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To billionaire Alexander Kane, love is a weakness, one he swore to avoid after witnessing his family being taken away from him. Now, he has only one goal: destroy the man who ruined his family. His plan is simple. Marry the enemy's daughter, gain access to her father's secrets, and bring his empire crashing down. Enter Olivia Westwood, the kind-hearted yet strongly independent woman who becomes a pawn in Alexander's scheme. Trapped by her father's manipulations and desperate to escape his alarming control, Olivia reluctantly agrees to the marriage proposal, unaware of the real reason behind Alexander's interest in her. But as time goes by, Alexander is slowly drawn to her and is torn between vengeance and a desire he can no longer deny. When the truth of his real reason for proposing marriage is revealed, Olivia must decide whether to stay fight for the love she's found or walk away from the man who nearly destroyed her for revenge. Caught between revenge and redemption, Alexander faces an impossible choice: keep the woman who's become his salvation or complete the mission that has defined his life. Betrayal brought them together, but will love be enough to tear down the walls of vengeance?
Chapter 1
Olivia's POV.
"Damn it, I was late." I muttered to myself as I hurriedly squeezed through people to get to the coffee shop on the other side of the street. Greenway street is always bustling with many workers, especially on a Monday morning.
Unluckily for me, it was a Monday morning. 8am even. So you could imagine how packed the street was.
The bell of the coffee shop jingled as I walked in. Oh great, a frigging long line. I huffed as I got in line. The Greenways cafe was one of the best coffee shops in the area. They also had the most delicious pastries ever. My mouth watered as I daydreamed about them.
"One medium cup of caramel Macchiato please" I gave my order to the Barista, a loud gum chewing brunette college student.
"The name?" She said still chewing her gum so loudly.
"Olivia"
I turned and walked away to take a seat by the booth closest to the door when my phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Olivia, where are you? You need to meet with the sponsors for the next charity gala and you need to discuss the venue, designers and a whole lot and why can't I find you in your office? Madam Sasha is going to flip. She's only letting you off because of your father. You know how she-"
"Calm down, Rita." I cut her off as she rambled on about what big trouble I was in for being already so late. "I will be there soon, okay? Just please help me keep her from going all dragon on the other workers."
"You better be here before she tears my head off," Rita, my close friend at work, said before hanging up.
"What a way to start my work week" I let out a heavy breath as my name got called out.
I had my coffee in my hand and was just about to take a sip when my phone rang. I wasn't looking at where I was going as I was rummaging my bag looking for the device. I had almost got it when I bumped into a wall and my drink went flying.
Oh no.
It was as if the world slowed down. I watched as my coffee cup flew above my head and come down in slow motion, spilling all over me and the wall that I-
Fuck.
That wasn't a wall. It was a living and breathing human. The coffee spilled more on him than it did to me. He was like a skyscraper, so tall. He had a lean but muscular build. I could see his arm muscles bulging from his suit jacket. I was making eye contact with his chest, too scared to look up.
I finally had the courage to look up and then my eyes clashed with the most beautiful dark grey eyes I have ever seen. I was so mesmerised by his eyes that I didn't realise I was staring just like the other people in the shop that had stopped their business to look at us.
"Are you done ogling me?" He said, staring down at me in anger. He was definitely almost a foot taller than I was. I had to look up, straining my neck to keep eye contact with him. I stumbled back at his words and began apologizing.
"I am so sorry, I didn't mean to ruin your suit. I wasn't looking so I- oh my, um what would I do to um-"
" Forget it." His voice was deep and smooth. He had a little bit of an accent. He walked away from me, speaking to someone over the phone. More like yelling actually. He walked over to one of the booths and took a seat, still yelling into the phone.
My grey skirt was ruined. It was the one clothing that had most of the coffee spilled on. My white shirt and black corset weren't spared. There were small blotches of coffee here and there but they weren't as bad.
I quickly rushed over to the counter again and ordered another coffee. Plain Black for the gentleman. He seemed like the kind who would like that. I needed to apologize in some way.
I hurried the gum chewing college girl up and she had it done in minutes.
I walked briskly to his booth and dropped the coffee cup slowly on his table. Wouldn't want to spill on him again, am I right?
He looked up from the phone he was still yelling into and he seemed to recognise me. This time, he was the one staring. He kept looking at me and I felt my face go red in embarrassment.
" I am so sorry I spilled coffee on you. I really didn't see you there and I hope this could make up for my foolishness. Do have a great day"
I all but ran out of there and got into the taxi that stopped immediately in front of me.
I put my head in my hands and sighed. This day better not get any worse. I couldn't go home to change because I was already late for work. I was pretty sure Rita couldn't hold Sasha any longer and Sasha was sharpening her sword to have my head with.
I alighted from the taxi as it stopped in front of my workplace.
Harmony Initiative Group. It was a tall building with 5 floors. They hosted charity galas on behalf of rich individuals who didn't want to go through the work themselves. We also held some. The specific cause we raised funds for were homeless children and single mothers.
I briskly walked into the building.
"Hi, Olivia" the receptionist waved and smiled at me as I walked by. She looked closely at me and her face changed to confusion.
I know, the coffee stains.
"Hi" I smiled at her as I walked towards the elevator. My phone rang continuously in my bag and I knew just who that was.
Madam Sasha.
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