Julian Thorne stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of his penthouse office, staring blindly at the Manhattan skyline. The sky was overcast, a dull, oppressive gray that perfectly matched his mood. Behind him, the massive mahogany conference table was littered with financial reports, crisis manageme

The afternoon sun cast long, golden shadows across the expansive floor of the Cross Industries executive boardroom. The room was a testament to Kaelen Cross’s aesthetic: sharp angles, dark slate, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a commanding view of the Manhattan skyline.

Serena stood at

The design studio at Cross Industries was a sanctuary of controlled chaos. Bolts of Kyoto silk were draped over heavy mahogany cutting tables, their rich textures catching the morning light that streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Pinned to the corkboards lining the walls were dozens of s