The Intrepid Luna and the Machiavellian Alpha Luna Moreau, a devoted secretary for six years, sees her world fall apart when her husband's new "personal assistant," the ruthless alpha Ethan Blackwood, shows up. Although he claims that this woman, Isabella, is only there to lighten his professional responsibilities and avoid a resounding scandal, Luna senses that something more sinister is brewing. Is Ethan really ready to sacrifice the loyalty of the one who has always been by his side to preserve his flamboyant image? But Luna is not the type to be crushed. As Isabella quickly asserts herself within the company, using charm and manipulation to destroy everything Luna has built with so much passion, the latter discovers a secret contract linking Ethan to shady business and dangerous alliances. What role does Isabella really play in this power game? Is she simply an assistant or a pawn in a larger plan? As Luna embarks on a daring investigation to unravel the threads of this machination, she realizes that Ethan is becoming more distant and enigmatic by the day. Why does he seem to be hiding unspeakable secrets? What does he really know about Isabella? And how far will he go to protect her interests? With tension rising and danger lurking, Luna will have to draw on her inner resources to counter Isabella's schemes. But with each revelation, one question remains: can she stand up to an alpha whose power could cost her everything she loves? Time is running out and every decision could have devastating consequences... What will she do if she discovers that the truth is even more disturbing than she imagines?
Chapter 1 Chapitre 1
Chapter 1
Luna stared at the neatly set table, her fingers nervously playing with the edge of her linen napkin. The work lunch Ethan had insisted on hosting at home seemed strangely heavy. She had spent the morning paying attention to every detail, as always, but something indefinable hung in the air, a tension she could neither name nor ignore. Ethan was more distant than usual, his gaze shifting, his jaw clenched as if he was chewing on bitter thoughts.
"Everything is perfect," he whispered as he walked behind her, briefly placing a hand on her shoulder.
She would have liked to believe in the gentleness in his tone, but the contact was as mechanical as a well-oiled automaton. For several weeks already, she had noticed nuances in his behavior, absences disguised under the mask of responsibilities, glances avoided with unusual awkwardness.
The doorbell rang, cutting through the hushed silence of their house. Luna sat up, her instincts telling her that this moment was a turning point, although she did not yet understand its significance.
Ethan went to open the door, and a feminine voice spoke out, soft and controlled, with a touch of calculated warmth.
"Thank you for welcoming me into your home, Ethan. I'm delighted to finally be able to meet your wife. »
Luna turned around, her heart beating faster. She hadn't been prepared for this encounter, not really. When Ethan had told him earlier this week about a "necessary adjustment to his team", he hadn't seen fit to specify that the adjustment in question would take the form of a woman who was obviously as confident as she was elegant. .
Isabella Black entered with a natural grace that made her appear to be gliding across the floor. Her perfectly fitted black dress contrasted with her shiny blonde hair, and a flawless smile lit up her face as if she knew exactly what effect she was creating.
"Luna, this is Isabella, my new personal assistant," Ethan said, his tone neutral as if announcing the arrival of a new business partner.
Luna stepped forward, extending a polite hand. "Nice to meet you, Isabella. »
Isabella's grip was firm, assured, but something in her smile seemed too controlled, too perfect to be sincere.
"The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Blackwood . Your husband is full of praise for you. It is rare to meet a woman with such strength and grace. »
The compliments slid off Luna like water off cold glass. She detected a note of hypocrisy, or maybe it was her imagination, but something in Isabella's eyes made her uneasy.
Ethan cut the exchange short by inviting them to sit around the table. He seemed almost relieved to be able to escape this interaction.
During lunch, Isabella appeared charming, laughing at Ethan's anecdotes, asking pertinent questions about the company's projects, and weaving with disconcerting ease an invisible network between herself and the two spouses. However, Luna quickly felt that Isabella was only speaking to her out of courtesy, her real attentions being directed towards Ethan.
One sentence, however, shook the carefully constructed atmosphere.
"Your husband is a fascinating man, Luna. You are very lucky to share his life. »
The cup of wine that Luna brought to her lips trembled slightly, but she regained her composure by gently placing her glass on the table.
"Yes, he is an exceptional man," she replied, measuring each word.
Ethan gave a smile that failed to mask his uneasiness. "Isabella is a valuable asset to the company. His vision and energy will really move our projects forward. »
"I'm sure," Luna murmured, struggling to maintain a cordial tone.
But deep inside her, something was rumbling. She knew how to recognize rivalry hidden behind polite courtesy. And if Isabella was an asset to the company, why did Luna feel like she was already intruding into their personal space?
At the end of the meal, Isabella excused herself to make a call. Ethan briefly walked her back to the living room, leaving Luna alone for a moment. She took the opportunity to calm the thoughts swirling in her mind, but her fingers continued to nervously tap the tablecloth.
When Ethan returned, he looked agitated, his features drawn.
"She's really talented, you know," he said suddenly, as if to break a silence he found unbearable.
Luna stared at him, her voice calm, but her words sharp as a blade. "I'm sure she is, Ethan. But why do I feel like you haven't said everything about him? »
He frowned, clearly taken aback. "I don't know what you're talking about. She's a professional, nothing more. »
"So why the nervousness? » she insisted, crossing her arms.
Ethan walked away, running a hand through his hair, a gesture he always did when he felt cornered.
"Luna, I deal with pressures you can't imagine. Hiring Isabella was a strategic decision. It's for the good of the company, nothing else. »
"Nothing else," she repeated, tasting the bitterness of her words.
He sighed, looking exasperated. "Why do you always want to look for problems where there aren't any? »
She stood slowly, her eyes staring into his with an intensity that forced him to look away.
"Because I know you, Ethan. And I know when something is wrong. »
A heavy silence fell over them, broken only by the distant sound of Isabella talking on the phone in the other room.
"You're worrying for nothing," he finally blurted out, but his tone lacked conviction.
Luna didn't answer. She didn't need words to understand that this exchange solved nothing. On the contrary, it only illuminated the growing distance between them.
Isabella returned shortly after, smiling and relaxed as if she did not perceive the palpable tension in the room.
"Thank you again for a delicious lunch," she said to Luna as she got ready to leave. "It was a real pleasure. »
Luna nodded, smiling out of pure obligation.
When the door closed behind Isabella, Luna stood for a long moment, her gaze fixed on Ethan.
"So," she said softly, but with an underlying firmness, "how long do you think this will last? »
He looked up at her, surprised.
"What then? »
"This game. This illusion that everything is normal. »
He remained silent, but in that silence, Luna found a response much louder than she wanted.
Isabella was not just a simple assistant. Luna felt it in her gut. And if Ethan thought she was going to ignore what was happening in front of her, he was sorely mistaken.
Chapter 1 Chapitre 1
05/12/2024
Chapter 2 Chapitre 2
05/12/2024
Chapter 3 Chapitre 3
05/12/2024
Chapter 4 Chapitre 4
05/12/2024
Chapter 5 Chapitre 5
05/12/2024
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