Captive of the Merciless Billionaire Without saying that my life was flowing like a long, quiet river, I had found a comfortable routine in my small Parisian apartment. But of course, everything changed the day I crossed paths with Lucian Crowford, a real estate tycoon as enigmatic as he is ruthless. A simple misunderstanding led me to sign a pact that I did not fully understand: to live under the same roof as this terrifying man and... his equally intimidating associates. But why me? Why would an ordinary woman like me, Elise Morgan, interest a billionaire with many faces? Under his air of benefactor, Lucian hides much darker secrets. The whispers of a cursed legacy, enemies ready to do anything for his downfall, and alliances impossible to break draw me into a spiral of mysteries and dangers.
Chapter 1
The city seemed different in recent weeks. The streets no longer had that same gentle and familiar excitement, as if a heavy cloud had fallen on everyone without warning. Jaxon's arrival had turned everything upside down. In the blink of an eye, this young billionaire from nowhere had risen to the top of the city, taking control of its businesses, its institutions, and even, it seemed, its residents. Those, like my family, who were not ready to bend to his will, were quickly pushed aside.
My once respected father was now a shadow in his own office. Jaxon, with his cold and relentless strategy, had pushed him out of influential circles, reducing him to a mere spectator. Seeing my father waste away because of this man revolted me, and as the days passed, my anger grew.
Jaxon. His name was on everyone's lips, but his face remained an enigma to most. I just knew that he was a formidable businessman, and that the rumors of his cruelty did not seem exaggerated. Employees who dared to oppose his methods ended up being fired or completely wiped out. A man like that deserved neither respect nor admiration. Yet a part of me wanted to understand how a human being could inspire so much fear.
Fate gave me no choice but to find out for myself. It was during a charity gala organized by a neighboring company, in a prestigious salon in the city center. I accompanied my parents, who perhaps naively hoped to regain part of their lost reputation. I knew Jaxon would be there. It was as if his presence hovered above us, eerie and invisible. Everyone was murmuring, looking towards the entrance, impatient and nervous.
Suddenly the crowd parted, and he appeared. Tall, slender, with an almost frightening confidence. His dark suit, tailored to perfection, contrasted with the cold glow of his eyes, which roamed the room as if taking possession of each person present. My heart began to beat faster without me understanding why. Jaxon was...fascinating, despite everything I knew about him.
He advanced slowly, greeting the guests with a polite but distant nod. When he looked at me, my whole body froze. His icy blue eyes seemed to read beyond my thoughts, and I found myself looking away, like a child caught at fault. However, I had come with a clear mission in mind: approach him, seduce him, and find a way to avenge my father and my family. But in front of him, this resolution seemed to waver. How could I be attracted to this man who had destroyed so many lives, including my father's?
I felt his heavy gaze return to me. Then, against all expectations, he headed in my direction. My parents, standing aside, glanced at me worriedly. They knew what I was about to do, even if they didn't approve of my plan.
"Good evening," he said in a deep, calm voice, his intense gaze fixed on mine.
I composed myself, trying to hide my confusion behind a confident smile. "Good evening, sir... Jaxon. »
He gave a slight smile, amused. "You know who I am, then. But for me, I have the pleasure of discovering a stranger in the middle of so many... familiar faces. »
His remark made me blush, but I forced myself to respond confidently. "Indeed, I know your name. Everyone is talking about it in town, it's hard to miss you. »
He let out a short, almost sarcastic laugh. "And yet, I remain a mystery to many. Maybe even for you. »
His gaze scanned every nuance of my expression, as if trying to guess what I was thinking. I felt vulnerable, exposed, and a part of me wondered if it was wise to play this game. Yet that's what I decided: to get closer to him, to get justice for my family. It was now or never.
"Maybe I know you more than you think," I replied, almost provocatively.
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. " Oh yes ? In this case, enlighten me. What do you know about me, miss...? »
"Emma," I said, lifting my chin. "Emma Rosenthal. »
He froze for a second, and I guessed he probably heard the name in an unflattering context. The tension between us was palpable, but he remained impassive.
