When fiercely ambitious investment banker Sophia Hale is assigned to investigate the shadowy finances of billionaire Lucas Grant, her mission is clear: expose his empire's secrets, make her career, and finally put her family's painful past behind her. But Lucas is not just another arrogant CEO; he's charming, calculating, and dangerously irresistible. Their fiery encounters blur the line between ambition and attraction, leaving Sophia questioning what she's truly after, victory or him. Just as her investigation reveals Lucas's ties to a tragedy that shattered her family, she finds herself tangled in a dark web of power plays and betrayals. Now, Sophia must make a choice: expose the man who might be her enemy, or risk everything for the one man she's ever truly wanted. But as desire collides with danger, one thing becomes clear, falling for Lucas Grant could be the ultimate twist of her karma.
Chapter 1 1
Sophia Hale's fingers tightened around her leather portfolio as she glanced around the dimly lit, modern lobby of Grant Tower. The receptionist barely looked up as she ushered Sophia to the elevator, cool professionalism veiling what must have been some surprise-people didn't simply get invited to see Lucas Grant. He was the man who never let his guard down, who rarely gave face-to-face time to anyone. Yet here she was, about to meet him alone.
Sophia breathed in deeply as the elevator ascended. She couldn't allow herself to be intimidated. This was a rare assignment, one that could catapult her career or end it just as fast. "Lucas Grant is just another CEO," she muttered under her breath, adjusting her blazer and checking her reflection in the elevator mirror.
The doors opened directly onto a sprawling office, sleek and shadowed by panoramic windows stretching the length of the room. Light from the setting sun painted everything in hues of gold and orange, glinting off glass and steel. And there he was, leaning casually against his desk, his eyes sharp and calculating as they took her in with the kind of cool amusement that made her pulse jump.
"Miss Hale, I presume." His voice was rich, almost lazy, like he had all the time in the world. There was something infuriatingly unhurried in his manner, something that made her feel like he was assessing her in ways she didn't entirely understand.
"Mr. Grant," she replied, walking confidently across the room to meet his gaze. Up close, Lucas Grant was even more imposing. His dark hair framed chiseled features, and his eyes-an intense shade of gray-seemed to pierce right through her. She'd read enough about him to know he was ruthless, but nothing had prepared her for the magnetic presence he exuded in person.
"Please, sit," he said, motioning to a sleek leather chair opposite his desk. "I'm curious to see why your firm sent someone as... young as you to lead an investigation."
Sophia fought the urge to bristle. "Experience isn't always a matter of age, Mr. Grant. Sometimes it's a matter of capability."
He smiled, a hint of something sharper than humor in his expression. "Touché. So, Miss Hale-Sophia, may I?-what exactly are you hoping to find here? Surely my company's records have been thoroughly scrutinized before."
Her chin lifted. "Grant Industries has been transparent with the routine audits, yes. But there are inconsistencies in the offshore accounts. We're simply... filling in the blanks." She kept her tone polite, almost dismissive, even as her heart raced. A small but undeniable part of her enjoyed pushing back. She wanted him to know she wasn't intimidated.
He leaned forward, hands clasped. "Blanks. Interesting. I suppose that's one way of describing it."
His gaze held hers, unwavering, until she could almost feel herself sinking into those gray depths, her breath catching just slightly. She quickly looked down at her notes, pushing down the strange pull she felt. "If you have nothing to hide, Mr. Grant, then I'm sure this will be a simple process."
"And if I do?" His question hung in the air, a challenge woven into his casual tone.
Sophia forced a light laugh. "Then it's my job to find it."
"Is it, though?" Lucas asked, his voice dropping a notch. "Or is your job to decide what you're willing to do to get there?"
She felt a flicker of unease at his words. It was rare for her to feel off-balance, but Lucas seemed to know exactly how to get under her skin. "I'm here to do my job thoroughly and ethically," she replied, her voice steely. "I don't let other considerations cloud my judgment."
His smile widened, though his eyes stayed as piercing as ever. "Good. I like someone who isn't afraid to push boundaries. But tell me-do you really believe in ethics? In this world?"
Sophia swallowed, momentarily taken aback by his directness. There was a part of her that wanted to counter him with the same ferocity, but she reminded herself to stay professional. "Yes, Mr. Grant, I do. Some people believe in more than just power and wealth. Some of us have principles."
"Principles?" He laughed softly, and the sound held a hint of derision. "Principles are just lines people draw in the sand, and those lines can be redrawn when things get uncomfortable."
Sophia's eyes narrowed. "Maybe that's true for you, Mr. Grant, but I'm not here to argue philosophies. I'm here to get the answers my firm needs."
Lucas stared at her in silence for a long moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as though reading her very soul. "And you think you know me," he murmured, almost to himself. "Miss Hale, you might find that there's more at play here than what you think."
The words felt like a warning, and for a heartbeat, Sophia's confidence wavered. She could sense that he was testing her, probing for any weakness he could exploit. But she'd worked too hard to get here, and she'd be damned if she let Lucas Grant throw her off balance.
"Perhaps," she said carefully, "but I'm not the kind to be scared off easily, Mr. Grant."
Lucas smirked, and the intensity in his eyes flared for just a moment. "I admire that. You're certainly... determined."
Sophia felt her cheeks flush under his gaze. She hated the way her heart hammered in her chest, the way she was drawn to him against her will. She quickly composed herself, letting her voice regain its crisp edge. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Grant. I'll be following up with your CFO on the accounts I mentioned."
Lucas tilted his head, watching her with an unreadable expression. "I'm sure you will. But do me a favor, Sophia...don't go looking too deep. Some things are better left buried."
She gave him a tight smile. "I'll decide what's better left buried. You don't get to make that choice for me."
A flicker of respect passed through his gaze, and, for a brief moment, she wondered what he saw when he looked at her. But before she could let her mind wander too far, she forced herself to stand, extending her hand. "Goodbye, Mr. Grant."
He took her hand, his grip firm and warm. "Goodbye, Miss Hale. I'll be seeing you soon."
As she turned to leave, she felt his eyes on her, a weight that lingered long after she exited his office. And as she stepped back into the elevator, Sophia could only think of one thing: Lucas Grant was even more dangerous than she had imagined. Dangerous and undeniably, frustratingly captivating
Chapter 1 1
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Chapter 2 2
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Chapter 3 3
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Chapter 4 4
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Chapter 5 5
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Chapter 6 6
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Chapter 7 7
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Chapter 8 8
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Chapter 9 9
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Chapter 10 11
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Chapter 11 11
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Chapter 12 12
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Chapter 13 13
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Chapter 14 14
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Chapter 15 15
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Chapter 16 16
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