On the night of her wedding, Claire Donovan was framed, betrayed, and thrown into prison for a crime she didn’t commit. Her fiancé, Liam Carter, the man she loved, stood by and did nothing while her stepsister, Ava, took everything from her. Three years later, Claire is back. But she’s no longer the naive woman who once believed in love and loyalty. When ruthless billionaire Adrian Blackwood offers her a contract marriage—promising to help her destroy the people who ruined her—she accepts. With Adrian’s power and influence, Claire re-enters the high society that cast her aside. Now, she’s the woman they fear, the bride they betrayed, and the one holding the strings. But as she plays the dangerous game of revenge, she realizes Adrian has secrets of his own—secrets that could shatter them both. Lies, betrayal, passion, and power collide as Claire and Adrian fight their enemies—and their growing attraction. But when the past refuses to stay buried and an unseen threat emerges from the shadows, Claire is forced to ask herself: Is revenge worth losing herself… or the man who might just break down her walls?
Lihat lebih banyakThe War BeginsThe morning headlines were merciless.CARTER ENTERPRISES UNDER FINANCIAL SCRUTINY: SECRET DEALS UNCOVEREDBLACKWOOD INDUSTRIES STRIKES BACK – POWER STRUGGLE INTENSIFIESClaire scrolled through the articles, her fingers tightening around her phone. The plan was already in motion. The moment Adrian’s team had leaked Liam’s fraudulent business dealings to the press, everything had erupted.Liam wasn’t just under investigation—his company was crumbling.Adrian stood at the kitchen counter, sipping his black coffee, eyes fixed on the tablet in front of him. He looked every bit the ruthless billionaire at war. Dressed in a tailored black suit, his presence radiated power and control.Claire set down her phone. "How long until the board turns against him?"Adrian glanced at her, the corner of his mouth curving slightly. "Less than a week."Claire exhaled. It wasn’t fast enough. Liam had destroyed her life in a matter of hours. Three years stolen. Three years of pain.He deserv
The Battle BeginsClaire stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows of Adrian’s penthouse, the city stretching before her like a battlefield. The headlines were everywhere, flashing across news stations, social media, and financial forums.ADRIAN BLACKWOOD UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR CORPORATE ESPIONAGEHer heart pounded as she turned away from the view. She had spent years planning her revenge, fighting for her freedom, but she hadn't anticipated that Liam would strike back this hard.Behind her, Adrian stood near the bar, pouring himself a glass of whiskey. His face was unreadable, but Claire had come to understand his silences. The tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers tightened around the glass—he was furious."We need a plan," Claire said, crossing her arms. "Liam isn’t going to stop unless we destroy him first."Adrian took a slow sip before setting the glass down. "Destroying Liam is the easy part," he murmured. "The problem is the government investigation. If we don’t handle i
Liam’s DesperationLiam Carter had spent years crafting a perfect image—the golden boy of high society, the heir to a flourishing empire, the man everyone respected. But now, his world was crumbling.Sitting in his office, he stared at the headlines flashing across his laptop screen. His blood boiled.EXCLUSIVE: AVA DONOVAN’S SECRET DEALINGS EXPOSED – FRAUD, BLACKMAIL, AND MOREThe article had gone viral within hours. Business partners were backing out, investors were demanding explanations, and the public was turning against them.And he knew exactly who was responsible.Claire.Adrian.The two of them had done this together.Liam clenched his fists, his vision darkening. He had underestimated Claire, believing she was the same naïve woman he’d discarded years ago. But she had returned with vengeance, standing at Adrian Blackwood’s side like she belonged there.A knock on his office door made him snap out of his rage."Come in," he barked.The door opened, and Ava stepped inside, her
The Battle BeginsClaire had played her opening move, but this was far from over.The charity gala had set the stage for a war, and she knew Liam and Ava wouldn’t back down without a fight. If anything, she had just provoked them into retaliation.As she and Adrian walked out of the grand ballroom, the weight of what had just transpired settled over her. The media would be running headlines about her public defiance against Ava’s manipulation. The public opinion was shifting, and Claire was finally getting control over her own narrative.But there was still one problem.Liam and Ava wouldn’t sit back and watch her win.A Dangerous PropositionBack at Adrian’s penthouse, Claire paced near the windows, staring at the city skyline. Adrian leaned against the bar, pouring himself a glass of whiskey."You’re overthinking again," he noted, taking a slow sip.Claire shot him a glare. "And you’re too calm."Adrian smirked. "That’s because I don’t fear people like Liam and Ava. They’re predicta
