BLURB: Nicole Stanton, the world's richest young woman, ended her three-year marriage to the powerful CEO, Eric Ferguson, for one reason: her family's billion-dollar fortune. When their divorce hits the headlines, rumors swirl about her dating life. To the public, she's the ultimate catch, but behind closed doors, Nicole still harbors feelings for her ex-husband-a man she left behind to chase her dreams. Eric, now a successful entrepreneur, wants to move on, but he can't shake the love of his life. When fate forces them together again in a high-stakes business merger, the tension between them is impossible to ignore. Both have secrets they've been keeping from each other, and the emotional baggage from their past threatens to tear them apart. Can they rebuild their relationship, or will old wounds keep them from reigniting the flame of the love they once shared?
Chapter 1 Public Persona, Private Pain
The chaos at JFK Airport was nothing new to Ella Stone. Cameras flashed like fireworks, reporters shouting over each other in an attempt to get the first bite of gossip. The questions flew fast, sharp, and relentless.
"Ella, is it true you left Max Cole for a billion-dollar deal?"
"Ella, any comment on your rumored new romance?"
"Ella, do you regret the divorce?"
Ella's smile didn't falter as she walked briskly through the terminal, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor. Her navy blazer was perfectly tailored, her hair and makeup flawless, projecting the image of an untouchable businesswoman. She had mastered the art of appearing unbothered.
"I have no comments today," she said smoothly, her voice carrying over the noise.
Her security team created a buffer, guiding her to a waiting car. As soon as the door closed behind her, the din outside faded into muted white noise. Ella leaned back against the cool leather seat, letting out a shaky breath.
"Rough morning already?" her assistant Clara asked from the front passenger seat, scrolling through her tablet.
Ella glanced at Clara, masking her exhaustion with a half-smile. "Just another day in paradise."
Clara smirked but didn't push further. "Your father called. He wants to meet about the merger. He's insisting it's urgent."
Ella sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Of course, he is."
Her phone buzzed, the screen lighting up with another headline: "Ella Stone's Billion-Dollar Divorce: Was Love Ever Part of the Equation?"
Ella locked the screen, refusing to let the words sink in.
As the car sped through the streets of Manhattan, Ella stared out the window, her reflection blurring with the cityscape. The questions from the reporters played on a loop in her mind, one more piercing than the rest: Do you regret the divorce?
She hated that her answer wasn't simple.
Max Cole had been her everything once-a partner, a confidant, her greatest love. Their whirlwind romance had been the talk of high society, the fairy tale that tabloids adored. But behind the glitz and glamour, their marriage had cracked under the weight of ambition, expectations, and choices neither of them were willing to compromise on.
Ella had chosen her family's billion-dollar empire over her husband. At the time, it had felt like the only option. Now, she wasn't so sure.
The car slowed as they reached Stone Tower, its gleaming glass facade towering over the bustling streets. Ella straightened her posture, steeling herself for the day ahead.
Across the city, Max Cole stood in his penthouse, a mug of black coffee cooling in his hand. The morning sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a golden glow over the modern, minimalist space.
The muted sound of the television caught his attention. He turned, his chest tightening at the sight of Ella's face on the screen.
"Ella Stone, the billionaire heiress, was spotted at JFK this morning," the anchor announced. "The media frenzy surrounding her divorce from Max Cole remains unrelenting."
Max's jaw clenched as the camera cut to footage of Ella walking through the airport, her head held high, her smile unwavering.
"You're still watching her?" a voice drawled from the kitchen.
Max glanced over his shoulder at Josh, his business partner and closest friend, who was pouring himself a glass of orange juice.
"It's hard to avoid," Max said evenly, setting his mug on the counter.
Josh smirked. "You mean it's hard to let go."
Max shot him a warning look, but Josh only shrugged. "She's back in the headlines, and from what I hear, you two might be crossing paths again soon."
"What are you talking about?" Max asked, his tone sharp.
Josh leaned against the counter, sipping his juice. "Word on the street is Stone Enterprises is looking for a merger. And guess who's at the top of their list?"
Max didn't respond, but his silence spoke volumes.
Ella's day was relentless. Meetings, phone calls, emails-it all blurred together in a flurry of responsibility. But the weight of her father's looming meeting sat heavily on her shoulders.
When she finally entered the conference room, her father was already seated, his expression stern.
"Ella," he said by way of greeting, gesturing for her to sit.
"What's so urgent?" she asked, taking a seat across from him.
"We're losing ground," he said bluntly. "If we want Stone Enterprises to stay ahead, we need this merger."
Ella frowned. "Merger? With who?"
Her father slid a folder across the table. "Cole Industries."
The name hit her like a punch to the gut. She opened the folder, scanning the details with a growing sense of unease.
"Dad," she said carefully, "you realize who runs Cole Industries, right?"
Her father's gaze was steady. "Max Cole is a businessman, just like you. This merger is about strategy, not emotions."
Ella clenched her fists, her mind racing. After everything, she had to face Max again?
"I don't think-"
"You don't have a choice," her father interrupted. "If we don't act now, Stone Enterprises will fall behind."
Max swallowed her protests, nodding reluctantly. She would do what needed to be done-for the company, for her legacy.
Late that evening, Ella sat in her office, the city lights twinkling outside the window. She tried to focus on the merger documents, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Max.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her reverie. A new message flashed on the screen:
"Your empire isn't as secure as you think."
Ella's heart raced as she stared at the words. Who would send something like this? And what did it mean?
She glanced around the room, suddenly feeling exposed. The shadows seemed darker, the silence heavier.
"Clara," she called out, her voice steady despite the unease creeping in.
Her assistant appeared in the doorway. "Yes, Ms. Stone?"
"Get IT on the phone," Ella said, holding up her phone. "I need this number traced."
As Clara hurried off, Ella's gaze returned to the message. Whoever sent it knew something she didn't, and she wasn't about to ignore it.
Ella's phone buzzed again. Another message appeared: "This is only the beginning."
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