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 soft glow of the chandelier illuminated the grand living room of the Carter family mansion, casting a warm, golden hue over the plush velvet sofas and the crackling fireplace. The air smelled of cinnamon and pine—a familiar scent of the festive holiday season.

Olivia sat curled up on the couch, a steaming cup of tea cradled in her hands as she listened to Savannah and Avery reminisce about their childhood.

"Do you remember that summer we convinced Olivia that the neighbor's cat was a shapeshifter?" Savannah teased, nudging Olivia with a playful grin.

Olivia scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I was seven, Savannah. Of course, I believed you."

Avery burst into laughter. "You wouldn't go outside for two whole days. You thought the cat was watching you!"

"Oh, come on," Olivia groaned, setting her tea down. "It wasn't just any cat. That thing had creepy green eyes."

Savannah waved a dismissive hand. "It was a normal tabby, Liv."

"It was possessed," Olivia argued, crossing her arms.

It was moments like this—simple, unguarded, filled with warmth and familiarity—that Olivia cherished the most. No business meetings, no pressure, just sisterly love and shared memories.

They talked about their childhood pranks, their silly arguments, their secret late-night talks when they were younger.

For a while, Olivia felt light. Free.

His name slithered into her thoughts, uninvited.

The memory of their last encounter burned in her mind—the way he had looked at her, like a predator toying with his prey. The low timbre of his voice, the infuriating smirk that had sent shivers down her spine. The way her body had responded to him, as if he had cast some spell over her.

Desire. Unfiltered, raw, and completely unwanted.

A sudden wave of anger surged through her.

How dare he make her feel this way? How dare he linger in her mind, invading her peace, making her second-guess herself?

Her grip tightened around her teacup.

She wasn't some helpless woman caught in the web of a powerful man. She wasn't going to let Dimitri Stavros—that arrogant, calculating, maddening Greek tycoon—have that power over her.

A slow, knowing smile curled on Olivia's lips.

Savannah, noticing the shift in Olivia's expression, raised a curious brow. "What's with that look?"

Olivia blinked, quickly masking her thoughts. "Nothing," she said smoothly, picking up her tea again. "Just… thinking."

Avery narrowed her eyes. "Thinking about what?"

Olivia simply smiled, a glint of something unreadable in her eyes.

"Oh, you'll find out soon enough."

CHAPTER FIFTEEN