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Chapter 27: The trap.
Huling Na-update:
2025-04-22 19:30:43
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The 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
Huling Na-update : 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
Huling Na-update : 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
Huling Na-update : 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
Huling Na-update : 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-23The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 33: After The Vows.
**********************Claire's POV**************************The reception hall buzzed with leftover energy from the wedding, laughter echoed through the chandeliers, and the champagne glasses clicked against a backdrop of soft jazz. But at one corner of the room, tension pulsed thick and heavy.Mack's father, Henry Allister, stood with the poise of maa n who'd made empires bend at his will. His grey eyes steel_hard_fixed on Mack and me, like a judge awaiting a confession."So," Henry said, voice low but pointed."Now that the music's dulled and the ceremony's done...shall we talk about the whole reason this wedding happened?Mack's jaw clenched. I instinctively moved closer to him, our fingers brushed slightly."What exactly are you insinuating Dad?" Mack asked though the warning in his voice made the answer clear.Henry chuckled without humour. "Oh, don't insult my intelligence, Mackenzie, you're my son, I know how your mind works. You marry Claire, conveniently get the CEO positio
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-23The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 34: The Weeding Night 1
*****************************Claire's POV******************The night air cooled against my skin as I stepped onto the balcony; the distant sounds of the party still echoed faintly behind me. Below the garden lights shimmered like fallen stars. It felt _ surreal. I was no longer just Claire. I was Claire Allister. A wife. I glanced down at the ring on my finger. Elegant, subtle, perfectly mine. Mack had chosen it himself.The door behind creaked softly, then clicked shut."There you're." Mack's voice was warm, steady. He walked up beside me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "You disappeared on me." "Just needed some air. Tonight's been _ intense." I said.He leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss to my temple."Liam?" He asked"Henry too". I replied."I know." He signed."I hate that they tried to taint it." He said. I turned in his arm, as I faced him fully."They didn't. We didn't let them."His hands cupped my cheeks. "You were incredible back there. You handled both of th
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-23The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 35: The Morning After(The Wedding Night)
*****************************Claire's POV*******************I stirred before the sun did, my body hummed with memories of the night before. My limbs ached in the most delicious way, a quite reminder of how Mack had touched me, claimed me _ how I had given myself to him, not just as his wife, but as his equal, his lover and his home.The sheets were a mess. Rose petals clung to my skin, crushed and scattered like the remains of a celebration.My wedding dress lay draped over the chair in the corner, and Mack's shirt was still halfway to the floor, buttons hung by threads.I turned my head slowly.Mack was beside me, half covered by the sheet, one arm thrown over his forehead, lips parted in sleep. The faintest smile curled his mouth, like he was still dreaming about me.His hair was tossled in that perfect way_ wild and soft, as i ran my fingers through it all night.I couldn't help but watch him. My husband. The word still felt foreign. But warm. Safe.Real. My fingers trailed acros
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-23
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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
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 41: The Break_ of the Shadow Beneath.
**************************Claire's POV*******************I stood at the centre of my room in Mack's first house_ the first house he brought me to. The events that had occurred for the past few days were playing in my head like a projector didisplayedlides.I couldn't shake off the uneasiness in my stomach.I paced around the room, lost in my thoughts. My heart skipped a beat everytime I remember that it was just Liam. There's someone out there who wants me that I'm not totally not aware of.My phone vibrated at the coffee table by the side of the table.I ran to take it because I had been expecting a call from Mack."Claire_ " He called out to me. I didn't realise how much I missed him till now."Mack?" I replied."Are you okay? Are you hurt in any way?_" He asked. His tone was calm and shaky with concern."Mack_ I'm good. I wasn't hurt in any way." I said.I heard him exhale deeply on the other side."Kelvin had been doing a great job," I said. I felt a pang of regret as I was to b
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 40: The Stalker.
*********************Claire's POV***************************"Claire!" I jumped at the sound of a voice. The hum of air from the air conditioning was the only sound in my office with the rhythmic tapping from my keyboard. I hadn't expected anyone. Mack was not yet in town. "Jesus, Kelvin, you scared me," I said as I pinned in my chair."Sorry." He said as he walked in. His eyes scanned the ceiling."What's wrong?" I asked as I frowned."Nothing _ just." He said as he stepped at the back of my desk."You ever feel like you're being watched? He asked as he looked up."Paranoid much?" I chuckled.Kelvin didn't laugh, he reached up and tilted one of the ceiling tiles."What the hell do you think you're doing?" I asked."There's something here." He said as he pulled down a tiny black object."Hidden camera." He said.I froze as I stood up."What?_ How?" "Wireless", he said as he turned it over in his hands."Someone has been watching you." He continued."Who would that be?" I asked.
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 39: The Obsession.
