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Operation Eclipse
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2024-11-20 21:12:13Related chapters
By Chance, By Fate The Price of Deception
25LiamThe moment the door creaked open, I immediately noticed Charlotte standing there, her eyes wide with panic as she took in the scene before her. She froze, her gaze flicking between Alex, Sophia, and me. I could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers trembled as she clasped her hands together. There was something off about her, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.Alex, ever the composed one despite his exhaustion, was the first to speak. “Charlotte? What are you doing here?”Her voice faltered as she tried to come up with an explanation. “I... I was just checking the breakroom,” she said quickly, though I could hear the cracks in her voice. “I—just needed to make sure everything was... okay.”Her excuse was weak, too rehearsed, and her face betrayed her, the flicker of guilt barely hidden behind her feigned innocence. I watched as Alex took a step forward, his expression softening despite his confusion. “Is everything all right?” he asked, his voice sur
By Chance, By Fate Torn Allegiances
26AlexAs Liam walked away, and his friend followed him, I felt a strange emptiness settle in my chest, but I couldn’t allow myself to dwell on it. The last thing I needed was to think about him. He had to be playing me—just like he did to fuck me. His jealousy was something I’d been dealing with for days, and I was tired of it. Hell, I was tired of HIM.I clenched my fists as I stared at the door where he had disappeared, my jaw tight. What the hell was his problem?He knew Charlotte was stressed—knew she had been going through a lot lately. But no, he had to make everything about him. He had to turn this into something ugly, something PERSONAL.The anger boiled in me. I had tried—I had really tried—to be a friend, a good friend to him despite us being enemies at first. To be patient. But now, everything he said felt like a lie, like some pathetic attempt to twist my feelings. And the worst part? He had the audacity to tell me that I was blind. Me! Like I was the one who couldn
By Chance, By Fate Shadows of Power
27Alex I woke up once again to find yet another damning headline in the newspaper. This time, it wasn’t just speculation or vague insinuations. No, this one was personal: *“Alex Morgan’s Erratic Behavior Casts Shadow Over Summit.”* My jaw tightened as I scanned the article, the blood draining from my face. They had cited “anonymous sources” about my “volatile moods” and my “lack of decorum.” I slammed the paper down on the table, my fingers curling into fists. Was it Charlotte again? Damn it! It *had* to be. Before I could spiral further into my thoughts, my phone buzzed on the bedside table. I snatched it up, already bracing myself for whatever was coming. “Alex.” My father’s voice was sharp, cutting. No pleasantries. “Have you seen the papers?” “Yes, sir,” I said, forcing my voice to stay level, though my pulse was hammering in my ears. “This is the second time, Alex!” he barked. “The second time in one week that you’ve embarrassed this family and jeopardized my position. Do
By Chance, By Fate Divided Loyalties
28LiamAs we left the meeting, the tension between our families was almost suffocating. My mother, Queen Ingrid, held her head high, a picture of composure, though I could see the simmering irritation in her eyes. Anders walked beside her, his face a mask of disdain, while Sophia followed silently, her expression unreadable.The Morgans remained behind in the meeting room, and I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder as the door closed. Alex had been unusually quiet throughout the meeting, though I’d caught the occasional flash of anger in his eyes. Something was brewing, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it.The valet pulled up with our sleek black Lamborghini, the epitome of opulence, and I slid into the backseat with Anders while Mother took the passenger seat. As the car purred to life and glided smoothly onto the road, the silence was short-lived.“That family,” my mother began, her voice icy, “is an embarrassment to diplomacy. The way President Morgan spoke to me? Absolutel
