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Chapter 17
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2024-11-28 16:59:12Related chapters
HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 18
"I have to tell Adrian the truth."The thought echoed in my mind as I paced my room, wringing my hands. I couldn’t take it anymore—the lies, the charade, the weight of everything pressing on me. It was better Adrian heard everything from me than from someone else. I wasn’t going to let Catherine or anyone else have the satisfaction of revealing my secrets.I squared my shoulders, took a deep breath, and marched out of my room. This had to be done.When I reached Adrian's study, I found him seated at his desk, his laptop glowing in the dim light of the room. He looked up as I entered, his expression unreadable."We need to talk," I said firmly, standing just a few feet from his desk.He raised an eyebrow, closing his laptop. "That sounds ominous.""It’s important," I replied, my voice barely steady."Go on," he said, leaning back in his chair, his gaze steady on me.I swallowed hard. "There’s something I need to tell you. I haven’t been completely honest with you."His expression didn’
Last Updated : 2024-11-28HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 19
Catherine's POVMy plans are working. But they are not good enough. I need something sharper—something that will make Mia crumble and stay down permanently. This plan is taking too long, and patience has never been my strength.I swirled the glass of wine in my hand, the dim lighting of my study casting long shadows on the walls. Across from me, Lisa lounged on the couch, her smirk as sharp as the glint in her eyes. She was the perfect ally—cold, calculated, and equally eager to see Mia fall.“It’s not enough,” I said, breaking the silence. “I need a move that will end her for good. Something Adrian can’t overlook.”Lisa leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “Then you’re thinking too small, Catherine. If you want to take her down, you need someone with real influence. Someone Adrian would never ignore.”I narrowed my eyes. “And who would that be?”She smiled slyly. “Victor.”My brow furrowed. “Victor? As in Adrian’s grandfather? The man’s practically bedridden.”Lisa chuckled.
Last Updated : 2024-11-29HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 20
Adrian’s lips were on Catherine’s. My stomach dropped, but I didn’t give myself the luxury of freezing. I turned on my heel and walked out of the café, each step harder than the last.I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. I just left.---By the time we arrived at Alexandra Knight’s birthday party that evening, I had perfected the art of ignoring Adrian. He noticed, of course, but he didn’t say a word about it.I stayed on the sidelines, quietly sipping champagne while the Knight family celebrated in their grand ballroom. The party was opulent, like everything they did, and I felt out of place as always.“Mia,” came the sharp voice of Alexandra, Adrian’s mother.I turned to face her, plastering on a polite smile. “Alexandra.”“Good,” she said with a nod, as if she expected me to trip over her name. “I see you’ve learned how to address me properly.”“I do try to meet expectations,” I replied lightly, even though I
Last Updated : 2024-11-30HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 21
“I don’t know, man,” Adrian’s voice drifted through the slightly ajar office door. I froze mid-step, the sound of his familiar voice pulling me in like a magnet. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop—at least, that’s what I told myself—but something about the weight in his tone made me linger instead of walking away.“It’s purely business,” he said, his words sharp and matter-of-fact. “This arrangement means nothing. It’s just something I have to deal with for now.”The words hit me like a slap. My grip tightened on the glass of water in my hand as my pulse pounded in my ears.“You sure she’s on the same page as you?” another voice asked—someone I couldn’t place but recognized as one of his friends.“She knows what this is,” Adrian replied. “We both do.”A bitter laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it. My heels clicked against the hardwood floor as I pushed the door open, cutting into their conversation.“Don’t let me interrupt,” I said coolly, my tone laced with venom.Adrian’s head sna
Last Updated : 2024-12-01HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 22
“You’re kidding, right?” I stared at Adrian, arms crossed as he leaned casually against the kitchen counter, a small, infuriating smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.“I’m not,” he replied smoothly, holding up two tickets like they were some kind of peace offering. “It’s already booked. We’re leaving tomorrow morning.”I narrowed my eyes, refusing to make this easy for him. “And you decided this all on your own?”“It’s part of our public image,” he said, shrugging like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “People expect us to do couple-y things, Mia. We’re giving them what they want.”“Couple-y things?” I repeated, my tone dripping with sarcasm. “Like getting on a plane with the man who just told his friend our marriage means nothing?”His smirk faded, replaced by something that almost looked like regret. “I’m trying to make it up to you,” he said quietly.“Oh, by taking me on a romantic getaway? How thoughtful.” My voice was sharp, but my chest tightened at the look in his
Last Updated : 2024-12-01HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 23
"You’ve been avoiding me," Adrian said, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine.I froze mid-step in the hallway, gripping my phone tighter. I hadn’t even heard him come up behind me. Turning slowly, I met his eyes—gray, stormy, and piercing."I’m not avoiding you," I lied, though the way my gaze flicked to the floor probably gave me away.Adrian crossed his arms, leaning casually against the wall, though his posture betrayed a tension simmering beneath the surface. "Could’ve fooled me. You’ve barely looked at me since the plane landed.""I’ve been busy, or maybe I’ve had enough of your charming personality for one lifetime."The corner of his mouth twitched, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. "You know, Mia, for someone who claims to be immune to me, you sure seem to think about me a lot."My breath hitched. He wasn’t wrong, and that infuriated me. The villa, the kiss, the unspoken tension—it had all left a mark I couldn’t shake, no matter how hard I tried." I said,
