The Night She Lost Everything
The 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 reverent hush as his voice rang clear.
“To my beautiful daughter and her future husband, Liam Carter,” he declared, his deep voice laced with pride. “May their love be eternal.”
A chorus of applause followed glasses clinking in celebration. Liam, tall and composed, stood at her side, his palm resting lightly against the small of her back. To the outside world, they were the picture of the perfect couple—two dynasties uniting in wealth, power, and prestige.
But when Claire glanced up at Liam, her breath caught. His blue-grey eyes, usually filled with warmth, were distant. Detached. A small, almost imperceptible shiver travelled through her. He was there, standing right beside her, but something about his posture, the careful mask of indifference on his face, sent alarm bells ringing.
Then, the world shattered.
A sharp voice sliced through the chatter.
“Excuse me, everyone.”
The room stiffened. Conversations halted. The soft melody of the string quartet faltered into silence. Claire turned toward the entrance just as two uniformed officers strode into the ballroom. Gasps rippled through the crowd like a wave.
Her pulse pounded in her ears.
“Miss Claire Donovan,” one of the officers announced with grave authority. “You are under arrest for grand larceny.”
Claire’s heart plummeted.
A stunned hush blanketed the ballroom. The weight of a hundred stares pressed against her, suffocating. The scent of roses turned sickly sweet, cloying in her throat.
Ava Donovan, her stepsister, gasped theatrically, stepping forward in her shimmering emerald gown. She clutched her pearl necklace, eyes wide in a perfect display of heartbreak. “Claire… tell me this isn’t true.”
Murmurs swirled through the room like poison. Claire turned to Liam, her only lifeline in the chaos. But instead of stepping forward to defend her, he remained still, his jaw taut.
One of the officers pulled out a small, black velvet case. With a flick of his fingers, he flipped it open to reveal a stunning diamond necklace—the heirloom of Liam’s late mother.
“We received an anonymous tip that this was found inside Miss Donovan’s belongings,” the officer stated, his voice devoid of sympathy.
Claire’s breath hitched. “That’s impossible! I—I’ve never even seen that necklace before!”
Ava bit her lip, her voice trembling just enough to be believable. “Claire, how could you? That necklace… it’s worth millions.”
Panic clawed at Claire’s throat as she turned desperately to Liam. “You don’t believe this, do you?”
Silence.
A suffocating, deafening silence.
His face was unreadable, his body rigid.
Then, Liam exhaled a slow, measured breath. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
The words sliced through her like a blade.
A collective murmur of condemnation rose among the guests.
“A thief…”
“She had everything. Why would she need to steal?”
“What a disgrace to the Donovan family.”
The ground beneath Claire’s feet became unstable, a dizzying blur of betrayal and disbelief. The officer reached for her wrist, pulling it behind her back. Cold metal snapped around her skin. The weight of the handcuffs was crushing, suffocating.
“Liam!” Her voice cracked, desperation lacing every syllable. “Please, you know me! You know I wouldn’t—”
He stepped back.
As if she were a stranger. As if she were a criminal.
The guests watched, their eyes filled with judgment, disgust, and curiosity. Not one of them moved to help her.
Ava let out a trembling sob, pressing herself into Liam’s side. “I just… I just don’t understand how she could do this to us.”
That was when Claire saw it—the slight twitch of Ava’s lips, the flicker of triumph in her eyes.
Realization slammed into her like a freight train.
Ava had planned this.
The betrayal was absolute.
As the officers dragged her toward the exit, her world crumbling around her, Claire’s gaze burned into Liam one last time.
But he turned away.
His silence cut deeper than any knife ever could.
Three Years Later
The prison gates groaned as they slid open, the sound rattling through Claire’s bones.
She stepped out, her feet meeting the cracked pavement, the first taste of freedom a cruel reminder of all she had lost. The air smelled different out here—of gasoline, cigarettes, and distant rain. The sun, too bright after years of fluorescent lights, made her squint.
No one was there to pick her up.
No father. No stepsister. No Liam.
For three years, she had been trapped in a world of concrete and steel, surrounded by whispers of guilt for a crime she hadn’t committed. Three years of learning that survival meant becoming something harder, sharper, and unbreakable.
Her delicate hands were now calloused. Her soft heart? Hardened into steel.
She had lost everything.
But she had also gained something.
A purpose.
Revenge wasn’t just a desire.
It was a promise.
The Donovan family had taken everything from her.
Now, she would take everything from them.
