/0/66441/coverbig.jpg?v=20241121175406)
Chloe Rivers is a determined, no-nonsense businesswoman who has worked hard to establish herself in the corporate world. But when she meets Nicholas Hawke, the brooding heir to one of the world's largest empires, her well-ordered life is thrown into chaos. Nicholas is everything Chloe has been taught to avoid: powerful, unpredictable, and dangerously charismatic. When their families' companies merge, Chloe finds herself reluctantly drawn into a passionate affair with Nicholas, even though she knows it could cost her everything she's worked for. As the line between professional and personal blurs, Chloe must decide whether to protect her career or follow her heart. Will love destroy them both, or will their dangerous desires lead them to something deeper?
Chapter 1 1
Chloe Rivers leaned back in her sleek, leather chair, her fingers lightly tapping the polished wood of the conference table. The room was filled with the low hum of whispered conversations and the clinking of coffee mugs, but her mind was elsewhere. She was acutely aware of the tension in the air-the kind that always accompanied the announcement of a merger, especially one of this magnitude. The boardroom was packed, the investors lined up, each of them waiting for the next step in a game that could shift the balance of power in the corporate world.
Rivers Enterprises had been at the forefront of technology for years, but a merger with Hawke Industries? That was something entirely different. Hawke Industries wasn't just any company. It was a juggernaut, a global powerhouse built on ruthless business tactics and an ironclad reputation for getting what it wanted. And leading that empire was Nicholas Hawke, the man whose name had been on everyone's lips for the last few weeks.
Chloe tried to ignore the flutter of nerves in her chest as the door to the boardroom opened. The moment they'd all been waiting for had arrived. Her gaze flicked toward the doorway, and there he was-Nicholas Hawke. He moved with the same effortless grace that he always seemed to exude. His dark suit, impeccable and tailored to perfection, made him look like he belonged in a different world entirely-one that she had worked so hard to get into but would never truly be a part of. His ice-blue eyes scanned the room before settling briefly on hers, and Chloe felt a sudden, unexpected jolt of something she didn't want to name.
"Mr. Hawke," her father, Samuel Rivers, greeted him, his voice cool but cordial. "Glad you could join us."
Nicholas gave a small, tight smile, his lips barely parting as he nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you for having me, Mr. Rivers," he said smoothly, his voice deep and controlled. He was every inch the heir to Hawke Industries-powerful, charismatic, and unflinchingly confident.
The air seemed to thicken as he moved toward the head of the table, his presence taking up more space than his physical form ever could. Chloe watched, trying not to appear too obvious in her scrutiny. There was something about Nicholas-something magnetic-that made him impossible to ignore. The fact that she was now forced to work directly with him on the merger made her feel strangely unsettled. She had heard the rumors, the stories of how Nicholas didn't tolerate weakness, how he destroyed anyone who stood in his way. She had also heard about the women who seemed to fall at his feet, only to be discarded when he moved on to the next conquest.
A sharp knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and she straightened, focusing on the matter at hand. The meeting was about to begin. Her father gave a slight nod, signaling that the formalities should begin.
"Let's get started," he said, his voice commanding. "We have a lot to discuss today."
Chloe shifted her attention back to Nicholas, who had already settled into his chair at the table. The others in the room were murmuring, the details of the merger still being laid out, but her mind wasn't on the charts or the financial projections. It was on the man across from her. Nicholas was everything her father had warned her about-calculating, ambitious, and willing to do whatever it took to come out on top. And now, he was here, in her world, threatening everything she had worked for.
The next hour passed in a blur of numbers and jargon, the specifics of the merger laid out in cold, clinical terms. Chloe tried to keep her mind on the business at hand, but her attention kept straying back to Nicholas. Every time their eyes met, she felt that strange, unnerving pull between them. She knew he was dangerous-she had been told that in no uncertain terms. But there was something in the way he looked at her, something in the way his mouth curled into a barely-there smile when she spoke, that made her feel... exposed.
By the time the meeting finally broke up, Chloe was exhausted. She stood up, gathering her papers as the other board members filed out of the room, exchanging pleasantries as they went. But her eyes never left Nicholas, who was still seated, his fingers drumming lightly on the edge of the table.
"Miss Rivers," his voice cut through the noise, smooth and deliberate.