***********************Claire's POV***************************Liam: I saw you this morning; you looked tired. Didn't you sleep? Or was it difficult to sleep? I could help with that.**** Why do you keep ignoring me?**** Don't pretend like what we had was nothing.**** I hate being ignored. You'll talk to me eventually.**My phone buzzed with messages from Liam. As if the messages weren't enough. My phone keeps vibrating from his calls.I stood in front of the espresso machine as I willed the hiss of steamed milk to drown out my buzzing phone_ it vibrated against the stainless steel counter, relentless and insistent. Liam. Again.I didn't need to check the screen. I already knew.The barista glanced at me with a polite concern but just offered a tight smile. I grabbed my cappuccino and left the phone where it lay briskly back to my desk on the 12th floor. It was only 8:42am. I have five unread messages from Liam.I closed my laptop; nausea climbed in my throat. I'd blocked his numbe
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 45: The Confrontation 1.
***********************"POV: Sadie**************************Liam was in the conference room again. Alone. Back to the door. Lights dim. His hands are shoved deep in his pockets like he’s trying to hold himself together from the inside out."Liam."He doesn’t turn around."I’m not in the mood, Sadie." He said."Too bad," I said as I shut the door behind me. It clicks with finality. "I don’t care what mood you’re in. This conversation is long overdue." I said.He exhaled, slow. Controlled. Like I haven’t just dropped a grenade in the room."You gonna lecture me again?" He asked."Only if you keep pretending Claire isn’t Mack’s wife."His jaw flexed. Boom."Sadie, don’t." He said. His voice was hard."Don’t what? Say her name? Call you out? Remind you that you’re practically drooling over someone who shares a mortgage and a king-size bed with your brother?" I asked. My voice was firm."I said don’t." He replied."You think I’m scared of you, Liam?" I asked.He turned then. Fast. Eyes d
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 37: Shadows Beneath The Crown.
************************Claire's POV************************ The events of the past few months lingered in my mind as I walked through the garden. The Roses were in full bloom. Their scent wasn't sweet and heavy in the autumn air. But I couldn't escape the gnawing feeling in my stomach, as I drifted to what Liam said to me at my wedding reception. I had no idea what his intentions were or how far his obsession had grown. A tall figure appeared on the other side of the garden; the figure was framed by the ivy-covered stone walls, and my heart skipped a beat. His presence was magetic_ too magnetic for my own good. "Claire." Liam's voice was smooth. But here was an edge to it. Something strained. He stepped closer, his gaze intense, though his face remained impassive. "Liam," I said as I forced a smile. "What are you doing here?" I asked " I wanted to talk to you." He said quietly as he glanced up briefly over his shoulder as if to ensure, no one watched. "Talk? About what? I ask
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 36: Performance and Paparazzi.
********************Claire's POV*************************"You married her for the company." Mack's father said coldly, as he stood beneath the towering chandelier in the Mack's Penthouse living room."And you think dressing it up in flowers and a string quartet changes that?" He asked.I stood beside Mack, our fingers interlocked. I tried to keep my expression neutral. But, inside my stomach churned.Mack's jaw tightened."This isn't your business Father. The board approved the merger. The wedding happened. It's done.""Not if I say otherwise." His father snapped. "You forget the byelaws. The marriage must be genuine. The board only agreed on the clause because they'd assumed you will go with it.I stepped forward. "So what? You want us to perform for you? Prove that we're in love like some really contestants?"Mack's father smirked. "If you're truly in love. You won't mind showing it. Publicly consistent.With that he turned to his heels. My gaze locked with Mack's._____That afte
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 35: The Morning After(The Wedding Night)
*****************************Claire's POV*******************I stirred before the sun did, my body hummed with memories of the night before. My limbs ached in the most delicious way, a quite reminder of how Mack had touched me, claimed me _ how I had given myself to him, not just as his wife, but as his equal, his lover and his home.The sheets were a mess. Rose petals clung to my skin, crushed and scattered like the remains of a celebration.My wedding dress lay draped over the chair in the corner, and Mack's shirt was still halfway to the floor, buttons hung by threads.I turned my head slowly.Mack was beside me, half covered by the sheet, one arm thrown over his forehead, lips parted in sleep. The faintest smile curled his mouth, like he was still dreaming about me.His hair was tossled in that perfect way_ wild and soft, as i ran my fingers through it all night.I couldn't help but watch him. My husband. The word still felt foreign. But warm. Safe.Real. My fingers trailed acros
The CEO’s Temptation Chapter 34: The Weeding Night 1
*****************************Claire's POV******************The night air cooled against my skin as I stepped onto the balcony; the distant sounds of the party still echoed faintly behind me. Below the garden lights shimmered like fallen stars. It felt _ surreal. I was no longer just Claire. I was Claire Allister. A wife. I glanced down at the ring on my finger. Elegant, subtle, perfectly mine. Mack had chosen it himself.The door behind creaked softly, then clicked shut."There you're." Mack's voice was warm, steady. He walked up beside me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "You disappeared on me." "Just needed some air. Tonight's been _ intense." I said.He leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss to my temple."Liam?" He asked"Henry too". I replied."I know." He signed."I hate that they tried to taint it." He said. I turned in his arm, as I faced him fully."They didn't. We didn't let them."His hands cupped my cheeks. "You were incredible back there. You handled both of th
