Alexander and Claire arrived at the office together. His car windows were tinted, so they got into the parking lot easily without anyone seeing them. As soon as he parked, Claire looked around to make sure the coast was clear before she stepped out and tried running into the building without looking back.She had never had to pass through the underground parking lot route before, so she didn’t know you needed special access to use the elevator she got into. She tried pressing the floor she was going to, but access kept getting denied.Frustrated, she stormed back to the car. “The elevator is broken,” she said to Alexander, who was just getting out of the car.“No, it’s not. It’s just not open to anybody.” He replied sharply.“By anybody... are you talking about me?!” she exclaimed, pointing a finger at herself.He said nothing and just passed by her, continuing to walk. He got into the elevator before he said anything. “Are you going to get in, or are you just going to stand there?”S
Claire had barely settled down at her desk when her team manager called her over. She rushed up to him, and he just scanned her in silence before saying anything. “For someone who called in sick for a whole week, you look absolutely fine,” he finally said. “I’ve been taking good care of myself so I could recover quickly,” Claire replied. “Don’t think I’ll let this slide just because the CEO’s office informed us,” he continued “The CEO’s office?” Claire asked, surprised. Alex never told her anything about this, and now that she thought about it, she never called in sick herself, which meant he had done everything for her. “Yes. So tell me, are you hooking up with the CEO, or did he pimp you out to an investor?” Claire couldn’t believe her ears. How dare he casually accuse her of something like that? “Nothing of the sort happened,” Claire replied firmly. “You think I don’t know how this works? Why else would the CEO’s office get involved in your matters if you weren’t hooki
"And what is that supposed to mean? Not like I care anyway," Claire quickly chipped in."Can’t you see? We were supposed to help each other, or maybe even more." He trailed his finger across her face and over her lips. "We can be so much more."Claire wasn’t sure what he meant by that, but she had certainly had enough of him. "Let me go already.""When I told you to pick your sides carefully, it wasn’t a joke. He doesn’t even treat you that well, so why are you hell-bent on protecting him?""I don’t know what you’re talking about because I love my husband, and whatever it is between the two of you, I don’t want to get involved.""You got involved when you married him. If you hadn’t married him when you did, the company would have been mine and mine alone.""I don’t care about your bullshit. Just let go of me now." She struggled to get out of his grip but it remained strong."Divorce him Claire. I’ll pay as much as you want." He said in a low tone while staring directly into her eyes.
Alexander stormed out of his office and strode to the elevator, fury etched on his face. He was seething with anger after what the head of security had told him. He tapped his foot impatiently in the elevator as it descended to the 14th floor. The moment the elevator stopped, he wasted no time getting out and storming into the fire exit. His eyes quickly landed on Charles’s hand wrapped around her wrist, and he clenched his jaw at the sight. Without hesitation, he charged at Charles, grabbed him by the collar, and shoved him against the wall. "How dare you put your hands on my wife!" His eyes burned with fury. "I didn’t know you loved your wife this much, brother," Charles said with a smirk on his face. “You better shut that mouth of yours, or I’ll make sure you won’t be able to use it for a while." "Okay, okay. I was just having a friendly conversation with her. Right?" Charles said, tilting his head to the side to face Claire, who stood behind them, clutching her wrist. "Yeah,
Claire received a call from the hospital about her mum on her way back home, so she instructed the cab driver to take her there. When she arrived, she found her mum’s belongings fully packed. All that was needed was her signature, and her mum would be ready to go home. After months of being in the hospital, she was finally being discharged. Claire signed the papers excitedly, but then it crossed her mind that she was now married, and her mum didn’t know about it. She couldn’t even tell her because they would soon end the marriage. She made sure to keep a smile on her face as she signed all the papers, and her mum was free to go. She gathered her mum’s belongings, and they walked side by side out of the hospital. “I can’t believe I made it out of here alive,” her mum said the moment they stepped out, a tear of joy trickling down her cheek. “I’m so glad you made it out alive,” Claire said, pulling her mum into a hug. “Oh,” her mum exclaimed as if she remembered something. Cl
"Charlotte?" Claire and her mum said simultaneously, their voices filled with surprise."Claire? Are you... wait a minute." Charlotte squinted, a slow realization dawning on her face. "You're Mrs. Smith's troublemaker daughter! How did I not realize that earlier?"Claire's jaw clenched, her expression tightening with irritation, but she forced herself to remain silent. Her mum, however, stood up eagerly, a wide smile spreading across her face. "Oh, my goodness! It's been years!" She rushed forward, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Charlotte, the daughter of the family from the last house where she had worked as a maid.“It's been so long, Charlotte! I almost didn’t recognize you," Claire’s mum exclaimed, her face lighting up as she rushed forward and pulled Charlotte into a tight hug.Charlotte stiffened for a moment and rolled her eyes. "Fancy meeting you here... I almost didn’t recognize you either," she said, pulling back and giving Claire's mum a quick up-and-down glance. A sm
Claire almost choked on her food when she saw his text. She managed to flash a smile and quickly told her mum she needed to use the restroom. Once there, she called Alexander, and he picked up almost immediately. "Why didn’t you answer your phone?" His voice sounded tense over the line. "How do you know I’m at Rico’s Diner? Did Charlotte tell you?" "You still haven’t answered my question. Why didn’t you pick up your phone?" "Well, maybe because I can decide not to. How the hell is that your business?" "You're always so eager to argue, and it seems you've forgotten I have your live location. I see you ran into Charlotte at the diner. Are you worried she'll tell me who you were with?" "I'm with my mum, in case you're wondering. I wouldn’t go on a date, at least not while we're still married." "I see her surgery went well. Good." "Well, now that you know, I’m hanging up." Here’s the corrected version of your text: "So, that means you’re staying out tonight?" "Isn’t t
Tess proceeded to share how she was Alexander’s former secretary and had tried various tricks and tips to get him into bed with her so she could marry him. However, all her attempts failed, and in the end, she was dismissed from her position and given another role within the company. She was still grateful because he could have fired her completely. "I guess he still has a bit of humanity in him," Claire thought to herself after hearing Tess’s story. "That’s how I know he’ll never look at you, even if you try," Tess concluded with a bright smile. This made Claire wonder what her fate with him would be and made her more determined to keep her job at all costs. Her contract would soon be over, and there was no hope of Alexander ever having a change of heart toward her, not that she wanted him to, or so she thought. On their way back to the office, Claire received a call from Alexander, asking her to come up to his office. She excused herself from Tess and took another elevator to
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