olivialockett0

The Price of Rivalry follows Olivia Carter, a fiercely determined CEO, as she battles to prove her worth in the high-stakes world of corporate power. Handpicked to run her family’s green tech empire, Carter Wave Solutions, Olivia has spent her life preparing to defy expectations and make her mark. But her rise is challenged by Dimitri Stavros, a billionaire whose family controls a multinational conglomerate that dominates the business world.

Arrogant, ruthless, and dangerously captivating, Dimitri is used to bending the world to his will. When Olivia outmaneuvers him in a critical boardroom showdown, she shatters his carefully curated dominance, sparking a clash that transcends business.

Their rivalry becomes personal, a battle of manipulation and power where neither is willing to back down. Dimitri, furious at his defeat, devises a plan to punish Olivia in a way that forces her to confront her own vulnerabilities. But as their fiery confrontations lead to undeniable passion, the lines between love and revenge blur, threatening to destroy them both.

The Price of Rivalry

The air inside the dimly lit warehouse carried a metallic scent, a mix of rust and something far less pleasant. A single light swung from the ceiling, casting sharp shadows across the concrete floor. In the center of the room, a man slumped in a chair, his breathing shallow, his face swollen from the punishment already dealt.

Dimitri Stavros stood a few feet away, adjusting his cufflinks as if he were preparing for a business meeting rather than overseeing a lesson in consequences. His men flanked the room, their presence silent but imposing.

"Leon," Dimitri's voice was calm, almost disinterested. "Do you know what bothers me the most about betrayal?"

The man in the chair shuddered, his head lifting slightly. "Mr. Stavros… I didn't—"

A sharp nod from Dimitri, and a swift blow landed against Leon's ribs, cutting off whatever excuse he had been about to utter. He let out a strangled gasp, his body jerking against the restraints.

Dimitri sighed. "It's not the act itself. It's the lack of foresight. The lack of respect." He crouched slightly, meeting Leon's dazed gaze. "You thought we wouldn't find out?"

Leon shook his head weakly, his swollen lips struggling to form words.

"But we did," Dimitri continued. "And now you're here. Because there's a price for disloyalty."

He straightened, buttoning his jacket with practiced ease before turning away. "Make sure he remembers this lesson," he instructed, his voice void of emotion. "And remind anyone else who might be getting ideas."

Without another glance, he strode out of the warehouse, the night air offering a brief reprieve from the suffocating tension inside. He had more important matters to deal with.

Pulling it out, he saw Alexandros' name flashing on the screen. He answered, already expecting trouble.

"We heard back from Carter Wave Solutions," Alexandros reported. "Olivia Carter refused the deal. No negotiations. Just a flat-out rejection."

Dimitri's jaw tightened. He wasn't surprised, but he had expected at least some level of discussion. Business was a game of power and leverage, but Olivia Carter had dismissed his offer outright.

"She's playing hard to get," Alexandros continued. "Want to prove she's not intimidated."

Dimitri exhaled slowly, his irritation simmering beneath the surface. "Set up a meeting."

"You're actually going the civil route?" Alexandros sounded amused.

"For now," Dimitri said. "I want to see what game she's playing. Face-to-face."

He slid into the backseat of his car, his mind already working through the possibilities. Olivia Carter thought she could hold her ground against him.

She was about to find out how wrong she was.

CHAPTER SEVEN