaded everything to the internet. Within minutes, her posts exploded across platforms, drawing thousands of comments and shares. But less than ten minutes later, everything vanished--her account suspended, every post erased as if none of it had ever existed. Hailey froze, staring at the glaring 404 message on her laptop. Her pulse hammered, and her fingers tightened around the mouse until her knuckles turned white. For another woman's sake, Kieran had truly turned against her. She stared at the suspended account, mind numb and hollow, until the realization hit--today was Malinda's award ceremony. The golden moment of her public triumph. Of course Kieran wouldn't let her truth ruin his precious darling's spotlight. The low roar of an engine cut through the quiet outside, followed by the door slamming open. Hailey turned sharply. Kieran strode in, his features hardened with barely restrained anger. The heat of his grip bit into her skin, his towering presence pressing down on her like a storm about to break. "It seems you've forgotten what I warned you about," he muttered, his voice low and dangerous. If not for his assistant's quick alert, Malinda's name would've been dragged through the mud before the night was over. But Hailey's fear burned away beneath her outrage. "Same to you," she snapped, eyes blazing. It was the first time she had ever defied him. The words stopped Kieran cold, leaving him momentarily thrown off. When had the soft-spoken woman who always tiptoed around his moods become so unyielding? Hailey yanked up her sleeve, exposing a forearm marred by half-healed wounds and faded scars. "Look at this," she said, voice trembling but firm. "Every frame of those documentaries cost me more than you'll ever understand. Kieran, I never asked you to love me back, but d**n it, you could at least show some respect!" The words poured out like a dam breaking, years of silent resentment and exhaustion surging at once. Her eyes blazed crimson--not from crying, but from pure, unrestrained anger. Kieran's eyes grew even colder, a mocking glint flickering beneath the hard lines of his face. "You made this bed yourself. A marriage built on deception--did you really think it would end well?" Hailey felt the strength drain from her limbs, her vision blurring at the edges. She shut her eyes tight, as if that could block out his words. "Say whatever you want," she murmured. "All I care about now is ending this marriage." A cruel half-smile touched his lips as he looked down at her. "You're certain about that?" Her fists trembled, nails biting into her palms until she felt pain. After her family went bankrupt, Kieran had stepped in--paying off debts, covering her mother's costly treatments. Gratitude and love had tangled together until she couldn't tell one from the other. For years, she had obeyed him without complaint. But this was too much. Asking her to surrender the work she'd poured her soul into? Unforgivable! Without so much as a flicker of hesitation, Kieran pulled out his phone, his voice flat and merciless. "Stop all medical support for Hailey's mother." Chapter 2 Kieran's Influence Kieran kept talking into the phone, but his gaze stayed fixed on Hailey, cold and unrelenting. Hailey's pupils tightened in dread--ending her mother's treatment was his punishment for her, and she knew it. In front of him, she was stripped of all power, trapped beneath his quiet cruelty. The weight of humiliation pressed down on her, each breath catching like a vice around her ribs. Kieran ended the call with casual precision, sneering, "Once you admit your mistake, I'll order your mother's treatment to continue." Pain tore through Hailey's ch**t, yet she forced her chin up. "I did nothing wrong," she said through clenched teeth. "And I won't confess to something I never did. Kieran, now I finally see you for what you are--a cold, heartless ba**ard!" His icy eyes held no trace of emotion. "I'll wait for you to come begging," he replied smoothly. Then he turned away, leaving her in the silence he'd carved around her. A single phone call--that was all it took for him to wreck her world. Hailey sank into the sofa, her body trembling with exhaustion and despair. But she couldn't afford to crumble. Her mother's treatment had just been cut off; she needed to get to the hospital immediately. After her family business's collapse and her father's death, her mother had tried to take her own life. The rescue had come in time, but her mother never woke again. Now, her mother's fragile body survived only through