Home / Romance / The Architect Of My Ruin / Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

All Chapters of The Architect Of My Ruin: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

129 Chapters

Chapter One.

Every corner of the Grand hall was covered in white orchids, the scent thick and cloying, matching the crushing pressure of the expectations in the room.At the altar, Roman Sterling adjusted his cufflinks.He looked every bit the polished heir."Oh, you look so handsome, son." his mother whispered, stepping into his space. Even at fifty, she wore her diamonds and elegance like a charm.Roman offered a smile."I still can’t believe you chose that Pierce girl." she continued with a hiss. "I heard her father is drowning in debt. Are you sure you know what you’re doing, Roman?"Roman chuckled, "Mom, come on. Remember the plan? We just need that land. The mine alone holds enough gold to settle their debts ten times over. They’re desperate...so I offered a ring in exchange for the deed. Two years from now, I’ll hand her the divorce papers and keep the fortune."His mother’s expression softened, a greed mirroring his own."I like the idea..."Roman’s smirk deepened as his gaze drifted towar

Chapter Two.

"Why are you looking for him?"Elara stepped in front of her father. She was a bit of the size of the men, but her desperation made her tall."We have a warrant for his arrest." the lead officer stated, "He's being charged with grand larceny and systemic fraud. The IRS has also flagged several offshore accounts linked to his company's recent activity."The words hit Elara... Fraud? Larceny? Offshore accounts.?"What?" she breathed, "No, no no... No! that's impossible! It's not true. My father would never-""Elara..." her father's voice was a broken whisper behind her.She turned, tears already blurring her vision. She shook her head fiercely, refusing to hear the defeat in his tone.He was the only person she had left in this world. To see him branded a criminal in front of the very people who used to beg for his invitation was more than she could bear.Who is doing this to us?! she internally yelledAs the men stepped forward to bridge the gap, Elara didn't budge. She gripped her fat

Chapter Three.

"M-Mr. Vane..." Roman stammered, as blood continued to drip from his nose onto his expensive shirt.Killian didn't even blink in his direction, his gaze was pinned entirely on Elara.an uncomfortable heat rushed through her, and she took a cautious step backward.The moment she retreated, a subtle shift crossed Killian’s face, his jaw tightening just a bit."W-we are so incredibly sorry.." Roman sputtered, "We had no idea this was your private suite.""This is a restricted floor.." Killian said flatly, "Were you blind when you entered the elevator, or simply illiterate?"Roman shivered nervously.."I-it was just a mistake. A misunderstanding caused by... my fiancée."To save face, Roman reached out and grabbed Elara, hauling her back against his side.Elara shot a glare at Roman, but with Killian watching, she forced her social mask back on, pinning a fake smile to her lips.Killian eyes dropped to Roman’s fingers around Elara’s waist. Then, very slowly, Killian lifted his gaze back t

Chapter Four.

Elara gulped as she too, took a step backward."No. I don't need Roman's help either. I told you–I will handle this myself.""Handle it yourself?" Killian’s dark chuckle was devoid of humor. He took another step forward, "Every second you waste standing here playing the proud martyr, the Feds are freezing your assets. Time is a luxury you don't possess, Elara. By morning, you won't even have a roof over your head, let alone a battle strategy."Elara kept retreating until the wall behind her halted her.. She was trapped.Killian closed the remaining distance instantly, looming over her so closely.He leaned down, tilting his head until his face were inches from hers.Elara’s breath caught, her chest heaving... He was too close, his scent completely intoxicating and terrifying all at once."So..." Killian whispered, "Let me help you, Elara."She forced her mind to stay firm. She knew how the elite operated. No one did favors for free, especially not a man like him."What do you want in

Chapter Five.

The moment they stepped out of the hotel and into the night air, a breeze hit them. Despite the long sleeves of her new gown, Elara couldn't suppress a shiver.Killian walked toward a midnight black Rolls-Royce idling at the curb. His driver had already pulled the door open, waiting with a bowed head.Killian stopped, giving a subtle nod that dismissed the man, who immediately stepped back.Holding the door open himself, Killian turned his gaze onto Elara, who was standing a few feet away, hesitant."Get in." he commanded softly."A-actually, I brought my own car. I can just drive my–""For God's sake.." Killian muttered under his breath.Before she could finish her sentence, his hand wrapped around her wrist. With a firm tug, he hauled her into the plush leather of the backseat."You talk entirely too much.." he mumbled, sliding into the seat right beside her and slamming the door shut.The driver immediately put the car in drive, and the Rolls-Royce drove into the city traffic."Hey

