Olivia’s mind went blank for a moment, the words etching themselves into her consciousness as if they were meant to haunt her. Her pulse quickened, her throat tightening. A shiver ran down her spine, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Her first instinct was to throw the envelope and rose away, to pretend none of this had happened. But she couldn’t. She felt... trapped by the message. With a shaky breath, she closed the locker door, the harsh click of the lock sounding far too loud in the quiet room. She tried to shake the feeling off, forcing herself to breathe. The envelope and its contents remained in her hand, their weight suddenly unbearable. The game had just begun? What game? She could have dismissed it, chalked it up to a stupid prank, but it wasn’t that simple. The letter had included her name. Olivia Harris. Someone knew exactly where she worked. They knew which locker was hers. Her grip tightened around the envelope. A mix of fear and dread coiled
"Can I come in with you?" Racheal’s voice was thick with seduction, her tone dripping like honey poured in slow motion. She leaned slightly closer, her eyes gleaming with mischief, and something darker beneath. Christopher’s gaze swept over her figure. The short, barely-there dress clung to her like a second skin. The soft sheen of her lip gloss caught the light, and her perfume lingered in the air between them—sweet, overpowering, invasive. He frowned. What was going on? "Do you have somewhere you want to head to?" he asked, his tone even but suspicious. His eyes didn’t drift lower. He stared straight into hers, hard and sharp. "Tell one of the staff to arrange a car for you." But Racheal only laughed, a low, sultry sound as she covered her mouth with delicate fingers. "No, Christopher," she said, stretching his name like a caress. Her fingers trailed down his chest, slow and deliberate, until they brushed across his nipple, circling lightly. A calculated move. His expressi
Olivia paced nervously in the corridor, her heart racing uncontrollably as she checked her watch for what felt like the hundredth time. This was the day she had waited for so long – the day she would finally meet Christopher Brooks, the renowned lawyer known for his impeccable track record. She had dressed impeccably for the occasion, her dark brown hair tied into a sleek bun and her tailored business suit accentuating her slender figure.As she paced, the sound of her high heels clicking on the polished tiled floor echoed through the corridor. Suddenly, she heard the sound of approaching footsteps and turned to see a man dressed in a crisp white shirt and well-ironed pants walking towards her, accompanied by another man who looked like he had just rolled out of bed. Olivia's eyes widened as she caught sight of Christopher Brooks, his piercing blue eyes and chiseled features leaving her breathless.Brooks walked to the end of the corridor, oblivious to her presence, and shuffled throu
The office fell silent as Olivia departed, her devastated expression etched in the minds of the two men remaining. Nathan, Christopher's friend and assistant, broke the silence with a thoughtful comment."That was harsh, Christopher. She looked like she had nothing left," Nathan said, his voice tinged with empathy, accompanied by a small, sympathetic smile.Christopher shrugged, his expression unyielding. "Not my problem," he replied, his tone detached, as he returned to the files on his desk.Meanwhile, Olivia stepped out of the building, the cool air outside offering little solace for the ache in her heart. Desperation fueled her determination. Time was running out for her brother, and she knew she had to act swiftly. The exact amount Christopher would demand was unknown, but she was resolute in her pursuit to secure his services, no matter the cost.Back in the office, Christopher's phone rang, breaking the silence. He answered, his voice crisp. "Christopher here."The caller's wor
As Olivia stepped out of a loan organization she visited, exhaustion washed over her like a wave. The weight of her brother's troubles threatened to crush her, and the daunting task of finding a way to save him seemed insurmountable. The kind of trouble he was in required a skilled lawyer, someone who could defend him and secure his freedom. And the only person she knew who possessed the expertise and tenacity to take on the case and win was Christopher Brooks.But he had turned her down, leaving her feeling defeated and lost. Olivia wondered if she should try meeting him again, but the prospect of securing another meeting seemed daunting. It might take time, and time was a luxury she couldn't afford. Maybe, just maybe, she could go through his friend who had been present during their meeting. He had seemed kind and genuinely interested in helping.Just as Olivia's thoughts were spiraling into despair, the heavy sound of thunderstorm disrupted her reverie. The sky grew dark, and the a
Lost in thought, Olivia forgot she had left her umbrella in the car. Undeterred by the rain, she continued walking, her feet carrying her home. The car ride had significantly shortened her journey, and after a thirty-minute walk, she finally reached her house.As she rummaged through her bag, she noticed it was damp, but thankfully, the waterproof lining had protected the contents. She fished out her keys, selected the right one, and unlocked the door to her cozy little home.A wave of nostalgia washed over her as she stepped inside. The house held a treasure trove of memories, and every time she entered, it felt like a warm hug. The thought of selling it to hire a top-notch lawyer had crossed her mind, but she was hesitant. This was her childhood home, after all. If all else failed, she would have to consider selling it to secure her brother's freedom.For now, she pushed those thoughts aside and headed straight to the bathroom. She peeled off her damp clothes and soaked herself in t