A Deal with the Devil
The office smelled of leather, power, and danger. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the wall, revealing a sprawling city bathed in the golden hues of dusk.
Claire sat stiffly in the chair, her spine straight, her gaze unwavering. Across from her sat a man whispered about in hushed tones.
Adrian Blackwood.
A name feared by many. A name that held weight in every room it was uttered in.
He leaned forward, his dark eyes sharp with intrigue. “Marry me.”
Claire’s fingers curled against the armrests. “Excuse me?”
Adrian smirked, slow and deliberate. “Marry me, and I’ll give you what you want—revenge against Liam Carter and Ava Donovan.”
A cold laugh escaped her lips. “And what do you get in return?”
His gaze darkened. “Let’s just say our enemies align.”
She studied him, the raw power he exuded, the effortless command in his every move. This was a man who didn’t offer things without a reason.
A contract marriage. A dangerous game.
Reckless. Suicidal.
And yet, she found herself saying the words that would change her life forever.
“When do we start?”
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
A Dangerous GameClaire had spent years dreaming of this moment—watching Liam and Ava’s carefully curated world crumble, seeing the shock on their faces, the betrayal in Liam’s eyes, the cracks forming in Ava’s perfectly constructed facade. But even in her wildest fantasies, nothing could have prepared her for the sheer satisfaction coursing through her veins at this very moment.Her engagement to Adrian Blackwood.The man Liam could never compete with.The press erupted like a swarm of hungry vultures.“Miss Donovan, how long have you and Mr. Blackwood been together?”“Liam, what do you think about your ex-fiancée moving on with your biggest business rival?”“Ava, any comments?”Flashes of cameras illuminated the tension in the air, highlighting the tight set of Liam’s jaw, the way his fingers twitched slightly at his sides. Claire had learned how to read him in the years they were together, and right now? He was barely holding it together.But it was Ava’s reaction that truly fed Cl
The First TestMorning light filtered through the expansive windows of Blackwood Tower, casting golden hues over the penthouse. Claire stretched, momentarily forgetting where she was—until the smooth silk sheets beneath her reminded her of the contract she had signed just the night before.She turned her head and exhaled. One year. That was how long she would have to play the devoted fiancée of Adrian Blackwood.And today was their first public outing as an engaged couple.A knock at the door startled her.“Time to get up, Claire.”Adrian’s voice. Cool. Unbothered. Commanding.Claire groaned, running a hand through her tangled hair. She threw off the covers and swung the door open without thinking. “Ever heard of privacy?”Adrian leaned against the doorframe, already dressed in a tailored black suit that looked like it had been designed specifically to make women lose their train of thought.Unfortunately, it was working.His gaze flickered over her, pausing briefly on the silk nightg
A Dangerous AttractionThe moment Adrian and Claire stepped back into Blackwood Tower, the facade of the perfect, lovestruck couple crumbled.Claire yanked her hand from Adrian’s grasp, kicking off her heels as the penthouse door clicked shut behind them. The moment her bare feet met the cool marble, she let out an irritated sigh.“You could have warned me that Liam and Ava would be at that restaurant.”Adrian, unbothered, shrugged out of his jacket and tossed it lazily onto the sleek leather couch. He moved with deliberate ease, like nothing in the world could ever truly touch him.“And ruin the surprise?” His voice held a thread of amusement.Claire turned to glare at him. “That wasn’t a surprise.” She folded her arms. “That was war.”Adrian’s smirk deepened as he poured himself a glass of whiskey from the bar. “Exactly.”Claire exhaled sharply, pacing across the room. The city lights cast fragmented reflections on the polished floor, but she barely noticed.“Liam looked ready to ki
Liam’s CounterattackClaire stood frozen, her fingers tightening around the coffee mug in her hands.“Liam made a move?” she repeated, her voice carefully neutral, though a storm brewed inside her.Adrian, leaning casually against the kitchen counter, tapped his tablet once before turning it toward her. His sharp gaze never left her, assessing her reaction like a predator studying prey.“Yes. And he’s coming after you first.”She scoffed, setting the mug down with a quiet clink. “He already ruined my life. What else could he possibly take?”Adrian’s expression darkened, his usual smirk nowhere to be seen. “Your credibility.”With a flick of his wrist, he handed her the tablet.A headline from the city’s largest media outlet stared back at her:Claire Donovan: From Convicted Thief to Gold-Digging Fiancée?Her heart stopped.Her fingers clenched around the tablet as she scrolled through the article. It was brutal—a complete character assassination.Anonymous sources claimed she had “sed
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
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