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Chapter 24: Liam's Trap.
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2025-04-22 18:51:42
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The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 25: Smacked
**********************Claire's POV**************************The elevator doors opened with a metallic hiss, and I stepped into the penthouse_ where we'd been staying since we got engaged. My heels clicked like a warning against the marble floor. The quiet hit_ heat me first_ a silence too still, too deliberate. My fingers trembled slightly as I pulled my coat off, I scanned the darkened living space. Then, i saw it_ a single lamp on, casting a golden glow across the open room.And the text. Still there.*A dinner with your ex?*I swallowed hard, my throat felt like it was closing in.My pulse thudded in my ears, as I set my pulse down. The silence stretched, taut like a piano wire about to snap. I didn't see his car, didn't hear a crick from the door_ but there he was. I could feel it."Took, your time." A voice from the shadow said.I froze as I swallowed hard.Mack came into view from the hallway, no jacket, shirt sleeves rolled up, and hands casually in his pockets_, but his eyes
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-22The CEO’s Temptation Chapter: 26: Smacked 2: In The Office.
*********************Claire's POV*************************The door slammed behind us, a definitive sound, the last echo of the boardroom's chaos.I stood in the centre of the room, my arms crossed against my chest, my jaw tight, my eyes burning with fury.Mack's footsteps were slow and deliberate, he rolled up his sleeves like someone ready to get to do something dirty."You didn't have to hit him that hard." I said."You're defending someone that almost had you killed?" He asked as he raised his eyebrows."I_ I, Mack don't...." I stuttered."He's lucky because I'm not pressing charges." He cut me off." Well, I was going to do that," I said. My voice was calm."When? Before he kills you?" He asked."And, he had the guts to smile at you ." He said. His tone was a mixture of jealousy and fury. "Mack, let's focus on the fact that he almost sold us today in the board meeting." I said as I changed the topic."You think I'm going to let him walk away clean? Take everything I've built? A
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-22The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 27: The trap.
*********************Aliana's POV*********************** My heels clicked against the marble floor gently as I headed for my car after a long stressful day at work.Each click shows my tiredness and the urgent need to get home and have a cold bath.I exhaled sharply and pulled my coat tighter around my body. The day had been long _excrutiatingly long. My presentation fell apart the third time because Claire choose to MIA from our meeting. Again."Co-workers," I muttered under my breath as I pressed the unlock button on my key fob."She said we're just co-workers," I muttered again.My car chirped somewhere ahead, but I wasn't in a rush anywhere; I dragged my feet against my will, weighed down by more than just exhaustion."Su, re Claire," I mumbled to myself as I reached my car."I threw my bag into the passenger seat and sat behind the wheel. My hands clutched the steering but I made no attempt to move.All day I'd kept it together. But now alone in the dimly lit garage. The cracks
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-22The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 28: The Line Crossed.
Chapter 28: The Line Crossed. ********************Mack's POV************************** "Morning Mack." A voice called.I glanced up and froze."Aliana_ " I called.She leaned against the reception desk, dressed in a crimson blouse unbuttoned just enough to raise eyebrows and a black pencil skirt with a slit far too high for an office dress code.Her heels clicked as she approached me, slowly, deliberately, every movement calculated."Now....that outfit is against the company's dress code." I said as my jaw tightened. What does she think this place is?"Thought you do like......I wore it for you." She said as she twirled her hair around her finger playfully.My eye brows arched."What do you mean?" I asked. My tone was urgent and confused."I came to say_ thank you _ for the other day at the garage," she said."Ohh, about that, I did what I ought to do," I said as I shifted uncomfortably."And your dress is a little_ too much for work," I said. My tone was firm with authority."C'mon
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-22The CEO’s Temptation chapter 29: The Enemies Meet Up.
**********************Aliana's POV*************************"I didn't think, you'd come," I said. My tone was calm and calculated."You said it was about Claire. Of course I'd come and the part about Mack? That heightened my interest." She said as she smirked. Stirred her iced cold coffee lazily."So. What's your angle? " Sadie asked.She was dressed in a designer coat, her designer handbag carefully placed on the table. Inside the coat lay a black up gown that clung to her curves like it was just made for her. Her crimson hair, perfectinally packed up in a pony tail.Her red lipstick matched the colour of her eyes. Damn_ she's a 10/10.No wonder Liam married her_ that fool. I thought to myself "I need your help. I can't take Claire down alone." I said as I leaned closer, my voice barely a whisper."Claire's in the way to my plan. And Mack? _ he could like me if Claire disappeared." I said. My voice cold "Disappear? Like how? Her eyebrows arched."Are we talking mean girl sabotage o
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-22The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 30: The Hike.