"Nice to meet you, Emma. So tell me...what do you know about me? »
I could have told him everything I heard: that he was ruthless, calculating, that he ruined lives without scruple. But strangely, these words did not pass my lips. Maybe because, deep down, I wanted him to see me differently from everyone he had ever manipulated.
"Well..." I took a breath. "You have a reputation as a leader, a determined man. But I wonder...is that all that defines you? »
His smile faded slightly, as if my question had destabilized him. Then he answered, after a slight pause. "Maybe that's not all. But few people care. What interests them is power, success. »
His words resonated with me unexpectedly. Behind this icy facade, was there a man different from what people said about him? I didn't want to let myself be moved, but his look, suddenly more vulnerable, shook my certainties.
"Maybe some people prefer to see beyond appearances," I muttered, almost to myself.
He looked at me for a long time, and for the first time, I thought I detected sincere emotion in his eyes. This moment could have lasted forever, if a voice had not broken the silence.
"Jaxon, we'll be waiting for you in the private room. »
He nodded at the assistant, then gave me one last look. "I hope we can continue this conversation one day, Emma. »
And without another word, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving me alone with my thoughts and my racing heart. What had just happened? Why had I felt such attraction, when every fiber of my being was screaming at me to be wary?
My parents quickly came to join me, worried. My father placed a hand on my shoulder, pulling me from my thoughts. "Emma, did you manage to talk to him? »
I nodded, still confused. " Yes. But he's... different from what I thought. »
My mother seemed reluctant. "Remember why we are here, Emma. This man ruined our family. »
I pull myself together. They were right. No matter what I had seen in his eyes, no matter what flaws I had perhaps guessed, Jaxon remained the man who had caused my father's undoing. What I had felt was only an illusion, a trap I should not fall into.
"Don't worry," I finally replied with a reassuring smile. "I know what I have to do. I'm going to get closer to him. I will make him fall in love with me, and I will make him pay for everything he has done. »
My father nodded, relieved. " GOOD. So take your time, but be careful. This man never let anyone escape him. »
I knew my parents were right. The road that opened before me would be strewn with pitfalls. But I no longer had a choice. My fate was tied to Jaxon's, for better and, quite possibly, for worse.
Chapter 1 Chapitre 1
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Chapter 2 Chapitre 2
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Chapter 3 Chapitre 3
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Chapter 4 Chapitre 4
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Chapter 5 Chapitre 5
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Chapter 6 Chapitre 6
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Chapter 7 Chapitre 7
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Chapter 8 Chapitre 8
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Chapter 9 Chapitre 9
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Chapter 10 Chapitre 10
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Chapter 11 Chapitre 11
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Chapter 12 Chapitre 12
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Chapter 13 Chapitre 13
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Chapter 14 Chapitre 14
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Chapter 15 Chapitre 15
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Chapter 16 Chapitre 16
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Chapter 17 Chapitre 17
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Chapter 18 Chapitre 18
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Chapter 19 Chapitre 19
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Chapter 20 Chapitre 20
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Chapter 21 Chapitre 21
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Chapter 22 Chapitre 22
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Chapter 23 Chapitre 23
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Chapter 24 Chapitre 24
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Chapter 25 Chapitre 25
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Chapter 26 Chapitre 26
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Chapter 27 Chapitre 27
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Chapter 28 Chapitre 28
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Chapter 29 Chapitre 29
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Chapter 30 Chapitre 30
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Chapter 31 Chapitre 31
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Chapter 32 Chapitre 32
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Chapter 33 Chapitre 33
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Chapter 34 Chapitre 34
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Chapter 35 Chapitre 35
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Chapter 36 Chapitre 36
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Chapter 37 Chapitre 37
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Chapter 38 Chapitre 38
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Chapter 39 Chapitre 39
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Chapter 40 Chapitre 40
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