Alex parked his car and quickly went on the internet to check what his secretary had told him about. He searched his name, and of course, the news about his wife’s dad being an ex-convict popped up. He clicked on one of the articles and read through silently, clenching his fists more and more with every word he digested from the long article. "Evidence shows that he assaulted underage children from elite families out of sheer malice and jealousy, and it was reported that he didn’t feel remorseful even when he was convicted." He called his secretary and instructed her to look into the article and verify how true it was, then report back to him. He hit his steering wheel repeatedly. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!" He checked his company’s stocks, and of course, they had taken a hit with a 1.78% decrease. It was only expected to continue plummeting the more the news spread. The immediate solution would be to publicly divorce Claire and state that he had no prior knowledge of the situation, a
Everyone watching the scene gasped loudly, and some quickly whipped out their phones to record the confrontation. Claire stood frozen, blinking in disbelief, as Kate glared at her with fiery anger. She could feel the heat of everyone’s eyes on her. Her cheek still stung from the slap, but she was too stunned to react. “What do you think you’re doing?!” Claire finally managed to shout, her voice trembling with a mix of confusion and frustration. She took a step back, her hand instinctively brushing her cheek, but the shock of the situation kept her rooted to the spot. “I should be the one asking you that,” Kate sneered, her voice sharp as she took a step closer, her fury unmistakable. “How dare you try to ruin our family with your shifty family?” Claire’s brow furrowed in confusion. She was still trying to process the slap, her chest tight with a mix of anger and confusion. “What are you even talking about?” she demanded, her fists clenching at her sides, her voice wavering with
Alex rushed her straight to the hospital, where doctors and nurses were already waiting outside to receive them. Though her breathing was still weak, she was more stable. Alex refused to let anyone else touch her, carrying her himself to the bed. The doctor checked her vitals and assured him she was fine, but Alex insisted she be admitted for further observation. A VIP hospital room was quickly arranged, allowing her to rest peacefully. Alex stayed by her bedside, watching over her as she slept. After a while, he quietly left and drove straight back to the company. There, he requested the CCTV footage of the incident and sat down to watch it, his jaw tightening with every passing second. He burned with fury as he watched the footage of his stepmother slapping Claire and the crowd standing idly by, filming instead of helping her when she clearly needed it. His fists clenched tightly, and his breathing grew heavy with rage. Without hesitation, he called his secretary into his office
Claire opened the door, her backpack slung over one shoulder, her hair disheveled, and her nose bleeding slightly. She froze for a moment, taking in the scene before her: her mother sitting on the sofa, her face buried in her hands. The air was thick with tension and the faint sound of muffled sobs. “What do you mean Dad was arrested?” Claire asked, her voice trembling as she stepped inside. Her mum slowly raised her head, revealing swollen, tear-streaked eyes. “Claire... you’re home,” she murmured, her voice breaking. Claire dropped her backpack to the floor with a thud and rushed to her mother, kneeling in front of her. She placed her hands gently on her mum's shoulders, searching her face for answers. “What’s going on? Tell me what happened!” Her mum shook her head, fresh tears spilling down her cheeks. “It’s true,” she whispered. “Your father was arrested this morning.” “Talk to me, Mum. Why was Dad arrested when it was me who beat those brats up?” Claire’s voice was frantic
Charlotte dropped her phone, her smile fading as she saw the fury in Alex’s eyes. Before she could react, he grabbed her neck, pushing her against the wall with a force that took her breath away. “What did I tell you about leaving Claire alone?” Alex’s voice was low, filled with an icy anger. Charlotte’s smile didn’t falter. “And I did. I just exposed the truth about her dad that she kept from you. Now you have to choose between her or your company.” Alex’s grip tightened for a moment, and then he pushed her back, the anger still burning in his eyes. “That was the last piece of courtesy I’m offering you. Don’t even think for a second that you actually have a chance with me. You lost that when you left me for my brother.” Charlotte’s face twisted with a mix of resentment and desperation. “I was under pressure from my dad to end up with the best brother. Why weren’t you the best from the start?! Why?!” Alex scoffed, shaking his head at her audacity. His anger flared even more
When Alex arrived home, he found Charles sitting in the living room, watching TV. Fury bubbled inside him as he threw his jacket onto the ground. “How the fuck are you in my house?” he demanded. “Your cook let me in after I gave her a little piece of advice,” Charles replied casually. “You dare threaten my cook?” Alex’s voice was cold with anger. “Is that what advice means now? A threat?” Charles smirked. Alex stormed over, grabbed him by the collar, and yanked him to his feet. “Why are you here?” Charles met his gaze with a sly grin. “What do you mean, why am I here? I came to check out my future house after you leave the company with your wife, you know?” “Don’t get ahead of yourself, dear brother,” Alex sneered. “That company will never be yours. I’m the only rightful owner. You can’t just waltz into my life and steal everything away, but I guess you learned from the best Kate Steele.” “Oh wait wait she doesn’t even deserve the Steele name. That fucking bitch!” “H
