Clara's POV
The candlelight at Le Cirque cast shadows across Nathan Chen's impossibly perfect features as he studied me over his wine glass. In my past life, I might have blushed under such intense scrutiny. Now, I met his gaze with equal force.
"The Zhang deal," he said, setting down his glass with deliberate precision. "Tell me how you know about it."
I smiled, letting the silk of my black dress slide slightly off one shoulder. "Careful, Mr. Chen. Information like that doesn't come free."
"Name your price." His voice carried that dangerous edge I was beginning to recognize—the sound of a predator spotting prey.
"You assume I want something that can be bought?"
"Everyone has a price, Clara." He leaned forward, his cologne teasing my senses. "The question is, what's yours?"
"A partnership," I said, matching his posture. "I have information that could make you billions. You have the resources to help me destroy Alexander Reid completely."
Nathan's dark eyes flickered with interest. "And what makes you think I won't destroy you too?"
"Because," I traced the rim of my wine glass, "you're intrigued. I'm a puzzle you can't solve. And men like you can't resist puzzles."
His low chuckle sent shivers down my spine. "You're playing a dangerous game, Clara."
"Life's more fun that way, don't you think?"
The waiter approached with our main course, but Nathan waved him away. "Tell me about the offshore accounts first."
"Which ones?" I took a deliberate sip of wine. "The ones in the Cayman Islands or the secret Swiss accounts?"
His eyes narrowed. "How deeply have you dug, little girl?"
"Deep enough to know that your recent acquisition in Singapore isn't what it seems." I pulled out my phone, showing him a series of transactions. "These numbers don't add up, do they?"
Before he could respond, my phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number: You can't hide forever, my dear wife.
"Alexander?" Nathan asked, his jaw tightening.
"He never did know how to lose gracefully." I showed him the message. "See? The threats are already starting."
"Let me handle it." Nathan's hand covered mine, warm and commanding. "I protect what's mine."
"And when did I become yours?"
"The moment you walked into my trap at Café Laurent." He smiled, all white teeth and predatory grace. "Did you really think I didn't plan this too?"
I pulled my hand away. "You're bluffing."
"Am I?" He reached into his jacket, producing a familiar USB drive. "This one contains the real evidence about the Morrison merger. The one you gave me was a decoy."
"How did you—"
"I told you, Clara. I'm always several steps ahead." He poured more wine into my glass. "The question is, why are you really here?"
"Maybe I just enjoy the company."
"No," his fingers brushed my cheek. "You're here because you know something. Something that terrifies even Alexander Reid."
I stood, gathering my clutch. "Thanks for dinner, Mr. Chen. But I don't belong to anyone."
His hand caught my wrist, gentle but firm. "Stay."
"Why should I?"
His eyes darkened. "Because you need me as much as I need you."
"You're very sure of yourself."
"I'm sure about you." He stood, towering over me. "Whatever game you're playing, Clara, I want in."
"And what makes you think you can handle my game?"
His smile was pure sin. "Because I've been watching you longer than you know. The question isn't whether I can handle your game—it's whether you can handle mine."
I turned and walked away without answering, feeling his eyes on me until I disappeared into my waiting car.
Only then did I allow myself to breathe. Nathan Chen was dangerous—more dangerous than I'd anticipated. He saw too much, understood too well.
My phone buzzed with another text from him: Sweet dreams, Clara. Tomorrow, we begin the real game.
I smiled despite myself. Nathan Chen might think he was the puppet master, but I'd learned from my mistakes.
This time, I was writing the script.
And tomorrow would be just the beginning.
Clara's POVThe Reid Enterprises building loomed before me, less imposing now that I knew its foundations were built on lies. I adjusted my Chanel suit and strode through the lobby, ignoring the whispers that followed."Mrs. Reid—I mean, Miss Lin!" The security guard stumbled over my name. "You're not authorized—""Check again," I smiled sweetly. "I believe you'll find I'm still on the board of directors.""But Mr. Reid said—""Mr. Reid is in federal custody, isn't he?" I arched an eyebrow. "Now, my credentials, please."His face paled as he verified his tablet. Success—in the chaos of Alexander's arrest, no one had thought to revoke my access.The executive floor was pandemonium. SEC agents combed through files while shell-shocked employees huddled in corners, whispering behind their hands."Clara!" Jessica's voice rang out. "You have no right to be here!"I turned slowly, savoring her disheveled appearance. "Hello, bestie. Love the outfit—orange jumpsuit next, perhaps?""You vindict
Alexander's POVI watched through the security feeds as Clara and Chen raced down the stairwell. Three years of careful planning, destroyed in a single morning by a woman I'd underestimated. The thought burned like acid in my veins."Sir," Johnson whispered, "the building's surrounded by federal agents.""Then we'll use the tunnels." I straightened my tie, a habit even handcuffs couldn't break. "Has the package been delivered to my office?""Yes, sir. Timer set as requested.""And the backup files?""Destroyed, as per protocol."I smiled, remembering Clara's face at the altar. Such fire, such betrayal. She'd learned well from me—perhaps too well."Sir," another guard approached. "Miss Stevens is asking for instructions.""Tell her to stick to the plan." I checked my watch. "And remind her what happens to loose ends.""You're really going to kill her?" Johnson asked. "Clara, I mean."I turned to him slowly. "Having doubts, old friend?""It's just... she was good to us, sir. To all of u
