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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

I studied Adrian, searching for cracks in his polished exterior. He was smooth—too smooth. The kind of man who had spent years perfecting the art of control.

"You say you know who's watching me," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "But you want something in return."

Adrian chuckled, sipping his espresso like we were discussing the weather. "Information is a currency, Celeste. And I deal in high-value exchanges."

Kai scoffed. "Cut the bullshit. What do you want?"

Adrian shifted his gaze to Kai, eyes cool and assessing. "I see why you keep him around. Protective. Predictable. But this conversation isn't about him—it's about you, Celeste."

I leaned back, arms crossed. "Then get to the point."

Adrian's smile didn't falter. "I need something retrieved. A file, to be exact. And you're the perfect person to get it for me."

He tapped his fingers against the table, considering his words. "Because it's currently in the hands of someone who… trusts you."

Adrian took another slow sip of his coffee before answering.

Kai swore under his breath. "You have got to be kidding me."

I kept my face unreadable, even as my mind raced. Liam wasn't the trusting type, which meant if he had this file, it wasn't just important—it was dangerous.

Adrian smiled. "You'll find out when you get it."

I exhaled sharply. "And if I refuse?"

He set his cup down with a soft clink. "Then you'll spend the next few weeks looking over your shoulder, waiting for a ghost you can't see."

I hated being backed into a corner.

But I hated being blind even more.

"Where do I find it?" I asked.

Adrian's smirk widened. "Now we're talking."

Kai shot me a look, but I ignored it.

I didn't trust Adrian. I barely even trusted Damien.

But if I wanted to get ahead of whoever was hunting me… I needed to start playing offense.

Even if that meant stealing from a monster.

Even if that monster was Liam Kingston.

Chapter 24: The Price of Information