Chapter Six

The next morning, Elara walked down the staircase, still wearing the same gown from yesterday.She felt completely out of place, but she had no other choice.The moment her foot hit the last stairs, the same maid from last night rushed to her. This time, the woman's face was in a polite smile."Good morning, Miss Pierce.." she greeted softly.Elara offered an exhausted nod, her eyes scanning the space.Where is he?"This way, please. Breakfast has been prepared for you.." the maid said, gesturing toward the dining hall.Before Elara could even step forward. The maid’s eyes drifting past Elara’s shoulder toward the upper stairs."Good morning, Sir."Elara turned.Killian was descending the stairs.He wore a flawless, custom tailored charcoal suit, his frame covered in a long black overcoat.His eyes were already locked onto her, unblinking.Elara averted her gaze fast and quickly followed the maid into the dining hall.Watching her retreat, Killian stopped on the final step. His throat

Chapter Seven.

Elara let out a heavy sigh. She had expected her father to be worried, but as she looked closely at his face, she realized this went far deeper than basic anxiety.His eyes weren't just wide with fear, they were entirely wide from horror."Tell me, Elara..." he choked out, his fingers digging into her arms. "Please... please tell me you didn't–"He never finished the sentence. His words catch into a harsh gasp, and his hand instantly flew to his chest, clenching it.His breathing turned shallow, his complexion turning pale as a full blown panic attack seized his chest."Dad! Dad, look at me!" Elara freaked out, as she grabbed his shoulders to keep his trembling frame upright. "Take a breath, please!"Killian didn't hesitate, he tilt of his head and caught the eyes of the two officers standing by the secure doors.The officers immediately rushed forward, expertly taking her father from her arms and guiding him quickly out of the lobby, Elara and Killian followed."Dad!" Elara cried..S

Chapter Eight.

"Take it slow, Dad." Elara murmured, her arm securely around her father, guiding him through the doors of their mansion.Behind them, Patrick stepped across the threshold, shutting the door.She carefully settled her father into his favorite leather armchair in the main sitting room.Almost instantly, one of their household maids came out, her expression tight with anxiety."Welcome home, Mr. Pierce." she said quickly.Her father merely offered adistant nod, his eyes fixed on the empty floorboards.Elara looked at the maid. "Please, fetch him a glass of water." The maid nodded and hurried off toward the kitchen.Elara knelt beside his chair, her heart aching at how diminished he looked."Dad, the doctor was very specific. You need to rest. No phones, no business talk, just quiet."Her father didn't look at her; his gaze remained entirely trapped in his own thoughts."Rest is a something I can no longer afford, Elara." he whispered, "Not with his shadow hanging over this family."Elar

Chapter Nine.

Patrick halt directly in front of the Pierce Corporate Headquarters. Elara didn't even wait, she threw the car door open, speed walked past the security turnstiles with Patrick hot on her tail.But the moment they burst into the lobby, her breath hitched.The bustling corporate energy was completely dead. Instead, the space was occupied by a dozen stern faced federal agents in dark suits, tagging equipments and locking down the elevators."W-what is going on here?" Elara asked, her voice cracking as she forced her trembling legs forward.One of the men leading the operation, a high ranking official holding a tablet, turned at the sound of her voice.He stepped forward."Good afternoon, Miss Pierce." he greeted sternly."What are you doing?" Elara demanded. "Why are your people inside my family’s building? My father’s release papers were finalized this morning!""Ma'am, your father's physical release from detention does not absolve the corporation." the official stated flatly. "As of 1

Chapter Ten.

Elara paced in her room, the lace hem of her black nightwear brushing softly against her bare thighs. Her phone was held in a tight grip, her teeth biting down on her lower lip.Do I really have the time to wait for Patrick? she thought, Every hour Patrick spends negotiating with his parents is another hour the receivers spend cataloging my father’s life work.Bzzzz.She glanced down at the flashing screen of her phone, her stomach instantly twisted.Roman.She swiped the screen and brought the phone to her ear."What do you want, Roman?""Ah, I see from your voice that you’ve already encountered the federal executioners at your headquarters." Roman said, "Listen to me very carefully, Elara. I still have the liquidity to make this entire nightmare vanish. I can dismantle the injunction. All you have to do... is step back into my ring. Be mine, and the Pierce legacy stays intact. Simple, isn't it?"A bitter laugh escaped Elara’s lips, her knuckles tightening around the phone."You are,

PREV

...

NEXT

SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP

DMCA.com Protection Status