/ Romance / Entangled Affair / CHAPTER ONE: THE REUNION

공유

CHAPTER ONE: THE REUNION

작가: Nexora
last update 최신 업데이트: 2025-05-09 20:34:55

The aroma of espresso lingered in the boardroom, robust and harsh, adhering to the morning as if it had a point to make. Damien Sterling occupied the head of the black table, pen ready, reviewing the merger documents for PhoenixTech. The sharp angles of the New York skyline blinked behind him, but he barely noticed. His world, for now, was paper, ink, and control.

He’d spent months on this. Negotiating, strategizing, making sure no cracks showed. This deal could vault Sterling Corporation into the heart of the global renewable energy market. It was everything he’d been building toward—legacy, power, something he could point to and say, I did this.

“Mr. Sterling,” Emily’s voice broke through the silence. “The PhoenixTech delegates have arrived.”

He didn’t look up. “Send them in.”

He rose with quiet precision, adjusting his jacket with practiced ease, already shifting into presentation mode. But nothing—none of the prep, none of the confidence—could have prepared him for what walked thr
Nexora

BEGINNING OF SEASON TWO

| 좋아요
이 책을 계속 무료로 읽어보세요.
QR 코드를 스캔하여 앱을 다운로드하세요
잠긴 챕터

관련 챕터

  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 1: A BRUSH WITH SCANDAL

    The smell of smoky coffee persisted, suggesting that Ava had not been successful in multitasking. In an attempt to capture the intermittent sunlight shining through her dirty apartment window, she held onto a paintbrush and a sputtering mug of coffee in hand. The unbalanced painting, made from reclaimed wood and old nails, was filled with vibrant hues, depicting a distressing scene of emotions that mirrored her current mental state.With a quiet sigh, she whispered, "Damn it," before moving the paintbrush aside. She couldn't get rid of it, the coffee akin to an oily residue stuck on the pot. She glanced at the clock, its hands ticklingly counting the precious minutes she couldn't afford to waste. The eviction notice, a white envelope with her name in threatening black ink, was placed on the untidy table as if to constantly remind her of her unstable financial situation.The artist Ava Rossi, who is gifted but still struggling, was facing the difficult reality of her chosen path. She w

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-02-20
  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 2: The BILLIONAIRE'S DILEMMA

    Damien Sterling occupied his modern, towering office, the Manhattan skyline spreading out in front of him in a stunning display of illumination. The glass walls mirrored the atmosphere in the room, his reflection calm and composed as usual. A multimillion-dollar merger faced imminent failure due to an unexpected scandal at its center—one that prominently involved his name and Ava Rossi’s in the headlines.Damien exhaled softly, running his fingers through his neatly styled dark hair. He had managed scandals previously—speculations about cutthroat business tactics, corporate sabotage, and even murmurs regarding how he had obliterated rivals without a second thought. But this? A supposed whirlwind romance with a struggling artist he had only met once at a gala?This represented a fresh degree of absurdity.He sat in his office with glass walls, towering over the city skyline, fingers interlaced as he gazed at the newest headline illuminating his computer screen“Billionaire Bachelor Off

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-02-20
  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 3: THE PROPOSITION

    Ava gazed at her phone, her fingers tightly gripping it as if she could extract understanding from the device. Damien Sterling. Of everyone who might have called her, why did it have to be himHer mind raced. What could he possibly want? Surely, he wasn't calling to apologize for the fabricated gossip columns throwing her name into the spotlight? No, billionaires didn’t do that. They handled things on their terms, and she doubted he was any different.A knot tightened in her stomach. She needed to think, to breathe, but she was already suffocating under the weight of unpaid rent and now—this.Her phone buzzed again. Another call from Damien.Damien Sterling's voice echoed on the phone, making Ava's apartment feel even smaller than it had been before. He spoke with a casual, professional manner that contrasted sharply with the informal chatter they had during their galley event. He wasted no time in responding to greetings, straight to the point.She was left with a cold, fearful sound

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-02-20
  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 4: THE BARGAIN

