Kory Alexander never imagined her life would spiral out of control after one reckless night. As a self-made fashion designer fighting to save her struggling company, the last thing she needs is to wake up in the bed of her arrogant enemy, billionaire CEO Dickson Richard. But when an unplanned pregnancy forces her into a contract marriage, Kory finds herself trapped in a world of luxury, lies, and passion she can't escape. Dickson is ruthless, possessive, and determined to make Kory his on his terms. Yet beneath his cold façade lies a man haunted by secrets and driven by an obsession he doesn't fully understand. But just as Kory begins to unravel the walls around his heart, Dickson's twin brother, Damian, steps into the picture. Where Dickson is fire, Damian is calm, and his quiet affection for Kory threatens to ignite a dangerous rivalry. Caught between two brothers and a whirlwind of desire and betrayal, Kory must navigate the treacherous waters of love, power, and family secrets. As tensions escalate and her life hangs in the balance, Kory is faced with an impossible choice that could shatter everything she's fought for. Can she find the strength to save herself and her heart before it's too late?
Chapter 1 Episode 1
The sound of her heels against the marble floor was the only thing echoing through the lavish hallway. Kory Alexander's chest tightened as she approached the massive double doors at the end of the corridor. The gilded letters on the frosted glass read "Richard Enterprises." She hated this place, hated everything it stood for-the ruthless dismantling of smaller businesses, the cold, calculated greed of its CEO, and most of all, the man who ran it.
Dickson Richard.
Her fingers clenched the portfolio she carried, the only proof she had that her company, Alexander Designs, was worth saving. The past few months had been a nightmare of court orders, aggressive buyout attempts, and sleepless nights trying to keep her father's legacy afloat. And now, she was walking into the lion's den, begging for a lifeline.
The receptionist barely glanced up from her desk. "You're late."
Kory's jaw tightened. "I wasn't aware I was on a schedule."
The receptionist, a young woman with perfectly coifed hair and a judgmental smirk, tapped her pen against the desk. "Mr. Richard doesn't appreciate being kept waiting."
"Good," Kory muttered under her breath.
She pushed the doors open without waiting for permission and stepped into the expansive office. Floor-to-ceiling windows framed the Manhattan skyline, the city glittering below as if mocking her. At the center of the room, behind a sleek glass desk, sat the man himself.
Dickson Richard looked up, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers. He didn't rise from his chair, didn't offer a greeting. Instead, he leaned back, his tailored suit stretching over broad shoulders, and watched her with the kind of smug amusement that made her skin crawl.
"You finally decided to grace me with your presence," he drawled, his deep voice laced with condescension.
"I wasn't aware this meeting was optional," Kory shot back, refusing to be intimidated. She approached the desk, her chin held high.
His lips curved into a smirk. "Everything is optional, Ms. Alexander. Including whether your company survives the next quarter."
She slammed the portfolio onto his desk. "Alexander Designs isn't just a company. It's my family's legacy, and I won't let you destroy it."
Dickson raised an eyebrow, flipping open the portfolio with deliberate slowness. He skimmed through the pages, his expression unreadable. "Your designs are impressive," he admitted, though the compliment felt backhanded. "But impressive doesn't always mean profitable."
Kory's fists clenched at her sides. "We're profitable enough. If you weren't trying to sabotage us with your underhanded tactics, we'd be thriving."
He looked up, his gaze sharp. "Business isn't personal, Ms. Alexander. It's survival of the fittest."
"And crushing smaller businesses makes you feel what? Powerful? Accomplished?"
Dickson stood, his towering frame suddenly making the office feel smaller. He walked around the desk, his movements slow and deliberate, until he was standing directly in front of her.
"It's not about feeling anything," he said, his voice dangerously low. "It's about control. Something you seem to be losing."
Kory refused to step back, even though her pulse quickened. She met his gaze head-on. "I don't need your pity, and I certainly don't need your advice."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension crackled in the air like an impending storm. Then Dickson smirked again, his hand brushing lightly over the edge of her portfolio.
