Nathan's POV
I watched Clara Lin walk away from the chaos of her almost-wedding, her white dress a beacon in the afternoon sun. She was nothing like I'd expected. When my intelligence team had first flagged her engagement to Reid, I'd dismissed her as another social climber. Now, seeing her orchestrate Reid's downfall with such precision, I felt something I hadn't experienced in years—genuine interest.
"Mr. Chen!" Reid's voice cut through my thoughts. "Whatever she told you, it's lies!"
I turned to face him, enjoying the way his perfectly controlled facade was cracking. "The SEC seems to disagree. As do the federal agents currently raiding your offices."
"You bastard," he snarled, grabbing my lapel. "You planned this!"
I removed his hand with deliberate calm. "Actually, your bride planned it. I just provided the audience." I straightened my tie. "Consider this karma, Reid. You should have treated her better."
The federal agents were leading him away now, but his eyes burned with a hatred I recognized. The kind of hatred that didn't end with handcuffs and court dates.
My phone buzzed with a text from Clara: "Dinner? I believe we should discuss phase two. - C"
A smile curved my lips as I typed back: "Le Cirque, 8 PM. Wear something other than white."
Walking to my car, I called my head of security. "Double the protection detail on Miss Lin. Reid won't take this lying down."
"Sir, about Miss Lin..." Johnson hesitated. "There's something odd in her background check. Before yesterday, all her patterns were different. It's like she became a different person overnight."
I thought about the way she'd known details of deals that hadn't been made public yet, the precision of her intel, the calculated nature of her revenge.
"Keep digging," I ordered. "I want to know everything."
Back in my office, I reviewed the security footage from the wedding. Clara had played her part perfectly—the innocent bride, right up until the moment she struck. But there had been something in her eyes when she looked at Reid, something that spoke of more than just betrayal.
It was the look of someone who had died and come back with a purpose.
My phone buzzed again: "By the way, the Zhang deal you're planning? The numbers aren't what they seem. Let's talk. - C"
I froze. The Zhang negotiations were completely confidential, known only to my inner circle. How could she possibly...?
Another message appeared: "Careful, Mr. Chen. That look of surprise doesn't suit you. See you at 8. - C"
A laugh escaped me. Clara Lin was proving to be far more dangerous than anyone had anticipated. The little white bride had teeth—and she'd just drawn first blood.
The game was just beginning, and for the first time in years, I was genuinely looking forward to playing. Clara wanted revenge? I would give her so much more than that.
After all, every queen needs a king.
And Alexander Reid was about to learn why I'd earned the nickname "The Wolf of Wall Street."
I pulled up the dossier on Clara Lin, studying her photo. There was something mesmerizing about her eyes—a depth of knowledge that shouldn't be possible for someone her age.
"Sir?" My assistant's voice came through the intercom. "Mr. Reid's lawyers are on line one."
"Tell them I'm unavailable." I stood, grabbing my jacket. "And cancel my meetings for the rest of the day."
I had a dinner to prepare for, and something told me Clara Lin would be the most dangerous woman I'd ever courted.
But then again, I'd always liked playing with fire.
The hunt was on, and this time, I wasn't sure who was the predator and who was the prey.
But I couldn't wait to find out.
Clara's POVThe 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. "An
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