An uncomfortable silence filled the room, with Nathan sporting a wide smile and Olivia looking utterly shocked."He asked me to find a bride for him," Nathan said, his smile unwavering. "No better option than you, Miss Olivia." He paused, awaiting her response. "What's your answer?"Olivia's confusion got the better of her. "Why me?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism. She wasn't from a wealthy family, nor was she the most beautiful woman in the country. What made her the best choice for Christopher?Nathan leaned forward, his expression serious. "It's a contract marriage, Miss Olivia. He needs a woman to claim his inheritance. You can help him secure it, and in return, he'll help fight your brother's case. It's a win-win situation." He gave her a moment to process the information before continuing. "As it's a contract marriage, you both have the right to set your own conditions. Anything you'd want in the marriage or even when you'd want to separate."Olivia's mind reeled as
Olivia lay in bed, her mind consumed by thoughts of the next day. She would be meeting Christopher again, but this time, she felt very determined. She was ready to be bolder, more assertive, and prove that she was the only one who could help him. Still, a sliver of doubt crept into her mind, threatening to undermine her confidence. What if Christopher rejected her? What if he deemed her unnecessary and asked Nathan to find someone else? She pushed the unsettling thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. After being denied an advance at her workplace, where she worked as a waitress, Olivia had made the difficult decision to take a leave of absence. She was determined to secure Raymond's release from jail, no matter what it took. Her little boy was suffering for something he didn't do, and she was his only hope. As she retired for the day, her mind was still racing with thoughts of the upcoming meeting. She tried to calm her nerves, but her mind refused to quiet. The darkness ou
"Can I come in with you?" Racheal’s voice was thick with seduction, her tone dripping like honey poured in slow motion. She leaned slightly closer, her eyes gleaming with mischief, and something darker beneath. Christopher’s gaze swept over her figure. The short, barely-there dress clung to her like a second skin. The soft sheen of her lip gloss caught the light, and her perfume lingered in the air between them—sweet, overpowering, invasive. He frowned. What was going on? "Do you have somewhere you want to head to?" he asked, his tone even but suspicious. His eyes didn’t drift lower. He stared straight into hers, hard and sharp. "Tell one of the staff to arrange a car for you." But Racheal only laughed, a low, sultry sound as she covered her mouth with delicate fingers. "No, Christopher," she said, stretching his name like a caress. Her fingers trailed down his chest, slow and deliberate, until they brushed across his nipple, circling lightly. A calculated move. His expressi
Olivia’s mind went blank for a moment, the words etching themselves into her consciousness as if they were meant to haunt her. Her pulse quickened, her throat tightening. A shiver ran down her spine, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Her first instinct was to throw the envelope and rose away, to pretend none of this had happened. But she couldn’t. She felt... trapped by the message. With a shaky breath, she closed the locker door, the harsh click of the lock sounding far too loud in the quiet room. She tried to shake the feeling off, forcing herself to breathe. The envelope and its contents remained in her hand, their weight suddenly unbearable. The game had just begun? What game? She could have dismissed it, chalked it up to a stupid prank, but it wasn’t that simple. The letter had included her name. Olivia Harris. Someone knew exactly where she worked. They knew which locker was hers. Her grip tightened around the envelope. A mix of fear and dread coiled
His eyes focused on Olivia, and his gaze lingered longer than it should have. Sophia noticed the stare and parted her lips to speak, but Christopher raised a hand, silencing her. "I said not another word," he said firmly before tearing his eyes from Olivia. "I'm married to Olivia, and for good reasons. Sophia, keep your nose out of it." "But brother, it—" "You know how much I hate repeating myself," he said, flashing her a warning look. "Let’s eat." They ate in silence, each person lost in their own thoughts. Olivia kept her head down but couldn't help occasionally glancing up. Every time she did, she caught Racheal glaring at her with hostility. Eventually, Sophia and Racheal finished their meals and left the dining room together. Christopher followed a few minutes later, saying nothing more. Olivia was the last to leave, quietly heading back to her room. The house settled into the quiet of night, but in one part of the mansion, Racheal was pacing furiously across Sophia’
