Charlotte’s blood boiled with anger as she stared at her screen, watching Alex rush into the room to stop Claire from announcing their divorce. Her nails dug into her palm, and a growl of frustration escaped her lips. The sight of Alex’s urgency, his determination to protect Claire despite everything, made her stomach churn with rage. She let out a loud scream, shattering the silence of her apartment, and swept everything off her desk in one violent motion. Papers, coffee cups, and pens clattered to the floor, but the chaos around her didn’t bring her any relief. She stormed back and forth across the room, muttering to herself about how unfair it was that Claire, of all people, was still managing to hold Alex’s attention. Grabbing her phone, she scrolled furiously through her contacts until she landed on the name of the reporter she had been working with. This wasn’t over, not by a long shot. She dialed his number, her breath coming in short, angry bursts as she held the phone to h
Alex arrived at the company with a determined urgency, his jaw clenched and his steps brisk as he made his way through the buzzing hallways. His employees, who usually greeted him with polite smiles, now avoided eye contact. The weight of the scandal seemed to press down on everyone in the building. As soon as he entered his office, his secretary trailed closely behind him, clutching a tablet filled with data and updates. “What’s the current situation?” he asked sharply, dropping his phone and car key on the desk and pulling off his suit jacket. His secretary hesitated for a moment, clearly uneasy about delivering the bad news. "Stock prices surged by 3.8% after your wife’s live video went viral," she began, her tone cautious, "but with the news about the lawsuit filed by the fired workers, we're looking at an all-time low. The stock has plummeted by 26.4%, the lowest it’s been in the last ten years." Alex shut his eyes tightly, the words hitting him like a blow. His chest
Four days had passed since Charles declared war on national TV, and still, there seemed to be no way out. The videos the workers had made were long gone, wiped from the internet without a trace. Even the CCTV footage from the incident seemed to have vanished, conveniently erased, thanks to his beloved brother’s interference. Alex sat at his desk, surrounded by his legal team, papers scattered across the table. Their conversation was tense, the weight of the situation pressing down on all of them. His thoughts were scattered, trying to come up with any potential solution to salvage his position. Then, without warning, the door swung open, and Claire stormed in. “You can’t be here,” Alex said, his voice sharp, as he shot a quick glance at the legal team, clearly uncomfortable with her sudden presence. Claire didn’t seem fazed. Her eyes were filled with determination as she stood her ground. “You only have a day left before you lose your position here. I’m here to help in whateve
A press conference was announced by the company to take place in two hours, and the news had everyone buzzing. Claire sat in Alex’s office, her nerves on edge as the clock ticked down. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on her, and though she tried to remain composed, her fingers tapped restlessly against the edge of the desk. Through the quiet hum of activity outside, she overheard Alex’s secretary in conversation with the legal team. “I had no idea there was CCTV footage of the incident, it could have made our lives easier from the start” one of the lawyers said, his tone a mix of frustration and surprise. The secretary’s response was quiet but firm. “It wasn’t necessary to bring it up before now, but with the press conference so close, Mr. Steele decided it might be time to use it.” Claire’s ears perked up at the mention of the footage. She frowned, her curiosity growing. The murmuring continued before heading out to finalize preparations. Once they left, th
The press conference began with Alex and Claire sitting side by side, their expressions serious yet composed. They started with a heartfelt apology. “We deeply regret the concerns caused over the past few weeks,” Alex began, his voice steady but laced with sincerity. “We want to take this opportunity to address the matter at hand directly.” He paused briefly, scanning the crowd of reporters, before continuing. “Our company is not just a place where people come to work and get paid. It’s a reflection of the values we hold dear, values that every decent individual in society should share. That’s why, here, we prioritize character over credentials. Skills can be taught, but basic human decency is far harder to instill.”Alex’s voice grew firmer as he spoke, his words leaving a quiet tension in the room. “This brings me to the core issue about an unfair determination. These workers acted inappropriately and not just that, they also invaded and disrespected the personal space of a f
Charlotte's eyes blazed with fury as the shattered remote lay in pieces on the floor. She gritted her teeth, the anger bubbling inside her threatening to spill over. “Just how far do I have to go to separate both of them?” she muttered through clenched teeth, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. Before she could compose herself, the door swung open, and her father stormed in, holding a tablet in his hand. Without a word, he tossed it at her, the device landing with a thud on the floor. “See how fast their stock prices are soaring after that press conference?” he spat, his face twisted in frustration. “You said this was your chance to push that damn girl out and take her place! How hard can that be? How are you so incompetent?” Charlotte’s hands trembled, but she remained silent, staring at the tablet, the numbers on the screen mocking her failure. "I'll try again," Charlotte said through gritted teeth, her voice tinged with defiance. Her father scoffed, shaking his head
On the verge of passing out from drinking so much, Charlotte hailed an Uber to pick her up, seeing how she couldn’t even see properly anymore, let alone drive. The cab arrived a few minutes later, and Charlotte mumbled an address to the driver, who followed her instructions. When the cab stopped, she realized she had given the driver Alex’s home address. She sighed in frustration but realized that he didn’t seem to be home from the earlier call. Staggering through the gate and toward the front door, she mumbled to herself, “The key.” She moved slowly, her steps unsteady, until she checked the last place she remembered Alex kept a spare key, and there it was. With a small sense of relief, she unlocked the door and stepped inside. Taking a deep breath, she checked the living room first, then moved into the kitchen, observing the changes or lack thereof since the last time she had been here. Nothing much had changed. "He’s so boring," she said, laughing to herself as she stumbled her
Alex couldn’t sleep a wink after getting the text from Charlotte last night. It was vague, but he knew Charlotte well enough to understand that she had something on him. Something big. He checked his phone again to read the text one more time: “Guess what I found in your office today? I’ll give you tonight to guess what it is.” His heart raced as panic set in. He rushed over to his office, scanning the room frantically. Everything appeared in its place, but as he checked the desk, the papers, the drawers, it hit him. The contract was missing. “Dammit,” he muttered under his breath, slamming his hand down on the table in frustration. How could he have been so careless with something so important? Alex dialed Charlotte’s number, and she picked up almost immediately. “I see you’ve finally figured it out,” her voice came through the phone first, dripping with satisfaction. “Let’s meet up and talk,” Alex replied, trying to keep his voice steady despite the anxiety building in
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