expensive machines, their rhythmic hums the thin line between life and death. Hailey rushed to the hospital, withdrawing every cent she had to cover the medical bills. Three years of relentless work had barely built her any savings. What little she possessed could only sustain her mother's care for three more months. If she truly wanted freedom, she needed to cut every financial tie to Kieran. She pulled out her phone and made a call. "Ruby, I really need your help." Ruby Burton, half friend and half manager, had been working with her since her first magazine feature. As Hailey's name rose in the wildlife photography world, Ruby had handled everything from sponsorships to exhibition deals. With her wide network and sharp instincts, Ruby was one of the few people Hailey could still rely on. During the phone call, Ruby promised to back her all the way. By seven that evening, Hailey's car pulled up outside Genius Tower. Ruby had set up a meeting with the contest organizers--an opportunity for Hailey to reclaim what was hers. Inside Hailey's bag lay the evidence of Malinda's theft, every photograph, ticket stub, and negative ready to expose the truth. Hailey headed straight for Room 2203. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing a portly man with slicked-back hair and a face that gleamed with oil. Hailey offered a polite nod. "Good evening, Mr. Stevens. I'm Hailey Bennett, one of the contestants. My work was plagiarized, and I need your help. Ruby should've filled you in." Simon Stevens' eyes raked over her, his mouth curling into something between a g**n and a l**r. "So you're the famous Hailey Bennett? Quite the beauty for someone who risks her life in the wild. Such a pity, really. You've got the kind of face that belongs on magazine covers, not buried behind a lens in the dirt." His fingers started reaching toward her. The faint curve of Hailey's lips faltered, her smile turning brittle. She sidestepped just enough to avoid contact, holding out a neatly organized folder instead. "Please take a look, Mr. Stevens," she said, her tone cool but steady. "As the competition's organizer, you must understand how much we risk to capture these shots. I'm only asking for what's fair." With a careless flick, Simon sent the file skidding across the table, a smug grin on his face. "Hailey, you can't possibly be naive enough to think I'd go against Mr. Riley for the sake of justice--unless there's something in it for me." Hailey's hands tightened until her nails dug crescent marks into her palms. "Money isn't the issue..." Her words were cut off by his mocking laugh. "You really don't understand Kieran's standing in this industry, do you?" asked him. In that instant, the last flicker of hope in her ch**t went out. Of course she knew his influence--five short years had taken Riley Group from obscurity to a powerhouse just beneath Fuller Group, dominating nearly every corner of Grosford's business world. Simon's lips twisted into a wicked grin. "Still, with a face like yours, one night with me might just change your luck." Before Hailey could react, his bloated body lurched forward. But the moment his hand reached out, the door burst open. A sharp, forceful kick sent Simon crashing hard against the wall. Her gaze darted to the doorway, and the moment she recognized the figure, Hailey went still in disbelief. Standing there, framed by the light, was Chris Fuller--Kieran's ruthless nemesis. What in the world was he doing here? Chapter 3 Why Me Simon clutched his gut, staggering upright with a contorted grimace. "Who the h**l dares lay a hand on me?" he barked. "I'll make you wish you'd never been born, you piece of s**t..." The words caught in his throat the instant he saw who had hit him. Color drained from his face, his earlier fury melting into terror. Recognition snapped his posture straight. His expression flipped as fast as a switch, a servile grin replacing his rage. "Mr. Fuller! What an honor--what brings you here today?" Chris didn't so much as glance at Simon. His cool, detached gaze stayed on Hailey as he snapped, his voice carrying a cold, dangerous undercurrent, "Get lost!" Simon bobbed his head in panic. "Of course, Mr. Fuller, right away!" He practically stumbled for the door, eager to vanish. Once the door clicked shut, silence filled the room. The tension was so thick it felt tangible, the kind that made every breath sound too loud as Chris and Hailey faced each other, neither daring to speak first. Unable to read Chris's intentions, she finally ventured, her voice soft