A Billionaire's Secret lifestyle

From the penthouse of Hartley Industries, Alexander Hartley stood in silence, staring out at the city below.

wer than most could imagine. Yet, it wasn't enough. There was an emptiness he

was-a man who kept the world at arm's length, who never let anyone close enough to see the cracks i

n't sure why. Sophia Hartley had been part of his life for as long as he could remember. She was his closest friend, his confidante

him tonight. What set his nerves on edge

nore. She was brilliant, self-assured, and stunning, but there was something about her that

phia's call, and picked up his phone

ed to

had been avoiding her, mostly because of how much space she had started taking up in his mind. For

pping through the cracks in his armor, a way of breakin

hit Call, and waite

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rtment, one

ing what she was going to say. Her message had been short, but the conversation ahead wouldn't be

k. It was the same way he dealt with everyone-keeping his distance, never letting anyone get too close. But

s. It was his too. And tonight, she c

r from her thoughts. She too

h the line-smooth, calm, but w

ce steadier than she felt. "We

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nsettling in her tone, something final. Normally, Emily spoke with measured confidenc

said, keeping his voice even. "You kn

. "But this isn't about us

"Then what i

he thought she might hang up. But

aid. "There's something you need to know

exander felt a strange pull in his chest-

about?" he asked, hi

ou think I am,

unch to the gut. He sat up

oes tha

ing out. "I wasn't sent here by accident. My family... my

man who had built Hartley Industries fro

hough unease was creeping into his vo

n eye on you. To protect your interests. But somewhere along the way, I start

t. "You... you w

g to broker a deal with Hartley Industries for years. When I found out about the arrangement, I thought I co

idal wave, threatening to drag him under. He had always known Emily wa

struck him. She wasn't just confessing a secret. She was admi

ng, a knock on the door br

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gered on the doorknob as she debated whether to knock again. She had known Alexander her whole life, and she c

between them-a bond no one else could understand. But l

th, she pushed the door

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he secrets that bound them together would either tear them apart-or fo