She froze for a moment before turning to face him, her breath catching in her throat. "Mr. Hawke," she said, her voice steady, though she couldn't quite hide the unease simmering beneath the surface.
He stood slowly, his tall frame looming over her. There was no mistaking the way he looked at her-his gaze was intense, almost predatory, as if he could see straight through her.
"Can I have a word?" he asked, his tone just a shade too casual to be entirely innocent.
Chloe hesitated. "I'm not sure that's necessary, Mr. Hawke," she replied, trying to maintain her composure. "I have a lot of work to do."
He gave her a small, knowing smile. "I think you'll find it is," he said quietly.
Against her better judgment, she found herself nodding, following him toward the far side of the room where they could have some semblance of privacy. Once they were out of earshot, he turned to face her fully, his expression unreadable.
"I've been watching you, Chloe," Nicholas said, his voice low and almost velvety. "You're not like the others in this room. You actually understand what this merger means."
Chloe's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean by that?"
"Let's just say that I'm used to people who are more concerned with their next paycheck than with the bigger picture," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "But you? You get it. You're sharp, you're focused... and you know how to make things happen."
His words made her uncomfortable, but she refused to show it. "I'm just here to do my job," she said coolly, crossing her arms over her chest.
His lips curled into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm sure you are. But I can't help but wonder what it would be like if we worked together on this. Really worked together."
Chloe raised an eyebrow, the unease creeping back into her chest. "And what exactly do you mean by that?"
"I mean," he said, his voice dropping to a whisper, "that I think we could accomplish a lot more if we set aside our differences. Don't you agree?"
Her breath caught in her throat. For a moment, she couldn't quite place the edge in his tone. Was it just business? Or was there something more beneath the surface? Before she could answer, Nicholas straightened, his gaze softening just a touch.
"Think about it," he said, his smile almost kind-though Chloe didn't trust it for a second.
Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, her thoughts spinning.
View More Comments on App
Other books by Precie Ben
More/0/66443/coverbig.jpg?v=09ccae27db79415aa340a43056b15773)
Shadow Of The Blood Moon
Fantasy5.0
In the isolated village of Ravenspire, the Blood Moon looms, signaling the return of a terrifying curse. Elise Thorn, a fiercely independent blacksmith's apprentice, has always dismissed the tales of werewolves and ancient rivalries-until a vicious attack leaves her with a mark that binds her to the creatures she despises. As she navigates her transformation, Elise discovers she is part of a bloodline destined to stop a sinister force that awakens every Blood Moon. She must join forces with Kade, an enigmatic alpha hiding a dark secret, to uncover the truth behind their shared fate. But as alliances crumble and enemies close in, Elise learns that saving her people may require the ultimate sacrifice.
/0/66442/coverbig.jpg?v=7978273ac954490fa2b70ea147f39bc2)
The Knight's Vow
Romance5.0
Lady Eveline of Ashford is a noblewoman whose life is upended when her family's lands are threatened by a rival lord. To secure peace, she is promised in marriage to a mysterious knight, Sir Gareth of Blackmoor, known for his skill in battle and his cold, distant demeanor. As Eveline and Gareth are drawn together by duty, their relationship begins to shift from one of obligation to one of passionate devotion. But in the shadows, an ancient enemy lurks, threatening not just their future but the fragile peace they've fought so hard to maintain. Can they overcome their differences and the challenges of their past to build a love worthy of a kingdom?
/0/66323/coverbig.jpg?v=91ebc1650c3347cfbce597eb38024479)
The Wolf's Midnight Vow
Werewolf5.0
Elena Raines has spent her life running from the past-haunted by the night her parents vanished in the wilderness of Coldmoor Ridge. When she returns to the eerie mountain town to settle their estate, she encounters Adrian Blackthorne, a mysterious stranger with piercing amber eyes and a warning she can't ignore: "You don't belong here after dark." Adrian is the Alpha of a pack cursed to hunt under every full moon, bound by an ancient pact with a powerful witch. Elena's return stirs memories he's tried to bury, and a forbidden connection neither can resist. As shadows from the past resurface and a ruthless hunter targets the pack, Elena must uncover the truth about her parents-and her own ties to the wolves of Coldmoor. Can love break the curse, or will the darkness claim her soul?
