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When fiercely ambitious investment banker Sophia Hale is assigned to investigate the shadowy finances of billionaire Lucas Grant, her mission is clear: expose his empire's secrets, make her career, and finally put her family's painful past behind her. But Lucas is not just another arrogant CEO; he's charming, calculating, and dangerously irresistible. Their fiery encounters blur the line between ambition and attraction, leaving Sophia questioning what she's truly after, victory or him. Just as her investigation reveals Lucas's ties to a tragedy that shattered her family, she finds herself tangled in a dark web of power plays and betrayals. Now, Sophia must make a choice: expose the man who might be her enemy, or risk everything for the one man she's ever truly wanted. But as desire collides with danger, one thing becomes clear, falling for Lucas Grant could be the ultimate twist of her karma.
Sophia Hale's fingers tightened around her leather portfolio as she glanced around the dimly lit, modern lobby of Grant Tower. The receptionist barely looked up as she ushered Sophia to the elevator, cool professionalism veiling what must have been some surprise-people didn't simply get invited to see Lucas Grant. He was the man who never let his guard down, who rarely gave face-to-face time to anyone. Yet here she was, about to meet him alone.
Sophia breathed in deeply as the elevator ascended. She couldn't allow herself to be intimidated. This was a rare assignment, one that could catapult her career or end it just as fast. "Lucas Grant is just another CEO," she muttered under her breath, adjusting her blazer and checking her reflection in the elevator mirror.
The doors opened directly onto a sprawling office, sleek and shadowed by panoramic windows stretching the length of the room. Light from the setting sun painted everything in hues of gold and orange, glinting off glass and steel. And there he was, leaning casually against his desk, his eyes sharp and calculating as they took her in with the kind of cool amusement that made her pulse jump.
"Miss Hale, I presume." His voice was rich, almost lazy, like he had all the time in the world. There was something infuriatingly unhurried in his manner, something that made her feel like he was assessing her in ways she didn't entirely understand.
"Mr. Grant," she replied, walking confidently across the room to meet his gaze. Up close, Lucas Grant was even more imposing. His dark hair framed chiseled features, and his eyes-an intense shade of gray-seemed to pierce right through her. She'd read enough about him to know he was ruthless, but nothing had prepared her for the magnetic presence he exuded in person.
"Please, sit," he said, motioning to a sleek leather chair opposite his desk. "I'm curious to see why your firm sent someone as... young as you to lead an investigation."
Sophia fought the urge to bristle. "Experience isn't always a matter of age, Mr. Grant. Sometimes it's a matter of capability."
He smiled, a hint of something sharper than humor in his expression. "Touché. So, Miss Hale-Sophia, may I?-what exactly are you hoping to find here? Surely my company's records have been thoroughly scrutinized before."
Her chin lifted. "Grant Industries has been transparent with the routine audits, yes. But there are inconsistencies in the offshore accounts. We're simply... filling in the blanks." She kept her tone polite, almost dismissive, even as her heart raced. A small but undeniable part of her enjoyed pushing back. She wanted him to know she wasn't intimidated.
He leaned forward, hands clasped. "Blanks. Interesting. I suppose that's one way of describing it."
His gaze held hers, unwavering, until she could almost feel herself sinking into those gray depths, her breath catching just slightly. She quickly looked down at her notes, pushing down the strange pull she felt. "If you have nothing to hide, Mr. Grant, then I'm sure this will be a simple process."
"And if I do?" His question hung in the air, a challenge woven into his casual tone.
Sophia forced a light laugh. "Then it's my job to find it."
"Is it, though?" Lucas asked, his voice dropping a notch. "Or is your job to decide what you're willing to do to get there?"
She felt a flicker of unease at his words. It was rare for her to feel off-balance, but Lucas seemed to know exactly how to get under her skin. "I'm here to do my job thoroughly and ethically," she replied, her voice steely. "I don't let other considerations cloud my judgment."
His smile widened, though his eyes stayed as piercing as ever. "Good. I like someone who isn't afraid to push boundaries. But tell me-do you really believe in ethics? In this world?"
Sophia swallowed, momentarily taken aback by his directness. There was a part of her that wanted to counter him with the same ferocity, but she reminded herself to stay professional. "Yes, Mr. Grant, I do. Some people believe in more than just power and wealth. Some of us have principles."
"Principles?" He laughed softly, and the sound held a hint of derision. "Principles are just lines people draw in the sand, and those lines can be redrawn when things get uncomfortable."
Sophia's eyes narrowed. "Maybe that's true for you, Mr. Grant, but I'm not here to argue philosophies. I'm here to get the answers my firm needs."
Lucas stared at her in silence for a long moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as though reading her very soul. "And you think you know me," he murmured, almost to himself. "Miss Hale, you might find that there's more at play here than what you think."
The words felt like a warning, and for a heartbeat, Sophia's confidence wavered. She could sense that he was testing her, probing for any weakness he could exploit. But she'd worked too hard to get here, and she'd be damned if she let Lucas Grant throw her off balance.
"Perhaps," she said carefully, "but I'm not the kind to be scared off easily, Mr. Grant."
Lucas smirked, and the intensity in his eyes flared for just a moment. "I admire that. You're certainly... determined."
Sophia felt her cheeks flush under his gaze. She hated the way her heart hammered in her chest, the way she was drawn to him against her will. She quickly composed herself, letting her voice regain its crisp edge. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Grant. I'll be following up with your CFO on the accounts I mentioned."
