Part 2 ( Juliet )

The elevator glides to the top floor, the soft chime echoing through the sleek, glass-paneled interior. My reflection stares back at me, sharp, polished, unreadable. A perfectly tailored white blazer, silk blouse tucked neatly into high-waisted trousers, Louboutin heels clicking softly against the marble. Every inch of me screams authority. Precision. Power.

I step into the executive wing of Baldwin Lux, my empire.

"Good morning, Ms. Baldwin," my assistant, Claire, greets, keeping pace beside me as she scrolls through her iPad. "You have a breakfast meeting with the board at eight, a call with the head of Baldwin Lux Aviation at nine, and the auction for the Baldwin Lux Monaco estate at eleven. Your mother is also requesting dinner this evening to discuss—"

I stop walking.

Claire immediately shuts up, her back straightening. She knows better than to assume I'll accept an invitation blindly.

I raise a brow, adjusting the diamond cuff on my wrist. "To discuss what?"

"She didn't say, ma'am. Just that it was important."

It always is.

I exhale, glancing at the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Manhattan. A sprawling kingdom of steel and power, and at the very top of it, me.

"Confirm the dinner. Le Bernardin. Private dining room."

Claire nods. "Of course."

She follows me into my office, a vast, minimalist space of black marble and glass, my desk positioned in front of a sweeping skyline. There's no clutter. No distractions. Just order.

Just how I like it.

On my desk, my morning coffee waits. Perfectly brewed. Precisely the way I like it. I take a slow sip, closing my eyes briefly before setting it down.

Claire continues. "You also have a meeting with the head designer of Baldwin Lux Haute Couture at one. The Met Gala seating list needs final approval, and there's an exclusive membership request for Baldwin Lux Private that requires your signature."

I arch a brow. "Who?"

"Cameron Adler. CEO of Adler Technologies."

I hum, considering. Billionaire, tech mogul, recently made waves with a luxury AI platform. He meets all the financial requirements, but Baldwin Lux isn't about money. It's about status. Power. Selectiveness.

"Decline," I say simply.

Claire doesn't question me. She just nods, making a note. That's the thing about Baldwin Lux, you don't choose us. We choose you.

-

It's nearly noon by the time I take my first breath of fresh air.

The board meeting went exactly as expected, men in tailored suits trying to test me, trying to see if they can maneuver around my decisions. They failed. They always do.

Now, I'm in the backseat of my chauffeured Maybach, heading toward Baldwin Lux Estates for the Monaco auction.

I scroll through my phone, catching up on emails, investment reports, and the latest luxury trends. It's instinct now, keeping myself ten steps ahead of everyone else.

A notification pops up.

Mia: Tell me you're free for dinner tonight.

I smirk, typing back.

Me: I have dinner with my mother.

Mia's reply is instant.

Mia: God. Your life is exhausting.

I chuckle, shaking my head.

Me: I like it.

Mia: Only you would.

I lean back against the leather seat, eyes flickering to the city flashing by.

It's been years since I fully settled into this role, years since I became the face of Baldwin Lux, and in all that time... I never once let myself wonder if this was what I truly wanted.

Because it doesn't matter. This is who I am now. The powerful, untouchable Juliet Baldwin, CEO of the most elite luxury empire in the world.

There is no room for doubt. And definitely no room for the past.

-

Dinner at Le Bernardin is exactly what I expect, high society's finest tucked away in exclusive booths, murmuring over glasses of vintage wine, while classical music drifts through the candlelit space.

My mother is already seated when I arrive, elegant as always, a vintage Cartier bracelet adorning her wrist, a glass of Château Margaux in hand.

I take my seat across from her, crossing my legs, signaling the waiter for my usual.

She studies me carefully, the same way she always does. "You're too thin."

I exhale slowly, setting my napkin in my lap. "Is that why we're here? A health intervention?"

She smirks. "No. Though I wouldn't be opposed."