Clara's POVThe parking garage echoed with the sound of my heels as Nathan pulled me toward his Aston Martin. Smoke from the explosion filled the air, but I forced myself to stay focused. I couldn't let him see how shaken I was by Alexander's escape."Get in," Nathan commanded, opening the passenger door. His normally perfect suit was covered in dust, yet somehow he managed to look even more devastatingly handsome."I can handle myself," I protested, but slid into the leather seat anyway. The car purred to life as Nathan gunned the engine."Clearly," he said dryly, speeding up the ramp. "Is that why you're shaking?"I hadn't realized my hands were trembling until he pointed it out. "It's just the adrenaline.""Clara." His voice softened as he navigated through traffic. "You don't have to pretend with me.""I'm not pretending anything." I stared straight ahead, trying to ignore how his cologne filled the confined space of the car. "I knew exactly what I was getting into when I exposed
## Chapter 10: Behind Enemy LinesThe whiskey bottle shattered inches from my head, raining glass and amber liquid. Nathan's body pressed against mine behind the bar, his breath hot on my neck. Every nerve ending in my body was alive with adrenaline—and something else I refused to acknowledge."The panic room," he whispered, his lips brushing my ear. "Behind the bookshelf. Think you can make it?"I nodded, trying to ignore how his hands gripped my waist. This wasn't the time to get distracted by Nathan Chen's perfectly sculpted... everything."Found you!" Jessica's voice sang out again, closer now. "Come out, come out, wherever you are!""On three," Nathan murmured. His thumb stroked small circles on my hip, sending unwanted shivers down my spine. "One..."A bullet splintered the wood beside us."Two..."Jessica's heels clicked on the marble floor, getting closer."Three!"Nathan sprang up, providing cover fire with a gun I hadn't even seen him draw. I sprinted for the bookshelf, my h
Clara's POVThe private elevator descended smoothly into Nathan Chen's secret underground facility. His hand rested possessively on my lower back, the heat of his touch burning through the silk of my dress. The kiss we'd shared in his penthouse still lingered on my lips, an unwanted distraction from the gravity of my situation."Impressed?" His voice held that arrogant edge that had made lesser men crumble in boardrooms across Manhattan.I forced myself to remain calm despite his proximity. "It takes more than a few hidden tunnels to impress me, Mr. Chen.""Nathan." His fingers tightened slightly on my waist. "And somehow, I doubt that's true. You've been watching me for months, haven't you, Clara?"My heart skipped. In my previous life, I'd never known Nathan had noticed me before Alexander's betrayal. "I don't know what you mean."The elevator stopped, opening into a luxuriously appointed bunker that looked more like a five-star hotel suite. Nathan guided me inside, his touch both
Clara's POVThe bunker's security feeds showed chaos unfolding in the building above. Alexander's men were being systematically taken down by Nathan's security team, their superior numbers meaning nothing against better training and preparation."Impressed now?" Nathan's breath was hot against my neck as he stood behind me, watching the screens."You're enjoying this," I accused, trying to ignore how his proximity affected me.His chuckle was dark honey. "Watching Alexander Reid's empire crumble? Of course I am." His hands settled on my shoulders, possessive and commanding. "He took something that belonged to me. Now he's paying the price."I turned to face him, confused. "What are you talking about? We'd never even met before—""The Singapore merger." His eyes held that dangerous gleam that had made him infamous in boardrooms worldwide. "You were supposed to be my CFO. Instead, Alexander swooped in with a marriage proposal and a promise to make you CEO of his Asian division."My hear
Clara's POVThe abandoned subway station's emergency lights cast shadows across Nathan's sharp features as he pulled me behind a pillar. Even disheveled, he emanated power and control. His touch on my waist was possessive, sending unwanted shivers down my spine."Enough running," he said, his voice carrying that dangerous edge that had made him Manhattan's most feared businessman. "This ends now."Before I could protest, he pulled out his phone. Within seconds, his security team's voices crackled through the station's overhead speakers."Sector clear, Mr. Chen. Alexander Reid's men have been... neutralized."Jessica's outraged scream echoed through the station. "You can't do this! Do you know who we work for?"Nathan's laugh was cold enough to freeze blood. "I know exactly who you work for. The question is, does Alexander know who he's dealing with?"I watched in awe as Nathan Chen's true power unfurled. With a few calls, he had the entire station locked down. His men emerged from eve
Clara's POVNathan's penthouse felt different in the soft morning light. The destruction from last night's chaos had been meticulously erased, as if it never happened. Just like my previous life, I thought wryly.I stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the city wake up below. The morning news was already broadcasting Alexander's arrest – his empire crumbling in real-time. Last time, I hadn't lived to see this moment."Having second thoughts?" Nathan's voice came from behind me, smooth as aged whiskey.I turned to find him watching me with those impossibly dark eyes. Even in casual clothes – a black cashmere sweater and tailored pants – he radiated power."About Alexander's arrest? No." I kept my voice steady. "He deserves everything coming to him."Nathan moved closer, his presence filling the space between us. "That's not what I meant." His finger traced my jawline. "You're thinking about running."I wasn't, but I couldn't tell him why. Couldn't explain that in my previous