******************************Aliana's POV******************"Tell me again, why we're doing this?" I asked no one in particular.I stared out the tinted van window, my lips pressed into a line as trees blurred past. Pine, pine, pine, more pine.Endless green like the whole world was in green."Team bonding, nature clears the mind. Helps with vision and nature. Helps with vision and strategy." Claire said from the front view as she slightly turned from her seat."I get the strategy. But couldn't we have bonded at a rooftop bar?" I asked."Bars don't reveal people. Forests do." Claire said as she smiled.I stared at her for a while. Something about the way she said it_ it wasn't Casual. It wasn't about work.It was a warning.___By the time we arrived, my mood has gone from irritated to openly hostile.The retreat centre was buried deep into the woods, all log cabins and moss-covered stone paths. A light most hung in the air, thick enough to ruin my hair and mood because my boots had
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-23The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 31: Exposed 1
Few Days After The Trip.**************************Mack's POV***********************"Can I come in?" A familiar voice asked. I looked to see Aliana as she stood at the door. Her lips curled into a triumphant smirk as she me. In her hands, she clutched her phone, the screen lit."Yes, Aliana." I said as I continued with my tablet."Mr. Allister." She said sweetly, her voice laced with faux concern.I didn't look up, my gaze was glued to my tablet."What is it Aliana?" I asked. My voice calm."Okay? I didn't want to bring this up....but I think you deserve to know." She said.My fingers instantly froze only tablet, my gaze met hers. After the incidence at the filed trip, she's been of a good behaviour which is very scary, I know she's plotting something."Go on Aliana." I said as I paid rapt attention to her.She moved closer to my desk and turned her phone towards me. The image on her phone displayed Liam and Claire in what appeared to be an Intimate embrace. Put of
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-23The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 32: Vows and Promises.
After a few Days.**************************Claire's POV**********************As the time ticked,e d I couldn't help but think about this event_ the wedding that was about to unfold.My wedding with Mack Allister, is an event the city would talk about for years.I stood inside the bridal suite, staring at my reflection.My gown was a masterpiece. A fitted silhouette with hand sewn beading that caught the light with every breath I took. The bodice hugged my frame, cinched with a satin bow tie at the waist, and the veil_ cathedral Length_spilled behind me like a second train. Diamonds adorned my ears, delicate and cruel in their sparkle.There was a knock."Claire?" A familiar voice called. It was Liz."Come in," I said as I turned. I smiled softly at her.Liz entered in a floor-length navy gown, hugging a cream clutch in her hand. Her eyes were already glassy."Don't cry yet." I teased"We haven't even made it to the vows." I said."I'm not crying_ I'm ju
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-23
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The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 50: The weight of the Crown.
*********************Mack's POV**********************As I stepped inside the boardroom, the conversations hushed__ their gazes met mine. The room that was once filled with voices was now silent that I could hear their breathing.Every seat at the long table was occupied, suits crisp, jaws tight, eyes flickered toward the door behind me as if expecting someone.But the footsteps they anticipated didn't follow mine.Liam’s not here.I didn't say anything. It wasn't needed. His absence says enough already. He's a crowd for not showing up on the final day.I dropped my bag as I sat at the centre of the mahogany table."Where's Liam?" Ms.Rutherford__ the boardhead asked."He hasn't been taking his call." Jare,d one of the assistants, chipped in.For three months now, we waited for this day and now? Now he is no way to be found. He must be a coward. I wanted to see his expression when I win___ I wanted to see his arrogant face turn pale. I wanted to see how he would take it. How his mother
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 49: Press Conference
*************************Liam's POV***********************The city buzzed with the news of Sadie's death. The rumours grew louder; the whispers of suspicion were no longer confined to hushed conversations_ they were everywhere now. The media. The blogs and everyone I had come in contact with had something to say about what happened to Sadie. They'd seen the news. They knew the story_ or at least the version I made them believe.The news plastered everywhere: Mystery Death: Does Is Liam Behind the Tragic Fall?" "Murder or Suicide? "Mystery Death. Who's Hiding the Truth?" The rumours snowballed with each news article. One question dominated everyone's mind: Did Liam do it?I was in the spotlight but not in the way I wanted. It wasn't the mind of the spotlight that made me proud. It wasn't the clean press coverage I'd grown used to. No, this was the kind of spotlight that would change everything I planned. And drag me down.With the CEO election around the corner, the ting was terrible.
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 48: The visit.
************************Mack's POV*************************The news spread like wildfire. The moment it broke, it was like a tidal wave crashed over the company _ everything we've worked on. The company's reputation was at stake.I couldn't let that happen. I couldn't let everything crumble under the weight of the news. It's all over the papers, on the screen, on every broadcast, like a stain that couldn't be scrubbed out.I couldn't allow my family to be dragged down.I knocked on his door. He opened it with a sad look plastered on his face.I stepped inside without saying anything. I notuced the way he flinched at my presence. I could feel the weight of the news as it pressed down on him."You've seen the news?" I asked. My voice was flat, the tension in the air was thick enough to choke someone."Yeah, I've seen the news." He said as he tried his best to sound calm. But there's a flicker in his eyes something ___ I can't get my hands on."They said it was suicide huh?" I asked. M
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 47: Fractures.
