In the shiny world of New York City, where rich rules and emotions are a legal responsibility, Ivy Carter, an upcoming journalist, was given the opportunity of a lifetime: an exclusive interview with engineering tech billionaire Lucas Grayson. Known for his intelligence and good manner, Lucas is a man covered in mystery, with a past he guards wholeheartedly. Ivy, determined to know the surface, discovers there's more to Lucas than his carefully curated public character. Behind his huge empire lies a man haunted by betrayal and loss, wary of anyone getting too close. As Ivy finds out his secrets, she becomes entangled in his life and his heart in ways she never expected. But as their passion keeps moving, Ivy's own secret seems to destroy everything. She's been sent by her editor to reveal the truth about Lucas's biggest immoral behavior, one that could destroy his career. Pull apart between her ambition and the man who has shown her a world she never thought of, Ivy must decide what matters most: the story of a lifetime or the love of a lifetime.
Chapter 1 Shadows and Secrets
Ivy Carter looked at the damaged screen of her laptop, the cursor blinking on a blank document. The coffee shop around her , smelling unpleasant,with soft gossips and the sound of the coffee machine, but Ivy was thinking of the urgency of her editor's demands. She had one chance to rescue her career as a journalist.
Her fingers remained over the keyboard, feeling for inspiration. That's when her phone vibrated, lighting up with a message from her editor, Melissa Greene.
"Change of plans. Forget the city council piece. I need you on Lucas Grayson NOW. Charity gala tomorrow night. Find an angle."
Ivy blinked. Lucas Grayson. The untouchable tech billionaire. The genius recluse who built Grayson Tech into a global empire but was as famous for his silence as his innovation. And now, rumors swirled of unethical practices in his company embezzlement, whistleblowers silenced, entire divisions dissolved overnight. He was a mystery wrapped in scandal, and Melissa wanted Ivy to crack him open.
"Great," Ivy muttered under her breath. "No pressure."
But deep down, she felt a spark of something she hadn't felt in months excitement. If she could land this story, it wouldn't just save her job. It would make her career.
The next day, dressed in a thrifted but well-tailored black dress, Ivy slipped into the opulent ballroom of the charity gala. The space glittered with chandeliers and the polished veneers of the city's elite. She felt entirely out of place.
She scanned the crowd for Lucas Grayson, clutching her press pass like a lifeline. But finding him wasn't easy he wasn't the type to court attention.
Then, as if drawn by instinct, her steady look fell on a tall figure in a tailored suit standing at the corner of the room. His dark hair and features made him hard to miss. Lucas Grayson.
Ivy straightened her shoulders and approached him. Her heart was beating as she practiced her introduction. Before she could speak, Lucas turned his cute grey eyes on her.
"You're Ivy Carter," he said, his tone low and cool.
She froze. "You know me?"
Lucas's lips curved into a faint, unreadable smile. "Of course. You're the journalist who took down that corrupt senator last year. Impressive work."
Ivy's breath caught. She wasn't used to her subjects knowing her name, let alone complimenting her. "Thank you. I didn't realize you followed journalism."
"I don't," Lucas said. "I follow threats."
The words hung between them like a sharp blade. Ivy's blood ran cold. How did he know she was here for a story? She hadn't even introduced herself.
Before she could respond, Lucas leaned in slightly, his voice dropping. "You should be careful, Ms. Carter. The truth isn't always as safe as you think."
And just like that, he walked away, leaving Ivy standing at the spot, her mind racing.
Shaken but determined, Ivy wandered the ballroom, her reporter's instincts on high alert. She needed something solid to work with. Then she saw it: a flash drive, lying abandoned on a nearby table.
She hesitated. It wasn't hers. It could belong to anyone. But curiosity got the better of her. Giving the drive to her , she decided to take a closer look when she got home.
Later that night, sitting in her cramped apartment, Ivy plugged the flash drive into her laptop. Files began to load, revealing spreadsheets, emails, and confidential documents all linked to Grayson Tech. As she scrolled, her heart sank. The evidence pointed to widespread corruption: forged financial statements, payments to offshore accounts, and internal memos discussing cover-ups.
But then she spotted something chilling: an email chain that mentioned her name.
"Ivy Carter is a potential threat. Neutralize her access."
Her blood turned to ice. Lucas Grayson hadn't just known she was investigating him. He'd been watching her. And now she was caught in something far bigger than a simple expose.
As Ivy sat frozen in her chair, her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from an unknown number.
"You have no idea what you have just started . Meet me tomorrow at the Westside Docks at midnight if you want answers."
Ivy's pulse thundered in her ears. Whoever had sent the message knew she had the flash drive and they weren't going to let her walk away from this easily.
For the first time in her career, Ivy wondered if chasing the truth was worth risking everything including her life.
Chapter 1 Shadows and Secrets
27/01/2025
Chapter 2 The Midnight Meeting
27/01/2025
Chapter 3 A Web of Lies
27/01/2025
Chapter 4 Secrets Unveiled
27/01/2025
Chapter 5 Betrayal in the Shadows
27/01/2025
Chapter 6 Shadows of the Past
27/01/2025
Chapter 7 A Web of Secrets
27/01/2025
Chapter 8 Love Amidst Betrayal
27/01/2025
Chapter 9 Breaking the Chains
27/01/2025