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Chapter 9
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2024-11-23 19:21:45Related chapters
HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 10
“Is it true you married him for his money?” I stopped mid-step, my coffee cup hovering dangerously close to spilling. Slowly, I turned around, hoping I hadn’t heard correctly. But there she was—one of the interns, standing wide-eyed with a nervous smile. Bold for someone at the bottom of the food chain. “Excuse me?” I said, arching a brow. The girl’s face flushed red as she fumbled with her words. “Oh, I didn’t mean it like that! It’s just... people have been talking. Not me! Other people. In the breakroom.” I took a deliberate step forward, locking eyes with her. “And what exactly are they saying?” She swallowed hard, clearly regretting her decision to approach me. “You know, just rumors... about you and Mr. Knight.” I set my coffee cup on the nearest desk, crossing my arms. “Let me make one thing clear. What I married Adrian Knight for—or why I married him—is none of your business. But since you seem curious, I’ll answer your question. I married him because I felt like it
Last Updated : 2024-11-23HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 11
"Who is Catherine?" My voice sliced through the quiet tension in the room, sharp and demanding.Adrian looked up from his laptop, his dark brows furrowing. "How do you know about Catherine?""How do I know?" I repeated, crossing my arms as my heart thumped with indignation. "Oh, so you didn’t even want me to know? Did you seriously think you could keep it a secret that you have a fiancée?"Adrian sighed, his expression hardening as he closed his laptop with a deliberate snap. "Point of correction," he said in a clipped tone. "Had a fiancée, not have. She’s in my past.""And when exactly were you planning to tell me about this past of yours?" I demanded, my frustration bubbling to the surface.His jaw tightened as he leaned back in his chair, studying me with a measured gaze. "Where did you even hear about it?""A reporter," I said sharply. "She approached me earlier and decided to unload the charming tale of Adrian King and his perfect fiancée, Catherine. Oh, and how I’m supposedly th
Last Updated : 2024-11-24HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 12
Catherine.The name hung heavy in the air, pulling the room into a silence so tense it felt like it could snap at any moment. My heart raced, and I couldn’t tell if it was from anger or from the way Adrian’s jaw tightened when he said her name.“Well, isn’t this a pleasant surprise,” Catherine said, her tone as smooth as polished glass. She crossed the room with an air of practiced elegance, her heels clicking softly against the floor.Adrian’s grandfather, oblivious to the tension, beamed at her. “I’m so glad to see you, my dear. You always brighten my day.”Catherine’s gaze flicked to me for the briefest moment before settling on Adrian. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your visit,” she said, her smile tight. “I just came by to drop off some flowers for Grandpa.”Adrian didn’t move, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. “You’re here often, it seems,” he said, his voice colder than I’d ever heard it.“Of course,” Catherine replied smoothly. “I care about him. That hasn’t changed
Last Updated : 2024-11-24HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 13
“You think I don’t see what’s happening here, Adrian?”The words tore through my chest before I even realized I was speaking. From my hidden spot across the street, I watched him, my so-called husband, sitting in his car with Catherine. Her fingers grazed his arm, her smile sharp, calculated. The kind of smile that said, I still own you.Adrian was leaning back in his seat, his face taut, but he wasn’t pulling away.I wanted to storm over, throw open the door, and demand an explanation. But that wasn’t how this worked. Ours wasn’t a real marriage. It was a contract—a deal. And yet here I was, furious over something I didn’t even have the right to be mad about.But I couldn’t let this slide. Not this time.Carefully, I crossed the street, sticking close to the shadows. The wind bit at my face, and the city’s usual noise seemed muffled under the weight of my pounding heart. I stopped just behind a parked car, crouching low, listening.“I told you to stay out of this,” Adrian said, his v
Last Updated : 2024-11-25HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 14
The knock on the door was sharp, urgent, almost demanding. Adrian glanced up from the magazine in his lap, his brows furrowing. “Who’s that?” “I don’t know. You expecting anyone?” I asked, already rising from the couch. “No.” His voice was clipped, distracted as he flipped another page. I opened the door and froze. Catherine. “Mia.” Her voice was soft, trembling. Her eyes, rimmed with redness, darted behind me like she was searching for something—or someone. “I need to talk to Adrian.” I didn’t move. I gripped the edge of the door, fighting the urge to slam it shut. “What do you want, Catherine?” “It’s personal,” she whispered, her lips quivering. “What’s going on?” Adrian’s voice came from behind me, steady but firm. Catherine’s eyes lit up at the sound of his voice, and her lips curved into a faint, almost grateful smile. “Adrian.” He was by my side in seconds, his presence unmistakable. His gaze flicked to her, narrowing slightly. “What’s wrong?” “I—” She falte
Last Updated : 2024-11-25HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 15
“I’ll give you one thing, Catherine,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside me. “You don’t know when to quit. But you should know, persistence won’t help you this time.”Catherine smirked, leaning casually against the café counter like she owned the place. “Oh, Mia,” she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. “You’re so confident, aren’t you? I just hope you’re prepared for what’s coming.”---It started earlier that afternoon Adrian had left earlier in the day to meet with his grandfather about some new business proposal, and I’d decided to get some air—and coffee. What I hadn’t planned for was Catherine sitting there, perfectly poised at a table near the window. She looked like she’d stepped out of a magazine: effortlessly chic, her hair styled just right, her lips painted in that infuriating shade of confidence.I considered turning around, maybe finding another café. But then her eyes locked on mine, and she smiled. Not the warm, p
Last Updated : 2024-11-26HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 16
"Have you heard the latest?"The words greeted me the moment I stepped into the café. Clara, my assistant, was already leaning forward at the table, her voice a hushed whisper as if she couldn’t wait to spill the gossip. Her eyes darted around, scanning the room for eavesdroppers before landing back on me.I sat down, setting my bag beside me. "Let me guess, another scandal brewing in the business world?" I tried to keep my voice light, but I wasn’t in the mood for idle gossip.She hesitated for a second before blurting it out. "It’s about you and Adrian."My stomach tightened. "What about us?"Clara glanced around again and leaned even closer. "Someone saw Adrian and Catherine together last night. At a charity gala. Apparently, they looked very… close."I stiffened, the tension in my shoulders building. The familiar weight of last night’s message settled over me like a lead blanket. "And who exactly is 'someone'?" I asked, my tone sharper than I intended.She shrugged. "You know how
Last Updated : 2024-11-26HIDDEN FLAMES: A Billionaire's Secret Love Game Chapter 17
"Have you told Adrian everything about yourself yet?" Catherine’s parting words hit like a slap. I gripped the edge of the kitchen counter, my nails biting into the smooth surface as I watched her retreat. She didn’t even wait for a reaction—just walked out, heels clicking confidently on the floor. “Everything all right?” Adrian’s voice pulled me back. He had entered the room silently, his gaze flicking to where Catherine had disappeared. “Fine,” I lied, plastering on a smile that felt anything but real. “Your ex has quite the flair for dramatics, doesn’t she?” Adrian sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. “What did she say this time?” “Nothing worth repeating,” I replied quickly, unwilling to open that particular can of worms. But the words stayed with me. Had I told Adrian everything? Of course not. Who does? Still, my thoughts lingered on the photo I’d received last night—the one of him and Catherine at some charity gala, looking a little too... familiar. I reached int
Last Updated : 2024-11-28
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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
