All Chapters of Breaking The Spotlight: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Celeste Laurent wasn’t a stranger to high-stakes negotiations. She had closed multi-million-dollar film deals, walked red carpets with studio executives who smiled through gritted teeth, and dodged sharks disguised as friends in Hollywood’s elite circles. But standing in front of Damien Sinclair, locked in a silent battle of wills, she realized one thing: This was different. This wasn’t about business. This wasn’t about contracts or publicity stunts. This was about survival. Celeste gripped the edge of the penthouse bar, her nails pressing into the cool marble surface. Across from her, Damien leaned against the couch, completely at ease. As if he hadn’t just blackmailed her into a fake engagement with nothing more than cold logic and that damn unreadable stare. She hated that about him, that he could make chaos look like control. “So.” She folded her arms. “How exactly do you plan on making this engagement ‘real’?” Damien tilted his head, studying her. “The way every power coupl

Celeste had spent years perfecting the art of control. Control over her emotions, her image and even who she let close enough to hurt her, but now standing on the dimly lit balcony of the Grand Rose Gala, with Damien Sinclair’s heat pressing against her back, she felt that control slipping through her fingers.“You’re tense,” Damien murmured, his voice a low vibration against the shell of her ear.She clenched her jaw. “I’m fine.”“Liar.”Celeste turned sharply, her gaze locking onto his. The Parisian night stretched behind him, the city’s golden lights glowing against the darkness, but it was nothing compared to the storm brewing in Damien’s eyes. He was enjoying this. Enjoying pushing her, testing her, unravelling her piece by piece.She exhaled sharply, stepping away. “We did what we came here to do. The media got their perfect couple moment. Can we go now?”Damien leaned against the balcony railing, looking maddeningly relaxed. “Not yet.”Celeste folded her arms. “Why not?”“Becau

It was midnight. Celeste lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing. The text message and the way Damien had reacted were keeping her awake. Plus, despite everything, Celeste really wanted to trust him. She had spent her entire life controlling her own narrative. Every move calculated, every emotion hidden behind the perfect smile. And yet, somehow, Damien Sinclair was peeling back those layers without even trying, and that infuriated her even more. She wasn’t sure how long she lay there, fighting sleep, but a noise outside her room snapped her fully awake. A soft click. The click of a door closing.Her heart pounded. Slipping out of bed, she grabbed heĺ silk robe from the chair and carefully, she padded barefoot down the hallway, her breath shallow. The living room was dimly lit, and at first, she thought she was alone. But then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Damien standing near the floor-to-ceiling window, with a drink in his hand, his silhouette outlined again

Damien didn’t waste any time. As soon as he ended the call, he strode toward the floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse, his mind already calculating the next steps. This wasn’t just a threat. It was a declaration of war. Julian Mercer had crossed a line, and Damien did not tolerate threats to what was his. Celeste stood a few feet away, arms crossed, her expression unreadable. But he could see the tension in her shoulders, the way she held herself. She was trying to act like this didn’t bother her, but he knew better. “You don’t have to handle everything on your own, Celeste.” His voice was low, steady. She let out a sharp laugh, shaking her head. “That’s rich, coming from you.” Damien turned to face her fully. “This isn’t just about you anymore. Mercer came for both of us. He made this personal.” Celeste exhaled, rubbing her temples. “It was always personal, Damien. He’s been trying to ruin me for years.” His eyes darkened. “Then we should’ve ended him years ago.” She fl

Celeste walked into the sleek, glass-walled restaurant where Julian Mercer sat, a smirk already forming on his he waited for her, he was expecting her. She was brave to request a meeting with him by herself. The host led her to his private booth near the window, where the city skyline glittered in the distance. Mercer was dressed impeccably in a charcoal grey suit, his blond hair neatly styled. He radiated arrogance, lounging like a king who thought himself untouchable. “Celeste,” he drawled, standing as she approached. “I have to say that I’m quite surprised you wanted to meet with me. Given the circumstances, I assumed you’d be licking your wounds.” She didn’t smile, neither did she bother with pleasantries. She slid into the seat across from him, resting her purse on the table. “I know what you’ve been up to, Julian.” He chuckled, swirling the whiskey in his glass. “Do you? Intersting, because from where I’m sitting, I’m the one calling the shots.” Celeste tilted her head. “A