I arch a brow. "Then get to the point."

She sighs, swirling her wine. "The board has been discussing expansion into the Middle Eastern market. Dubai, specifically. Luxury tourism is booming there."

I nod. "I already put the plans in motion. Baldwin Lux Private is in negotiations for a Dubai social club."

Her lips press together in approval. "You always were ahead of the curve."

I sip my wine, waiting. She's not here just to praise me.

Sure enough, she leans in slightly. "And how's your personal life?"

I suppress the urge to sigh. "Busy."

She hums. "No one serious?"

I hold her gaze, unflinching. "No one worth mentioning."

For a split second, something unreadable flickers across her face. And then, smoothly, she shifts. "Well, I do hope you find time to breathe, darling. Life isn't just business."

I smirk. "Says the woman who built an empire."

She chuckles. "Touché."

The rest of the dinner is business, strategy, investments. Just how I like it.

But as I leave the restaurant, stepping into the waiting black Maybach, something lingers.

A question I don't dare entertain.

Is this really all there is?

I shake it off, glancing at my phone. Another text from Mia.

Mia: Brunch tomorrow. No excuses.

Me: Fine.

The driver pulls into traffic, and I lean my head back against the seat. The city moves around me, alive and buzzing.

-

The morning light spills through the penthouse windows, painting the sleek marble floors in soft gold. Everything is immaculate, every piece of furniture carefully curated, every surface spotless. The only sound is the faint hum of the city below and the quiet clink of my spoon against my coffee cup.

I sit at the edge of my king-sized bed, robe tied loosely around me, black coffee in one hand, the other scrolling through the flood of emails and financial reports on my phone. Deals to approve, luxury acquisitions to finalize, another Forbes cover request to decline.

The world keeps spinning. And I keep running it.

My phone buzzes. A text from Mia.

Mia: Brunch. Eleven. No excuses.

I sigh, already smirking.

Me: Demanding, aren't we?

Mia: I literally don't care, Jules. You need a break. Stop pretending you're a damn robot and show up.

I shake my head, taking a slow sip of my coffee. Mia is one of the only people who doesn't treat me like a Baldwin first. She doesn't cater to me like everyone else.

And right now, I need that.

Fifteen minutes later, I step into my walk-in closet, fingers trailing over the endless collection of designer pieces. Everything is organized to perfection, color-coordinated, pressed, pristine. It's a carefully constructed armor.

I select a cream-colored dress, sleek and fitted, paired with Louboutin heels. Elegant. Effortless. Still commanding.

By the time my driver pulls up in front of La Mercerie, the upscale brunch spot in Soho, the streets are buzzing with energy. Whispers follow me inside, eyes flicking toward me, recognition sparking in their expressions.

I ignore them.

Inside, Mia is already waiting, a mimosa in one hand, scrolling through her phone like she owns the place. She looks up, grinning.

"There she is. Miss 'I own half the world' Baldwin."

I slide into the seat across from her, arching a brow. "Must you be this loud?"

She smirks. "Absolutely."

The waiter appears almost immediately, placing a black coffee in front of me without me having to order. I glance up at him, mildly impressed.

Mia shakes her head, amused. "Jesus. Even your coffee order gets the VIP treatment."

I take a slow sip, unimpressed. "Efficiency."

She raises a brow. "Or fear?"

I just smirk.

The waiter takes Mia's order, disappearing as she leans in, propping her chin on her hand.

"Alright, Jules. Tell me the truth. When's the last time you did something for fun?"

I blink. "I run a multi-billion-dollar company. My fun is making more money."

Mia groans, tilting her head back dramatically. "I swear to God, talking to you is like talking to a Wall Street villain."

I shrug. "If the Louboutin fits."

She snorts. "I should've known this brunch would turn into 'Juliet pretends she doesn't have feelings' hour."

