BENEATH HER EMPIRE

alive with lights and distant sounds, but to Isabella, it was all too quiet-too still. Her empire had been shaken, and the

er and the endless view. The city that had once felt like hers n

it to know who it was. Alejandro De La Cruz. The man whose name had been whispe

ry. But now, with whispers of an arranged marriage between their families, the tension between them had reached a breaking point. It was a mov

sabella had no intention of submitting, but neither could she afford to decline. The De La Cruz family was powerful, and their enemies were closing in o

brushing against the smooth screen. She read his message: "Th

or this moment for years. The reality of her world was forged through blood, betrayal, an

ick reply: "I'

away from the window. Tonight, the

power and beauty, a queen in every sense of the word. The dress she wore clung to her frame, black and sleek, tailored to perfection. Her dark hair cascad

it. Three of them. Three of the five men she had allowed into her life, into her empire, who had crossed the line. She had no mercy for them. The men who dared to love her in the dark

her mind, Isabella knew that the present was far more important.

down on him. The arranged marriage was set. The contract was signed. But there was something about Isabella Rami

ther had always taught him that control was everything-that no matter the cost, the De La Cruz name would sta

. He had to face her-he had to see for himself what made Isabella Ramirez tick. An

the grace and poise of a queen, her heels clicking against the stone path. She was met by Alejandro's men, who escorted her inside the mansio

dro; she didn't even need to trust him. All that mattered was that their union would solidify her control over h

ing near the fireplace, his back turned to her. His broad shoulders were draped

ocked-a challenge, a recognition of each other's power. He had the same piercing blue eyes that had haunte

his voice smooth, but wi

ed," Isabella replied, her tone ic

ent, a silent battle of wills. Then, Ale

ce our alliance. You'll marry me, Isabe

ate me," she replied coldly. "But don't worry

or a conquest from a time long past. The marble floor gleamed beneath the chandelier, its golden light casting shadows that seemed to flicker with omi

ss sat before her, filled with a dark, rich red wine. She couldn't help but marvel at the extravagance-money had no limits in the world of cartels. But money, i

a code. Isabella had always found men like him fascinating-their arrogance, their need to be in control. But it wasn't enough to intim

," Alejandro finally said

intest smirk tugging at the corner

ing her response before repl

hat hung thick in the air. "I don't expect you to understand," she said quietly, her gaze never le

e irritated by her bluntness. Most people, men especially, couldn't handle her brand of honesty. They couldn't see past he

ro replied, his voice colder than before. "The De La Cruz name ha

hen why don't we see who's left

his will. But Isabella wasn't like the others. She wasn't a pawn, ready to be sacrificed for the greater good of hi

hair groaned under his weight as he leaned back, still watching her with those intense blue eyes. Isabell

e, his voice tinged with something that almost resembl

it didn't reach her eyes. "Fear doesn't interest

Isabella had always been underestimated-men like Alejandro assumed her beauty and position were enough to bend her to their will. But Isabella knew the rules of the game better than anyone. She had

ing. "You think this is just about power, don't you?" she asked, her voice cutting through the thick silence. "About a marriage contract, a d

arefully. Isabella could see the shift in his eyes-the way he was starting to take her serio

o your allies?" he asked, his voice

g his. "I don't have allies, Alejandro," she replied, her voice a whisper of ic

re. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension between them crac

he began, his gaze fixed on her, "isn't just about control, Isabella. It's about survival. We're both at the top,

was as common as bloodshed, and the powerful rarely stayed in power for long. Alliances were forged in the fire of conflict, and betrayal was

And even more importantly, could she trust her

. "Then let's see who survives," she said, her voice firm, unwavering. "But kno

ng. For the first time, she felt a spark of uncertainty. But it wasn't

the weight of the choice she had just made, lingered in the air. Her mind raced, strategizing the moves she would need to make in the coming day

r, but she stopped just before the door. A voice

underestimatin

llowing the words to settle in her mind. Alejandro's voice was calm,

wouldn't be the first to think that. But I'm not in the habit o

eak, and she walked out into the hallway, her mind still focused on the tension that hung between them. It was

, her mind whirling with thoughts of what had just transpired. She had made a deal-one that was necessary, but not without con

heir betrayal had left scars on her soul, but those scars had become the foundation of her empire. Men underestima

empire was now teetering on the edge. Alejandro was the missing piece-whether she liked it or no

epped out, her posture confident despite the turmoil inside. She d

ts and a tight-fitting top. Her reflection in the mirror was one she had grown used to: cold, hard eyes, a face that showed no emotion

he same tone as before: "This will work, Isabella. I know

call this a partnership. This was a necessary truce-a brief but deadly alliance that could shi

nse: "We're not together. We're two enemies forced into

kly: "You're still

time in years, she had underestimated someone. But if Alejandro wante

asn't invulnerable. There were cracks, threats, and enemies at every corner, and she needed to prepare for the next mov

ettling into his chest. Isabella wasn't like the other women he had known-she wasn't easy to control. She didn't bend to anyone's will, and that made her both a challenge and a dang

. She believed that their relationship would be nothing more than a transactional

her dominate the game

busy, as she always did, with endless tasks that kept her mind sharp. She knew that the marriage would be made public soon, and when it was,

n his face. "Isabella, the De La Cruz family has been moving their pieces on the

glancing up from her pa

. strategy. They think the marriage will give them leverage ove

at. Let them believe they have the upper hand

, sending a few papers scattering. "Prepare the men. W