    Upon awakening the next day, Ava felt her heart race through her chest. She had slept very little, her mind replaying the events of the previous day, the shocking photo, phone call from Damien, this crazy proposal, and her unwise agreement. Her agreement with the devil has to be followed by a responsibility.Looking at the clock, its hands mockingly reminding her of her impending meeting with Damien. The time she had to prepare was less than an hour. She rushed to get dressed, then changed into her most presentable outfit , a plain black dress that she hope would strike a balance between professional and friendly. She applied a touch of makeup, more out of habit than vanity, then pulled her unruly red hair into a neat ponytail.While waiting for Damien's driver, she paced her small apartment with nervousness. Contrary to her expectations, she was completely unaware of what type of individual Damien Sterling would be during this meeting. She had met him just once, at the gala, and thei

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-02-20
  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 5: A CONTRACT OF ILLUSIONS

    A thick packet of legal terminology was sent by a courier with discreet efficiency and arrived later that day. While sitting on a broken couch with some hot tea, Ava felt tense as she read aloud from one side of the page. This voluminous document was filled with clauses and sub-clauses that were designed to intimidate. Ava's artistic talents were overshadowed by her practical nature. She carefully analyzed every paragraph, pinpointing crucial points, and clarified any confusion by making numerous phone calls to a friend who works as an attorney.Damien had fulfilled his commitments. They were so generous, bordering on luxury in terms of their finances. A struggling artist's dream came true with a monthly allowance that was much higher than her previous income, access to upscale studios in prestigious art districts, and seemingly unlimited supplies. Yet, a nagging unease lingered. Neither a donation nor a stipend; this was an exchange for her part in ill-advised deception.Their fake e

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-02-20
  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 6: THE UNRAVELING

    The news of Damien Sterling's engagement to Ava Rossi was a media sensation. Instead of focusing on scandalous headlines about a "mystery woman" or "compromising positions," listeners were treated to thrilling revelations regarding a whirlwind romance involving an entrepreneur and creative artist. The moment was set in motion. This finely crafted press release, a work of spin doctoring, depicted sex life at this year's charity gala, with secret dates and the occasional loss during their busy schedule.Ava's phone exploded with calls and messages. Those who had known her for years, including acquaintances and even those she hadn't spoken to in years, were eagerly waiting for information from her, offering both surprise and congratulations. Her loyal best friend, Izzy, was elated, squealing with delight and asking for a complete explanation of "how he proposed." Still slightly frightened by what had transpired, Ava began to craft elaborate stories of heartfelt gestures and romantic inte

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-09
  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 7: CORNERED BY THE SPOTLIGHT

    Ava lounged on her couch with her legs crossed, a half-eaten piece of cold pizza dangling weakly in her hand, overlooked. Her apartment was chaotic—scattered tissues, unsealed takeout containers, and her laptop flashing with unread messages. The dim light of her phone on the coffee table throbbed like a signal, insisting on attention. Alerts after alerts flooded in: pings, dings, and vibrating notifications of a world ablazeShe had silenced it hours ago, but the damage was already done.The television was playing in the background, mostly for noise, but her gaze had been fixed on the same headline for ten full minutes:“FAKE FIANCÉE? DAMIEN STERLING’S ENGAGEMENT UNDER FIRE.”Her chest tightened. The speculation wasn’t just beginning—it had detonated.From the corner of the couch, Izzy tossed her legs up, remote in hand and worry etched across her face. “They’re not just questioning your relationship, Ava. They’re questioning you. I mean, listen to this...” She grabbed her phone and r

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-10
  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 8: MOVING INTO THE LION’S DEN

    At the door to Damien Sterling's penthouse, Ava paused, clutching her bag more tightly. She was briefly lost for words owing to the room's distinct opulence. Her small flat felt like a kitchen storage area, even in the entranceway, with its high ceilings, polished marble flooring, and broad windows offering an imposing view of the city. Everything in this home reflected Damien's personality: it was opulent and sophisticated"Miss Rossi? Mr. Sterling is expecting you."She was brought back to reality by the doorman's sharp voice. She took a deep breath and nodded before going in. The muted sounds of the city vanished into a thick hush as the elevator doors closed behind her. She would be staying here, at least for the time being, and the strange weight of the situation hovered over her. Damien waited with his hands loose in his pockets as the elevator doors opened. The city skyline behind him gleamed brightly against the dark blue night sky. He said, "You've come," with a difficult-t