Last Updated : 2024-12-02HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 24
"I’m tired of you, Mia. Just leave." Adrian’s voice echoed through the room, cold and detached. His gray eyes, usually brimming with unspoken emotion, now held nothing but disdain. "What?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I don’t want to see you anymore," he said, crossing his arms. "You’re exhausting. Just leave and stop pretending like this arrangement ever meant anything." Before I could respond, another voice joined the fray, sharp and venomous. "You heard him! Leave my son alone!" Adrian’s mother appeared out of nowhere, her face twisted in anger. She pointed a perfectly manicured finger at me, her lips curling in disgust. "Do you really think you belong here? You’re nothing but a pathetic little nobody clinging to something you don’t deserve," she spat. Her words stung like a slap, but before I could defend myself, laughter erupted , harsh and mocking, filling the space around me. I turned to see my colleagues—juniors, superiors, even the interns—all staring at
Last Updated : 2024-12-03HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 25
“Are you nervous?” Claire leaned casually against my desk, her perfectly manicured nails tapping on the wood.“Nervous?” I repeated, my voice a pitch higher than usual. I forced a laugh and waved her off. “About dinner? Of course not. Why would I be?”Claire smirked, crossing her arms. “Because you’ve been checking the time every five minutes since you got Adrian’s text.”“I’m not—” I glanced at the clock again, catching myself mid-denial. My cheeks flushed as I quickly busied myself with straightening a stack of papers. “It’s just… I don’t know what this is about.”Claire tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. “Isn’t it obvious? The man’s trying to get under your skin.”I snorted. “He doesn’t need to try; he’s already there.”“Exactly,” she said triumphantly. “And let me guess—he’s been doing that hot-and-cold thing, hasn’t he? Acting all intense one moment and distant the next?”I froze, startled by how accurately she had described him. “Maybe,” I muttered, avoiding her gaze.Claire
Last Updated : 2024-12-04
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HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 37
The idea of a real date still lingered between us as we stood there, breathing each other in. Adrian’s hand gently traced my jawline, his touch sending sparks through me.“A real date, huh?” he repeated, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Are you asking me out, Mia?”I rolled my eyes playfully, still breathless from our kiss. “Don’t let it go to your head, Mr. Knight. I’m just... trying something different.”His smirk deepened. “I like different.”Before I could fire back, his phone buzzed on the coffee table. His expression darkened slightly as he glanced at the screen. Business again, no doubt.I stepped back, giving him space. “You should get that.”He sighed but picked up the phone, walking toward the large window as he answered. His voice dropped into that commanding, no-nonsense tone he always used when dealing with work.I watched him for a moment—his broad shoulders tense, his jaw set with focus. Adrian was a man used to carrying the weight of the world, even when he didn’t have to
HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 36
I cradled the phone between my ear and shoulder, pacing the length of the kitchen as Patricia’s worried voice crackled through the line.“I’m fine, Patricia. Really.” I tried to sound reassuring, though the last few days still felt like a surreal nightmare. “It’s over now. They caught the person behind the threats.”There was a long pause on her end. “Are you sure? Mia... you sounded so scared before.”I exhaled slowly, my gaze drifting to the faint morning light spilling through the window. “I was. But it turns out it was someone I used to know… Lisa.”“Lisa?” Patricia repeated, confusion evident in her tone. “From the company?”“Yeah. We were close—at least, I thought we were.” My voice dropped, bitterness lacing my words. “She was... jealous, I guess. She felt like I took everything from her—promotions, recognition... even Adrian.”Patricia let out a low whistle. “Wow. That’s... twisted. You really had no idea she hated you that much?”“No.” My voice cracked slightly. “She hid it w
HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 35
"You can’t run from your past.”The words echoed in my mind long after the intruder was dragged away by the police, leaving behind only shattered glass and broken locks. My hands still trembled as I gripped the edge of the table, struggling to steady my breath.Adrian paced the room like a caged predator, his sharp eyes burning with unspoken fury. The eerie silence that followed the break-in was far worse than the chaos that preceded it.“This wasn’t random.” His voice was low, dangerous. “Whoever sent him wanted us shaken.”I nodded slowly, still haunted by the twisted smirk on the intruder's face. He’d known something—something personal.“What if this is just the beginning?” I whispered.Adrian's phone buzzed, the sharp sound slicing through the tension. He snatched it up, his face darkening as he read the message:“I told you... You were never safe.”A chill ran down my spine. “Is it the same number?”He shook his head. “Different burner. They’re covering their tracks.”I wrapped m
HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 34