Turning the TablesClaire had spent years being painted as the villain, the traitor, the weak and foolish girl who had been used, discarded, and forgotten.But not this time.This time, she wasn’t going to let Ava or Liam control the narrative.As she stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of Adrian’s penthouse, overlooking the glittering city below, a fire burned inside her. It wasn’t just about revenge anymore. It was about reclaiming who she was.Behind her, Adrian lounged on the sleek black leather couch, watching her with a calculated expression."You’re thinking too much," he murmured, his voice laced with amusement.Claire turned to face him, arms crossed. "I’m thinking about our next move."Adrian smirked, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "Good. Because I have an idea."Claire narrowed her eyes. "Tell me."Adrian leaned forward, setting his drink aside. "Ava just made herself the martyr. The concerned ‘sister’ looking out for you, subtly making it seem like you’re be
A Firestorm UnleashedThe walls were closing in on Liam Carter.By the time afternoon arrived, every major news outlet had latched onto the scandal surrounding Carter Enterprises. Reports flooded financial networks, online forums, and social media, dissecting the fraudulent dealings, the bribery, the offshore accounts—all of it.Claire scrolled through the endless stream of articles on her phone, her pulse racing with anticipation."Liam’s losing control," Adrian murmured beside her, his eyes fixed on his laptop screen. "His board is already holding an emergency meeting."Claire looked up at him. "Will they cut him loose?"Adrian smirked, a slow, dark expression that sent a shiver down her spine. "Not yet. But they’re scared. That’s all we need for now."Daniel, standing near the window, checked his phone. "Liam’s been making desperate calls all morning. He’s trying to keep the investors from pulling out."Claire set her phone down. "And Ava?"Daniel’s expression darkened. "Silent. Bu
The First MoveThe night was restless.Claire lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling as the weight of their latest discovery pressed down on her. Ava. The very name sent a cold chill through her veins. She had spent three years in prison because of that woman, had lost everything while Ava thrived. And now, she wasn’t just a pawn in Liam’s game—she was an active player.She turned her head slightly, watching Adrian as he sat in the armchair by the window, sipping whiskey in the dim light. His expression was unreadable, but she knew his mind was already strategizing, mapping out their next move."You’re not sleeping," she murmured."Neither are you," he countered, taking another sip.Claire sat up, pulling the sheets around her. "Because I know this isn’t over. Ava being involved means we’re walking into something bigger than we thought."Adrian leaned back in his chair, studying her. "Do you think she’s just Liam’s puppet, or do you think she has her own agenda?"Claire scoffed. "Av
Secrets in the DarkThe night air was thick with tension. Claire sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers gripping the silk sheets, but her mind was far away.Adrian had fallen into a brooding silence ever since their conversation on the balcony. He stood near the window now, whiskey in hand, staring at the city skyline as if it held all the answers.It didn’t.Claire sighed. "Are you going to tell me what’s really bothering you?"Adrian didn’t turn around. "You already know."Claire rolled her eyes. "No, I don’t. Because you always act like the weight of the world is yours alone to carry."Adrian finally turned to her, his gaze sharp. "Because it is."She stood, crossing the room toward him. "Not anymore," she said, her voice softer.Adrian studied her for a long moment before setting his glass down on the table. "Liam has something. I don’t know what yet, but I saw it in his eyes before I left."Claire frowned. "And you think it’s worse than what he’s already done?"Adrian’s jaw tigh
The Storm Before the WarClaire paced back and forth in Adrian’s penthouse, her mind spinning with a thousand worst-case scenarios. It had been two hours since he left to meet Liam. Two hours of suffocating silence. Two hours of staring at her phone, waiting for a call or a message—anything that would tell her he was still okay.But there was nothing.She had tried distracting herself. She had tried not caring. But it was useless.The sound of the elevator chiming made her whirl around.The doors slid open, and Adrian stepped inside.Relief crashed over her so violently that it took her a moment to register the blood splattered on his sleeve.Her breath caught. "What the hell happened?"Adrian’s expression remained unreadable. "It’s not mine.""That’s not an answer!" she snapped, rushing toward him. Her hands hovered near his arm, hesitating. "Were you attacked?"A ghost of a smirk tugged at his lips, as if amused by her concern. "I handled it."Her stomach twisted. "Handled it how?"
The Night She Lost EverythingThe wedding gown felt heavier with each step Claire Donovan took. Layers of delicate tulle and intricate lace, once a symbol of purity and love, now clung to her like shackles. Every pearl and embroidery thread seemed to weave a cage around her, tightening with each breath. The grand ballroom of the Donovan estate gleamed in opulence—golden chandeliers dripped with crystals, their warm glow casting an ethereal light over the gathered elite. Everything about the night was perfect. Too perfect.Yet, beneath the facade of laughter and raised champagne flutes, Claire felt the first prickle of unease. It slithered along her spine, an unnamed dread curling in the pit of her stomach.Something was wrong.Her fingers trembled slightly around the bouquet of white roses as she stood poised at the centre of attention. Her father, Richard Donovan, a man known for his iron-clad control and ruthless business acumen, lifted his crystal glass. The room fell into a revere...
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