Chapter 68

Rose’s POV

I paced my penthouse living room, phone clutched so tightly in my hand that my knuckles turned white. The news notification still glowed on the screen: “Kane Industries Acquires Moretti Global Logistics in Surprise Takeover.”

Uncle Fabio’s company. My last financial lifeline. Gone.

The vodka bottle on the bar called to me, promising temporary relief from the suffocating pressure crushing my chest. Three weeks of systematic destruction had left me raw, exposed, and increasingly desperate. First my company. Then my reputation. Now my godfather’s business.

The doorbell rang, its shrill tone slicing through my spiraling thoughts. I ignored it, just as I’d been ignoring most intrusions from the outside world. Probably another reporter hoping to document my “fall from grace” with carefully choreographed photos of the disgraced fashion designer.

The bell rang again, followed by pounding that made the door shake.

“Rose! I know you’re in