COOPERS GROUP
Ryder looked at the phone. Silver had just ended the call. He clenched his jaw, gripping the device tightly before slamming his hand on the table. His entire office shook from the impact. His patience was wearing thin, and Silver was only making things worse.
Just then, his assistant walked in nervously, holding a few documents in hand.
"Sir, Silver Fashion Company has rejected our offer again."
Ryder's eyes darkened. A dangerous aura surrounded him, and he shot up from his seat, glaring at the assistant.
"What?" His voice was low but sharp.
"They—they refused to sign the deal, sir."
Ryder clenched his fists, trying to contain his anger. No one needed to tell him that this was Abraham Voles or Noah Centineo's doing. They must be the ones influencing Silver's decision. But was it really just them, or was Silver herself behind this?
Was it because of Silver? Was she deliberately trying to go against him?
His heart burned with frustration. He had built the Cooper's Group to be the strongest, yet Silver was the only one standing in his way, blocking him at every turn.
"Get out," Ryder snapped at the assistant. The man bowed slightly before rushing out, not wanting to stay any longer under his boss's wrath.
Just as the assistant left, Cici walked in, swaying her hips in a white shirt gown that hugged her body perfectly. She looked stunning, elegant, and seductive, just like always. She always dressed this way when she wanted to get his attention.
But strangely, as she came closer, Ryder saw someone else in her. His vision blurred for a moment, and instead of Cici, he saw Silver.
Silver, with her defiant smirk.
Silver, with her shining eyes filled with rebellion.
Silver, standing before him, as if mocking him.
His grip on the table tightened as he tried to shake off the illusion. What the hell was wrong with him?
Cici walked up to him, pressing her hands gently against his chest, tilting her head to look into his stormy eyes.
"What's wrong, baby? Why are you so angry?" she asked softly, her voice filled with concern, yet there was something else behind it—a manipulative sweetness.
Ryder didn't respond immediately. He was still stuck in his thoughts. His mind was a mess, and his emotions were all over the place.
Cici ran her fingers down his chest, trying to calm him. "Is it about Silver?" she asked, her voice laced with jealousy.
At the mention of Silver's name, Ryder's expression darkened even more.
"Why are you letting her affect you so much?" Cici pouted. "She's nothing compared to me. I've always been here for you, Ryder. Why do you still let her control your emotions?"
Ryder scoffed. Control? Was Silver controlling him? That woman was nothing but a thorn in his side, always pushing him to the edge.
Cici continued, stepping even closer, her arms now wrapping around his waist. "Forget about her. You have me. I'm the one who truly loves you. Silver never did. She only wanted to be a part of your world because of her stupid obsession."
Ryder's lips twitched in irritation. He had believed that once too. That Silver had been desperate for his love, so desperate that she embarrassed herself just to stay by his side.
But now, she was different.
She had changed.
Now, she didn't care about him at all.
Now, she was treating him as if he was the insignificant one.
And that thought alone made his blood boil.
He grabbed Cici's wrist and pushed her away slightly, his patience running out. "Enough."
Cici's eyes widened in surprise. "Ryder?"
"I don't have time for this," he muttered coldly, walking past her to grab his coat.
"Where are you going?" she asked, frowning.
"Work."
Cici huffed. "You're going after her again, aren't you?"
Ryder didn't reply, but his silence said enough.
Cici gritted her teeth, her hands curling into fists. She had spent years by Ryder's side, always making sure he would never look at another woman, but somehow, Silver was still in his mind.
Silver, the woman who had once been so desperate for him, was now the one making him restless.
Cici refused to let that continue.
She needed to find a way to get rid of Silver once and for all.
Cici didn't care that Silver was the youngest designer in the industry. She didn't care that Silver Fashion Company was rising in the business world, gaining influence and recognition. None of it mattered. Silver just had to go down.
For years, Cici had played her role perfectly, staying close to Ryder, making him depend on her, convincing him that Silver was nothing more than an annoyance. But now, things were shifting. Ryder was changing.
He was getting frustrated with Silver—but also obsessed with her.
That was dangerous.
If Silver continued to push him away, there was a chance he would want her even more. And Cici couldn't allow that to happen.
She pulled out her phone, scrolling through her contacts. There was only one person who could help her now. A man who knew how to make people disappear—whether physically, professionally, or socially.
She dialed the number.
A deep voice answered after two rings. "What do you want?"
"I need someone taken care of," Cici whispered, looking around to make sure no one was near.
A low chuckle came through the line. "You finally decided to get your hands dirty, huh?"
"Just do the job," she snapped, her voice laced with irritation. "I want Silver ruined. I don't care how you do it—scandal, public humiliation, or something worse. Just make sure she has no choice but to disappear from Ryder's life."
The man hummed in amusement. "Expensive request. But for you, I'll make it happen."
Cici smirked. "Good. I'll send you the details."
She ended the call, a satisfied look on her face. Silver might have become Queen SM, but soon, she would be nothing.
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SILVER FASHION COMPANY
Silver arrived at the company later that morning, a bit later than usual because she had taken her time getting ready. She walked into the building, wearing a sleek navy-blue dress paired with silver heels. Her hair was tied up in a loose ponytail, giving her a confident yet effortless look.
The employees greeted her with admiration, and some even whispered among themselves.
"She's so elegant…"
"No wonder she's Queen SM…"
"She's on another level."
Silver ignored the whispers and headed straight to her office. As soon as she stepped inside, Abraham was already there, sitting on the couch with a knowing smile on his face.
"You took your time," he teased.
Silver rolled her eyes. "I needed sleep."
Abraham leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "You shouldn't have come today. Something feels off."
Silver raised a brow. "What do you mean?"
Abraham handed her a tablet. "Look at this."
She glanced at the screen and saw a headline plastered all over the news.
"Queen SM Exposed: The Youngest Designer Stole Her Way to the Top?"
Silver's brows furrowed as she scrolled through the article. It was filled with lies—claims that she had copied designs, bribed top executives, and used underhanded tactics to gain success. There were even fake screenshots of supposed conversations between her and high-ranking businessmen, making it seem like she had used unethical means to climb the ladder.
Her grip on the tablet tightened.
"Who did this?" she asked, her voice dangerously calm.
Abraham sighed. "We don't have proof yet, but I'd bet everything on Cici."
Silver scoffed. "Of course. That woman never stops, does she?"
Abraham leaned back. "What's your plan? Are you going to respond?"
Silver smirked. "Respond? No. I'll let them dig their own grave first."
She knew how the game was played. If she reacted too quickly, it would look like she was trying to defend herself. But if she waited—if she allowed her enemies to think they had won—she could strike when they least expected.
And when she did, there would be no mercy.
But first, she had to find out just how deep Cici's schemes ran.
And I had the perfect way to do it.