I roll my eyes, cutting into my eggs benedict. "Mia, I have board meetings, clients, investments—"

"I know. I know," she interrupts, waving me off. "You're rich and busy. But you're also human. And, fun fact? Humans need to actually enjoy their lives."

I exhale, glancing out the window. The New York streets are alive, buzzing with ambition and excess. It should feel exhilarating.

It doesn't.

Mia studies me carefully, then sets her drink down. Her voice softens. "Jules."

I meet her gaze.

She tilts her head. "Are you happy?"

The question hits harder than it should.

I don't let it show. "Happiness is—"

"Don't you dare say 'relative,'" she warns. "Because that's some corporate robot bullshit."

I smirk, but it's faint. "Mia."

"Juliet."

There's a beat of silence.

Then I sigh, rolling my shoulders. "I have everything I want."

She watches me carefully. "That's not what I asked."

I press my lips together. I could dodge, change the subject, but this is Mia. She knows me too well.

Finally, I exhale, swirling the last of my coffee. "I don't know if happiness is a thing people like me get to have."

Mia's expression softens.

I shake my head, the words slipping out before I can stop them. "I run a company that controls the richest, most powerful people in the world. If I'm not calculating, if I'm not perfect, I lose everything."

Mia leans back, tapping her nails against her glass. "That's the scariest thing about you."

I tilt my head. "What?"

"That you actually believe that."

The words settle between us.

I pick up my napkin, smoothing out the fabric. "I'm doing fine, Mia."

She sighs, rubbing her temples. "You know what? I give up. When you inevitably have a breakdown from carrying the weight of an entire empire on your shoulders, I'll be here. Laughing. But also helping."

I chuckle. "How supportive of you."

She shrugs. "That's what best friends are for."

I don't say it, but the words settle into my chest, grounding me in a way I didn't realize I needed.

-

After brunch, I return to Baldwin Lux Headquarters, where the real world awaits. The minute I step into the top-floor office, my assistant, Claire, is already listing off the day's priorities.

"Ms. Baldwin, the Hong Kong deal is finalized. The Met Gala sponsorship is secured. Also, your mother called."

I don't even blink. "What does she want?"

Claire hesitates. "She insists you attend the Baldwin Lux Gala this Friday."

I exhale sharply. Of course.

"Fine," I say, already exhausted.

Claire nods, hesitating slightly before stepping back. "Anything else?"

I wave a hand dismissively. "That's all."

The door closes behind her, leaving me alone in my office.

I glance at my reflection in the windows.

Impeccable. Cold. Untouchable.

But Mia's voice lingers in my head.

Are you happy?

I smooth a hand down my dress, inhaling slowly.

Happiness is irrelevant. What matters is control.

I turn back to my desk, pushing the thought aside.

My assistant, Claire, knocks on my door and steps inside. "Ms. Baldwin, your mother is on the line. She says it's urgent."

I sigh, setting my pen down. "Put her through."

The line clicks. "Juliet."

"Mother," I greet smoothly.

"You need to attend the Baldwin Lux Gala this Friday."

I frown. "I don't 'need' to do anything."

She exhales sharply. "Juliet, it's important. The biggest clients, the investors, the media, it's your responsibility to be there."

I pinch the bridge of my nose. Of course.

The Baldwin Lux Gala. A spectacle of wealth and power. A parade of the rich and untouchable.

It's not like I can say no.

"Fine," I say.

"Good." A pause. "And Juliet?"

"Yes?"

"Wear something memorable."

I smirk slightly. "I always do."

The call ends.

I lean back in my chair, staring out at the city.

A gala. A meaningless event. Another night of empty conversations and forced smiles.

•Author's note:

This will be the last part i publish until i finish the book. I don't know how long it will take me but definitely not THAT long. I just need time. I always get comments of telling me to update quickly and stuff. I don't like that. Let me write and when i publish, I'll publish. Thank you so much to all of you❤️❤️ i love each and every single one of you.