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Home / Romance / Billionaire Adrian's Fake Fiancee: A Deal with Deceit / Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 7

Lahat ng Kabanata ng Billionaire Adrian's Fake Fiancee: A Deal with Deceit: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 7

7 Kabanata

CHAPTER ONE--THE FALL

Zara James stared at her phone as another rejection email landed in her inbox, its cheerful "Thank you for your interest" heading a stark contrast to the desperate pounding of her heart. Six months ago, she'd been New York's rising star investigative journalist, her byline gracing the front page of the city's most prestigious paper. Now, she couldn't even get hired to write lifestyle pieces for a local blog. Her exposé on Senator Williams' embezzlement scheme was supposed to be her breakthrough. Instead, it had broken her career.The eviction notice on her kitchen counter seemed to mock her, its red letters burning into her vision every time she glanced that way. Two months behind on rent, and her landlord's patience had finally run out. She ran her fingers through her dark hair, tugging at the ends in frustration as she glanced around her small apartment. The space that had once felt cozy now seemed to be closing in on her, suffocating her with the weight of her failure. Her eyes lan

CHAPTER TWO--- THE PROPOSITION

Zara tried to pull away, but Adrian's grip didn't budge. The warmth of his hand seemed to burn through the thin silk of her dress, sending unwanted shivers along her skin. "Let go of me, Mr. Cross, or I'll—""Make a scene?" His smile didn't reach his eyes, but something flickered in their depths that made her pulse quicken. "Please do. I'm sure security would love to examine your expired press credentials."Her blood ran cold. How did he know? She stopped struggling, and he immediately released her arm, though his hand moved to the small of her back, guiding her through the crowd. The touch was barely there, but she felt it like a brand."Much better," he said, steering her toward a quiet corner of the ballroom. The space he chose was partially concealed behind a massive floral arrangement, offering an illusion of privacy while keeping them visible enough to avoid gossip. "Now, let's discuss your rather dramatic fall from grace.""I don't see how that's any of your business." Zara fou

CHAPTER THREE--THE AGREEMENT

The sound of Adrian's laughter turned heads across the ballroom—a rich, deep sound that sent an unexpected shiver down Zara's spine. It wasn't warm or genuine, but it was perfectly calculated, designed to draw attention. His arm slipped around her waist, pulling her close enough that the expensive wool of his suit jacket brushed against the bare skin of her shoulders. The heat of his body seeped through her silk dress, making her dizzy with a combination of champagne and his intoxicating presence."Smile," he murmured against her ear, his lips brushing her skin. "We're being watched."Zara forced her lips into what she hoped was a believable smile, though her skin tingled where his breath had touched her. Her hand came up to rest on his chest, and beneath her palm, she could feel his heartbeat—steady and strong, unlike her own racing pulse. "Your brother's at my four o'clock," she whispered back. "He doesn't look happy.""Nathaniel's happiness isn't my concern." Adrian's fingers trace

CHAPTER FOUR -- THE MOVE

Nathaniel was the opposite of Adrian in looks. Where Adrian came off as dark and smoldering, Nathaniel was blonde and bright, almost preppy. He reminded her of the high school jocks who were overly generous with hair gel and Axe spray.As soon as she met his eyes though, she stepped back in fear. He looked furious, his eyes blazing as he glared at his brother.“We need to speak,” he bit out, paying her no attention.Adrian took a hold of her arm and pivoted her around, his face set in a flat line.“Now is not the time, brother,” Adrian said, voice as chilly as ice. “Zara needs to get home. She has an early day tomorrow.”No, I don't. Zara bit back her words wisely, grateful to not be in close proximity to Nathaniel's potent anger.Adrian led her away and out of the hall to a waiting car with tinted windows. He opened the doors for her and slid in after her.Wordlessly, the car moved and she sat still, not knowing what to make of her evening.Zara's apartment looked even smaller with

CHAPTER FIVE-- THE ANNOUNCEMENT

The dress was Valentino, the shoes were Louboutin, and Zara's hands wouldn't stop shaking. She stared at her reflection in the massive bathroom mirror, barely recognizing herself. The styling team had transformed her into someone who belonged at Adrian Cross's side—elegant, polished, perfect. The cream-colored dress hugged her curves before flowing gracefully to the floor, its neckline offering just a hint of décolletage. Her dark hair fell in soft waves, and her makeup emphasized her eyes while keeping her looking natural.A knock at the door made her jump, sending her heart racing."Five minutes," Adrian's voice called, deep and commanding even through the door.Zara took a deep breath, smoothing imaginary wrinkles from the dress. The engagement ring on her finger caught the light, its weight still unfamiliar. The massive diamond seemed to mock her with its brilliance—a perfect symbol of how far she'd fallen, wearing a multi-million dollar ring while her bank account hovered near ze

CHAPTER SIX--HER DOUBTS

The next few hours passed in a blur of police statements and media chaos. Zara found herself sequestered in Adrian's private office on the top floor, watching the city lights flicker through bulletproof glass while security teams swept the building. Her Valentino dress felt like armor now, too tight and too expensive for the nightmare she'd stumbled into. The fabric that had made her feel powerful during the gala now seemed to mock her with its opulence, each crystal catching the light like a silent accusation.The events of the evening played on endless loop in her mind: the flash of cameras, the horrified gasps of the crowd, Nathaniel's triumphant smile as he projected those damning photos onto the wall. She could still see the images burned into her retinas – Adrian, his expensive suit stained with blood, crouching over Rachel's lifeless body. The timeline she'd constructed as a journalist was crumbling, and she wasn't sure what the truth was and if reclaiming her spot as a journal

CHAPTER SEVEN -- UNFINISHED ROLLS AND JEALOUSY

Sleep proved elusive, a luxury as foreign to Zara as the silk sheets that twisted around her restless body. She spent the night tossing and turning in Adrian's guest room, her mind spinning with conspiracy theories and unanswered questions. The room was a study in understated luxury – cream walls, abstract art worth more than her yearly salary, furniture that probably had its own insurance policy. The silk sheets felt too smooth against her skin, the mattress too soft, everything a reminder that she was living in a world that wasn't hers.Every time she closed her eyes, she saw those photos – Adrian's hands covered in blood, Rachel's lifeless form, the look in Nathaniel's eyes as he exposed his brother's secrets to the world. The pieces didn't fit together, no matter how she arranged them in her mind. Adrian's confession about the baby added another layer of complexity that made her journalist's instincts tingle with possibility and danger in equal measure. Was it his baby? That woul

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