Semua Bab A CONTRACT WITH MY BILLIONAIRE BOSS : Bab 1 - Bab 8

The lights from the bar were almost blinding, and the noise of the partying and chatter filled the room, but none of it bothered Claire Ellis. She sat staring at her full glass of whiskey, the one she hadn’t touched. She didn’t feel like drinking. She didn’t even want to be out. Sophie had insisted.Then the song changed. Claire recognised it instantly. It was the one she and Dylan used to dance to all the time. Their song. Tears began to quietly stream down her face as her mind drifted back to what had happened earlier that day.She had gotten off work early just to surprise him with his favourite snacks. She entered the code to the building and let herself in, tiptoeing through the house while giggling quietly. In the hallway leading to his room, she heard their special song playing loudly. Claire couldn’t help but smile. He had come to love that song. It showed how much he loved her.She reached the bedroom door, grinned, and pushed it open. “Surprise, babe. I brought you snacks—”

The meeting room was already full when Claire and Mia walked in. Department heads, senior officers, and several people from Operations filled the seats around the long conference table. Low conversations filled the air as everyone waited.Claire took the empty chair beside Mia and clutched the folder in her lap. At the head of the table sat Damian Sterling. He wore a perfectly tailored dark suit, his attention fixed on the documents in front of him. He didn’t look up when they entered.The Operations Manager stood and cleared his throat.“Good morning, everyone. Now that we’re all here, I’ll begin by introducing the new CEO of Sterling Forge Industries—Mr. Damian Sterling, only child of Mr. Edward Sterling and heir to the Sterling Royale Group. Sir, would you like to say a few words?”Damian gave a short nod and rose.“Let me make one thing clear,” he said. His voice was calm, even, and carried easily across the room. “I have high expectations, and I expect every one of you to meet th

It had been a week since Claire became Damian Sterling’s personal secretary, and she was finally starting to settle into the routine. She had driven him to the office that morning as usual. By the time she knocked on his door with a letter in hand, the day was already in full swing.“Sir, it’s Claire.”“Come in.”She stepped inside and placed the envelope on his desk. “A letter came for you.”Damian picked it up and read it in silence, his expression unreadable. Claire leaned in slightly without thinking.“Who is it from? A girlfriend?”The look he gave her made her straighten at once.“It’s from the Sterling Royale Group Gala coordinators,” he said evenly. “An invitation. The event is tomorrow evening. You’re coming with me.”Claire blinked. “Excuse me, sir? Why am I going with you? I work for Sterling Forge Industries.”“Sterling Forge is a branch under Sterling Royale Group. Did you forget that?” His voice stayed calm, but there was an edge to it. “Besides, you’re not coming only a

The next morning carried a quiet awkwardness between them.Claire arrived at Damian’s house at the usual time and waited in the car until he came out. Neither of them mentioned the gala. Neither of them mentioned Serena. The silence felt heavier than normal as she drove him toward the office.When they turned the final corner, Claire slowed the car.A large crowd surrounded the front of the Sterling Forge building. Reporters with cameras, microphones, and phones filled the sidewalk. A number of young women held signs and phones high, clearly hoping for a glimpse of Damian.Claire’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “Mr. Sterling… what do we do? They’re everywhere.”Damian studied the crowd through the window, his expression unreadable. “This won’t end on its own. Ms. Ellis, schedule a press conference for later today in front of the building. I’ll address them directly.”Claire glanced at him. “An explanation? You mean… the truth?”“I’m going to set things straight,” he said simp