    최신 업데이트 : 2025-04-11

최신 챕터

  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER ONE: THE REUNION

    The aroma of espresso lingered in the boardroom, robust and harsh, adhering to the morning as if it had a point to make. Damien Sterling occupied the head of the black table, pen ready, reviewing the merger documents for PhoenixTech. The sharp angles of the New York skyline blinked behind him, but he barely noticed. His world, for now, was paper, ink, and control.He’d spent months on this. Negotiating, strategizing, making sure no cracks showed. This deal could vault Sterling Corporation into the heart of the global renewable energy market. It was everything he’d been building toward—legacy, power, something he could point to and say, I did this.“Mr. Sterling,” Emily’s voice broke through the silence. “The PhoenixTech delegates have arrived.”He didn’t look up. “Send them in.”He rose with quiet precision, adjusting his jacket with practiced ease, already shifting into presentation mode. But nothing—none of the prep, none of the confidence—could have prepared him for what walked thr

  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 33: THE WEDDING

    Ava stood without shoes in front of the mirror, her wedding gown draped next to her like a tender assurance of a pledge. The room radiated warmth, alive with gentle laughter and the sound of fabric rustling as Izzy, her lifelong best friend, secured the last pearl button at the dress's back."Are you certain this is the right choice?" Izzy asked, her voice lighthearted but soft.Ava nodded gently, her fingers lightly brushing the delicate lace at her waist. “It’s not just a dress” It’s... it’s how I perceive it. Like me. Nonetheless, in addition.Izzy’s grin faded into a gentler, more thoughtful look as she scrutinized her friend in the reflection. "You seem to be a person starting the next phase of her life." And it fits you well, Ava. All aspects of it—the love, the strength, the softness as well.A sudden lump formed in Ava's throat, surprising yet appreciated. Her hands shook a bit as she extended toward the tiny locket on the dresser and fastened it around her neck. Inside, a min

  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 32: THE PROPOSAL

    The cool autumn breeze lingered in the evening sky as Damien paused before the tiny, hidden café where everything started. The identical location where they first crossed paths, that pivotal night when Ava’s life intertwined with his, transforming everything. He had selected this location for a purpose—because this was where the barriers she’d constructed so meticulously had started to fall apart. Where they had initially experienced a moment that seemed to make time stand still.He gazed at the plain gold ring lying in the pocket of his coat. It wasn't luxurious, but it was all he required it to be. It symbolized his dedication, his vow—his eternity. He had considered this event for weeks, carefully planning how to make it perfect for her. This wasn't just another stage in their relationship; this was the moment that would alter everything. They had battled for their love, and now, it was his moment to demonstrate that he intended to stay.Ava had made great progress, and he had too.

  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 32: HEALING TOGETHER

    Ava arranged herself beside the window, observing the city outside as the morning sunlight flooded the penthouse, enveloping the living room in a gentle radiance. The landscape, once representative of her struggles and uncertainties, now appeared as a clear route ahead.A month had passed since the press conference, a month since she had ultimately emerged into the light and faced the shadows of her past. The world was different now, and she was too. She felt it profoundly inside her, this subtle transformation, this new phase unfolding before herHer phone vibrated on the coffee table interrupting her daydream. She grabbed it and noticed a message from Damien“Are you ready for today?”Her lips curled into a smile as she typed back:“More than ready.”They had been through so much together so many battles fought in the shadows but now, they were stepping into the light as a couple. For the first time, Ava didn’t feel afraid. Not of the world and not of what it would think of them.Da

  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 31: THE PRICE OF TRUTH

    The headlines had been relentless over the past week, whispering Ava's secrets like daggers cloaked in curiosityHer father’s abandonment—something she had buried deep—was being exhumed, piece by piece, by the one man that has made her life a living hell these past weeks.Julian.He had escalated his manipulation, weaving her vulnerability into the media narrative in veiled, malicious ways. The press was eating it up. His carefully placed whispers were turning into front-page sensations. Ava’s past—the one she had worked so hard to bury—was now dangling on the edge of exposure.Her hand hovered over her phone, the screen still lit with the last message.“Meet me. Tonight. No more running.”She had known it was only a matter of time. She couldn’t hide anymore—not from the public, not from Damien, and certainly not from herself. Her secrets were no longer safe. And if Julian wanted to use them against her, she would meet him head-on.And so, she went. Alone.Julian rested against the gl