By Chance, By Fate Shadows of the Crown
29LiamThe silence between Alex and me was unbearable as we worked in the conference room. The air felt charged, filled with everything we weren’t saying. His focus was glued to the document on his laptop, his fingers typing occasionally, but there was an edge to his movements. I was still rattled by my argument with Anders and my mother. Their voices lingered in my head like an echo, sharp and relentless. My brother’s taunts, my mother’s cold dismissal, and Alex’s earlier accusations... it was all too much. Every time I tried to push the thoughts away, they surged back, demanding attention.Alex’s voice finally broke the silence, startling me. “Hey, Liam, are you even paying attention?” I blinked, realizing I’d been staring blankly at the same sentence in my notes for several minutes. “What?” I asked, my voice flat. He sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Never mind. Forget I asked.” I wanted to say something—anything—but the words got stuck in my throat. The truth was, I wasn
By Chance, By Fate Beneath the Facade
30 Alex I couldn’t stay in my hotel room, not with all of this weighing on me. The man’s words kept replaying in my mind: “The real threat... it’s tied to the royals.” Fuck! I slammed my fist against the steering wheel, the echo of it ringing through the confined space of my car. Was this all their fault? Anders? Liam? The damn Brightmores? Or was the man lying to save his own skin? The uncertainty gnawed at me, but the anger burned hotter. I couldn’t let myself believe it wasn’t true—not yet. They’d been at the center of every conflict since this summit started. Liam’s quiet looks, Anders’ overbearing presence, Queen Ingrid’s manipulations—it all added up. I drove aimlessly through the city, hoping the motion would clear my head. The streets were quieter now, the late hour chasing most people indoors. The rhythm of my tires on the road was steady, almost soothing, but my mind refused to settle. The conversation with Liam echoed in my head, his words sharp, his anger palp
By Chance, By Fate I Can't Sleep With Her
31AlexThe room fell into a tense silence after Charlotte’s whispered confession. She leaned back slightly, her hand still resting on my cheek, her thumb brushing over my stubble. “You need to relax, Alex,” she said softly, her voice almost coaxing. I took a step back, shaking my head. “Charlotte, I can’t do this right now.” Her lips pressed into a thin line, her frustration evident. “Why not? You’re so wound up, and it’s not healthy. You’ve been running on fumes for weeks.” I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Because there’s too much going on. The summit, the investigation, everything with Liam and Anders. I can’t just switch it all off like that.” Her gaze hardened, and she took a deliberate step toward me. “Alex, we’re a couple. Or did you forget that? It’s been weeks—months, even—since we’ve been... intimate.” Her voice dipped on the last word, a note of vulnerability creeping in. “I want you, Alex. I’ve always wanted you.” I hesitated, avoiding her eyes. “It’s n
By Chance, By Fate Unspoken Tensions
32AlexToday was the last day of the summit, and I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of relief. Soon, I wouldn’t have to see Liam again. This entire summit had been a disaster, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d made a mistake by agreeing to attend in the first place.My phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking through the haze of exhaustion. I groaned, dragging myself out of bed to check the screen. Dad. Of course. Answering wasn’t an option. Ignoring my father—President Morgan—only ever made things worse. “Alex,” his voice was sharp, even over the phone. “Come to my room. Now.” “Right,” I muttered, already moving to throw on a shirt. “I’ll be there in a minute.” The line went dead, and I sighed. Another lecture was coming, no doubt about my lack of sleep, my ‘erratic behavior,’ or how my every action reflected on him. Great. I made my way to his suite without wasting time, ignoring the dull ache in my temples and the weight pressing on my chest. The hotel was
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By Chance, By Fate Anders the Snake!