You'll also like
/0/37661/coverbig.jpg?v=59cef53ed5ba1336d4f3fd2d015d64d9)
Goodbye, My Love
Romance4.9
Loraine was a dutiful wife to Marco since they got married three years ago. However, he treated her like trash. Nothing she did softened his heart. One day, Loraine got fed up with it all. She asked him for a divorce and left him to enjoy with his mistress. The elites looked at her like she was deranged. "Are you out of your mind? Why are you so willing to divorce him?" "It's because I need to return home to get a billion-dollar fortune. Besides, I don't love him anymore," Loraine replied with a smile. They all laughed at her. Some believed that the divorce affected her mentally. It wasn't until the next day that they realized she wasn't fibbing. A woman was suddenly declared the world's youngest female billionaire. It turned out to be Loraine! Marco was shocked to the bone. When he met his ex-wife again, she was a changed person. A group of handsome young men surrounded her. She was smiling at them all. The sight made Marco's heart ache severely. Putting his pride aside, he tried to win her back. "Hello, love. I see that you are a billionaire now. You shouldn't be with suckers who just want your money. How about you come back to me? I'm a billionaire too. Together, we can build a strong empire. What do you say?" Loraine squinted at her ex-husband with her lips curled in disgust.
/0/55905/coverbig.jpg?v=5d94f6406b3ee7e65e5d0449871e3b3e)
Bound By Love: Marrying My Disabled Husband
Romance4.4
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
/0/37875/coverbig.jpg?v=f32420fa25322cc18740b19aeedc2f17)
Poor Billionaire Wife: Who Is The Real Boss?
Romance5.0
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
/0/36351/coverbig.jpg?v=d52398994821aa4bf7556b5962ed0db8)
Addicted To His Deep Love
Modern5.0
On her wedding night, Natalie's stepmother set her up to marry Jarvis, a disfigured and disabled man. Fortunately, she managed to escape, but little did she know that later she would fall for the man she was betrothed to.Jarvis pretended to be a poor man, but he didn't think that he'd fall head over heels for this woman.Their life went on until one day, Natalie found out her boyfriend's little secret."Huh? How could you have billions of dollars' worth of assets?" she asked in disbelief.Jarvis didn’t know how to respond.Being met with silence, she gritted her teeth angrily. "They said that you couldn't walk, but as far as I can see, you're strong enough to run a marathon."Still, he remained silent.Natalie continued, "They even said that you only have a few years to live. What about now?"Finally, Jarvis opened his mouth to explain. "Honey, this is all just a misunderstanding. Please calm down. Think about the baby.""Jarvis Braxton!"The man knelt down immediately.
/0/38917/coverbig.jpg?v=096ba24eb9a6484d929900410d89f2cc)
The Billionaire's Surrogate Wife.
Billionaires5.0
Eliza's life was destroyed by them: her boyfriend and her best friend. Five years ago, her boyfriend's career was at its lowest point and Eliza sacrificed everything to support him. However, her best friend fooled Eliza to be a surrogate mother. When her boyfriend led a successful career, he dumped Eliza because she had lost her virginity and had babies. It was just an excuse for the affair between the shameless couple. Losing all interest in life, she agreed to marry Mr. Valentine, a disfigured billionaire who likes to torture women in bed. It was said that his two exes died horribly in bed. Eliza didn't know that Mr. Valentine was the man she used to carry babies for. In this way, she got a handsome husband and a pair of adorable twins... """
/0/63668/coverbig.jpg?v=2b7b30db4d8a7113a0a401782fe5a17e)
Ruthless Desire: Chased By My Ex's Billionaire Best Friend
Romance5.0
Bethany, a stunning woman burdened by financial woes, wrestled with her future prospects in the city after fleeing her manipulative former lover. At the same time, a bold and unyielding man began to pursue her with relentless passion. The word on the street was that the aloof Mr. Swanson had taken under his wing a woman of striking beauty, allegedly snatched from his best friend. He showered her with lavish gifts and was captivated by her every word. They said she was not merely a beautiful woman, but a unique treasure that demanded constant dedication and attention.
Latest Release:
Chapter 13 13
Today 17:54
© 2018-now MoboReader TECHNOLOGY USA CO LTD
100 N HOWARD ST STE R, SPOKANE, WA, 99201, UNITED STATES
Referrals
Download App
APP STORE
GOOGLE PLAY