I didn't want to believe it at first, that my parents were alive, that Axel had something to do with it, but with the evidence Cyrus showed me, there was no denying the fact.

For the past three years, I've been in and out of therapy, struggling to accept the fact that I was an orphan, mourning my parents who were in fact alive.

Just because some inconsiderate evil monster who saw humans as pawns decided to abduct my parents, and fake their deaths for selfish reasons.

"Elara you have to play it cool, confronting him is out of the question," Cyrus insisted.

"Yeah I know that, if he could make my parents disappear from prison, there's no predicting what he can do now that he's out." I got up from the bed and folded my hands, pacing back and forth.

"We need to get enough information and more solid evidence and bring it before the FBA, we might not be strong enough to take him ourselves but the American government can help us do that."

Cyrus was right, going against him ourselves was suicide.

"I'll act oblivious, I'll play along with his games. I'll do everything to win his trust and who knows, he might tell me everything I need to know himself."

Cyrus walked to where I was standing and brushed his hands against my cheek before pulling me close to himself and whispered, "I'll protect you, I promise, I'll stay by your side and I promise I won't let him hurt you."

His words washed over me like a warm cloud, wrapping around my nerves and smoothing them out. I felt myself ease instantly, the tension in my skin and bones dissolving into nothing.

He pulled away and I almost didn't want to let go.

"Do you really have to leave," I pouted, trying to give him pity eyes, making him chuckle.

"Axel won't let me stay for long," he said looking down at his watch. "I'll visit you as soon as I can, okay?" He smiled, and I found myself smiling back with a small nod. Then he leaned down, pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead, and quietly left the room

I let out a long exhale and collapsed on the bed.

Win Axel's trust.

How could I do that?

I already pissed him off at dinner, I need to make it up to him first.

"Hmmmm"

I gently tapped my index finger on my chin, my lips curling into a mischievous smirk as an idea came to my mind.

I walked to the closet and shuffled through the clothes looking for something appealing, and then it caught my eye from the far end of the closet. A red see through lingerie and a red satin robe to go with it.

"whoever owns these clothes, I'm sorry but I need to borrow this." I whispered.

I stood in front of the mirror, the lingerie clinging to me as if it had been stitched just for my body.

The bra cupped my breasts perfectly, making them look full and plush, while the panties barely concealed anything at all. The sheer fabric left almost every inch of me on display, hot, lush, and unapologetically sultry.

My soft skin glowed against the deep red, the contrast making me look even more irresistible. I slipped on the robe, tying it tightly around my waist, and stepped out of my room."

I made my way to Axel's room, guided by the butler. The door was slightly ajar, and I paused.

I could knock...but if I wanted to make an entrance, knocking wasn't the way. So, I pushed it open and stepped inside.

"Is that how you go barging into people's rooms?" His familiar voice cut through the air, making me gasp as my gaze shot up.

There he was, seated at the edge of the bed, gloriously shirtless, his muscles catching the dim light.

Two gorgeous women draped themselves over him, their hands shamelessly exploring his body, while one of them toyed with the zipper of his pants, tugging it down inch by inch. The sight sent a strange feeling crashing through me all at once.

I immediately dropped my gaze to the floor, not knowing what else to do.

"I'm s....I'm sorry," I forced the words out and swiftly exited his room, going back to mine.

Embarrassment didn't even begin to cover what I felt.

I'd come here hoping to impress him, to take his breath away, but instead, I'd only managed to make a fool of myself.

I shook my head, my palm on my face.

"Shit, shit, shi-"

Before I could take the next step, a strong hand clamped around my waist and yanked me back, pulling me against the wall. My breath hitched as my pulse quickened.

That scent...I couldn't mistake it. Axel.

His grip was unrelenting, his left hand pinning both my wrists above my head. The knot of my robe loosened slightly, threatening to slip, but still clinging to me, thankfully.

His eyes locked onto mine, radiating something dangerous, slowly trailing down to my lips, my cleavage, lower still.

The intensity of his gaze made my skin tingle, heat flooding through me. My heart pounded so hard I thought he could hear it. Caught between fear and something far more dangerous.

He tilted my chin upward with his other hand, his thumb grazing my jaw as he bit down on his lower lip, studying me like I was prey cornered by a predator.

Then, finally, his voice, low and laced with danger.

"What were you doing in my room dressed like this?"

Lying would be pointless. My lips parted before I could stop myself.

