A Shadow in the DarkClaire stared at the text message, her grip tightening around her phone.You’re playing a dangerous game, Claire.The words pulsed in her mind like a ticking bomb.It wasn’t just Liam.Someone else was watching.Adrian exhaled through his nose, his gaze dark as he scrolled through the message. His fingers curled around the phone, his control razor-thin.“Who has your number?” he asked, his voice sharp, lethal.Claire shook her head. “Just a few people. I changed it after I got out of prison.”Adrian’s jaw tightened. “That means someone went looking for it.”Claire exhaled, forcing herself to think. “It could be Liam trying to scare me. Or Ava.”Adrian didn’t look convinced.“Carter doesn’t send warnings,” he said, voice like steel. “He acts. This is someone else.”A chill ran through her.Claire wasn’t stupid.She had spent years surrounded by criminals in prison, learning how to read between the lines of threats.This message wasn’t just a scare tactic.It was a
The Hunter in the ShadowsClaire sat stiffly in the black town car, her fingers gripping the seat as the city lights blurred past the windows. The conversation at The Sterling Club kept replaying in her head.Someone was asking about her.Someone powerful.She turned her head slightly, stealing a glance at Adrian. He sat next to her, his face cast in shadows, his expression stone-cold.“You’re quiet,” she murmured.Adrian’s fingers tapped against the armrest, his eyes fixed ahead. “I’m thinking.”“About Cassandra?”His lips curled slightly, but there was no humour in it. “Cassandra is an opportunist. She never plays a game she can’t win.”Claire exhaled, leaning back. “Then that means she’s afraid of whoever sent that message.”Adrian’s jaw ticked. “Exactly.”A chill ran down her spine. If Cassandra Sterling—one of the most powerful women in high society—was worried, then whoever was behind this wasn’t just a casual enemy.They were ghosts in the dark.And Claire had no idea what they
Chapter Nine: Into the Lion’s Den Claire sat on the edge of the bed, her breathing uneven, her fingers trembling against the cold metal of her phone. Someone had called her. Someone who knew her. Someone who had been watching. And Adrian—Adrian looked like he was ready to burn the city down. He stood near the window, his body tense, coiled, the gun still in his grip. “Say it again,” he ordered, his voice a deadly whisper. Claire inhaled sharply. “They said, ‘Did you think we forgot about you, Claire?’ And then…” She hesitated. Adrian’s gaze snapped to her. “And then what?” She met his eyes. “They laughed. Like it was a joke.” A muscle in Adrian’s jaw ticked. His patience was gone. “They’re escalating,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “Whoever this is, they’re not just watching. They want you to know they’re watching.” Claire swallowed hard. “Which means they’re close.” Adrian’s gaze darkened. Too close. A Plan of Attack Minutes later, Claire sat at the s
The Ghost from the PastClaire’s world tilted as she stared at the man standing before her.Damon Calloway.A name she hadn’t heard in years.A name she had hoped never to hear again.He looked the same, yet different—older, sharper, more dangerous. His smirk was calculated, his eyes holding a glint of amusement like he had been waiting for this moment.Adrian shifted beside her, his body taut with restrained violence.“Who the hell is this?” he demanded.Damon’s smirk widened. “Ah, Blackwood. I was wondering when we’d officially meet.”Claire’s pulse hammered.This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening.But it was.And Damon?Damon looked entertained.Memories of a NightmareClaire’s throat tightened, the past slamming into her like a tidal wave.Damon Calloway had been untouchable once.The golden boy of high society. He came from money, power, and legacy.But beneath the charm, beneath the tailored suits and easy smiles, he was something else entirely.A liar. A manipulator.
Unraveling the PastThe Aftermath of Damon’s ReturnClaire sat in the dimly lit penthouse, her fingers curled around the edge of a whiskey glass she hadn’t even taken a sip from. Her thoughts spiraled, tangled between the past and the present.Damon Calloway.The name alone sent a shiver down her spine.Three years ago, he was one of the first people to betray her, though she hadn’t realized it until it was too late. Back then, he had been a charming manipulator, someone she had considered a friend—someone she had trusted.And now?Now, he was back. Watching her. Smirking. Acting as if he hadn’t helped destroy her life.Across the room, Adrian stood near the floor-to-ceiling windows, his back rigid, his posture one of pure, barely restrained fury. The only sound in the room was the soft clink of ice in his glass as he downed his drink in one go.Claire knew that look.It was the look of a man planning destruction.She exhaled slowly. “You’re going after him.”Adrian didn’t turn around
The Blackwood GalaThe Stage Is SetThe ballroom of Blackwood Tower was a masterpiece of opulence—gold chandeliers, crystal champagne glasses, and a string quartet playing a hauntingly beautiful melody. It was the kind of event that only the city’s elite could attend, a place where deals were made with a single glance and enemies hid behind charming smiles.Claire knew this world too well.And tonight, she wasn’t just here to play along.She was here to win.Standing beside Adrian at the top of the grand staircase, she exhaled slowly.From the outside, she was the perfect picture of a billionaire’s fiancée.But on the inside?She was a woman on the edge of vengeance.Adrian leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. “Ready to burn them all?”Claire smirked, keeping her gaze locked on the crowd. “Let’s start with one.”And just like that, they descended into the lion’s den.Damon’s EntranceThey had been at the gala for no more than thirty minutes before Damon Calloway made his entrance.He
The Betrayers UnmaskedThe Fallout of the GalaThe ride back to Blackwood Tower was silent, but it wasn’t the comfortable kind. It was heavy, tense, electric—charged with the weight of what they had just uncovered.Damon Calloway and Ava Donovan.Working together.Claire gripped the phone in her hands, staring at the surveillance image that had turned her world sharper, deadlier.Ava was supposed to be living her perfect life with Liam, basking in the luxury she had stolen.So what the hell was she doing in Damon’s office?Adrian, sitting beside her in the backseat of the car, was as still as a predator waiting to strike. His fingers tapped idly against his thigh, the only indication that he was calculating his next move.“We need more,” Adrian said, voice even.Claire turned to him, narrowing her gaze. “We have enough. Damon and Ava are connected. That means they’re planning something.”Adrian exhaled slowly, turning his head toward her. “You’re thinking emotionally.”Her pulse spike
The Beginning of Ava’s FallAva's Fear Takes RootAva stood frozen in the doorway, her perfectly manicured fingers tightening around the expensive clutch she carried.For the first time in her life, she looked afraid.Claire lived for it.She leaned casually against the grand piano in the corner, fingers trailing over the polished wood as she watched her once-stepsister struggle to form a coherent thought.“Nothing to say?” Claire mused, tilting her head. “That’s rare.”Ava’s lips parted, her voice coming out hoarse. “You—You’re not supposed to be here.”Claire’s smirk was razor-sharp. “Funny, I was going to say the same thing about you.”Ava took a shaky step back, but Claire pushed off the piano and closed the space between them.Ava had stolen everything from her—her fiancé, her freedom, her life.Now?It was Claire’s turn.Ava swallowed, trying to regain composure. “What do you want?”Claire smiled. “Oh, sweetheart, it’s not about what I want. It’s about what I already have.”Ava
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