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Chapter 36
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2024-12-18 20:23:30Related chapters
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
Last Updated : 2024-12-19HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 1
“Mia, do you have anything to say for yourself?” Mr. Warden’s voice cut through the silence, cold and disdainful.I swallowed, forcing myself to keep my voice steady. “I… I didn’t take any money. I don’t know where this is coming from.”Ms. Hawthorne’s eyes narrowed, her gaze sharp and calculating. “Really? Because that's exactly what a thief would say"“What? No!” I shot a glance around the room, looking for anyone who might back me up. My eyes landed on Adrian at the head of the table. His jaw was tight, his expression unreadable.“Mr. Knight, you don’t believe this, do you?” I tried to keep my tone respectful. But the desperation slipped through.His gaze met mine, but there was no comfort in it, no reassurance. “This isn’t a good look, Mia.”The words hit me like a slap. I felt my heart sink, but I forced myself to keep my head up. “You know me. You know I wouldn’t… I didn’t do this.”Adrian’s silence was crushing. Lisa, who’d been a friend—or so I thought—leaned forward, an amuse
Last Updated : 2024-11-18HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 2
"I can't marry you, Adrian."The words come out sharper than I intended, echoing slightly in the quiet of the cafe. Adrian barely flinches; he just watches me, calm as ever, as if he expected this. I wait for some sort of reaction, but he only raises an eyebrow, giving me that same infuriating, unreadable look."Are you sure about that?" he asks, stirring his coffee leisurely. "Because from where I’m sitting, it’s a practical solution. You get to keep your job, and I get what I need."I shake my head, feeling my pulse quicken. "I’m sorry, but I can’t. I already have a boyfriend. And I don’t believe in marriage without… well, romance.""Does he know what’s going on here?" Adrian’s question is calm, and it catches me off guard."That’s… that’s beside the point."He shrugs. "Seems relevant to me. You don’t have to answer now. I’ll give you time to think about it.""No." I said, standing up. "My answer is no. And it’s final."He simply nods, as if this is the most predictable thing in the
Last Updated : 2024-11-18HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 3
"Are you coming or not?" Adrian’s voice pulled me back from the papers I was looking at on his desk, his tone sharp and expectant.I blinked up at him, caught off guard. "Where are we going?""Wait and see." He gave me a smirk, and without another word, walked out, leaving me scrambling to keep up. The nerve of him. I followed him to his car, where he slid into the back seat, barely acknowledging me as I joined him."Are you seriously not going to tell me anything?" I asked, my voice dripping with frustration.“Patience, Mia.” He didn’t even look at me, just stared out the window, cool as ever.We pulled up in front of an upscale boutique. I glanced out the window and turned to him, bewildered. "A boutique? What, are you going shopping now?"Without a word, he opened his door, signaling me to get out. I followed, only because my curiosity was getting the better of me. Inside, the boutique was all marble floors, mirrors, and racks of designer dresses. The manager, a tall, elegant woman
Last Updated : 2024-11-18HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 4
"Are you awake?"A groggy voice inside my head was trying to argue with my dream. "Why am I seeing Adrian in my dreams it must be a nightmare"... I muttered, trying to drift back into whatever sleep was left, but the voice was persistent."Mia. Are you awake or not?"I groaned, my eyes fluttering open, and—oh, he was real. Standing right there in my room, looking down at me with a smirk that was just too self-assured for this early in the morning."Adrian? What are you doing in my room?" I snapped, pulling the sheets up. "I specifically said we’d sleep in different rooms.""And we did. I slept in the guest room," he replied smoothly, holding back a smile. “But I’m here now because we have work to do. I need you sharp and ready today.”“Sharp and—wait, ready for what?” I asked, my mind still foggy.Adrian pulled a small stack of flashcards from his coat pocket and handed them over. “Study these. It’s everything you need to know for the press conference.”I blinked, flipping through the
Last Updated : 2024-11-18HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 5
"Good morning," I said, stepping into the living room with a light stretch. The smell of coffee hung in the air, but what caught my attention was Adrian sitting at the dining table, already immersed in work. His laptop screen cast a soft glow on his sharp features, and even in the casual light of morning, he looked annoyingly flawless."Morning," he replied without lifting his head, his focus entirely on whatever he was typing.I hesitated for a moment, watching him, before heading toward the kitchen. "Coffee or tea?""Coffee," he answered curtly."Coffee it is," I mumbled under my breath, grabbing the kettle. A part of me wanted to make tea just to spite him, but I refrained, deciding to save my energy for more significant battles.When I returned to the dining table with two steaming mugs, I set one down in front of him and took the seat across from him. Adrian gave a brief nod, his attention still on his laptop. I sipped my coffee, letting the warmth seep into me, before breaking t
Last Updated : 2024-11-21HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 6
"Smile, Mia," Adrian murmured, his voice low but commanding, his hand still firm on my waist. "Don’t let them see you falter."My pulse raced as I steadied myself, forcing my lips into a practiced curve. But behind my smile, my mind was spinning. This wasn’t just overwhelming—it was suffocating.The reporter lingered for a moment longer, their camera still trained on us, before moving on to someone else. I exhaled quietly, but Adrian didn’t loosen his grip."Are you always this controlling, or is it just me who gets the special treatment?" I muttered under my breath.Adrian’s lips twitched, almost forming a smirk. "Only when someone needs it," he said coolly."Right," I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Because tripping on my dress is a crime punishable by public humiliation."His hand on my waist slid slightly, drawing me a fraction closer. "You’re not humiliated. You're fine," he said, his tone softer now. "This isn’t as big of a deal as you think it is. Just... follow my
Last Updated : 2024-11-22HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 7
Adrian’s Mom’s POV"Ma’am, you have to see this," my assistant said, her tone urgent as she handed me her phone.I took the phone, narrowing my eyes at the screen. The headline blared: "Rumors Swirl About Knight Heir’s Sham Marriage – Is It All About the Money?"Her face darkened. She dropped the phone onto her desk with a sharp clatter, her tea now forgotten. "What rubbish is this?" she hissed.Claire hesitated. "It’s all over the news, ma’am. They're saying Mrs. Knight—your son’s wife—married him for money."Alexandra's lips thinned. "Of course, they are." Her voice dripped with disdain. "What else could a low-life nobody like her want? Adrian should have known better than to bring this shame to our family."Claire stood silently, knowing better than to interrupt when I was in one of my moods.I slammed the phone on my desk. “Tell Adrian there’s a family dinner tonight. Seven sharp. I want him and his... wife there.”She nodded quickly. "Right away, ma’am."I muttered under my breat
Last Updated : 2024-11-22
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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
