All Chapters of IN THE LIGHT OF FORTUNE: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The espresso machine hissed like an angry cat, and Claire Blake was fairly certain it was plotting her demise."Come on, come on," she muttered, whacking the side with her palm. The café was packed - harried commuters, laptop warriors, and one particularly grumpy businessman glaring at his watch."Claire!" Mrs. Chen called from behind the counter. "Table three has been waiting ten minutes!""I know! The machine's possessed again!"Finally, the espresso machine cooperated. Claire grabbed the cup, added foam in a vague heart shape, and hurried toward table three.She was three steps away when her shoe caught on absolutely nothing.Time slowed. The cup flew in a graceful arc. And the entire contents of one large caramel macchiato landed directly on the crisp white shirt of the most beautiful man she'd ever seen."Oh my God."He stood abruptly, coffee dripping down his chest, frozen between shock and disbelief. Tall - easily over six feet - with dark hair, sharp cheekbones, and eyes so bl

Damian Cole's office was less an office, more a palace. Huge space, windows on two sides, breathtaking city views. Sitting area with leather couches, conference table, desk carved from dark wood.Behind that desk sat Damian Cole.He'd changed since yesterday - charcoal suit, light blue shirt (no tie) that made his eyes even more striking. He was on the phone but gestured for her to sit.".. tell Harrison if he wants Hong Kong, he needs to move faster. We have other parties... Yes... No, that's final." He hung up and turned his attention to Claire. "Miss Blake. Thank you for coming.""Thank you for inviting me? I think? I'm still not sure what's happening."A slight smile. "How was your shift?""Coffee-free. No casualties today.""I'm relieved." He leaned back, studying her. "I'm sure you're wondering why you're here.""The thought crossed my mind.""I need an assistant."Claire blinked. "Don't you have an assistant? Jennifer seems efficient.""Jennifer runs my operations. I need someo

Monday morning, Claire walked into Cole Enterprises with her head high and her stomach full of butterflies.Jennifer met her in the lobby. "Ready?""Not even a little bit.""Perfect. Confidence is overrated." Jennifer led her to the elevators. "We'll meet in the conference room. Damian's lawyer will walk you through the contract. Don't let Marcus intimidate you - he looks scary but he's a softie."Marcus turned out to be a mountain of a man with silver hair and reading glasses, spreading documents across a huge table. He looked up and broke into a warm smile."You must be Claire. Marc Harrison." He shook her hand gently. "I've drawn up the contract per Damian's specifications, but I want you to understand every word before you sign anything. My job is to protect both parties, which means making sure you're comfortable with every clause."Claire liked him immediately.They settled around the table. Marcus walked her through page by page. It was surprisingly straightforward: six months,

The hotel hosting the gala was a palace of glass and gold. Photographers lined the red carpet, cameras flashing like lightning. Sleek cars delivered women in designer gowns and men in tuxedos, one after another.Claire's stomach lurched."I can't do this," she whispered.Damian squeezed her hand. "Yes, you can. Stay close to me, smile when you feel like it, and remember - you belong here just as much as anyone else.""I really don't.""Then fake it. You're good at that, remember? It's literally what I'm paying you for." His tone was light, teasing, and it helped.The car stopped. The driver opened the door. Flash bulbs exploded.Damian stepped out first, then turned and offered his hand. Claire took a breath, channeled every ounce of courage she had, and let him help her out.The noise was overwhelming - photographers shouting Damian's name, asking him to look left, right, who's your date? But his hand was warm and steady, anchoring her."Mr. Cole! Who's your companion?""Damian! Look

Claire woke to sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows and, for a confused moment, didn't remember where she was. The silk sheets, the soft mattress, the faint scent of expensive lavender - none of it belonged to her cramped apartment. Then it all came rushing back: the gala, the dancing, Caroline's cold assessment, Vanessa's unexpected kindness.And the way Damian had looked at her when they danced, like she was the only person in the room.Her phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand. She grabbed it, squinting at the screen through sleep-blurred eyes.Seventeen missed calls. Forty-three text messages. And her social media notifications had exploded into the thousands.With trembling fingers, she opened the first news alert."Mystery Woman Captivates Cole: Who is Claire Blake?"The photo showed her and Damian on the red carpet, his hand protective on her back, both of them smiling. She looked... happy. Natural. Like she belonged there, standing beside one of the most po