"You came here for a reason, didn't you?" he said, his tone mocking. "Let's hear it. What's your proposal?"
Her throat tightened, but she forced herself to speak. "I want you to stop the takeover. Give me time to restructure my company, and I'll prove that Alexander Designs can stand on its own."
"And what do I get in return?"
"Your conscience intact."
He laughed, a low, mocking sound that made her stomach churn. "My conscience isn't for sale, Ms. Alexander. But if you're offering something else..." His gaze swept over her, deliberate and bold.
Her cheeks burned with indignation. "I'm not offering you anything except the opportunity to do the right thing."
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "The right thing doesn't pay the bills."
Before she could respond, the office door burst open, and a man stepped inside. He was similar to Dickson in appearance-tall, dark-haired, and devastatingly handsome-but there was a softness in his expression that immediately set him apart.
"Dickson," the newcomer said, his tone edged with irritation. "What are you doing?"
Dickson straightened, his smirk fading slightly. "Damian, you're interrupting a business meeting."
Damian's gaze shifted to Kory, and his brow furrowed. "I'm sure she didn't come here to be toyed with."
Kory blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected ally.
Dickson sighed, as if Damian's presence was a mild inconvenience. "Ms. Alexander and I were just discussing her company's... predicament."
"Is that what you call it?" Damian asked, his tone sharp.
Kory stepped forward, her voice steady. "Your brother seems to think my company is a pawn in his little power game."
Damian's jaw tightened. "Dickson, don't you think you've done enough damage for one week?"
Dickson shrugged, unbothered. "Business, Damian. You wouldn't understand."
"Try me," Damian shot back.
The tension between the brothers was palpable, and Kory realized she was witnessing something deeper than a simple disagreement. There was history here, wounds that hadn't healed.
Dickson turned back to her, his smirk returning. "Our discussion isn't over, Ms. Alexander. I'll be in touch."
Kory opened her mouth to argue, but Damian stepped in. "I'll walk you out," he said, his tone leaving no room for debate.
She hesitated, then nodded. Anything to get out of that suffocating office.
As they stepped into the hallway, Damian glanced at her, his expression apologetic. "I'm sorry about him. He has a way of... pushing people's buttons."
"That's one way to put it," Kory muttered.
Damian smiled faintly. "For what it's worth, I admire what you're trying to do. Fighting for your company, for your legacy. It's not easy going up against someone like Dickson."
"No, it's not," she admitted, surprised by his sincerity.
They stopped near the elevator, and Damian turned to face her fully. "If you ever need someone to talk to-someone who isn't trying to buy or destroy your business-you can call me."
Kory stared at him, unsure of how to respond. Was he genuinely trying to help, or was this just another game?
Before she could decide, the elevator doors opened, and she stepped inside. Damian offered her a small nod as the doors closed, leaving her alone with her thoughts.
The ride down felt endless, the weight of the confrontation pressing heavily on her chest. As she stepped out onto the bustling street, she inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself.
One thing was certain: Dickson Richard wasn't going to make this easy for her. But she wasn't about to back down.
Let the games begin.
Chapter 1 Episode 1
07/01/2025
Chapter 2 2
07/01/2025
Chapter 3 3
07/01/2025
Chapter 4 04
07/01/2025
Chapter 5 5
07/01/2025
Chapter 6 6
07/01/2025
Chapter 7 7
07/01/2025
Chapter 8 8
07/01/2025
Chapter 9 9
07/01/2025
Chapter 10 10
07/01/2025
Chapter 11 11
07/01/2025
Chapter 12 12
07/01/2025
Chapter 13 13
07/01/2025
Chapter 14 14
07/01/2025
Chapter 15 15
07/01/2025
Chapter 16 16
07/01/2025
Chapter 17 17
07/01/2025
Chapter 18 18
07/01/2025
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