'I... I wanted to make it up to you for what I said during dinner.' My gaze never left his, desperate to mask the storm of nerves swirling inside me.

He chuckled, leaning in until his lips softly brushed my ear, sending sparks racing down my veins. I almost moaned at the sensation. My body betrayed me, trembling under his control.

"You really are full of surprises... like a little kitten," he murmured, his voice a husky growl.

And then, his teeth grazed my ear. I swallowed hard and squeezed my legs together. He was definitely doing this on purpose.

"You should go back to your guests, it would be rude to keep them waiting," I broke the silence

"You're right," his reply caught me off guard.

But I quickly waved it off, what was I expecting? That he would deny?

"Let go of me!" I tried to free myself from his grip, wiggling my body and the next second, my robe loosened.

I froze, realising what just happened, thanks to the see through lingerie, he could see every part of my body.

But to my surprise, he quickly let go of my hands and turned the other way.

"Go to your room!" His voice was commanding, I tried to speak, but I couldn't risk making the situation more awkward than it already was.

I covered myself up with the robe, tying it even tighter as I sped to my room.

I tried to suppress the memory from last night as I sat with Axel in the back of his car.

The butler had asked me to get dressed, I was to accompany Axel somewhere and now we were in his car, on our way to God knows where.

With the nervous tension from our encounter last night still clinging to me, I couldn't find the courage to say even a single word to him.

"I didn't see anything," he spoke, breaking the awkward silence.

"What?"

"Last night, I didn't see anything when your robe fell," he said, turning to look at me.

I quickly tore my gaze from his and fixed my eyes on the road as I gulped, letting out a sigh of relief.

Thank God!

The car pulled up to a towering skyscraper that seemed to touch the sky, its glass exterior glowing under the sunlight like a jewel.

The moment we stepped inside, I couldn't help but gawk at what I was looking at, the interior was even more stunning.

Delicate, intricate floral designs wove seamlessly into an ultra-modern aesthetic, a perfect balance of elegance and innovation. At the far end, a glass elevator glistened like crystal, rising gracefully toward the heights above

"It's beautiful," I whispered.

"It sure is," he replied. "It's yours," he smiled, hands in both pockets.

The first time his smile has looked genuine.

Wait!

Did he just say the building was mine?

"You're joking," my jaw was on the floor, disbelief written all over me.

He gestured for a man standing in the corner to come close, and he grabbed some documents from his hands and gave it to me.

My hands were visibly shaking.

Is he joking?

"I bought the building in your name last night, you can check the documents to confirm,"

I examined the document carefully. In bold, unmistakable print, the deed stated: Registered Owner, Elara Steele.

A forty-eight-storey skyscraper, legally mine.

He wasn't bluffing.

"I...I don't...I don't know what to say," I stuttered, trying to decide if I should scream in excitement or jump.

"I made a promise to you that I would help you take down Dorian and his mistress, this is the first step,"

"This...this is a lot and I....I'm very shocked and impressed, but.... I don't see how buying me a million dollar skyscraper could help to enforce our plan."

He walked closer to me and spoke.

"This building is for your jewelry company. With your creativity, I'm going to make you the biggest jeweller in the United States and make sure you drive Dorian's mistress to bankruptcy and have her company at your mercy."

He had a serious expression on his face now and I knew he meant business.

Axel took me to another building he purchased for his automobile company he was starting up.

Dorian's field.

His company's goal was the same as mine, dominate the field until Dorian's company shrinks, till it eventually dies.

He had taken me to his after leaving the.....my...my new company.

I smiled as I thought about it.

Axel was making my dream come true.

For so long, it looked out of my reach. Having my own jewelry company looked like a myth, a fantasy, but Axel took it out of my dreams and brought it to life.

Oh my God, Elara get your sh*t together.

He wasn't being nice to me because he cares or anything, I'm just a means to an end for him, a way to get to Dorian.

He dropped me off at a beauty clinic , to meet up with Cyrus. Apparently, Cyrus told him we had a spa date.

I sat at the private lounge, waiting for Cyrus to show up and he finally called after more than 15 minutes of me sipping red wine and staring at the wall waiting for him.

I walked to the parking lot where he was supposed to be and the first thing that hit my eyes was the black Range Rover parked a few feet from where I was standing.

Dorian's car.

What are the fucking odds!

I turned to leave before he could see me but he called my name from behind.