but steady, "Thank you, Mr. Fuller, for stepping in earlier." Chris pulled out a chair without hurry and sat down, his gaze flicking over the neatly arranged documents she had prepared. "You're welcome," he replied coolly, flipping through the pages with unhurried ease. Hailey's confusion deepened with every turn of a page. Everyone in their circle knew--unspoken though it was--that she was Kieran's wife. Given that Chris was Kieran's fiercest rival, wasn't this situation supposed to be unbearably awkward for him? Clearing her throat, she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mr. Fuller, I just remembered I have something to take care of. I'll find a way to thank you properly another time." She stepped forward to retrieve her documents, but his sharply defined hand pinned them in place, stopping her cold. Her gaze drifted to the glint of a gold ring on his left hand, its tiny diamonds catching the light like fragments of glass. A small engraved letter shimmered faintly on its surface--too subtle for her to decipher. Chris finally looked up, his eyes steady and unreadable. "Ms. Bennett," he said in a low, even tone. "You've got the kind of raw talent for photography that people chase for years. I'd like to invite you to join my company." The offer caught her off guard. Her lashes flickered as she studied his face. "But you're aware of... my situation--with Kieran and you..." "My interest lies in your skill, not your private affairs," Chris replied, his fingertips drumming lightly against the stack of papers between them. "If you're willing, come to my office tomorrow to sign the contract. I'll make sure the welcome gift exceeds your expectations." Her thoughts spun wildly, confusion and caution warring inside her. Why on earth would Chris make her such an offer? After a long pause, she finally murmured, "Mr. Fuller, I appreciate the opportunity, but... I'm afraid I'll have to decline." Chris's voice cut through the stillness. "Is this about Kieran?" Her gaze drifted back to the gold ring, its diamond-studded band catching the light. The tiny engraving looked like an "H." "It's not about him," she replied. At the mere mention of Kieran's name, her eyes hardened, stripped of warmth. Across from her, Chris remained composed, his expression unreadable, his quiet dominance born of long-honed authority. Even without a word, he radiated a steady command that made the air feel heavier. Hailey finally confessed, her tone restrained, "I'm just a photographer. It's been years since I worked in any corporate setting. I doubt I'd fit in anymore." Chris's mouth curved slightly, a faint, knowing smile ghosting across his lips. He didn't seem offended--if anything, he looked faintly amused. "You wouldn't need to adapt," he said in a smooth, even voice. "Just keep doing what you're good at. The Fuller Group plans to produce a series of public service announcements, and I've seen how your camera captures emotion in ways others can't." Hailey's fingers tightened around her folder as she thought it over. For years, she had been running her own studio, enjoying the freedom despite the unstable monthly income. Signing a corporate contract meant surrendering that freedom. Yet with Kieran's relentless suppression tightening around her business, keeping it afloat had become an uphill battle. Worse, her mother's hospital bills loomed larger each month, mocking her dwindling earnings. Kieran's empire only grew, and the one man capable of eclipsing him sat calmly across from her--Chris. Sensing her hesitation, Chris leaned back, his tone measured but firm. "There's another option. I could invest in your studio as a silent partner. You'd still call the shots, keep your freedom--nothing about your creative process would change." The proposal struck deeper than Hailey had expected. Her gaze flickered to him, her thoughts tangled between disbelief and intrigue. It was an offer almost impossible to reject. "Mr. Fuller, why me?" she queried after a pause, her voice steady but edged with curiosity. "Fuller Group could have its pick of photographers. Why choose to work with me?" Her next words came more quietly, laced with a weary resolve. "If your decision has anything to do with my marriage to Kieran, you should know we're already preparing for divorce." Chapter 4 Her Decision Chris's satisfaction deepened, a faint curve tugging at his lips as his eyes lingered on Hailey with quiet amusement. "Calm down. Someone with such pitiful judgment--someone who can't even tell a pebble from a pearl--is hardly