Maximilian "The Titan" Moretti is the respected billionaire at the head of the Moretti empire, a company known for its power and influence in the business world. At a lavish gala evening celebrating the year's achievements, Maximilian meets Sofia Blackwood, a young woman newly inducted into the exclusive business circle, but whose origins remain a mystery. Maximilian, famous for being a fiercely hardened bachelor, hides a secret that no one dares to guess: he has sworn never to get attached to anyone to protect his heart from a devastating betrayal in the past. Intrigued by Sofia and her quiet determination, he proposes an unexpected pact: a purely physical relationship, without emotions or commitments. In exchange, Maximilian promises to watch over her and offer her the security she has never known in the cutthroat world of business. Sofia, hesitant at first, reluctantly agrees, thinking she can keep her feelings at bay. But can anyone really resist the magnetic pull of a Titan? As their affair blossoms in the luxurious suites of five-star hotels and glamorous parties where money and power reign supreme, dark forces begin to manifest. A former rival of Maximilian's, hungry for revenge and intent on destroying his empire, discovers their secret relationship. Armed with compromising information about Sofia, he threatens to reveal everything to ruin Maximilian's reputation. Meanwhile, Sofia discovers she has a hidden talent for negotiation that could upset the balance of power in the business world. As danger draws near and secrets begin to come to light, Maximilian must confront his own demons while protecting Sofia. Their forbidden relationship could be the key to overthrowing his rival or the cause of his downfall. Who will crack first? In this dance between power and passion, is the heart strong enough to triumph over all-consuming ambitions?
Chapter 1 Chapitre 1
The light from the crystal chandeliers refracted on the champagne glasses, casting golden sparkles on the elegantly made-up faces of the guests. The air vibrated with an intoxicating mix of hushed conversations, discreet laughter and the clinking of glasses raised to lips in invisible toasts. In this gala room where luxury seemed second nature, Maximilien Moretti dominated the stage without even trying to do so.
Impeccably dressed in a tailored tuxedo, he had that magnetic presence that silenced conversations when he passed by. His steely gray gaze swept the room with the confidence of a man accustomed to getting what he wanted. The powerful respected him, the ambitious feared him, and women... women would do anything to catch his eye, even for a moment.
Tonight, however, something disturbed his usual detachment. A figure, far removed from the tumult of superficial conversation, attracted his gaze like a magnet. A woman he did not know, which in itself was an anomaly. Maximilien knew everyone in this circle, and everyone knew Maximilien. But she... she did not belong to this world, or else she was just passing through its doors.
Sofia Blackwood.
He had heard her being introduced to a group of investors, her name slipping through the air like a whisper. He knew nothing about her, except that her appearance contrasted with the women who usually populated such events. She wore a deep black dress, unadorned, fitted to her figure with deliberate elegance. No excess, no garish opulence, just a controlled presence. Her dark hair framed a face where every feature seemed to have been designed to capture attention without the slightest effort.
She was beautiful, but that wasn't what fascinated him. It was her gaze. A keen, calculating gaze, almost too intense for a beginner in this world of pretense. She didn't observe the room with admiration or envy, but with a certain caution, as if she were weighing every interaction, every movement, every possibility.
Maximilian knew ambition when he saw it.
He approached without hurrying, crossing the room with a confident step. He felt several female gazes follow his movement, some women discreetly trying to attract his attention. He gave none of them. Tonight, his interest was elsewhere.
He reached her just as an influential investor was introducing him into the conversation.
- Moretti, I don't think you've had the pleasure of meeting Sofia Blackwood yet. A rising star, apparently.
Sofia slowly turned her head towards him, and for the first time in a long time, Maximilian felt a form of surprise brush against him. She did not become flustered under his gaze. She did not seek to seduce, nor to flatter. She sized him up, with an almost impertinent assurance.
- Mr. Moretti, she said calmly.
No unnecessary fluttering of eyelashes, no honeyed smile. Just a measured voice, an intonation slightly tinged with amusement, as if she had anticipated this meeting and was waiting to see what he was worth.
- Miss Blackwood, he replied with a slight inclination of his head.
The silence stretched for a split second, imperceptible to the others but palpable between them.
- I'm curious, he continued, taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter's tray. What rising star could possibly appear that I haven't heard of?
A challenge, barely veiled.
She raised an eyebrow, but her smile remained contained.
- Perhaps not all stars seek immediate notice.
A murmur of amusement ran through their small circle, as the investor who had introduced them slipped away discreetly, sensing that this conversation no longer required a spectator.
Maximilien twirled his glass between his fingers, still watching her with that penetrating gaze that usually made people uncomfortable. Not her.
- Interesting. But in this world, anonymity is a luxury few can afford.
- I never said I sought anonymity. Only that I choose my entries carefully.
He appreciated the retort. It was rare. Too often, he was confronted with flattery or overly obvious approach strategies. She, on the other hand, seemed to want to dance on the fine line between mystery and controlled provocation.
He stepped closer slightly, closing the space between them, testing her reaction. She didn't back away.
- And now that you have entered, what are you looking for?
She held his gaze, and this time, a smile appeared on her lips. Slight. Almost imperceptible.
- Maybe the question is not what I'm looking for, but what I have to offer.
The electricity between them became tangible. This wasn't just physical attraction, though that was undeniable. This was a clash of wills, a silent duel where neither wanted to be the first to look down.
Maximilian, used to dominating every interaction, felt a shiver of excitement run down his spine. He didn't yet know who she really was, or what she hid behind that impeccable facade, but one thing was certain: Sofia Blackwood had just captured his interest like few women had before her.
And in his world, when he wanted something, he always got it.
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