Bound by Revenge
The 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 return, you’ll help me destroy Liam and Ava?”
Adrian’s mouth curved into a slow, calculated smirk. “Correct. And let’s not pretend you don’t want this as much as I do.”
Her grip on the pen tightened. He wasn’t wrong. She had spent three years rotting in a prison cell while the people who framed her continued living their perfect, privileged lives. She had dreamed of vengeance in those cold, sleepless nights, picturing every way she could tear down the ones who had taken everything from her.
Now, Adrian Blackwood was handing her the opportunity on a silver platter.
But she wasn’t naïve.
She exhaled sharply. “Why do you want revenge on them?”
His smirk faded, replaced by something colder. “That’s none of your concern.”
Claire arched an eyebrow. “So I’m supposed to blindly trust you?”
A low chuckle escaped him, dark and almost amused. “No, Claire. Trust isn’t required in this arrangement.”
Her pulse thrummed. The way he said her name—it was a warning and a challenge all at once.
She had met men like him before. Powerful. Dangerous. Untouchable.
But Adrian Blackwood was different. Colder. More controlled. More unpredictable.
And that made him even more dangerous.
Claire set the pen down and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “Let’s talk terms.”
Adrian tilted his head slightly, his smirk returning as if he were secretly enjoying this. “Go ahead.”
“First,” she said, lifting a finger, “if I agree to this, I am not your puppet. You don’t get to control me.”
Amusement flickered in his dark gaze. “You think you have leverage here?”
“I think you need me for this to work,” she shot back.
Silence. A beat of tension passed between them.
Then, he laughed. A deep, rich sound that sent another shiver down her spine.
“Fine,” he conceded, though his smirk told her she had only won a battle, not the war. “What else?”
“Second, this marriage stays on paper. No real wedding, no honeymoon, no—”
Adrian cut her off with a slow, knowing glance. “No sex?”
Her cheeks burned, but she kept her expression neutral. “Exactly.”
He hummed as if considering. “Agreed.”
Something about how easily he accepted that unsettled her. Like he knew something she didn’t.
“Last condition,” she continued, “when this is over, I walk away. No strings attached.”
Adrian studied her for a long moment, then nodded. “Deal.”
With that, he slid the contract toward her.
“Sign, and we begin.”
Claire stared at the paper, her heart pounding.
This was it. The moment that would change everything.
She lifted the pen and, with steady fingers, signed her name.
The Public Reveal
The next morning, Claire found herself standing beside Adrian in the penthouse suite of Blackwood Tower, dressed in an elegant designer gown worth more than everything she had ever owned combined. The silk fabric clung to her form, the high slit daring but sophisticated, the diamond earrings catching the morning light as she moved.
It was the type of luxury that once felt distant. Now, it was her armour.
Adrian, standing by the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, adjusted his cufflinks, exuding effortless dominance.
“Remember your role, Claire.” His voice was smooth but firm. “You’re madly in love with me.”
She scoffed, folding her arms. “Madly in love, got it.”
He turned then, his gaze dark and unreadable. “And you’ll behave accordingly.”
A flicker of irritation sparked in her chest. “Are you always this controlling?”
Adrian took a step closer. “Are you always this difficult?”
Their gazes locked, the tension between them tangible, electric.
Then, a knock on the door.
Daniel Vaughn, Adrian’s right-hand man, entered with his usual composed demeanour. “Everything is set. The media is outside.”
Adrian nodded. “Let’s go.”
As they stepped onto the rooftop terrace, where the press awaited, Claire schooled her expression into one of perfect devotion. She wrapped her arm around Adrian’s, feeling the taut muscle beneath his expensive suit.
Cameras flashed.
“Mr. Blackwood! Is it true you’re engaged?”
“Claire, how did you two meet?”
“Liam Carter was your fiancé before. Any bad blood?”
Claire smiled sweetly, gripping Adrian’s arm tighter. “Adrian and I have been together for a while now. We wanted to keep our relationship private, but we’re excited to share this news.”
Adrian glanced at her, his approval barely concealed.
Then, the moment she had been waiting for—
Liam and Ava arrived.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as Liam’s gaze locked onto hers.
He looked furious.
Ava, draped in an expensive red dress, clung to his arm, her perfectly manicured nails digging into his sleeve. “Claire?” she said, feigning shock.
Claire smirked, tilting her head. “Surprised to see me, Ava?”
Liam’s jaw tightened his expression a mix of anger and disbelief. “You’re engaged to Blackwood?”
Adrian finally spoke, his voice smooth, unbothered. “That’s right. Claire is mine now.”
The words sent a ripple through the crowd, the murmurs growing louder. Claire could practically feel Ava stiffen, could see the calculation in her eyes as she tried to piece together what was happening.
Liam’s fists clenched at his sides. “You can’t be serious.”
Claire almost laughed.
He was unravelling. Ava was already losing control.
And this was only the beginning.
She leaned into Adrian, her lips curving into a knowing smile as she whispered just loud enough for Liam to hear.
“Believe it.”
This wasn’t just a game anymore.
It was war.
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
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.
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