Se connecterShe was more than just an enemy’s daughter. She was his… Clara Hale is looking for a fresh start, not a storm. But from the moment she crosses paths with Zachary Langston, her life is thrown into chaos. Her chance at employment is shattered, and she finds herself entangled in his bizarre world. When she saves his sister from danger, Clara hopes it’s her ticket to peace. Instead, she ends up stuck under Zachary’s roof, where the friction between them only grows. There’s something irresistible about his sharp hazel eyes and dangerous charm, and being close to him feels as reckless as it does unescapable. But Clara had a secrets of her own, which was hidden even to herself. Anyway, Zachary wouldn’t expect that this young clumsy woman would shake the walls around his heart.
Voir plusClaraBackstage at Fashion Week is pure chaos. Models dart between clothing racks, makeup artists wield their brushes like weapons, and hairstylists wrestle with last-minute touch-ups. The event director, a sharp-dressed woman with a headset practically glued to her ear, barks orders at everyone within a ten-foot radius. She’s the eye of the storm, holding everything together with sheer force of will—and a never-ending supply of coffee.Ella, of course, is in her element. She lounges in a chair while a stylist sets her hair in perfect waves, chatting animatedly with another model. If she’s nervous, she’s got an award-winning poker face.I, on the other hand, am only half-present. While making sure Ella’s dress isn’t wrinkled and adjusting the straps on her heels, my thoughts keep drifting back to dinner with Zachary two weeks ago.“Fashion Week goes on. Ella’s involvement goes on as well. I’ll just make a few adjustments.”What adjustments? The question has been bugging me ever since.
ClaraThe rehearsal ends, and as expected, Ella’s eyes widen in shock when she spots Zachary waiting for her."Zach? What are you doing here?"I watch from a distance, feeling strangely disconnected from them now. Maybe it’s because of everything I know—things I can't say out loud. Secrets that weigh on me. Before I can step closer, Dylan approaches me with a friendly smile."Hey, Clara. How are you?""I’m good. Thanks for asking, Dylan." I feel shy, though I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the way he smiles, so easy and warm.From the corner of my eye, I notice Zachary’s posture shift. He stops mid-sentence with Ella, his sharp gaze flickering toward us.Dylan grins. "When are you going to have an off-duty?"I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. "Off-duty from what exactly?""From being Ella’s shadow, of course," he teases. "You’re always looking out for her. But don’t you ever take a break for yourself?"His words catch me off guard. It’s true—I’ve been so wrapped up in Ella’s world,
ClaraIt has been a week since that encounter on the road with Anton Montgomery, but his words still echo in my head. A warning. A threat. I don’t know the full extent of what he meant, but I know one thing for sure—nothing good ever comes when men like him and Zachary cross paths.I sit in the audience, watching Ella walk confidently across the stage. This isn't just any rehearsal. It’s for Fashion Week, the biggest moment of her career so far. My phone buzzes, pulling me from my thoughts. It's none other than Zachary.Zachary: Where are both of you right now?I sigh. Lately, Zachary has been texting me about our whereabouts like some overbearing bodyguard. It’s a little creepy, honestly. The man is like a high-class stalker. Though, to be fair, considering that 'trouble' is practically his twin brother, I can’t blame him for being paranoid.Me: We’re in the middle of the Fashion Week rehearsal. I mean, Ella.He sees the message instantly, but it takes him a moment to reply. When he
ClaraI glance out the window, watching the streetlights blur past. My chest tightens with the overwhelming feeling that we're being followed. My fingers grip the seat, my palms slick with sweat. I try to steady my breathing, but every turn we take, every red light Zachary speeds through, the car behind us stays right on our tail. It feels like they’re toying with us, and the fear creeping through me grows stronger with each second.I steal a look at Zachary. His expression is stone-cold, eyes scanning the road with razor-sharp focus. I swallow hard, trying to steady my nerves, but the fear gnaws at me, relentless and consuming.“Who are they?” I ask.“I don’t want to know,” Zachary mutters grimly, foot pressing harder on the accelerator. "But I need to lose them."A dangerous thought slips from my lips before I can stop it. “Does this have something to do with your… illegal business?”He glances at me sharply but doesn’t deny it. “Yes.”Fear twists inside me, but it isn’t just for my
Chapter 10The car slows to a stop in front of the Langston estate, and I can’t help but stare. The mansion is enormous, like something out of a movie. Marble columns stretch up to meet a beautifully detailed front, and perfectly trimmed gardens line the driveway. It’s both stunning and a little in
Zachary I tap my fingers on the edge of my desk while looking out at the metropolitan skyline. The workplace is quiet, save for the low hum of the air conditioner. My phone sits on the desk, still showing the message Clara sent earlier.I don’t know why her words stick with me. Maybe it’s the way
Clara“Where’s Ella?” Zachary asks, scanning the room.“She’s in the bathroom,” I answer quickly, clutching the popcorn bowl tightly. The room falls into silence, broken only by the sound of the movie playing on the TV.On the screen, a romantic montage begins. The couple shares a passionate kiss i
ClaraThe dressing room buzzed with laughter and chatter, but I stayed in my corner, folding Ella’s clothes and tidying up her things. The vanity in front of me was a mess—makeup, brushes, and hairpins everywhere. Ella, as usual, was the center of attention, chatting animatedly with her co-models o












Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.