THE ONE BEHIND...

“Sir, her name is Ria Hartley,” Noah reported, his voice steady as he stood before Alex.

Alex looked up from the file in his hands, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Noah had worked for him for five years— but this was the first time his boss was interested in a woman.

Alex Williams was devastatingly handsome—the kind of man who turned heads the moment he entered a room. With his tall frame, perfectly tailored suits, and sharp, chiseled features, he had the effortless charm of someone used to being admired. Women of all kinds were interested in him— both single and married, his grey cold eyes always had a look that drew people in and make them fall in love with him. He was the type of man many dreamed of, but couldn't get.

Despite his looks, Alex was famously uninterested in women. He had never had a girl and would not go to any meeting with a female partner, even while having conversation with a female, he never allows a conversation to drift beyond business, or encourage even the faintest hint of flirtation.

At some point, people began to suspect he was gay, infact the rumor was all over the business world— that Alex Williams is gay. That was the perfect explanation for his reason for not wanting to have contact with the female gender.

She’s the daughter of James and Kathryn Hartley,” Noah continued. “She also has an adopted sister named Kelly.”

He leaned back in his chair, “She was at the anniversary last night?”

“Yes. She came with her fiancé.”

Alex gaze sharpened. “Her fiance?, how did she get into my room?"

"The CCTV camera in the hallway was down last night between 9pm and 10pm. I think that's when she entered."

"Who's her fiance," he asked, his voice was tight. It was clear that last night had been her first time. Why was she in his room if she had come with her fiance?

“His name is Nathan Cooper. The Cooper Group are also bidding for the Van Arden Fashion Contract,” Noah explained, sliding a tablet across the desk.

His jaw tightened. Did she sleep with him because of the contract? But she had clearly been drugged... or had someone else drugged her and placed her in his room. But who would do that— and why

Noah hesitated for a moment and then said, "I also found out that her fiance and adopted sister are having an affair and it looks like Ria doesn't know, since she came to the party with him last night. Ria is the one handling the Coopers Group designs, so maybe that's why Nathan promised her marriage while having an affair with her adopted sister.

"Then it wasn't Nathan who drugged her, he was a businessman after all he wouldn't want to loose her," Alex said tapping his fingers on the table in contemplation. "it must have been Kelly or any of the Williams Group rivals"

"it seems so, sir"

"Find out everything about Ria— how she got to meet Nathan and why she was working for him. Also, find out how she got into my room. I won't forgive whoever planned this," Alex ordered as he furrowed his brow.

"Yes sir," Noah answered and went out of the office.

He leaned back in his chair, conflicted. Ria had been in a relationship with her fiance for five years but last night was definitely her first time— the bright red stain on the sheets from last night seemed undeniable.

He had seen the Cooper's Group designs over the past five years— the highlight from last year had broken into the international market. So why would Ria choose to stay hidden and let the whole world believe Nathan was the designer.

There were so many secrets surrounding Ria and Alex wanted to know more about this girl who had so unexpectedly stirred his world. He had not felt this way about a woman before and the thought of her being someone's fiancee made him mad but he was her first, that was all that mattered.

---

Nathan stared at Kelly, disbelief widening his eyes. "You mean she left the house?" he asked, stunned.

Kelly nodded, smiling smugly. "Yes, she did. And I’m so happy about it." She tilted her head, observing him. "Why do you sound concerned

Nathan rubbed the back of his neck with unease. "It’s just... since she caught us last night, I’m worried she won’t design for the company anymore. Ria’s timid and this kind of reaction—it’s unlike her."

Kelly’s smile didn’t waver. She reached up, gently cupping Nathan’s face. “Baby, the company can get better designers than Ria. Sure, it’ll cost money—since that slut worked for free—but it’s not the end of the world, “After all, you already did your part yesterday night, now , you just have to make sure it doesn’t go to waste

Nathan’s lowered his gaze “You’re right,” he murmured. “The contract first, before anything else, but how did you come to meet that person? he turned to Kelly with skepticism. "Can he be trusted?".

Kelly fell silent, hesitating. That person had warned her not to tell anyone about their relationship, but Nathan wasn't just anybody and he will grow more suspicious if she refuse to tell him.

"It was him," She murmured, her gaze dropping for a moment before meeting Nathan's eyes again, a faint smirk tugged her lips. "He got me into the Hartley family. He created the circumstances for Miss Hartley to take interest in me and bring me into their home." she said, her eyes were full of satisfaction, she would never had gotten out from the slums if not for that person.

He was a savior to her.

"Since then, we've only spoken in secret," She continued. "He helped me win the hearts of those two old geezers and guess what?" she let out a soft, mocking laugh as she leaned back, crossing her arms as if she was recalling a sweet secret. "They turned away from their precious daughter and gave me all the love and attention in this world.

"You know," her fingers reached up brushing lightly against Nathan's cheek. "I had never experienced such kind of love while growing up, so it made me happy and made Ria sad. He never. He never told me his name or even shared a single detail about who he is but there was no mistaking the way he spoke about the Hartley family, that he knew them far too well, seeing what he asked you do to Ria yesterday night— looks like he has deep personal grudge with them".

Her hands shifted to his chest, as if to reassure him, "he's not a bad person," she said softly"And if we keep following his instructions, we'll get more than just this contract.

Nathan's gaze wavered, "okay... if you say so.

---

"Pfft— are you serious?" Emily choked on her coffee, nearly spilling it as she stared at her friend. "You slept with a total stranger last night?"

Ria winced, "can you bring your voice down?" she muttered, her eyes darted around checking if anyone was looking their way.

After storming out of the house earlier that morning, Ria had called Emily and asked to meet. She needed a place to stay—somewhere to breathe, to figure out her next steps.

“I’m not going back to Noah’s company,” Ria said firmly, stirring her now-lukewarm tea. “I need to find a job, and… I was wondering if I could crash at your place for a while.”

Emily’s face softened immediately. She and Ria had been close since university, bonding over long nights of study and shared dreams of independence. Unlike Ria, Emily had come from a modest background, her parents still living in a small town on the outskirts.

She had worked her way up to an auditing position in a financial company in Central City and now lived alone in a condo downtown. Despite her struggles, she was one who knew how to have fun and live life.

“Of course, you can stay with me,” Emily said, reaching across the table to squeeze Ria’s hand. “And honestly, thank God it’s over with Nathan. I never liked that guy.”

Ria gave her a tired smile.

“And that sister of yours—ugh,” she continued with a dramatic shiver. “Kelly always gave me the ick. That fake smile, acting like a saint every time I saw her… I knew something was off with her.”

“I need to find a job first,” Ria said, her eyes glinting with determination. “And this time, I’m going to compete head-on with Nathan. Everything they took from me, I’m going to take back.”

"

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