Chapter 5

Julian Thorne stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of his penthouse office, staring blindly at the Manhattan skyline. The sky was overcast, a dull, oppressive gray that perfectly matched his mood. Behind him, the massive mahogany conference table was littered with financial reports, cris

Chapter 6

The afternoon sun cast long, golden shadows across the expansive floor of the Cross Industries executive boardroom. The room was a testament to Kaelen Cross’s aesthetic: sharp angles, dark slate, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a commanding view of the Manhattan skyline.

Seren

Chapter 7

The design studio at Cross Industries was a sanctuary of controlled chaos. Bolts of Kyoto silk were draped over heavy mahogany cutting tables, their rich textures catching the morning light that streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Pinned to the corkboards lining the walls were