  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 30: SHATTERED TRUST

    The weight of silence between them was suffocating. Damien had spent the past few days pacing his penthouse, plagued by a helpless sense of déjà vu. He’d been here before—desperate to break through Ava’s walls, only to find them reinforced.But this time, it was different.She had told him about her past—about her father, the abandonment, the years of self-protection that followed. Damien had thought her confession would finally free them, finally bring them closer. But instead, it felt like she had drifted even further away.And that gnawing doubt Julian had planted during their last encounter refused to leave his mind.What else was she hiding?She’d been colder lately. Distant. Her gaze would drift during discussions, her replies brief and unfocused. At times she recoiled when he reached for her, as if she were in a different place altogether.The Ava who once gazed at him as if he were her lifeline in a tempest—was escaping his grasp.And he was unsure how to put an end to it.Ava

  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 29: MANIPULATIONS

    The city glittered below Julian’s office window, the skyline stretched like a crown of diamonds against the inky night. But he didn’t see it. His attention was consumed by a single, all-consuming objective. Ava Rossi. He had spent months digging into her past, and now the truth sat neatly in a thick manila file on his desk — a chronicle of secrets, abandonment, and the very pain she had fought so hard to conceal. Julian had always known people broke easier when their past was weaponized against them, and Ava was no exception. She would unravel. And Damien would follow. Julian didn’t plan to crush them in a single blow. That would be too easy. No, this needed to be slow. Calculated. The kind of pain that lingered. He started with seeds — small, almost invisible. A well-timed remark over drinks. A carefully constructed pause. “She’s guarded,” Julian said casually to Damien during a networking event, swirling his drink as though they were merely chatting. “Given everything she’s bee

  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 28: UNSEEN SCARS

    The rain commenced once more, a continuous, unyielding drumming on the windows that reflected the thumping in Ava’s heart.The turmoil inside her was just as powerful, swirling with numerous feelings she could no longer hold backShe sat on the edge of the couch, her hands clasped tightly as she stared at the floor as if it might reveal the answers she couldn't find within herselfDamien was in the kitchen, pretending to give her some room, but Ava could feel the tension radiating from him He was anticipating. He waited for her to say something, to clarify the shadows he frequently noticed in her eyes.She was out of justifications. Depleted of power. The secret she had held so closely to her heart was smothering her, and if she didn't release it soon, she would surely sink in it.Gently, she raised her head.“Damien?” Her voice trembled, hardly rising above a murmur.He instantly turned with his expression easing as soon as he noticed the tears welling in her eyes. Silently, he walke

  • Entangled Affair   CHAPTER 27: HIDDEN WOUNDS

    The evening atmosphere was thick with the aroma of rain, indicating a storm nearing the city. Ava sat silently at the edge of her bed, as the soft lamp light created elongated shadows across the room. The silence was intense, pressing on her heart and turning each breath into a challenge.In her grasp, her phone shimmered gently, the notification on the display cutting through her delicate tranquilityI know your secret. Tell him, or I will.No name. No number she recognized. Only seven words, unsettling in their clarity, exact and ruthless. Initially, she believed it must be a kind of error. Perhaps a joke. Whoever sent it knew. They knew about her father. About the abandonment, the pain she had buried under years of practiced smiles and quiet strength.Her grip on the phone tightened. She wanted to believe it was nothing — a bluff. Maybe if she ignored it, the sender would give up.Yet anxiety had already infiltrated her, digging in deeply. She removed the message, her heart racing,

좋은 소설을 무료로 찾아 읽어보세요
GoodNovel 앱에서 수많은 인기 소설을 무료로 즐기세요! 마음에 드는 책을 다운로드하고, 언제 어디서나 편하게 읽을 수 있습니다
앱에서 책을 무료로 읽어보세요
앱에서 읽으려면 QR 코드를 스캔하세요.
DMCA.com Protection Status