Lucas tilted his head, watching her with an unreadable expression. "I'm sure you will. But do me a favor, Sophia...don't go looking too deep. Some things are better left buried."
She gave him a tight smile. "I'll decide what's better left buried. You don't get to make that choice for me."
A flicker of respect passed through his gaze, and, for a brief moment, she wondered what he saw when he looked at her. But before she could let her mind wander too far, she forced herself to stand, extending her hand. "Goodbye, Mr. Grant."
He took her hand, his grip firm and warm. "Goodbye, Miss Hale. I'll be seeing you soon."
As she turned to leave, she felt his eyes on her, a weight that lingered long after she exited his office. And as she stepped back into the elevator, Sophia could only think of one thing: Lucas Grant was even more dangerous than she had imagined. Dangerous and undeniably, frustratingly captivating
Dominic Westwood is a man with one goal revenge. Cold, calculating, and ruthlessly wealthy, he's spent years plotting against the man responsible for his sister's death: a corrupt politician who has evaded justice for too long. To take down his enemy, Dominic needs the perfect pawn. Enter Lila Harrington. Lila, a kind-hearted wedding planner, never imagined her life would spiral out of control. But when Dominic buys her family's debt, she's forced into a marriage of convenience to save them. Trapped in the cold, glamorous world of the billionaire, Lila must navigate her new reality married to a man who views her as nothing more than a means to an end. What Dominic didn't expect was for Lila to challenge him at every turn. Her warmth begins to thaw his icy heart, and soon, his carefully laid plans unravel as his need for revenge collides with an unexpected desire to protect her. But as Lila uncovers Dominic's dark past and the deadly game of revenge he's playing, she finds herself caught between two powerful men one who seeks to control her and one who might just destroy her. In a world where love is the ultimate risk, will Lila and Dominic find redemption in each other, or will their dangerous secrets tear them apart forever?
Seraphina Everhart has always played by the rules. As the brilliant executive assistant to the enigmatic billionaire Cassian Ashford, she's kept her head down, focused on her career, and never let anyone get too close. But when a forbidden attraction between her and Cassian begins to ignite, Seraphina finds herself tangled in a web of desire and secrets she never saw coming. Cassian Ashford is a man with everything-wealth, power, and control over his world. But his biggest secret could destroy everything he's built. As the hidden heir to a fortune he's sworn to reject, he's lived his life under an assumed identity, shielding himself from the truth that could tear his empire apart. And Seraphina? She's the one person who could unravel it all. As passion collides with deception, Seraphina and Cassian must navigate a dangerous dance of power, trust, and betrayal. Will their undeniable chemistry be enough to overcome the secrets that threaten to destroy them both? Or will the truth drive them apart forever?
Veronica Jones thought she could handle the shadows, thought she could expose the truth behind her father's death without falling victim to the monsters who lurked there. But when her search leads her straight into the path of Archie Lodge the city's most feared mafia lord her plan unravels. Archie is as ruthless as he is possessive, a man who controls everything and everyone in his world. And once he sets his sights on Veronica, he'll stop at nothing to keep her close. Drawn to Archie against her better judgment, Veronica finds herself caught in a brutal game of power, seduction, and survival. What starts as hate burns into something darker, something she can't shake no matter how hard she tries. But Archie's world comes with secrets and a danger that doesn't forgive, and the deeper she falls, the harder it becomes to break free. With her heart in one hand and her freedom in the other, Veronica must decide face the fire and risk losing everything, or escape and leave the only man who's ever set her soul ablaze.
Lily Hartman has spent her entire life in the shadow of her older sister, Alana the golden child who always gets what she wants. Including Adam Westbrook, the brooding billionaire Lily once loved in secret. Five years after Adam and Alana's picture-perfect wedding, their marriage is falling apart, and fate forces Lily back into Adam's world when they're caught in a high stakes real estate deal. Determined to take back what was stolen from her, Lily embarks on a dangerous game of revenge. But what begins as a calculated seduction spirals into something much deeper when she finds herself pregnant with Adam's child. Torn between loyalty to her sister and the desire to claim the man she's always loved, Lily is forced to make a choice one that will change all their lives forever. As family secrets unravel, and Adam's dark past comes to light, Lily realizes the stakes are higher than she ever imagined. In a world where betrayal runs deep and love is never easy, will she risk it all for the man who was never meant to be hers?
After two years of marriage, Kristian dropped a bombshell. "She's back. Let's get divorced. Name your price." Freya didn't argue. She just smiled and made her demands. "I want your most expensive supercar." "Okay." "The villa on the outskirts." "Sure." "And half of the billions we made together." Kristian froze. "Come again?" He thought she was ordinary—but Freya was the genius behind their fortune. And now that she'd gone, he'd do anything to win her back.
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
Kaelyn devoted three years tending to her husband after a terrible accident. But once he was fully recovered, he cast her aside and brought his first love back from abroad. Devastated, Kaelyn decided on a divorce as people mocked her for being discarded. She went on to reinvent herself, becoming a highly sought-after doctor, a champion racer, and an internationally renowned architectural designer. Even then, the traitors sneered in disdain, believing Kaelyn would never find someone. But then the ex-husband’s uncle, a powerful warlord, returned with his army to ask for Kaelyn’s hand in marriage.
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."