After reading the note, my fingers trembled as I folded the paper back, its dark message still burning in my mind. Someone was targeting me—but why? I had no enemies. At least, none that I knew of.Adrian shut the door, locking it securely before pulling the curtains closed again. Patricia sat on the couch, still shaken.“Are you sure you didn’t see who left the envelope?” Adrian asked her sharply.She shook her head, wiping tears from her cheeks. “No... It was just there, on the front steps. I thought it was from a guest who left something behind.”Adrian nodded, though his jaw tightened. “Thank you for bringing it to us.”Patricia hesitated. “Should I... tell the police?”“No,” Adrian said quickly. “We’ll handle it.”I placed a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll be okay, I promise.”Reluctantly, Patricia left, glancing back one last time before disappearing down the hall. As soon as she was gone, Adrian turned to me.“We need answers. Now.”Adrian grabbed a notepad and a pen from a drawer
HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 33
The cold night air seemed sharper now, biting through my skin as Adrian’s grip on my wrist remained firm. His breathing was steady, his dark eyes fixed on the forest’s edge, scanning for any sign of movement. Whatever—or whoever—had been out there was gone. For now.“We need to get back inside,” Adrian said firmly, already leading me toward the reception hall. His protective hold on me never wavered.I couldn’t stop trembling, my mind still reeling from that voice—low, menacing, and chillingly familiar.They knew my name.“Adrian,” I whispered, struggling to keep up with his fast strides. “What if... what if they weren’t here for you?”His steps faltered for the briefest moment, barely noticeable, but I caught it. He turned to face me, his expression unreadable. “What are you talking about?”“That voice... It didn’t sound like one of your enemies,” I said slowly, my pulse pounding in my ears. “It felt... personal.”His jaw clenched. “You’re just shaken up. They were probably trying to
HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 32
The reception buzzed with life—laughter, music, and the hum of conversations. The soft glow of string lights cast a warm, golden hue over the decorated hall, giving the place an almost magical feel. Clinking glasses and joyful cheers echoed through the crowd. To everyone else, it was a perfect celebration.But not for me.Not after seeing that blood-red rose.Adrian’s hand rested protectively on my lower back as we slowly made our way through the crowded reception hall. He hadn’t said much since we spotted the rose, but the tension radiating from him spoke louder than words.“We need to talk,” he murmured, his voice low but firm.I nodded, forcing a polite smile as we slipped outside, leaving the lively celebration behind. The cool night air brushed against my skin, sending a chill down my spine that had nothing to do with the weather.Adrian led me toward the edge of the property, where the shadows of towering oak trees stretched across the quiet, moonlit clearing. He checked the are
HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 31
The week leading up to Patricia’s wedding had been a whirlwind of chaos. Between work, wedding preparations, and Adrian’s increasingly tense behavior, I felt like I was running on fumes. Every time I thought about the red rose we’d found after the attack on our driver, a chill ran down my spine.But today wasn’t about mysterious threats or secret enemies. It was about Patricia’s wedding. Whatever was going on in Adrian’s world, I had to put it aside — at least for one day.---The small, rustic chapel where the ceremony was being held was tucked away on the outskirts of town. Its old stone walls were covered in climbing ivy, and rows of wildflowers lined the cobblestone path leading to the entrance. It wasn’t grand or luxurious, but it felt warm and full of love — exactly the kind of place Patricia had always dreamed of.Adrian pulled the car into a narrow gravel parking lot, his expression unreadable as he surveyed the humble surroundings. He’d been unusually quiet during the drive,
HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 30
"It’s the red rose again," I whispered, staring at the single blood-red rose lying in the middle of the shattered glass. My pulse pounded in my ears, a chill creeping up my spine. "Adrian… why do we keep seeing red roses these days? Do you think… someone’s trying to send us a message?" Adrian stepped closer, his gaze hardening as he studied the rose. "A message?" I nodded slowly, unable to tear my eyes away from the ominous flower. "Yes. And whoever it is… they’re willing to go to extreme lengths. We need to be careful." Before he could respond, I noticed the unmoving figure among the broken glass. My breath hitched. "Whose… whose body is that?" Adrian moved swiftly, kneeling beside the lifeless figure. His face darkened. "It’s… our driver." "What?" I gasped, stumbling back, my heart pounding. "Our driver? Who would do this?" Adrian snapped to attention. "Someone call an ambulance! Now!" One of the security guards rushed to obey, dialing the emergency number with trembling hand
HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 29
The warm scent of sea breeze filled the air as I stood on the balcony, staring out at the endless ocean. It was our last day at the resort, and the weight of that night still clung to me like a stubborn shadow.Adrian hadn’t said a word about what happened between us. He acted like it was just another night—another transaction in this twisted game we were playing.I hated that it hurt.“Enjoying the view?” Adrian’s voice broke through my thoughts.I turned to see him standing in the doorway, looking effortlessly put together in a crisp white shirt and tailored pants. He was holding two cups of coffee.“Depends on which view you’re talking about,” I shot back, crossing my arms.His mouth twitched, almost like he wanted to smile, but he didn’t. Instead, he handed me a cup. “Thought you could use this.”“Thanks.” I took the cup, letting the warmth seep into my fingers. “Is this your way of making up for being insufferable?”He arched a brow. “If I apologized every time you thought I was