A week passed, but the news refused to die down. It was as if someone in the background was intentionally keeping the fire burning. Claire was stuck at her mum’s house, hidden away from the prying eyes of the reporters who lingered outside, hoping to catch her and get a comment on the ongoing scandal. Her daily routine had become suffocating—waking up to check the new articles about her dad, scrolling through the relentless comments from people who didn't even know her, attacking her and her family. She used a fake account to reply to some of the cruelest things people said, but deep down, she knew it wasn’t helping. The negativity continued to overwhelm her. What hurt the most was Alex’s silence. After the heated argument at the hospital, he hadn't reached out. Not once. The fact that he didn’t even attempt to speak to her after everything they’d been through shattered her heart and broke the fragile resolve she’d been clinging to. His words, those biting accusations, the blame h
Stuck in the corner of her room, Claire kept roaming the internet, checking the company's stocks. Each refresh only made things worse as the numbers continued to decline. Her heart sank, but she knew she couldn't sit idly by anymore. The situation wasn't improving, and the weight of it all pressed heavily on her. She decided to take the step Charlotte suggested: to address the issue head-on and try to save the company in her own way. She thought long and hard about how to go about it. The idea of going outside to speak to the reporters seemed too overwhelming—too much pressure with them firing questions at her from every angle. She quickly ruled that out. Instead, she decided a live video would be the best approach. It would allow her to speak directly to the public, control the narrative, and hopefully show Alex she was trying to fix things. Before starting the video, Claire hesitated. She felt an intense knot in her stomach as she typed a message to Alex. "It’s been radio silence
He pulled her back down onto the sofa gently. She gasped softly as her back met the cushions, his hand cradling the back of her head with surprising tenderness. His thumb brushed lightly against the delicate skin of her neck, sending a shiver down her spine. Alex leaned in, his body pressing against hers, grounding her beneath him as if to ensure she couldn't escape, not that she wanted to. His lips met hers, soft and deliberate, claiming them with a gentle yet possessive kiss that made her heart race. His free hand moved slowly, tracing a deliberate line down her thigh, which was exposed by the slit of her robe. The touch was electrifying, each stroke leaving a trail of heat that seemed to burn into her skin. Her breath hitched, her fingers instinctively gripping the fabric of his shirt as the intensity between them deepened. She moaned into his mouth as his fingers brushed against her intimate area and her grip on his shirt tightened. He trailed kisses down her body, loos
Their luggage was unpacked, and they were led to their room. Claire looked around, expecting to find another room, but to her surprise, it was a single suite with one bed. “Did you book just one room?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at Alex. “Don’t you think it’d be strange for a couple on their honeymoon to book two separate rooms? What if news gets out? What do you think people would say?” he replied with a smirk, leaning casually against the doorframe. “You could’ve gotten separate beds, then,” she shot back, crossing her arms. “That would’ve been even stranger,” he said, shrugging. “Don’t worry, I won’t jump you... unless, of course, you’re worried you’ll jump me.” Claire scoffed, rolling her eyes. “In your dreams.” “"Good, then we have nothing to worry about," Alex said casually. "I’ll shower first." He pulled his shirt over his head, revealing his toned chest. Claire’s eyes widened before she quickly looked away. “It’s not like it’s the first time you’re s
The wedding ceremony finally wrapped up on a surprisingly good note. The atmosphere shifted from tension to relief as Claire and Alex exchanged their vows. They were officially husband and wife, and no one least of all Mrs. Steele could undo that now. As the guests mingled and congratulated the couple, Alex's face remained calm, but there was a certain fire in his eyes. After the reception, Alex wasted no time in confronting his stepmother. They were in a private room, away from the wedding guests. Mrs. Steele stood by the window, her back straight and her arms crossed. Alex's gaze was sharp, his voice cold as he addressed her. "You thought you could disrupt my wedding, didn’t you?" he said, his words slow but deliberate. She turned to face him, her expression one of feigned innocence. "I only did what I thought was right for you. You deserve better than that girl." Alex burst into laughter “One would think you care about me so much if they heard you but I know exactly wha
