Chapter 5 In the CEOs office at Vanderbili Group , the atmosphere was thick , the air heavy with tension .
The pressure hung like a storm cloud , threatening to burst at any moment .
Dominick , standing by his desk , slammed a thick stack of papers onto the floor with an almost violent force .
His secretary , visibly shrinking from the anger emanating from him , quickly bent to pick up the scattered papers , her hands trembling slightly as she did so Tl go speak to Mr.
Parker right away and have his team redo it she stammered , not daring to linger any longer .
The moment she straightened .
she bolted from the room , her footsteps hurried and frantic .
Julian Hale , Dominicks assistant , closed the office door behind the secretary with a quiet click , his eyes lingering on the tall , imposing figure of Dominick standing near the floor to ceiling windows .
Dominicks posture was rigid , his brow furrowed in annoyance , and the weight of his frustration seemed to settle in the room like a dense fog Julian sighed , leaning against the doorframe , Mr.
Vanderbilt , he began with a knowing look , this is the sixteenth proposal youve thrown away today .
Sixteen .
Not one of them has caught your eye ! Dominick tugged irritably at his tic , his expression darkening , Whats your His voice was sharp , but Julian wasnt intimidated .
Julians eyes flickered briefly before he spoke again , his voice lowering slightly .
Is it her return that is affecting you ? Paisley has no effect on me Dominick snapped his tone a little too quick , too defensive , Julians lips quirked slightly as he took a slow step forward , unfazed .
I didnt say it was Paisley , he murmured .
Dominick froze for a moment , his eyes es narrowing as he caught the glint of amusement or perhaps something deeper in Julians gaze After a beat of silence , Dominick turned away , his frustration boiling over as he yanked the tie from around his neck and tossed it carelessly aside You got something to say , or you just want to keep playing games ? Julian straightened , his dememor becoming more businesslike Actually , I do have something to say , he said , his voice lower now , tinged with a c
ertain level of authority .
Ive followed your orders .
Ive applied pressure on the investors .
Ms.
Sullivan is officially the lead for that series Dominicks expression shifted , his usual icy demeanor slipping back into place .
He gave a single , almost imperceptible nod , signaling his acceptance of the news .
Okay , he said flatly , sitting back down at his desk , the weight of the conversation easing as his attention turned back to the documents in front of him .
His gaze , however , was distant , clouded with thoughts that no one could read , Julian had already turned to leave , but after a brief pause , he couldnt help himself .
He turned back and spoke with a slightly more probing tone , Dom , the way youve been looking our for the Sullivan family thats because of Paisley , isnt it ? It wasnt until recently that Julian had learned the Sullivans were Paisleys real family something he hadnt realized before .
But now , obvious .
it seemed Dominicks eyes narrowed , Iris expression hardening as he swiftly dismissed the notion .
Youre overthinking it , he said , his voice cold and distant Sullivan Group is a business partner of Vanderbilt Group Julian wasnt so easily fooled .
Dom , no matter what your reasons are for going out of your way to look after the Sullivan family , one thing is clear- you and Paisley are divorced .
She made her choice , walked away without a second thought , even abandoning your son .
Now shes back , and who knows what her game is ? Julian , who had been friends with Dominick since high school , knew him inside and out and had followed him every step of the way The competition to inherit the Vanderbils family legacy had been fierce , and the standards were impossibly high .
Dominick had risen above them Hed started his first business in high school , expanding it rapidly throughout college , and by his sophomore year , hed already taken his company It was inevitabile that Dominick would inherit Vanderbilt Group and become the head of his family , Julian , Joyal as ever , had entered the company alongside him , serving as his right hand man .
Over the years , their band had deepened , 1/3 Dreame Read Romance .
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Chapter 5 transcending the typical employer employee relationship .
They were more like brothers united by shared history , loyalty , and ambition .
Julum , ever the persistent one , continued .
And Marissa is a good girl .
Over the years , shes really- Julun Dominicks voice cut through the air like a knife , sharper than usual .
He turned abruptly , his eyes narrowing with a hint of annoyance .
Twe told you already .
Theres nothing going on between me and Mariva see her ava sister , just like Kayla .
With that , he used his phone toward Julian , the device skudiding arross the desk .
On the screen , the latest tabloid headline splashed in bold letters about Dominick and Marissas relationship scandal Dominick i expression darkeneil even further , his tone frigid .
What is all this nonsense ? Contact the PR department , and have them clean this up His voice was thick with disdain , like he couldnt even be bothered to engage with the garbage the press was feeding the public .
The first day of kindergarten was supposed to be a milestone , a step toward growing up .

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But for little Serena , it felt more like a punishment She had spent her entire life in the safery of Paisleys arms , and now , for the first time , she was expected to spend an entire day without her mother Serenas emotions were a tangled mess .
She wanted to cry .
The lump in her throat was hard to swallow , but Paisleys words echoed in her mind , Youre a big girl now , Serena , Big girls dont cry .
If you do , the other kids will laugh Serena tried to be strong and hold back the tears , just like Paisley had taught her .
But it was so hard .
The absence of her mother and Maria made everything feel cold and empty , and sie missed them .
The other kids seemed confident , laughing and playing while she just sat there , feeling our of place .
She didnt want to play .
