All Chapters of The Ceo's Unexpected Choice : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

₦2,350.Zara Daniels stared at the balance on her phone screen for the fifth time that morning. The numbers refused to change, as if mocking her.She sighed and locked her phone."Morning, Zara!" her coworker, Tobi, called from behind the counter.She forced a smile. "Morning.""You look like you didn't sleep.""I didn't."That wasn't exactly a lie. She had barely closed her eyes. Between her overdue rent, her mother's hospital bills and the fear of losing her apartment, sleep had become a luxury she couldn't afford.At twenty-three, this wasn't the life she'd imagined. She had graduated with good grades and big dreams, believing she'd land a decent job. Instead, she'd spent the last eight months working at Brew Haven Café, hoping every interview would be her last.None of them ever called back."Table six needs two cappuccinos," her manager shouted."I'm on it."Zara tied her apron properly and got to work. The smell of roasted coffee beans usually made her happy, but today even that

Zara barely slept.Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the black business card lying on her bedside table.Knight Technologies.Executive Office.9:00 A.M.She had spent almost an hour wondering if she should even go. People like Adrian Knight didn't hand out opportunities to strangers. It didn't make sense.At exactly 6:15 a.m., her phone buzzed.It was another message from her landlord.This is my final reminder. I expect my rent today.She closed the message without replying.There was nothing left to say.After taking a quick shower, she opened her tiny wardrobe. Most of her clothes were casual. They were clean but far from corporate.She finally settled on a plain white blouse, black trousers, and the only blazer she owned. It had been hanging in her wardrobe since her graduation.She smiled sadly."I guess today's your lucky day."Looking into the cracked mirror above her dresser, she tied her hair into a neat low bun."You can do this," she whispered.Even though she didn't

The room fell into complete silence.Zara looked from the furious man to Adrian, convinced she had misheard him."Engagement?" she asked quietly.The older man let out a bitter laugh."So she doesn't even know."Adrian's face remained unreadable."Mr. Harrington, this is neither the time nor the place.""The time?" the man snapped. "You've embarrassed my family in front of the board, and you're talking about timing?"Zara took a small step backward."I think I should leave.""No," Adrian said firmly.Both men turned toward her.She swallowed."I really don't think I should be here."Mr. Harrington scoffed."Smart girl."He adjusted his expensive suit before pointing a finger at Adrian."My daughter has stood by you for three years.""I never asked her to.""You accepted the engagement.""I accepted a business arrangement.""There is no difference.""There is to me."The tension between them was almost unbearable.Zara had never felt more out of place.She was supposed to be at a job i

Zara couldn't move.The white envelope rested on the floor just a few feet away from her, but it felt like it was miles away.Her heart pounded so loudly that she could barely hear anything else.She glanced at the door.No shadows.No footsteps.Whoever had slipped the envelope under her door was gone.She swallowed hard before slowly walking toward it.Her fingers trembled as she picked it up.It wasn't sealed.She carefully opened it and pulled out a single sheet of paper.There were only six words written in bold black ink.Leave. Before it's too late.Nothing else.No name.No explanation.A cold chill ran down her spine.She quickly rushed to the window and pulled the curtain aside.The narrow street outside looked normal.A woman was buying vegetables from a roadside seller.Two children chased each other, laughing.A yellow taxi drove past.Everything looked... ordinary.Yet someone had taken a picture of her apartment only hours ago.She locked the door again, then checked it

The world around Zara seemed to stopShe struggled against the grip on her arms, but the two men holding her didn't loosen their hold.The stranger sitting inside the van watched quietly.He looked to be in his mid-thirties, dressed in a dark grey suit with no tie. His hair was neatly combed, and his expression was almost... friendly.That was the unsettling part.He didn't look like a kidnapper.He looked like someone about to discuss business over coffee."Let her breathe," he said calmly.The man covering Zara's mouth immediately removed his hand.She gasped for air."What do you want?" she demanded.The stranger smiled faintly."I was hoping we'd start with introductions.""I wasn't."He chuckled."I've heard you're honest."She frowned."Who are you?""My name is Ethan Cole."The name meant nothing to her."I don't know you.""I know.""Then why are you following me?"Ethan leaned back in his seat."Because you've become very important.""I work for Mr. Knight.""You've worked fo