Broken Throne - Kendall Roy

Prologue

Ruby was no stranger to the limelight. At twenty-five, she had already made a name for herself as a top British model, her face gracing the covers of the world's most prestigious fashion magazines. But there was more to Ruby than her striking beauty and captivating presence. She was the daughter of Charles Cheslyn, a formidable business tycoon with significant investments in Waystar Royco, the media conglomerate ruled by the indomitable Logan Roy and his fiercely competitive offspring.

Ruby's life had always been a blend of glamour and strategy, a balancing act between the catwalk and the boardroom. Her father had instilled in her a keen sense of ambition and a sharp mind for business, knowing that in their world, beauty could only get you so far. He had long hoped that Ruby would transition from modelling to the family business, utilizing her intelligence and charm to further their empire.

The day her life had intertwined with the Roy's was at a lavish charity gala, an event that glittered with the presence of New York's elite. Ruby had been there to represent her father's interests, a vision in an emerald gown that matched her piercing green eyes. She had felt the weight of a hundred eyes upon her, but it was the gaze of one man that had held her captive: Kendall Roy.

Kendall, the troubled yet charismatic heir to the Waystar throne, had approached her with a confidence that masked his inner turmoil. Their conversation had been electric, a dance of words and glances that left Ruby both intrigued and wary. Kendall's charm was undeniable, but it was the vulnerability she glimpsed beneath his polished exterior that drew her in.

 The affair had begun innocently enough, with lingering glances and late-night conversations that stretched into the early hours. But as their bond deepened, so did the complications.

Kendall had been married at the time, with two young children who adored him. The guilt gnawed at Ruby, a constant reminder of the lines they were crossing. She remembered the nights spent in her penthouse, their bodies entwined as they whispered secrets and dreams. Yet, in the back of her mind, the image of his family haunted her. The thought of his wife, Rava, and their children, waiting for him at home, filled her with a deep sense of remorse.

Their affair was a heady mix of rebellion and genuine connection. For Ruby, it was a way to assert her independence from her father's shadow while finding solace in Kendall's world-weary charm. For Kendall, Ruby had been a breath of fresh air, a reminder of youth and possibility amidst the suffocating responsibilities of his family legacy. But their mutual struggles with addiction only added to the mess, their vices fuelling a dangerous edge to their relationship. They would spend days and nights drinking and using, the highs and lows of their substances amplifying the intensity of their bond.

The age gap between them only added to the complexity. As he was in his mid to late 30s, Kendall was nearly twice Ruby's age, a fact that had raised eyebrows within their inner circles but had been kept strictly under wraps to avoid bad publicity for either family firms. 

After their affair had been discovered by their family's, Ruby had fled to her father's estate in the Hamptons, trying to escape the weight of her choices. She had spent the night tossing and turning, haunted by the look of hurt in Kendall's eyes and the knowledge that she was part of the reason for his fractured family. The next morning, she had returned to the city, resolved to end the affair. She cut off all contact with Kendall, a decision that had pained her but felt necessary.

For three years, Ruby had managed to keep her distance, focusing on her modelling career and slowly edging towards her father's business. But fate had other plans. Recently, her father had brokered a significant deal with Logan Roy, a merger that required Ruby's presence and participation.

Returning to the Roy's world meant facing Kendall again, confronting the unresolved feelings and the scars left by their affair. In the high-stakes world of Waystar Royco the battle for the Roy empire raged on. The story of power, love, and betrayal was about to unfold, and she was at its heart.