THE BILLIONAIRE ULTIMATUM

C (GREY CONGL

capturing the city like a jewel trapped in steel. Inside, silence reigned. Executives in t

ght wool, he radiated the kind of authority that could silence a storm. The sharp line of his jaw and the steel glint in his gr

men and women seated before him, pinning them like prey. "But numbers mean nothing if we lose control of the ports. Negotiations with Beijing close

s throat, sweat at his temple.

when Asia bends. We dictate. They obey. That is how this empir

ved. No o

into a razor-thin smil

ey slipped out one by one, careful not to linger under his gaze. When the last of

a soft knock

ployee, nor the brisk rap of an assist

nder called, his

ed, and Luna

and warmth. Dressed in a cream sundress smeared faintly with the remnants of paint, her dark hair loose in soft wave

all Street alive," Luna teased, walking

"Half? You underestimate

perched on the edge of his desk, utterly unbothered by the power this spac

ting the bag down. "Because I kn

ed a brow. "An

re in meetings from dawn." She unwrapped a s

rey Conglomerate who sent seasoned executives trembling, sat ba

said after a bite, his tone softer now,

ng you in your world. All sharp edges and authority." She tilted her head. "Though I st

ed. "That's the only pla

r was instant. The hum of the city outside faded. Hi

his. "You're impossible," she whisper

her in, while the other tilted her chin up. When his lips touched hers, the kis

against the edge of his desk. His mouth moved with a commanding intensity, c

d against his lips, her

s breath unsteady. "You undo me,

y, he pulled back, resting his thumb against her cheek. His eyes, us

he said, but his tone bet

o leave," she c

gain, slower this time, be

thumb across his lips. "I

ing his world allowed, but with her, it was undeniab

ll you stop hidi

m chilled. He stilled

a pressed. "The press calls me your other half, and

e you don't know them. They don't care about you, Luna. They don't

h defiance. "I don't need their approval. I just need you

and steel warring inside him. And th

voice firm. "You'l

widened.

They've taken enough from m

REY'S

sion carved from stone and history. Chandeliers glittered from high ceilings, casting golden ligh

steady on her back, she felt the weight of centuries pre

ntimidate you," A

," she said, though

idor. A long mahogany table stretched the len

n, his hair silver, his eyes merciless. Authority clung to

elegant in emerald silk. Her beauty was sharp, her ga

r lounged with false ease, his practiced smile f

as his son entered, his v

Alexander replied smoothl

slid to Luna. "A

. My partner. The woman I intend to marry."

e widened, though the glint in his eyes betrayed his amusement. Harrison l

tist," Harrison said at last,

chin. "I'm more

ed, ignoring her. "And you think that m

world," Alexander cut in, his voice

" Victoria interrupted smoothly. "D

a life," Alexander shot

How touching. Shame love

ped, his voice reverber

ng. "If you marry her, you disgrace this family. You risk everything gener

ion struck l

't falter. He gripped her hand under the

, but in a smile sharp as glass. "Power endures, Alexand

***

ight, the gates of Grey Manor closin

hate

ngered on the looming silhouette of the mansion. "Because they

of his own mind,

ove and dynasty h