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Once known as the naive and kind-hearted Ava Montague, she was betrayed, framed, and left to die by the very people she trusted most—her fiancé, best friend, and stepmother. But death did not claim her. Instead, a mysterious organization saved her and gave her a new identity: "The Vixen."
With a new face, a new name, and a burning desire for revenge, she returns as Celeste Vauxhall, a woman who plays by no rules but her own. She is no longer the weak, innocent girl she once was—she is now a master manipulator, using charm, intelligence, and deception to dismantle those who wronged her.
But revenge is a double-edged sword. As she gets closer to her targets, she finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of power, love, and deception. And when a mysterious billionaire with secrets of his own enters her life, the lines between vengeance and passion blur. Will she succeed in her mission, or will she lose herself in the very darkness she sought to control?

The Vixen

Damien's smile didn't falter, but there was something new in his gaze—curiosity, maybe even amusement.

"You think I'll need protection?" he mused, swirling the coffee in his cup.

I leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. "I think you don't realize how sharp the knife is until it's already at your throat."

Damien chuckled, low and rich. "And here I thought I was the dangerous one."

"Oh, you are," I admitted. "But the thing about men like you, Damien? You think control is something you hold, when really, it's something you negotiate."

He tilted his head, studying me like I was a puzzle with missing pieces. I let him look. Let him wonder. Because that was the secret to dealing with men like Damien Laurent—never let them know if they're the hunter or the prey.

Finally, he set his cup down and sighed. "Alright, Vixen. No protection, then. But tell me—what exactly is your next move?"

"That's for me to know." I picked up a croissant, finally deciding to indulge in his little breakfast spread. I took a slow, deliberate bite, watching his reaction.

Damien smirked. "You really don't trust anyone, do you?"

"Trust gets people killed."

"And yet, you trust Kai."

I paused, the croissant still in my hand.

That wasn't a question. It was an observation.

"Kai and I have an understanding," I said smoothly.

Damien's smirk widened. "Is that what you call it?"

"And what exactly do you call what we're doing right now?"

He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Foreplay."

I arched a brow. "Then you're going to be very disappointed when this ends with me walking away."

His laughter was quiet, but it lingered. "You're fun, Celeste. It's a shame I might have to destroy you one day."

"You can try," I said lightly, brushing off imaginary crumbs and rising to my feet.

Damien watched me, still smiling. But behind that smile was something darker. A challenge.

"You will," I promised. "And when you do, I suggest you brace yourself."

Then I walked away, leaving Damien Laurent to wonder just how much of a threat I really was.

Chapter 16: The Edge of the Blade