Kiad sat in his car, staring out at the city lights with a hardened resolve. His jaw clenched slightly as he replayed his grandfather's words in his mind. The weight of tradition and family legacy bore down on him, but he knew he had to follow through with his plan. There was no room for error, and certainly no room for Luna to know the truth until everything was in place. His eyes, usually warm and inviting, were now cold and focused, betraying the internal conflict he felt. Kiad's fingers drummed lightly on the steering wheel as he made a mental note to keep his interactions with Luna minimal, his usual charm tempered with a careful distance.
Meanwhile, across the city, Vivienne stood by the large windows of her lavish living room, her expression a mixture of disdain and calculation. Her fingers traced the edge of her phone, her mind occupied with thoughts of her daughter Camille's tearful outburst earlier that day. The envy in Camille's voice still echoed in Vivienne's ears—how Luna, with her undeserved fortune and status, was chosen over her own daughter.
Vivienne's lips curled into a cold smile as she dialed a number. The man on the other end was quick to pick up, his voice gruff and ready for business. "I need an accident," she said, her voice icy and precise. "Something that looks natural, nothing too obvious. It has to be clean, no suspicions."
She paced the room, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor as she outlined the details. The man listened intently, occasionally grunting in agreement. "And make sure Luna is at the right place at the right time," Vivienne added, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. Her eyes gleamed with malicious satisfaction as she ended the call, her mind already envisioning the outcome.
Vivienne's demeanor softened as she thought of her daughter, Camille, and how this would clear the path for her. Her posture relaxed slightly, but her eyes remained sharp and calculating. The plan was in motion, and now all she had to do was ensure that Luna would be exactly where she needed to be when the time came. Vivienne's hand tightened around her phone as she made another call, this time to someone closer to Luna, someone who could unknowingly lead her into the trap.
As Vivienne sat back in her chair, a satisfied smirk played on her lips. The wheels were set in motion, and soon, the Ross Empire would belong to the rightful heir—or so she believed.
....
Luna Ross sat by the large floor-to-ceiling windows of her penthouse, sipping her morning tea as she gazed out at the sprawling cityscape bathed in the soft morning light. The sky was a perfect shade of blue, a stark contrast to the heavy thoughts that had been occupying her mind lately. The day with Mia yesterday had been a much-needed reprieve, a chance to unwind and let go of the constant pressure that seemed to follow her everywhere. For once, she didn't have to worry about her responsibilities as the heiress of the Ross Empire, the looming marriage with Kiad, or the strained relationship with her father.
Mia had always been there for her, a steady presence in her life. Luna had known Mia since their school days, and while they came from different worlds, their bond had only grown stronger over the years. Mia's easygoing nature and infectious laughter were the perfect antidote to the cold and calculated world Luna often found herself in. In many ways, Mia had become the sister Luna never had, filling the void left by her mother's absence. Her mother was a shadowy figure in her memory, someone she knew she loved but couldn't fully picture anymore. The thought of her mother brought a twinge of sadness, but Luna quickly pushed it aside. Today was a new day, and she had work to do.
Luna's penthouse was her sanctuary, a place where she could escape the suffocating atmosphere of the Ross Estate. She had bought the penthouse with her own money—a symbol of her independence and the success she had achieved on her own terms. The modern, minimalist design of the space reflected her taste: clean lines, muted tones, and large open spaces that allowed the light to flow freely. The penthouse was filled with subtle touches that brought her comfort—soft throws, fresh flowers, and the scent of lavender that always seemed to linger in the air. It was a stark contrast to the grandeur of the Ross Estate, where every corner was filled with reminders of her family's legacy and expectations.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. The name "Grace" flashed on the screen. Glare was her secretary, and one of the few people she trusted implicitly. She was efficient, sharp, and always seemed to know what she needed before she even asked. But more than that, there was a calmness to her that Luna found grounding. She had a way of cutting through the noise and helping her focus on what mattered.
She picked up the call, her voice steady. "Grace, good morning. What's on the agenda for today?"
"Good morning, Ms. Ross," Graces's sweet, measured voice came through the line. "I hope you had a restful evening. We have the Dream Land project meeting scheduled for this afternoon. I've just received confirmation from all parties involved. It's set to start at 2 PM."
Luna felt a rush of anticipation at the mention of the Dream Land project. It was a venture she had been deeply involved in, a passion project that she hoped would leave a lasting impact. The project aimed to develop a sustainable, eco-friendly resort that would blend luxury with environmental consciousness—a place where people could reconnect with nature without sacrificing comfort. It was a bold idea, and one that had met with some resistance from her father, who was more interested in projects with guaranteed high returns. But Luna had fought for it, convinced that this was the future.
"Thank you, Grace," Luna said, her tone softening. "This project means a lot to me. I want everything to go smoothly."
"I understand, Ms. Ross," Grace replied, her voice reassuring. "I've gone over the details and made sure everything is in place. The architects and environmental consultants will be there, and I've prepared all the necessary documents for you to review before the meeting."
Luna smiled, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. Grace had always been thorough, and she trusted him completely. "You're the best, Grace. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Grace chuckled softly. "Just doing my job, Ms. Ross. But thank you. I'll be in the office an hour early if you need anything else."
Luna ended the call and leaned back in her chair, her mind now focused on the task ahead. The Dream Land project was more than just a business venture to her; it was a chance to make a difference, to prove that the Ross Empire could lead in innovation and sustainability. It was also her way of carving out her own identity within the family, separate from the expectations and pressures that came with being an heiress.
It was the very thing she remembered about her mother mentioning.
She stood up and walked over to her closet, deciding it was time to get ready for the day. As she selected a tailored navy-blue dress, Luna's thoughts drifted back to Kiad. Their engagement, though arranged by their families, was something she had come to accept. Kiad was handsome, charming, and came from a family with a legacy as strong as hers. On paper, they were the perfect match. But there was a part of her that felt uneasy, a small voice that questioned whether she was truly ready for this commitment. She had spent so much of her life trying to live up to her father's expectations, and this marriage felt like another step in that direction. Yet, she knew she couldn't refuse her father's wishes. It was the last thing she would ever do.
Luna slipped into her dress and checked her reflection in the mirror. The woman staring back at her looked composed, confident, and ready to take on the world. But underneath the polished exterior, there was a vulnerability that only a few people ever saw. Glare was one of them, and for that, she was grateful.
She descended the stairs of her penthouse, her heels clicking softly against the polished wood. The space was quiet, with only the distant hum of the city below breaking the silence. As she reached the kitchen, Luna poured herself another cup of tea and took a moment to enjoy the tranquility before the day truly began. The thought of returning to the Ross Estate made her chest tighten slightly. It was home, yes, but it was also a place where she often felt like she was suffocating under the weight of her family's behaviour towards her, which she knew was not happy with her presence.
But she pushed those thoughts aside. Today was about the Dream Land project, and she needed to be fully present. As she sipped her tea, her phone buzzed with a new message. It was Grace again, this time sending her a reminder about a few last-minute details she needed to review before the meeting.
Luna smiled to herself, feeling a surge of appreciation for her secretary. Glare was more than just an employee; she was someone who understood the pressures she faced and worked tirelessly to support her. She quickly typed a reply, thanking her for her diligence, before setting her phone down.