qualified to be my rival, let alone worth my effort to scheme against." Hailey was caught completely off guard, leaving her momentarily stunned. A pebble and a pearl? His disdain for Kieran seemed to run deep. Rising from his seat, Chris let his shadow stretch across the room, the warm light outlining his broad frame. Hailey found herself standing inside that shadow, compelled to tilt her chin upward to meet his composed gaze. "Ms. Bennett," he said, his voice low and measured. "Go home and think about it. By tomorrow, I'm confident you'll give me an answer that satisfies us both." She could only nod, the words settling heavily in her ch**t. Even after returning home, Hailey's thoughts refused to settle. Chris's proposal felt like a puzzle she couldn't piece together, its edges sharp with hidden implications. She couldn't let desperation over her mother's treatment push her into a decision she might regret. Determined to quiet her mind, she turned her focus to packing, folding clothes with slow, deliberate movements as the echo of his voice lingered in her ears. After three years in this house, her life fit neatly into a single twenty-inch suitcase--a depressing reminder of how little she truly possessed. Her decision about the divorce was final. If Kieran refused to sign, she would take him to court without a second thought. The phone beside her buzzed repeatedly, screen lighting up with new notifications. Curious, she reached for it, only to see the trending feed flash with updates. Before she could read further, the door burst open with a violent crack. Kieran strode in, his expression thunderous, fury shadowing his sharp features. "What the h**l is going on between you and Chris?" he demanded, his voice tight with accusation. Hailey's brows drew together. "Why does that concern you?" A cruel smirk tugged at Kieran's lips as his gaze swept over her with open contempt. "So that's it, huh? Now I understand your sudden rush for a divorce--you've found yourself another man. Hailey, you're still the same gullible f**l. Do you really believe you can handle a man like Chris?" In Grosford, Chris had a reputation carved in stone: cold-bl**ded, calculating, and impossible to outmaneuver. Once he locked onto something, it was only a matter of time before it was his. Kieran had always prided himself on his strength, yet every clash with Chris had ended in humiliation. Hailey's expression turned cold, her voice laced with malice. "If you're hallucinating, get professional help. Stop projecting your twisted fantasies onto me." He actually thought she was cheating? The accusation hit her like a s**p. Even after years of marriage, he still didn't trust her. That fight at the hospital had been her breaking point. From then on, she'd stopped clinging to any illusion of love between them. Yet hearing his accusations now made her ache with bitter clarity--how could she have ever fallen for a man like this? Kieran's eyes turned dangerous, the shadows in them deepening as he stared her down. "Hailey, I never realized just how deceitful you were." He yanked out his phone, the screen glowing with headlines that made her pulse jump. "Malinda Fletcher Involved in Plagiarism, Stripped of Championship Title." "True Winner of Photography Contest Revealed: Hailey Bennett." A faint spark of disbelief flickered through Hailey's eyes. So this was the "gift" Chris had mentioned earlier. The satisfaction that came with it was sharp, almost vindicating. Grinding his teeth, Kieran forced out, "If you really have nothing to do with him, why would he help you? Hailey, I'm giving you ten minutes to explain. Malinda's just starting her career--she can't afford to have it destroyed over this." A bitter laugh escaped her lips before she could stop it. Straightening, Hailey met his gaze head-on, her tone icy and precise. "What exactly do you expect me to explain? That the work I created was stolen from me and credited to someone else? And now that the truth's out, the thief gets to play the victim while I'm told to protect her reputation?" He regarded her with a cold, indifferent stare. "You've got the talent Malinda only dreams of. No matter what she puts out, your work will always outshine hers. You can always produce better work, but she can't. So why are you still holding on to this?" The level of nonsense in his words had Hailey on the edge of laughing in his face. "Let her fall--she earned it. Stealing someone else's work comes with consequences." She reached for her suitcase. "Expect me at the courthouse by nine tomorrow