"Elara."

I rolled my eyes and slowly turned to his direction.

"What do you want?" I fired at him.

"I know what you're doing," he said, voice laced with bitterness.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," I folded both arms staring intently at him.

He scoffed,"You need to drop the strong girl act, it looks stupid on you,"

"F**k you, Dorian," I spat and stormed back to the Spa.

"Come back here you stupid bitch," he followed closely behind me. "I got information you were inspecting a new company today with some guy,"

I just shook my head and kept on walking, completely ignoring him, but he didn't stop.

"That's what you're doing now? Trying to sleep with whoever is willing so you can get back at me, I knew you were stupid and worthless but I never knew you could go so low as to selling yourself for a few favours from rich men. Thankfully your parents are not alive to see how shameful and pathetic their daughter has become."

The next second, the thunderous sound of a slap echoed in the air as my palm landed on Dorian's cheek.

"Don't you dare speak to me like that," I warned, eyes burning with rage as he stood staring at me, hand against his face where I had hit him.

"And just so you know, I'm married now," I said, waving my ring in front of his eyes.

His eyes followed the ring closely, his face contorted in shock and disbelief.

"I'm married to someone a hundred times richer and more powerful than you will ever be, thank you for initiating the divorce and freeing me from that shameful marriage," my lips curved in a wicked smile, seeing how deep my words were cutting him.

The look on his face was mixed with shock and resentment, eyes widened in disbelief, his jaws clenched tightly.

I let out an exhilarating laugh, it felt so good to finally stand up to him. After years of him controlling me and making me feel less of myself. Seeing the look on his face was nothing short of satisfactory.

"I'll find out who he is," he warned. "I'll make him see you as the liability you are and I'll make sure he leaves you."

"Good luck with that," I chuckled and walked off.

"I know you're up to something," he continued . "You better watch your back, Elara. I'll find out what you're doing and I'll make sure it blows in your face." He yelled from behind me.

What a joke.

I got back to the spa just as Cyrus was walking in and We went straight to the massage room together before heading into the sauna.

The temperature in the sauna was a bit higher than normal, but not too hot.

"How's it going with you and Axel?" Cyrus questioned.

Axel.

I couldn't help but smile at the thought of him, how he just bought a million dollar company in my name.

"He's okay," I said in a low tone. "Do you think maybe he's not all bad?" I asked him.

"Elara."

"I mean, maybe we're missing something and he's not the kind of person we think he is."

"Did something happen? Did he say something to you?" Cyrus placed his hands on my shoulders and turned me to look at him.

"It's just...." I hesitated for a second then continued, "he's been nice to me, and...and I don't know.....maybe we're just misunderstanding him," I lifted my gaze to meet Cyrus eyes.

"Elara, I don't know what he's done or what he's said to you, but trust me, it's all part of his games. I mean, we're talking about the same person that abducted your parents and faked their death," Cyrus wasn't having it.

"Maybe there's an explanation for it and...."

"There isn't," he cut me short, his tone harsh.

"Elara," he continued. "Have you forgotten what happened the day you met him, that night at the hotel. He saw how vulnerable you were because you've had too much to drink and...he took advantage of you," the last sentence slipped out in an almost whisper, like a sin he didn't want the walls to hear.

And It was enough to put me back in check.

I released a shallow breath.

"You don't have to remind me about that night," I got up to get my robe from the rack.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend-"

"It's okay," I forced a smile.

He picked up his robe too and followed closely behind me as I exited the sauna.

"I just didn't want you to lose hold of the plan, our plan," he said.

"Cyrus, I know," I turned to him. "You're just looking out for me," I continued, giving him a soft smile.

He didn't say anything and just stretched his arms.

"What are you doing?" I chuckled.

"I know we're sweaty thanks to the heat from the sauna, but if you hug me right now I'll know you're not mad at-"

I didn't let him finish before I crashed into his arms hugging and squeezing him so tight.

"Ea..easy...I...ca...can't....breatheee," he forced the words out.

I finally let him go and we both burst into a feat of laughter.

After a fun and relaxing time at the spa, he drove me home and left for his house.

*****

It's been two weeks, two weeks of endless meetings, two weeks of continuous planning and working to make sure today would be a success.

The pre-launch of my jewellery company, "Elyste & Co."

"Ma'am, I was asked to bring you this," Sophia, my P.A said, as she dropped a basket of fresh flowers by my mirror.

