Novel-novel oleh Nyx Vale

Hailey's POV The dress was a statement. It hung in the closet, crimson silk that Susan had picked out this morning. I slipped it on, and it clung to every curve like it had been made just for me. The neckline dipped dangerously low between my breasts. My back was bare, skin glinting. The edge of the dress hit mid-thigh, legs spilling out on every step.It was expensive. Bold. Impossible to ignore. Exactly what I needed for today mToday was the board meeting. The one where Maxwell would officially claim his seat and we'd present ourselves as the unstoppable power couple.I stepped out of the bathroom, heels clicking against the marble floor.Maxwell stood by the window in a charcoal suit that probably cost more than most people's cars, adjusting his cufflinks. When he turned, his eyes landed on me.And froze. His entire body went rigid."What are you wearing?" His voice was dangerously low."A dress." I grabbed my clutch, refusing to show my pulse spiked under his stare. "Ready to g

Hailey's POV The penthouse felt too quiet after the chaos.I stood in the foyer, still in my wedding dress, exhaustion weighing down every bone in my body. The reception had lasted hours after the confrontation with Floyd. Endless rounds of fake smiles, forced laughter. Maxwell's hands on me constantly while I pretended not to notice."Take it off." Maxwell's voice came from behind me.I turned. He'd already removed his jacket and tie, his shirt unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled to the forearms. He looked so hot even half-undressed."Excuse me?" "The dress." He nodded toward the hallway. "The bedroom is the second door. Susan unpacked your things earlier." I walked down the hallway, my train flowing against the marble floor. The room was massive, king-sized bed, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, a closet bigger than my old apartment. My clothes hung beside designer pieces I definitely hadn't owned before.I unzipped the dress with shaking hands, letting it fall

Hailey's POV The reception hall glittered like a fever dream: crystal, champagne, candlelight reflecting off mirrors that made the crowd seem endless. Three hundred guests or more in designer everything, all watching us.Maxwell's hand never left my body.At this champagne toast, his palm pressed against my lower back. During dinner, his fingers traced patterns on my thigh under the table. When we stood to greet guests, he kept me tucked against his side like I was on leash."Smile," he whispered in my ear as another board member approached.I forced my mouth to curve, but kept my voice low. "I know how to smile." "Then do it without looking like you want to run." He said, his voice low and controlled."Maybe I do want to run." I leaned into him slightly for show. "From you bossing me around every five seconds." His hand tightened on my waist. "We're selling an illusion. That requires consistency." "It requires you to chill." My nails dug slightly into his arm. "I'm not a puppet."

Hailey's POVThe dress was basically a weapon disguised as fashion. I stood in front of the floor-length mirror, staring at the girl I barely recognized. It clung and flowed in the right places. The neckline gave class without revealing too much, My hair was pinned up in some insane updo, diamond clips flashing like tiny spotlights every time I moved. My makeup looked clean and expensive.I looked like a woman in love. I looked like a liar. "It's time, Ms. Ramsey." Maxwell's assistant appeared in the doorway. " The guests are seated." Three hundred guests. Celebrities. Business moguls. Every major player in our world, all gathered to witness the spectacle of the year.Billionaire heiress marries her late father's protege in whirlwind romance.The headlines had been writing themselves for three days.I took a deep breath and stepped into the role.I walked down the aisle alone. No father to give me away. Just me and three hundred witnesses watching my second marriage in six years.

Hailey's POV I called him at 2 AM. Forty-seven hours and twenty minutes after he'd made his offer. I'd spent two sleepless nights calculating every possible outcome, every potential disaster.He answered on the first ring."I knew you'd call." His voice was unsurprised."Where do we meet?" "I'll come to you." He paused. "Text me your address." An hour later, my apartment felt different with Maxwell Kingston standing in it. His expensive suit and polished shoes looked almost foreign against my modest furniture, even if it was all new.His eyes swept over everything with clinical assessment: Gio's toys organized in bins, crayon drawings hung in frames on freshly painted walls, the life I was trying to build."Nice place," he said, it sounded genuine. I gestured to the dining table. "Gio's asleep, so we'll need to keep our voices down." Maxwell set his briefcase on the table, removing the contract."Read it first." He slid the document toward me. "Every word. I don't want you claim

Hailey's POV "Ms. Ramsey." Denison, the CFO, leaned forward with a smile that was clearly for show. "With all due respect, you have zero experience running a corporation of this magnitude. Ramsey Industries employs over fifty thousand people globally. Our shatehol are.... concerned." "Concerned about what, exactly?" I forced my voice to stay steady even though my hands were shaking under the table."About stability.' Valeria, the VP of Operations, spoke. "The media attention surrounding your inheritance has tanked our stock. Down by twenty percent in the past seventy-two hours.""That's hardly my fault..." My voice was rose slightly."Isn't it?" Denison slid a table across the table. The screen showed a gossip site, the headline screaming: BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS'S SECRET CHILD, WHO'S THE FATHER?My stomach dropped through the floor."Your personal life is now very public," Denison continued. "And it's affecting our business. Major clients are reconsidering contracts. Board members are