36Liam Anders’s smug grin widened as he spoke into the phone, his tone dripping with exaggerated concern. “Mother? You’ll never believe what Liam’s gone and done. You should call us to your suite immediately.”I lunged forward, trying to snatch the phone out of his hand. “Anders, you absolute snake, stop stirring the pot!” He sidestepped me easily, laughing as he held the phone out of reach. “Oh, relax, brother. You’ve got nothing to hide, right? Or is there more to this little bandaged hand situation than you’d like Mother to know?”I glared at him, my fists clenched. “Why don’t you mind your own business for once in your life?”Anders arched an eyebrow, his expression turning condescending. “Mind my business? *You’re* the one stumbling into the palace looking like you’ve been in a street fight. How very royal of you.”“Shut up, Anders,” I snapped, my voice low and dangerous. “This has nothing to do with you.”He smirked, tucking his phone into his pocket. “It has everything to do
By Chance, By Fate The Price of a Kiss
35AlexI had to talk to Elena. As much as I wanted to avoid the confrontation, there was no way around it now. She’d seen everything—or at least, enough to jump to conclusions—and if I didn’t explain myself, she’d make my life hell. Hell, she probably would anyway. I was doomed.“Why the hell did I kiss him?” I muttered under my breath, pacing back and forth in my room. My heart was still racing from the kiss, from Liam’s outburst, and from the way Elena had looked at me, like I’d betrayed everything we stood for. “This is such a mess. I’m such a mess.”I grabbed my room key and headed to her suite, my body tense and my mind spinning. Every step down the long hallway felt like a countdown to disaster. By the time I reached her door, my palms were sweating.I knocked sharply, my stomach twisting as I waited. No answer.“Elena?” I called, knocking again. Still nothing.The door wasn’t locked, though, and I hesitated before pushing it open. “Elena, I—”“I’m in the bathroom, Alex!” her v
By Chance, By Fate A Kiss To Regret
34LiamMy head was spinning as I left the meeting room, the sharp sting in my hand competing with the turmoil in my chest. Blood trickled from my knuckles, leaving a crimson trail on the floor, but I didn’t care. I needed to get out of there. Away from Alex. Away from everything. I stormed into my suite, slamming the door shut behind me. The pain in my hand was worsening, throbbing in time with my erratic heartbeat. I leaned against the door, my breaths uneven, my mind replaying Alex’s accusations and that damn kiss I couldn’t get out of my head. Grabbing my phone with my good hand, I dialed the only person who could handle me in this state. Sophia. The moment she picked up, her familiar voice greeted me, her tone laced with concern. “Liam? Is everything okay?” “Soph, I need you to come here. Now,” I said, my voice tight, barely holding back the storm of emotions threatening to consume me. She didn’t hesitate. “I’m on my way.”Minutes felt like hours as I paced the room, the blo
By Chance, By Fate Shattered Alliances
33AlexLiam and I scrambled to separate, both of us fumbling to fix our appearances. My cheeks burned, and I avoided his gaze, but Elena's reaction made hiding impossible.“Elena,” I started, trying to think of a plausible explanation, but my voice came out shaky. “You... you were kissing him!” she exclaimed, pointing a trembling finger at me like she’d just caught me committing a federal crime. “What the actual—what is wrong with you?”I buried my face in my hands. “Elena, it’s not what it looks like—”“Oh, really? Because it looked like you were trying to swallow Liam’s face!” She turned to Liam, her expression a mixture of disbelief and outrage. “And you—what, are you just gonna stand there and pretend this is normal?”Liam ran a hand through his hair, his composure slipping for the first time. “Elena, it’s complicated—”“Oh, I bet it’s complicated!” she snapped, crossing her arms. “Do you two even realize where you are? In a workplace? What if someone else had walked in? What if
By Chance, By Fate Unspoken Tensions
32AlexToday was the last day of the summit, and I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of relief. Soon, I wouldn’t have to see Liam again. This entire summit had been a disaster, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d made a mistake by agreeing to attend in the first place.My phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking through the haze of exhaustion. I groaned, dragging myself out of bed to check the screen. Dad. Of course. Answering wasn’t an option. Ignoring my father—President Morgan—only ever made things worse. “Alex,” his voice was sharp, even over the phone. “Come to my room. Now.” “Right,” I muttered, already moving to throw on a shirt. “I’ll be there in a minute.” The line went dead, and I sighed. Another lecture was coming, no doubt about my lack of sleep, my ‘erratic behavior,’ or how my every action reflected on him. Great. I made my way to his suite without wasting time, ignoring the dull ache in my temples and the weight pressing on my chest. The hotel was
