The city of Oakhaven was built on old money and older secrets, but Julian Thorne didn’t care about either. He only cared about the land. Specifically, the three hundred acres of prime coastal real estate currently held by the estate of Sarah Vance.
"Everything has a price, Ms. Vance," Julian countered, his gaze lingering on her longer than business dictated. The city of Oakhaven was built on old
To force her hand, Julian moved into the neighboring estate, turning a corporate battle into a war of proximity. They clashed over property lines and town council meetings, but the friction of their rivalry began to generate a different kind of heat. Between late-night arguments over cognac and rain-soaked standoffs on the cliffs, the masks began to slip. "Everything has a price, Ms
Marcus Stone, Julian’s chief rival, was facing a crisis of his own. A whistleblower had leaked documents that could ruin Stone International, and the only person who could save him was the woman he’d ghosted five years ago—technical genius turned recluse, Naomi Glass. They clashed over property lines and town council
Julian saw the vulnerability Elara hid behind her lens; Elara saw the lonely boy behind Julian’s billion-dollar armor.
"This house isn't for sale, Mr. Thorne," she said, her voice like velvet and steel.
Elara had spent a decade running from her family's shadow, building a life as a photojournalist in war zones. Now, back in the town that never wanted her, she was the only thing standing between Julian and his latest trophy.