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 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
The 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
No Turning BackThe headlines spread like wildfire. Every major news outlet had picked up the scandal—Ava’s embezzlement, Liam’s crumbling empire, and the sudden shift of power in the business world.Claire scrolled through the articles, her heart pounding, her hands steady. She had been waiting for this moment.Liam Carter Faces Internal Revolt as Carter Enterprises Board Questions LeadershipAva Carter Accused of Embezzling Millions – Betrayal in the Carter Family?She set her phone down and exhaled."How does it feel?" Adrian’s voice came from behind her.She turned. He stood near the fireplace, arms crossed, watching her with sharp, unreadable eyes.Claire thought for a moment before responding."It feels... like justice."Adrian smirked, but there was something else in his expression—something she couldn’t quite decipher."Good," he murmured. "Because this is only the beginning."Claire’s stomach tightened. "There’s more?"Adrian stepped closer, his movements slow, deliberate. "L
First StrikeThe night was quiet, but Claire couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming.She stood by the window of Adrian’s penthouse, gazing down at the glittering city lights below. Everything was going according to plan—Liam’s company was under investigation, Ava had been exposed, and the Carter family name was being dragged through the mud.So why did she feel so unsettled?"Can’t sleep?"Claire turned to find Adrian leaning against the doorway, watching her with that unreadable gaze he always had when he was analyzing her. He had undone the top two buttons of his dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up, revealing the toned muscles of his forearms.Something about the way he looked at her—intense, knowing, possessive—made her pulse stutter."I have too much on my mind," she admitted.Adrian stepped closer, stopping just behind her. She could feel the warmth of his body, the heat of his presence pressing against her skin."Are you worried about Liam?"Claire clenched her jaw.
Confronting the PastClaire’s fingers tightened around her phone as Liam’s words echoed in her mind."Because I know your secret."Her pulse pounded in her ears. She had spent years burying the pain, locking it away in the darkest corners of her soul. And now Liam—of all people—wanted to use it as a weapon against her?A cold fury ignited in her chest.She wanted to destroy him.But she had to be careful. Adrian was already watching her, his sharp, calculating gaze missing nothing. If she made one wrong move, he would know something was wrong.She lowered the phone from her ear and inhaled slowly, composing herself.Adrian was still leaning against his desk, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. But the tension in his body was unmistakable."Who was that?" he asked, his voice quiet but edged with steel.Claire forced her features into a mask of indifference. "No one important."His eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. He didn’t believe her."You’re lying," Adrian said flatly.She met
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
Bound by RevengeThe crisp, white pages of the marriage contract stared back at Claire Donovan, taunting her with the weight of the decision she was about to make. Each carefully typed word, each legal clause, felt like another nail in the coffin of her past life. This wasn’t just a contract—it was a gamble, a risk that could either grant her justice or destroy her completely.Across from her, Adrian Blackwood sat in his imposing leather chair, the picture of effortless power. The dim glow from the office’s pendant lights cast sharp angles across his face, accentuating the quiet menace in his gaze. His elbows rested on the mahogany desk, fingers steepled together as he studied her with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.This wasn’t a man who made requests. He demanded.And she was about to sign herself over to him.Claire tapped the pen against the table, her lips pressing into a thin line. “So, let me get this straight—you want me to be your wife, in name only, and in re
Confronting the PastClaire’s fingers tightened around her phone as Liam’s words echoed in her mind."Because I know your secret."Her pulse pounded in her ears. She had spent years burying the pain, locking it away in the darkest corners of her soul. And now Liam—of all people—wanted to use it as a weapon against her?A cold fury ignited in her chest.She wanted to destroy him.But she had to be careful. Adrian was already watching her, his sharp, calculating gaze missing nothing. If she made one wrong move, he would know something was wrong.She lowered the phone from her ear and inhaled slowly, composing herself.Adrian was still leaning against his desk, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. But the tension in his body was unmistakable."Who was that?" he asked, his voice quiet but edged with steel.Claire forced her features into a mask of indifference. "No one important."His eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. He didn’t believe her."You’re lying," Adrian said flatly.She met
First StrikeThe night was quiet, but Claire couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming.She stood by the window of Adrian’s penthouse, gazing down at the glittering city lights below. Everything was going according to plan—Liam’s company was under investigation, Ava had been exposed, and the Carter family name was being dragged through the mud.So why did she feel so unsettled?"Can’t sleep?"Claire turned to find Adrian leaning against the doorway, watching her with that unreadable gaze he always had when he was analyzing her. He had undone the top two buttons of his dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up, revealing the toned muscles of his forearms.Something about the way he looked at her—intense, knowing, possessive—made her pulse stutter."I have too much on my mind," she admitted.Adrian stepped closer, stopping just behind her. She could feel the warmth of his body, the heat of his presence pressing against her skin."Are you worried about Liam?"Claire clenched her jaw.
No Turning BackThe headlines spread like wildfire. Every major news outlet had picked up the scandal—Ava’s embezzlement, Liam’s crumbling empire, and the sudden shift of power in the business world.Claire scrolled through the articles, her heart pounding, her hands steady. She had been waiting for this moment.Liam Carter Faces Internal Revolt as Carter Enterprises Board Questions LeadershipAva Carter Accused of Embezzling Millions – Betrayal in the Carter Family?She set her phone down and exhaled."How does it feel?" Adrian’s voice came from behind her.She turned. He stood near the fireplace, arms crossed, watching her with sharp, unreadable eyes.Claire thought for a moment before responding."It feels... like justice."Adrian smirked, but there was something else in his expression—something she couldn’t quite decipher."Good," he murmured. "Because this is only the beginning."Claire’s stomach tightened. "There’s more?"Adrian stepped closer, his movements slow, deliberate. "L
The 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