By Chance, By Fate I Can't Sleep With Her
31AlexThe room fell into a tense silence after Charlotte’s whispered confession. She leaned back slightly, her hand still resting on my cheek, her thumb brushing over my stubble. “You need to relax, Alex,” she said softly, her voice almost coaxing. I took a step back, shaking my head. “Charlotte, I can’t do this right now.” Her lips pressed into a thin line, her frustration evident. “Why not? You’re so wound up, and it’s not healthy. You’ve been running on fumes for weeks.” I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Because there’s too much going on. The summit, the investigation, everything with Liam and Anders. I can’t just switch it all off like that.” Her gaze hardened, and she took a deliberate step toward me. “Alex, we’re a couple. Or did you forget that? It’s been weeks—months, even—since we’ve been... intimate.” Her voice dipped on the last word, a note of vulnerability creeping in. “I want you, Alex. I’ve always wanted you.” I hesitated, avoiding her eyes. “It’s n
By Chance, By Fate Beneath the Facade
30 Alex I couldn’t stay in my hotel room, not with all of this weighing on me. The man’s words kept replaying in my mind: “The real threat... it’s tied to the royals.” Fuck! I slammed my fist against the steering wheel, the echo of it ringing through the confined space of my car. Was this all their fault? Anders? Liam? The damn Brightmores? Or was the man lying to save his own skin? The uncertainty gnawed at me, but the anger burned hotter. I couldn’t let myself believe it wasn’t true—not yet. They’d been at the center of every conflict since this summit started. Liam’s quiet looks, Anders’ overbearing presence, Queen Ingrid’s manipulations—it all added up. I drove aimlessly through the city, hoping the motion would clear my head. The streets were quieter now, the late hour chasing most people indoors. The rhythm of my tires on the road was steady, almost soothing, but my mind refused to settle. The conversation with Liam echoed in my head, his words sharp, his anger palp
By Chance, By Fate Shadows of the Crown
29LiamThe silence between Alex and me was unbearable as we worked in the conference room. The air felt charged, filled with everything we weren’t saying. His focus was glued to the document on his laptop, his fingers typing occasionally, but there was an edge to his movements. I was still rattled by my argument with Anders and my mother. Their voices lingered in my head like an echo, sharp and relentless. My brother’s taunts, my mother’s cold dismissal, and Alex’s earlier accusations... it was all too much. Every time I tried to push the thoughts away, they surged back, demanding attention.Alex’s voice finally broke the silence, startling me. “Hey, Liam, are you even paying attention?” I blinked, realizing I’d been staring blankly at the same sentence in my notes for several minutes. “What?” I asked, my voice flat. He sighed, leaning back in his chair. “Never mind. Forget I asked.” I wanted to say something—anything—but the words got stuck in my throat. The truth was, I wasn
By Chance, By Fate Divided Loyalties
28LiamAs we left the meeting, the tension between our families was almost suffocating. My mother, Queen Ingrid, held her head high, a picture of composure, though I could see the simmering irritation in her eyes. Anders walked beside her, his face a mask of disdain, while Sophia followed silently, her expression unreadable.The Morgans remained behind in the meeting room, and I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder as the door closed. Alex had been unusually quiet throughout the meeting, though I’d caught the occasional flash of anger in his eyes. Something was brewing, but I didn’t have time to dwell on it.The valet pulled up with our sleek black Lamborghini, the epitome of opulence, and I slid into the backseat with Anders while Mother took the passenger seat. As the car purred to life and glided smoothly onto the road, the silence was short-lived.“That family,” my mother began, her voice icy, “is an embarrassment to diplomacy. The way President Morgan spoke to me? Absolutel