morning. I want the divorce finalized before the day is out." Never in a million days had she imagined the man she once loved could turn so repulsive. Staying another second felt impossible. But when she stepped forward, a sudden, crushing hand clamped around her wrist. The coldness in his gaze matched the iron grip as he held her fast. "Enough of this bullshit. Admit to the public that you are the real thief, or you'll f**king regret it." With a sharp twist she freed her arm as though shrugging off a leash. "Who do you think you are? Back when I loved you, you felt like treasure; now you're nothing but ga**age." The finality in her voice left her gaze icy and impenetrable. A sharp ache twisted through Kieran's ch**t before his phone started to ring. He answered without hesitation. "Kieran..." Malinda's broken voice trembled through the line. "I'm completely terrified. Everywhere I look online, there's hate--people calling me names, even wishing me dead. I can't look at it anymore. Maybe... maybe it'd be easier if I just disappeared. Forgive me, Kieran, I just can't do this by your side any longer..." His bl**d ran cold. Gripping the phone tightly, he strode toward the door, tension tightening every muscle in his body. "Tell me where you are," he ordered, voice low but urgent. "I'll come get you right now. I won't let this get any worse." Hailey stood motionless, a storm of emotions flickering behind her eyes. Kieran had always been distant, almost mechanical in his restraint. In three years of marriage, she had never seen him show real emotion. Yet now, worry bled openly across his face, his eyes clouded with panic, his hurried steps betraying a turmoil she'd never thought him capable of. As the rumble of his car faded down the driveway, the lingering noise echoed in her ears. With her lashes trembling, she let her eyes slide shut. For a long time, she had clung to the belief that if she kept pouring her heart into him, even a heart made of ice would eventually melt. Only now did the truth finally settle in. The problem wasn't Kieran's aloofness; the cruel reality was that he had never harbored any love for her at all. When it came to choosing between her and Malinda, his devotion and his disregard drew a painfully clear line. Biting back the ache in her ch**t, she curved her lips into a bitter smile and walked out, the wheels of her suitcase rattling softly behind her. Even though the Bennett family had collapsed into bankruptcy, she still owned a modest apartment she had bought before the marriage. That night, exhaustion finally dragged her under, and she slept more peacefully than she had in years. At first light the next morning, she woke up, reached for her phone, and dialed Chris's number. "Do you have time now, Mr. Fuller? I'd like to meet and talk about the studio." On the other end of the line, Chris sounded almost buoyant. "Come straight to my office." "Okay, I'll head over now." Chapter 5 For Her Freedom Hailey swapped her outfit for something simple and comfortable, then hailed a cab straight to the Fuller Group headquarters. During the ride, she couldn't stop herself from scrolling through her phone, checking for any updates on the plagiarism scandal surrounding Malinda. As expected, every article about the photography contest had vanished overnight, wiped clean as if it had never existed. Even Malinda's smear campaigns were gone, buried beneath an expensive wave of damage control. The trending topic had already surpassed a hundred million views before it was pulled. Kieran undoubtedly paid an astronomical sum to bury it without a trace. Hailey's grip on her phone tightened, her knuckles whitening as frustration simmered beneath her calm exterior. When the cab rolled to a stop outside the glass tower, an assistant stood waiting by the entrance. "Ms. Bennett, Mr. Fuller is expecting you in the executive office." Offering a brief nod, Hailey replied, "Thank you." smooth and silent. The door to the executive office was open, and Hailey knocked on the door. "Mr. Fuller." Chris barely glanced up from the stack of documents before him, a faint, knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Come in." Hailey stepped inside, her gaze sweeping across the minimalist office. The sleek black-and-white décor radiated quiet authority, softened by the expanse of the giant floor-to-ceiling window. Through the window, the city stretched endlessly below--a blur of motion and light that made her feel as though she were standing above the world itself. In this empire of steel and