Loud murmurs erupted, a wave of disbelief and curiosity sweeping through the crowd. Claire’s heart sank, her grip tightening on Alex’s hand. He turned slightly, his jaw clenching as he locked eyes with the source of the disruption. Gasps rippled through the crowd as Mrs. Steele took her place at the front, the weight of her presence enough to silence the murmurs. Claire felt her stomach drop, her hand trembling slightly in Alex’s grasp. The sneers on Charlotte and Charles’s faces deepened, satisfaction evident in their expressions as they watched the scene unfold. “I know this might come as a shock to many,” Mrs. Steele began, her voice firm yet carrying an undertone of unease. “But as a mother, my duty is to protect my son at all costs.” Alex’s jaw tightened, the veins in his neck prominent as he glared at his mother. “What are you talking about?” he asked, his tone low but dangerous. Mrs. Steele ignored his anger, pulling out her phone. “I didn’t get this recording unti
The day everyone had been waiting for finally arrived. The air buzzed with excitement and anticipation, but Claire woke up feeling an odd mix of nerves and uncertainty. She hadn’t seen Alex since the day of the fitting, his sudden departure after that phone call leaving her with more questions than answers. As the morning unfolded, Claire sat quietly while the stylist worked on her hair and makeup. The intricate beading of her gown shimmered under the soft light, but her face betrayed her true emotions. When she was helped into her wedding dress, the room filled with murmurs of admiration. "You look stunning," her mother said, her voice filled with pride. But Claire’s expression didn’t match the occasion. Her lips formed a soft, polite smile, but her eyes told a different story. Anyone watching might have expected her to be glowing, brimming with excitement at marrying the infamous Alexander Steele, but instead, a veil of apprehension hung over her. The attendant adjusted the
It had been a hectic week for Claire, filled with endless tasks and a whirlwind of wedding preparations. The constant running around left her drained, and the fact that she didn’t have a single friend to lean on made it all the more challenging. The guest list was the first hurdle. Claire didn’t really have anyone she wanted to invite, her social circle was practically nonexistent. But her mother, on the other hand, had no shortage of names to add. Her list was surprisingly long, filled with rich people she had worked for over the years. Some were kind, while others had treated her poorly, but that didn’t matter to her mother. She was determined to show the world that her daughter was marrying the infamous billionaire—the man coveted by so many. Claire couldn’t help but feel a twinge of bitterness as she reviewed the list her mother handed her. She wanted this to be a quiet affair, something simple and meaningful. But with every new addition to the guest list, it was clear that he
Charlotte dragged her feet out of the house, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement as she tried to hold herself together. The anger and humiliation boiled within her. Alex had humiliated her in front of everyone, and the weight of it crushed her spirit. She vowed to make him regret crossing her.She ended up at a dimly lit bar, slumping against the counter. The whiskey burned as it slid down her throat, numbing the ache in her chest. She poured herself drink after drink, hoping to drown the thoughts of how thoroughly Alex had outmaneuvered her. Eventually, her head spun, and she fumbled for her phone, her fingers unsteady as she dialed Charles’ number. The screen flickered with his name before it rang, and she slurred out a request for him to pick her up. Her voice was a mess of frustration and bitterness. Charles hesitated when he saw her name on the screen. He wasn’t expecting a call from her, but when he heard the desperation in her voice, he dropped everything. He r
Alex’s face lit up at her words, and he quickly stepped inside. He took a moment to look around, finally taking in the surroundings he had never had the chance to properly observe before.“There’s already some speculation going around that we’re not really married,” Alex began, pacing the living room as he spoke. “So, we’ll have to do a wedding ceremony. Your mum’s been pushing for it too, and it might help settle some doubts.” Claire raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she leaned back on the sofa. “But wouldn’t that make the divorce process harder? It was supposed to be a clean cut, remember?” Alex froze for a moment, the word “divorce” hitting him harder than he expected. Right. The divorce. He’d completely forgotten they were supposed to part ways in a month. “Well,” he said, trying to sound casual, “I guess we’ll have to extend our contract.” Claire tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Extend the contract?” she repeated, her voice laced with skepticism. “Ye
Charlotte and her father was already seated in Alex's office when they arrived, his anticipation evident as he rose to greet him when Alex stepped into the room. "How did it go?" he asked, his voice betraying his eagerness. "They accepted our terms," Alex said, his tone measured, "but they added a condition." Charlotte's father frowned slightly. "What condition?" "My approval is needed for the deal to go forward." "So," her father pressed, "did you approve?" Alex scoffed, leaning back against his desk. "Not yet," he replied, picking up the file from his desk. He casually scrawled his signature across the bottom, then lifted the file to display it. "It’s approved now." Charlotte’s father barely had a moment to feel relief before Alex strode toward the shredding machine. He held the signed document above it, his movements deliberate. "What are you doing?" Charlotte asked, her voice rising with alarm as she stepped toward him. Alex's gaze never wavered. "Negoti