Chapter One : Hostile Takeover

The Waldorf Astoria’s grand ballroom glittered with wealth and excess. Crystal chandeliers bathed the crowd in golden light, the air thick with the scent of expensive perfume and aged whiskey. Juniper Hale didn’t belong here. Not in this world of billionaire elites who threw charity galas to ease their guilt while hoarding wealth.

But tonight, she wasn’t here to blend in. She was here for a fight.

Adjusting the simple navy dress she had borrowed from a friend because unlike everyone here, she didn’t have a closet full of designer gowns.  She scanned the room until she found him.

Adrian Blackwood.

He stood near the bar, effortlessly commanding attention. Dressed in a sleek black tux, he exuded confidence, swirling a glass of bourbon as he smirked at something his business partner said. The way he carried himself, like he owned every space he stepped into, set Juniper’s nerves on edge. He was arrogant, ruthless, and exactly the type of man who had the power to save her nonprofit.

If she could convince him to care.

Taking a deep breath, she grabbed a flute of champagne from a passing waiter and made her way toward him.

“Adrian Blackwood.”

His smirk deepened as he turned, dark eyes sweeping over her with slow, deliberate interest. “Miss Hale. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

She ignored the mocking lilt in his voice. “OceanGuard is on the verge of collapse. You have the power to save it.” She lifted her chin, refusing to let him intimidate her. “Your company has pledged millions to sustainability efforts”

“To projects that make sense,” Adrian cut in smoothly, taking a sip of his drink. “Not passion projects run by idealists with no business sense.”

Juniper clenched her jaw. “You mean projects that don’t put money directly into your pocket.”

A few guests turned their heads, sensing the tension. Adrian didn’t blink, didn’t react, just watched her with that infuriating smirk, like he was enjoying watching her get worked up.

“Naivety is an expensive habit, Miss Hale,” he murmured. “You can’t save the world on passion alone.”

“I’d rather be naive than a heartless billionaire.”

The conversations around them faltered. Juniper knew she had crossed a line, but she didn’t care. She had spent years fighting for the oceans, for the reefs, for the marine life that people like Adrian Blackwood treated as collateral damage. She wasn’t about to back down now.

Adrian exhaled slowly, tapping his fingers against his glass. “Tell me something,” he said, voice lowering as he leaned in slightly. “Do you actually think throwing a tantrum will make me open my checkbook?”

Her pulse thundered in her ears. He thought this was a game. Thought she was just some desperate activist he could toy with.

Fine. Two could play dirty.

With a practiced smile, she plucked a fresh cocktail from a passing waiter’s tray and, without breaking eye contact, tipped it straight onto Adrian’s crisp white shirt.

A collective gasp rippled through the room. The icy liquid soaked into the expensive fabric, dripping down his torso.

Adrian didn’t flinch. Didn’t blink. Just stared at her, whiskey eyes dark and unreadable.

“Now you have a reason to remember me,” she said sweetly. “Enjoy the rest of your night, Mr. Blackwood.”

Then she turned and walked away, ignoring the stunned whispers.

Her phone buzzed before she even made it out of the ballroom.

Breaking: Billionaire Adrian Blackwood Gets Drenched by Eco-Warrior at NYC Gala.

Oh, hell.

The Next Morning

Juniper was nursing a cup of coffee in her tiny Brooklyn apartment when the knock came.

Frowning, she set down her mug. It was too early for packages, and she wasn’t expecting anyone.

Opening the door, she found herself staring at a sharply dressed man in a tailored suit, holding an iPad. His expression was unreadable, professional but firm.

“Miss Hale,” he said. “Mr. Blackwood has a proposal for you.”

Juniper folded her arms. “Not interested.”

The man didn’t react, just extended the iPad toward her. “You’ll want to hear this. But first, you’ll need to pack a bag. You’re flying to St. Lucia.”

Her stomach flipped. “Excuse me?”

He handed her the iPad, and her breath caught when she read the email.

Adrian Blackwood was offering funding.

Not just enough to keep OceanGuard afloat, but enough to expand operations.

It was exactly what she had been fighting for, but there was a catch.

She had to meet him on his private island.

Juniper’s grip tightened around the iPad. This was a power move. He wanted control. Wanted her on his turf, playing by his rules.

Her pride screamed to say no. But her mind, the part that had spent sleepless nights trying to find a way to keep her nonprofit alive, knew she couldn’t afford to.

Exhaling sharply, she shoved the iPad back at the man. “Fine. But tell him I don’t play games.”

The man smirked. “Oh, Miss Hale. That’s exactly why he invited you.”