***************************Claire's POV*********************My hands trembled against the mug of tea that burned my palms, unbothered."That's not true," I muttered."She wouldn't have done that," I said quietly again.Mack didn't glance in my direction right away. He stood by the tall window of the penthouse, his arms were folded around his body. His shoulders were tight with tension."Claire.." he said, his voice was soft and low."She wouldn't do that Mack," I said as I shook my head."You don't know her, you don't know what she can do." He said as he finally glanced in my direction."Yes__ I don't know her but Sadie doesn't come as the suicidal one.." I said as I scoffed "That woman can twist things and cause problems. She was all in the game, and you think she would jump like that? The story ain't clear." I said as my throat tightened.Mack walked towards me, slow like a wounded lion. He crouncged in front of the beside me, his hand squeezed my knee gently."They found a note."
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 46: The Quite After.
********************Liam's POV*************************There's a sound I couldn't get out of my ears. It wasn't her the sound of her Scream. It wasn't the sound of the wind as it ripped away. It was the silence after_ that awful, strange quiet where a person used to be. Where Sadie used to be.I sat at the centre of my living in the penthouse, still in my soaked socks, and my hands still trembled. The windows looked too big. The glass feels like it's looking in on me, really looking in on me, not out at the city.I need to do something. Think of something. Think fast. I'm a planner. That's what I'm good at. I change things into place until they come together, untill I win. But now?Now I just sat.My coat was in the sink. I thought I cleaned it. I forgot. There was soap all over the counter. Bubbles crusted on the edge. My hands were raw from scrubbing.God, I have lost my mind. What did I do?What did I do? I asked myself repeatedly.I didn’t mean to do that—no. No, that was a lie.
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 45: Her Dismiss.
*******************************Liam's POV******************The night air atop the rooftop was sharp and cool wind threaded through the silver hair of the city skyline. Sadie stepped onto the concrete, her heels clicked softly against the floor as the souls of her heels echoed through the concrete. The glass doors slid shut with a mechanical hum behind her as it sealed us in. I stood by the ledge, his back to her; the lights of the city below threw gold and blue patterns across my suit.She walked closer, her expensive fragrance filled the air.“You’re still up here?” she asked.I didn’t turn. “Needed air.” I said.“Funny. You never liked the cold,” she said as she smiled softly.I chuckled dryly. "Told ya. I'm a changed man." I said.“A changed man, huh?” she said as she stepped up beside me, her arms folded. “The change isn't enough.”I looked at her finally, and a flicker of annoyance crossed my face. “Is this going to be another one of your lectures?” I asked.“No,” Sadie said
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 44: The Confrontation: Mack and Liam's Edition
************************Mack's POV**********************The parking lot behind Chambers Grill was nearly empty. Save for Liam and I as we stood in the shadow of the flickering streetlamp. The cold wind cut through the silence like a blade, rustling leaves and sweeping dust across cracked asphalt.I stood on one side of the parking lot. My arms crossed over my chest, my jaw clenched. My eyes locked onto Liam like a predator. I had finally cornered my prey. Liam_ lit a cigarette with trembling fingers, but his smirk was still in place_ forced, brittle."You've got guts to lay your hands on my wife," I said. My voice was low and sharp like a razor."But, let's make this quick. I didn't come here to see your ugly face." I continued.Liam exhaled a cloud of smoke and tilted his head slightly."Relax man, I was just checking in on Claire. While you were away. Didn't know that was a crime." He said."You text her again. You call her. You even think about her_ your very existence will be ju
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 43: Unravelled.
*********************Claire's POV***************************The text from yesterday still lingered in my mind. I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that had settled in my chest, like a heavy weight I couldn't push away. "I'd shown Mack immediately I showed Liz. My hands trembled as I handed him the phone. And the look on his face...I could see his concern for me. His instincts kicked in. It was like a dark cloud on a sunny day.He held the phone for a moment. His jaw tightened. "He can't protect you?" He muttered to himself as he read the message."What the hell does this mean?" He asked."I_ I don't know. " I said. The word trembled in the air "And I don't like it. I don't even know who it's from, and I feel...I don't know...I feel like." My breath caught in my throat as the words escaped." I don't know Mack," I said.He looked at me. His eyes softened with concern. "We're going back tomorrow. We can't be running like cowards. We'll expose whoever it is." He said.That wa
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 42: The Shadow Through the Window.
*******************Claire's POV************************The te Sion in the air was palpable, even hours after the masted intruder had slipped through the second-story window like a ghost. Security personnel swept the grounds again, barking into radios, frustration mounted on every face. Whoever it was, he'd disappeared without a trace. There were no fingerprints and no scents for the dogs. I sat at the edge of the grand staircase, wrapped in a thick robe, my eyes hollow as replaying the scene on a loop."I didn't hear him Mack," I whispered as he knelt beside me."How the hell did he get past all of them?" I asked rhetorically."I have no idea, I swear. I'm not letting this happen again." He said as he took my hand, rough, steady against my cold fingers. "He was going to take advantage of me and.....he shot at you," I said as my eyes met his for the first time in an hour."He didn't. That counts as something." He said as his jaw tightened."I'm here and you're still here. Now, I'm g
