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
Claire had a bag in her room that she bought for her mom. She had planned to give it to her the next time they met, but in the rush of getting ready and Alex’s constant urging, she had completely forgotten about it. Her mom’s place was less than an hour’s journey away, so with a sigh of frustration, Claire decided to go grab it now and deliver it while she had the time. When she arrived at the house, she noticed that the door was unlocked. Claire raised an eyebrow but quickly dismissed the thought. She figured that since Alex was home, he likely didn’t need to lock it. She stepped inside and made her way into the living room, where she immediately saw something that made her heart skip a beat. A woman’s handbag lay casually on the sofa. Her heart dropped, and a wave of unease washed over her. She tried to calm herself, telling herself not to jump to conclusions. She had no reason to believe anything was going on. But the sight of the bag unsettled her, causing her thoughts to spir
Alex rushed downstairs, panic surging through him, but Claire was nowhere to be found. He frantically dialed her phone, his hands trembling as he pressed call after call. Each unanswered ring felt like a punch to his chest. "Come on, Claire, pick up," he muttered under his breath, pacing the living room like a caged animal. When her voicemail kicked in for the tenth time, he groaned in frustration and immediately called her mom. "Is Claire with you?" he asked, his voice tight with anxiety. "No, Alex, she's not here," her mom replied, confusion evident in her tone. "Is something wrong?" Alex hesitated, his throat dry. "No, nothing. If she comes by, please let me know." He hung up before her mom could press further, running a hand through his hair as dread settled in. Where could she be? He tried to think of every possible place she might have gone, but his mind was blank. She hadn't mentioned anywhere specific. He slumped onto the sofa, his head in his hands. Time crawled b
The next morning, Claire quietly packed her bags. She couldn’t shake off the sting of Alex’s words from the night before. The realization hit her like a wave, she had been fooling herself, getting caught up in something that wasn’t real. To avoid further misunderstanding or heartbreak, she decided it was best to leave. She booked a taxi, which now idled outside the house, waiting for her. Dragging her suitcase toward the front door, she tried to keep her steps light, not wanting to wake Alex. But as she wrestled with the last of her bags, Alex appeared at the top of the stairs. “What do you think you’re doing?” he demanded, his voice laced with urgency. Claire paused for a moment but then resumed pulling her bags toward the door. “I’m moving out to give you enough space to interact with whoever you want to interact with,” she replied, her tone calm but distant. Alex quickly descended the stairs and stepped in front of her, blocking her path. “And who says you can make such a d
The news of the collaboration spread like wildfire across the country. Both Alex’s company and TC organization saw their stock prices skyrocket within hours of the announcement. Media outlets were abuzz with the details of the partnership, publishing article after article accompanied by pictures of Alex and Charlotte. Despite the imagery, the coverage remained strictly professional, keeping the focus on the business aspect of the deal. In her room, Claire sat on her bed, her laptop perched on her knees as she scrolled through the articles. She was relieved by the tone of the coverage; it was factual and neutral, exactly what she hoped it would be. She had been bracing for something more speculative, something that would hurt. But then, curiosity got the better of her, and she glanced at the comments section. At first, the comments were harmless, people expressing excitement about the collaboration and the potential it held. Then her heart sank. Comment after comment speculate
Charles scoffed, leaning against the doorway, his smirk widening when he saw Claire’s bright expression falter the moment her eyes landed on him. “Were you hoping it was someone else? Someone with the same last name as me, perhaps?” he teased, his tone dripping with mockery. Claire rolled her eyes, already irritated. “What are you doing here?” “Oh, come on,” he said, stepping inside uninvited. “Is that how you greet a guest?” “I don’t think an uninvited guest like you deserves any courtesy,” Claire shot back, crossing her arms. “So, I’ll ask again—what are you doing here?” Charles chuckled, clearly amused by her defiance. “What did I tell you about picking a side?” he began, his voice smooth but laced with venom. “Now look at you, sent back to your house while he’s out there with the girl he told you not to worry about. Going on interviews, attending events... all smiles and charm.” Claire’s jaw tightened, but her expression remained impassive. “I’ll ask again,” she
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