ambition, Chris Fuller was undeniably its ruler. A soft clink drew her attention back as a cup settled onto the table before her. She looked up to find his steady eyes fixed on her, amusement flickering in their depths. "Seems my little gift pleased you, Ms. Bennett," he said. Her shoulders eased, tension melting slightly, though confusion lingered in her gaze. "Mr. Fuller," she asked carefully. "Why are you helping me?" Kieran's reach extended into every corner of Grosford, and without Chris's interference, her name would have been erased without a trace. That was exactly why Kieran had dared to hand her work to Malinda--he never expected anyone powerful enough to stop him. Yet Chris had changed the game entirely. Leaning back in his chair, Chris rested one arm on the table, his fingers tapping a slow rhythm against the polished surface Sunlight caught the gold ring on his pinky, sending a warm glint across the room. Hailey's gaze lingered on it for a moment--it looked oddly familiar, though she couldn't remember where she had seen it before. "I've always respected genuine talent," he noted evenly, his tone calm but firm. "What I can't stand are cheap tricks. Credit belongs to those who earn it." Lips drawn in a tight line, Hailey paused for a breath before speaking with quiet sincerity. "Thank you, Mr. Fuller, for everything you've done. If there's ever anything I can help you with, please don't hesitate to ask." The corners of Chris's mouth lifted ever so slightly, his eyes glinting with quiet satisfaction. "Alright. I'll hold you to that." With an easy motion, he slid a document across the desk. "The PSA's schedule is pretty tight. I'm wondering when you can officially start. This here's the shareholding agreement--look it over. If anything seems off, don't hesitate to bring it up." "Okay." Hailey took the papers, her eyes skimming through the neatly printed lines. The terms were remarkably generous--far beyond what she'd expected. Once the PSA wrapped, she'd still retain full independence. A flicker of conflicted emotion crossed Hailey's eyes before she steadied herself and met his gaze. "Mr. Fuller, your offer is more than fair," she began. "But I'd like to ask for one additional favor." One of Chris's brows rose, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "Go ahead." "I'll soon be filing for divorce," she admitted, her tone low but firm. "I heard your legal team is the most capable in Grosford." Watching his expression, she quickly added, "Of course, I'll cover all the fees myself--no matter the amount." Determination underlined her voice. She was ready to pay any price for her freedom. Maybe it was just her imagination, but the glimmer in Chris's eyes seemed to deepen with amusement. "They will deliver a result that satisfies you," he replied smoothly. Relief loosened the tension in her shoulders. Hailey picked up the pen, her signature flowing swiftly across the page. "Thank you, Mr. Fuller. I'll give my best to every task you assign." She slid the signed contract back across the desk. Chris took it with a measured glance, the corners of his mouth curving faintly. His signature had already been scrawled across the page--bold, decisive strokes that commanded attention. Hailey's name followed below, her handwriting elegant and precise, a graceful contrast that somehow looked perfectly balanced beside his. After a brief pause, Chris closed the folder with a soft thud. "Alright." Hailey inclined her head and remarked, "Then I'll begin tomorrow. Please have someone send me the PSA's requirements." "Will do." Chris had barely finished his sentence when Hailey's phone lit up with a sudden ring. Kieran's name flashed across the screen. Her expression tightened as she turned off her phone. "Mr. Fuller," she said evenly, rising to her feet. "If there's nothing else, I'll be going." He gave a brief nod. Once she stepped out, Chris pressed the intercom and called the assistant. "Didn't Kieran express interest in a new project recently? Raise our offer and take it from him," he ordered. "Understood, Mr. Fuller." Leaving the desk, Chris moved to the window, city lights glittering beneath him like scattered jewels. His thumb brushed the gold band on his pinky as a faint, determined smile curved his lips. He'd waited long enough for Hailey--this time, he wasn't letting her slip away. ...... What happens next? Available chapters here are limited, click the button below to install the App and enjoy more exciting chapters (Automatically jump to this novel when you open the app) &2&