Olivia entered her room and dropped her bag on the bed, letting herself fall back onto the mattress with a heavy sigh. The tension from earlier, Sophia’s cold remarks and Racheal’s seething hostility echoed in her mind, unwelcome and exhausting. Her first day back at work had already drained her, and returning home to that kind of drama was the last thing she needed. She pressed her palms against her face for a moment, then shook her head, deciding not to dwell on it. She made her way to the bathroom for a long, cool bath to ease the weight on her shoulders. By the time she stepped out and changed into her nightdress—simple, comfortable, nothing too revealing, making her feel a little lighter. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, and she tucked herself into bed with her diary in hand. The soft scratch of her pen on paper was the only sound in the room. It was a few minutes past nine when she heard the low hum of Christopher’s car pulling into the driveway. She glanced toward
A heavy silence settled over the room, thick with tension. Olivia felt momentarily frozen, her mind scrambling to process the words she had just heard. Christopher’s wife? No. That had to be a mistake. “I—I don’t understand,” Olivia said carefully, her voice measured as she tried to grasp the situation. “I’m Olivia Harris, and I’m legally married to—” “Oh, save it,” the dark-haired woman interrupted, waving a dismissive hand. Her tone was light, almost amused, but there was an underlying sharpness to it. “I know exactly who you are. That’s why I didn’t bother making my visit longer than necessary.” Olivia’s confusion only deepened. Who were these women? The woman’s lips curled into a knowing smile as she leaned slightly forward. “I’m Sophia. Christopher’s sister.” Her eyes glinted with something sinister before she gestured toward the blonde sitting on the couch. “And that lovely lady over there? That’s Racheal—Christopher’s wife.” Olivia stiffened. Her mind screamed t
“What are your plans, Nathan?” Christopher’s voice was edged with suspicion as his narrowed eyes bore into Nathan. Why was he befriending the girl? Nathan’s lips curled into a mischievous smile as he casually picked up a file from the stack on Christopher’s desk, flipping through the pages with leisurely interest. “My intentions are genuine, Chris,” he said, his tone light. Christopher’s gaze darkened. “Are you interested in her?” His voice was sharp, almost testing. Nathan chuckled, still flipping through the file as if the conversation was nothing more than idle talk. “Undeniably, she’s pretty. Well-mannered too.” His smirk didn’t waver. Christopher exhaled, raking a hand through his hair. Of course Nathan would say that. He leaned back, his fingers drumming lightly against the desk. “Does that mean you want her? Well, she’s my wife. You’ll have to wait until we get divorced and—” “Why wait?” Nathan interrupted smoothly, finally dropping the file and giving Christopher
Olivia’s heart lifted at Christopher’s words. He had finally started working on her brother’s case. Relief flooded her, and a bright smile spread across her face. For the first time in a long while, hope felt within reach. Christopher excused himself to freshen up, and Olivia moved to the dining room, her excitement barely contained. When he returned, he had changed into a red shirt, the top two buttons undone, paired with fitted black pants. The casual yet refined look suited him, emphasizing his broad shoulders and effortless confidence. As if on cue, the servants entered, swiftly setting the table with steaming dishes before retreating in practiced silence. Olivia and Christopher began eating, the atmosphere warm yet charged. Just then, the door swung open with a dramatic burst, and Nathan strode in, a wide, knowing grin plastered across his face. He made himself comfortable in a chair, his presence filling the room with an air of mischief. Christopher shot him an exasperat
Olivia turned on her heels and walked away, leaving Christopher standing in the corridor. He watched her retreating figure, his jaw tightening. With a frustrated sigh, he raked a hand through his hair. What the hell had she been thinking, barging into his room—his private space? He had never allowed anyone in before, and she wouldn’t be the first. Back in her room, Olivia collapsed onto her bed, confusion swirling in her mind. Why had he reacted so harshly? Had she really done something wrong? His voice had been sharp, almost furious. The memory stung, and she curled up, willing herself to sleep. By evening, a knock at her door pulled her from her slumber. She opened it to find Jane standing there with a polite smile. "Good evening, ma’am," Jane greeted. "Sir requests your presence in the dining room." Olivia bit her lip as the earlier event rushed back, her fingers curling into fists. Did he think she would just sit across from him and pretend nothing had happened? "I'm not
Olivia watched as Christopher devoured his food, not a single emotion on his face. She, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed by the sheer amount of food on the table. There were plates of eggs, bacon, sausages, and pastries, not to mention the bowls of fruit and yogurt. It was a feast fit for a king, or in this case, a billionaire. As she ate, Olivia stole a quick glance at Christopher, who didn't seem to care about the excess food. He was too busy enjoying his meal. After eating to his satisfaction, Christopher stood up, pushing his chair back. He picked up a napkin from the table and dabbed his mouth. "I'll be retiring for the day," he announced, his voice firm but polite. "I'll see you tomorrow." With that, he turned and walked away, his shoes clicking on the tiled floor. Olivia frowned, feeling a twinge of disappointment. She would have to get used to him acting this way. After eating to her fill, Olivia sighed and pushed her chair back, standing