She didnt want to do anything but g home and curl up next to her mom .
But just as the tears began to well up again , something shifted in Serenas gaze .
Her big doe eyes suddenly locked onto a spot where the older children from the elementary section were playing .
My brother_ Serena whispered , her voice barely audible but filled with wonder and longing .
She didnt have to think about it her heart just In the first grade PE class , Grayson was happily running around the playground , kicking the ball with carefree energy , when suddenly he felt someone fug at the back of his shirt He turned sharply , irritated , ready to snap at whoever dared disturb him .
But what he saw made him pause .
A little girl , her eyes wide and shimmering with innocent excitement , stood there , beaming up at him .
Who are you ! What are you doing grabbing my shirt ? Craysons voice was sharp , a little defensive .
He wasnt one for playing with girls , and the only exception was Marias niece , Stella but that was only because hed promised Marissa hed look out for her .
But there was something strange about this cheeky little girl in front of him .
Despite his usual dislike for distractions , she didnt bother him that Tm your linde sitter , Kenia Serena said , her voice bubbling with excitement as she looked at him like she had just met her long lost hero Muster .
Graysons Tattw furrowed , confusion flooding his thoughts .
To not your brother .
Youve got the wrong guy ? He scratched his head , unsure Serena want fared .
I know where y -yini ate and what you look like .
Youre my brother .
Ein sure of it , she smiled , the same bright , unwavering smile that seemed to shine thuigh even her nervountiest .
Serena remembered the portrait in Paisleys art stadio the one that showed a young lany who looked exactly like him .
She had asked Paisley who it Parsley hart told her that at Serenas big brother .
She remembered in clearly .
Sure , Corzystn looked a little older than the porture , but his features hadnt changed .
She could tell , without a doubt , this was him You are my bestier , Serena sail again , lier voice full of confidence .
Grayson studied her alusely las gaer softening as to make sense of this strange little girl who seemed so certain .
There was no doubt that Before he could say anything more , a voice interrupted them , my , what are you doing ? stella approached them , her eyes narrowing in suspacioni as she sale trayson talking to a lile girl from the kindergarten .
2/3 9:35 PM Chapter 3 Sonny Who is this kid ? Do you know her ? Stella asked in a voice of inexplicable fear .
Looking at Serena , she couldnt help but step closer to Grayson , her small hand instinctively reaching for his ..
Grayson shook his head , his brows drawn together in confusion and irritation .
I dont know her .
She says Im her brother , but I have no idea who she is Stella , who had been watching the scene unfold with a growing sense of territorial protectiveness , stepped forward .
Her voice was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear You cant just go around calling random people your brother .
Im Sonnys best friend and youre just a nobody Serena , her checks flushed with the heat of frustration , glared at Stella .
Her little chest heaved as she stomped her foot and shouted , But Im his She was stubborn and wouldnt back down .
She also wanted to hold hands with Grayson and reached her tiny hand toward him , her fingers trembling slightly , her eyes locked onto his as if she wanted him to believe her .
Hold my hand And then , something inexplicable happened .
Grayson , for reasons he couldnt explain , found himself reaching out to her , unable to say no to her .
His hand closed around hers without hesitation , as if something in him softened at the sight of her innocent determination .
But the moment was short lived .
With a sharp smack , Stella slapped Serenas outstretched hand away , her face twisted with irritation .
Go away , you bad liule girl , trying to call him your brother , Serena winced , her hand recoiling , stinging with the force of Stellas slap .
She let out a small cry , holding the back of her hand to her chest , the hurt from both the slap and the harsh words sinking deep .
Stella huffed , her tone dripping with disdain , Sonny , lets go back to the classroom .
Dont pay attention to this brat , Aunt Marissa always says there are bad kids at school who try to get close to us for no good reason .
She just came here , calling you her brother right away ! She has ulterior motives , for sure .
Graysons heart sank .
It wasnt the first time something like this had happened.
He knew firsthand how some families , especially wealthy ones , tried to attach themselves to the Vanderbilt name .
If they couldnt reach Dominick , theyd try to get to Grayson , seeing him as the next best thing .
The most common method they employed was sending their kids to the same school , hoping to get close to him and , through him , to Dominick .
And , more often than not , it was the girls who were pushed forward .
The idea of childhood sweethearts romanticized , idealized made it a common strategy to build alliances .
At first , Grayson believed these kids genuinely wanted to be his friends , but over time , he saw through the facade .
He realized they were only there because their parents pushed them to be .
The more this happened , the more Grayson grew disillusioned .
He hated all the fake smiles and forced kindness , especially from girls who thought that being around him would bring them closer to his familys wealth and power .
After Stellas warning , Grayson turned back to Serena , his expression hardening .
His eyes , once neutral , now held an unmistakable coldness guarded , suspicious , even a little disgusted ..
Im not your brother .
Dont come near me again The words were sharp and final , leaving no room for argument .
Without another glance , he turned and grabbed Stellas hand , leading her back toward the classroom , his back Serena stood frozen , her small body trembling with shock and hurt .
Her eyes were wide , the sting of rejection raw and bitter in her chest .
She back straight and unyielding .
blinked rapidly , but it was too late her tears were already spilling over , the weight of his words sinking in E E