I picked up the basket and took a whiff of the flowers and it had the most enchanting and savory scent. Immediately calming my raging nerves.

I smiled softly as I took in the scent of the flowers again. So thoughtful.

I picked up the card peaking from the corner of the basket and read it.

"Today is the start of something wonderful, something you've dreamed of for years, a new phase in your life. I hope these flowers will be able to make you smile and make your day even more wonderful than it already is-Cyrus."

I was smiling from ear to ear as I read the note, Cyrus is the sweetest.

"What's that?" Axel asked as he walked into the dressing room, the flowers catching his attention.

He wore a black suit, finely tailored to suit his strong and dominating frame, his hair falling slightly over his forehead. A silver neck chain hanging on his neck and a silver Patel Philippe watch to match.

He looked like money.

"They're from Cyrus," I shifted my gaze from him back to the flowers as I smiled, sniffing on them again.

He grabbed the basket of flowers and brought it to his nose.

"They smell horrible," he spoke, his expression blank, as always, but I was used to it.

"Thankfully they're not yours," I grabbed it back from him and carefully placed it on my table.

The makeup artist and the hairstylist finished up with my look and I stood in front of the mirror, admiring just how beautiful I looked.

I wore a long, black strapless gown, with diamond studs that draped on the fabric, and left my shoulders bare, perfect for showcasing the white-gold diamond princess-length necklace resting against my skin, paired with delicate diamond earrings. One of my unreleased designs, and tonight, it was mine to flaunt.

My makeup was exactly how I wanted it, subtle and chic. With a bold swash of my signature bright red lipstick, a shade that sharpened the glow of my hazel eyes and made them impossible to ignore.

My brown wavy hair, styled into Hollywood curls, fell over my back in soft layers, completing the sophisticated look I had envisioned. Elegant. Untouchable. Beautiful.

"It's time to make your appearance," my P.A said.

"And Dorian?" I questioned.

"He has the front row seat, like you asked."

Perfect.

Axel had planned an intimate dinner for the pre-launch of my company, with just a few guests, mostly the most influential and richest men in the United States, prospective investors in my company, with the goal of introducing them to 'Elyste & Co.' before the main launch.

And it was my idea to anonymously invite Dorian.

He didn't know whose event he was attending but with us offering him a VVIP pass, he most likely expects the CEO to be someone trying to win his favour.

I couldn't wait to see the look on his face when I'm revealed as the CEO.

"Let's go," I walked out of the dressing room to the entrance of the dinner hall.

The event anchor spotted me coming in and immediately started speaking.

"Ladies and gentlemen, time to reveal the face of the brand, the woman of the hour, the brains behind Elyste & Co."

He continued as I walked towards the centre stage.

"No other than the spectacular, Mrs Elara Steele."

The moment my name echoed through the hall, my eyes locked with Dorian's.

He was seated, but I could swear I saw him jolt, as if the ground had shifted beneath his chair. His gaze dragged over me from head to toe in slow disbelief, blinking over and over like his mind was struggling to catch up with what his eyes were seeing.

I hadn't even done the big reveal yet, and already his face was drained of color, lips parted like he'd forgotten how to breathe.

I lifted my hand and waved at the crowd,smiling as they rose to their feet, clapping and cheering, their applause filling the hall while Dorian sat there, staring at me like the world.... his world had just turned upside down.

I took the microphone from the anchor and started.

"Thank you so much for your kind words, and thank you to everyone of you here for making this event possible, but it would be unfair and greedy if I take all the credit....Elyste & Co. has been my dream for as long as I can remember, and I never imagined I would ever bring it to life....." I said and then locked eyes with Dorian as I said the next sentence.

"That was until my wonderful husband came into my life. I would never have gotten here if it wasn't for him, I am the brains behind the brain, but my husband, he took it from me and breathed life into it.... I know you're all eager to see him as this is our first public appearance together."

I stopped for a moment, then continued.

"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to my husband......Axel Thorne."

Dorian tensed in his chair the instant his eyes darted to the edge of the stage, where Axel strode in, majestic and dangerous as ever, commanding every pair of eyes in the room.

Axel came straight to me, his hand finding my waist with an easy possessiveness as he pulled me to his side, solid and unshakable.

"Meet my husband." I let the words linger, my smile tilting as I slowly moved my gaze over the crowd, until it locked on Dorian.