Chapter 2 - Lucian Creed

***

Lucian Creed stood in his opulent London office, gazing out the wide-screen window. The past two weeks had been… interesting.

The cunning Dolmans had lost their company to him in a deceitful bet, and now they were scrambling to reclaim it. Their desperation amused him.

Lucian was a man who commanded attention without raising his voice. Tall, with a presence that filled a room, sharp features, and piercing eyes that missed nothing, he exuded control and danger all at once.

His dark hair was slicked back, his tailored suit impeccable, his movements precise. He carried the kind of aura that made people both respect and fear him, the kind that drew attention whether he wanted it or not. Love had scarred him before; now he trusted only himself… and business.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.

“Come in,” he called.

His loyal secretary, Ken, entered with a respectful nod.

“Boss, it’s Secretary Ken.”

Lucian exhaled, trying to suppress irritation. “Ken, you don’t need to knock every time. Just come in.”

“My apologies, sir. Didn’t mean to bother you,” Ken said, eyes downcast.

“What do you have for me?” Lucian asked.

“I received a call from Mr. Dolman earlier,” Ken reported.

Lucian raised an eyebrow. “Let me guess—he wants to negotiate a new deal.”

“Not exactly, sir. He claims to have found a bride for you.”

Lucian’s amusement turned into surprise. “A bride? And who is she?”

“Her name is Mira Dolman, twenty-eight years old,” Ken said.

“Mira Dolman?” Lucian mused, trying to recall any mention of her in his network. “Why have I never heard of her before?”

“About four years ago, before you took over the London branch, she left home. She only just returned today,” Ken explained.

Lucian chuckled, a faint glint of mischief in his eyes. “She just returns… and is already set to marry a stranger? The Dolmans will go to any lengths to save their sinking ship.”

“What do you want me to do, sir?” Ken asked.

“Prepare for the marriage as planned,” Lucian said. “Send the car to fetch her. And ensure it happens at the mansion... we’ll have the priest ready.”

“As you wish, sir,” Ken replied, leaving the room without a second thought.

As the wheels of his plan set in motion, Lucian allowed himself a rare pause. 

Another marriage for money? It left him cold, detached.

This time would be different. No attachments. No vulnerabilities. This marriage was purely business—a means to get what he wanted: revenge against the Dolman... and he planned to keep it that way.

***

Meanwhile…

I descended the stairs, my footsteps echoing through the foyer, only to find my parents in the middle of a tense argument. Their voices were hushed but sharp, and the unease in the air was unmistakable.

“I'm the one who should be shouting and crying, not you two,” I snapped, frustration threading through my voice.

Startled, they both turned. My mother’s eyes landed on my gown immediately.

“Where did you get that?” she asked.

“It’s mine. Why?” I said, narrowing my eyes.

Her smile faltered. “Nothing, dear,” she said, glancing at my father, betraying her unease.

Dad forced a smile. “Of course. Beautiful. Though you could also wear the one your mother gave you… this one looks expensive.”

I shrugged. “I appreciate the sentiment, but this gown matters to me. That’s all.”

Before the conversation could go further, a knock echoed through the door.

“It’s time,” Dad announced.

“Yes, indeed,” Mom said, casting me a worried glance.

I couldn’t ignore their strange behavior, but I decided not to push them further... for now. I took a deep breath to steady my nerves and followed them outside, where a white limousine gleamed in the driveway.

I hesitated at the sight of it, instinctively wanting to ride with my parents. But the doorman’s veiled warning told me otherwise: I was to ride alone. I frowned, irritation rising.

“I’ll ride with my parents. That’s final,” I snapped.

As we drove toward the unknown, excitement and anxiety twisted inside me. T

Little did I know, this unexpected turn would set me on a path I could never have imagined... one that would test my beliefs, my emotions, and the very core of who I was.

As the car neared the mansion, I braced myself for the unknown, knowing my life was about to change in ways I couldn’t yet foresee.