Adetoye_Eniola

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Dominance & Desire

In the cutthroat world of business, Vincent Graves is known for his ruthless precision. Cold, calculating, and always in control, he’s built an empire through sheer dominance. Zane Harrington, on the other hand, is everything Vincent despises—reckless, unpredictable, and far too tempting for his own good.

When a multi-million-dollar inheritance forces them into an uneasy partnership, their long-standing rivalry ignites into something even more dangerous. Every meeting is a battlefield, every conversation a game of power. But beneath the sharp words and heated stares, desire simmers—dark, undeniable, and impossible to ignore.

As past traumas resurface and buried emotions claw their way to the surface, Vincent and Zane are left with a choice: fight until they destroy each other… or surrender to the fire that threatens to consume them both.

Enemies by fate. Bound by power. Seduced by something neither of them is ready to admit.


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DOMINANCE &DESIRE

Chapter 7: The Game of Appearances

Vincent Graves did not enjoy public events.

The attention, the small talk, the constant need for politeness—it was all a waste of time. But for the sake of his company's reputation, he attended when necessary.

Especially because of who he would be attending with.

His assistant stood in front of his desk, holding out a sleek black envelope.

"Mr. Harrington left this for you," she said.

Vincent took it with mild curiosity and slid out a crisp invitation card.

'Try not to look miserable the entire night, Graves. It's bad for PR.'

Vincent's lips twitched—a movement so slight, it barely counted as a smirk.

Zane Harrington was relentless. Always pushing, always testing boundaries.

Vincent placed the invitation down and turned back to his laptop. "Confirm my attendance. And inform Mr. Harrington I'll be there."

"Should I tell him anything else, sir?"

Vincent didn't look up. "No need. He already knows."

Zane leaned back in his chair, twirling a pen between his fingers as he read the confirmation message from Vincent's assistant.

Zane wasn't sure why he cared, but he did. Maybe it was because this event wasn't just about their business partnership—it was a battlefield. A stage where power was on display, and Vincent Graves was the kind of man who owned any room he walked into.

And that's why this intrigued him.

He wasn't intimidated by Vincent's cold stares or the way he controlled conversations with his mere presence. If anything, it made him want to push harder.

Zane's fingers tightened around the phone.

His mother didn't call unless she needed something.

He exhaled and tossed the phone onto his desk, standing up. He'd deal with that later.

For now, he had a gala to prepare for.

Zane arrived early, stepping out of his sleek black car with effortless confidence. The flashing lights of cameras greeted him, but he barely paid them any attention.

Dressed in a deep navy suit, slightly unbuttoned at the top just to add a hint of casual defiance, he made his way inside.

Luxury dripped from every corner of the grand ballroom. Crystal chandeliers, soft classical music, expensive champagne flowing like water.

People turned when they saw him, whispers floating through the air.

"I heard he's partnering with Graves Corporation."

Zane smirked and grabbed a glass of champagne. Let them talk.

Like the arrival of Vincent Graves.

Minutes later, a shift in the room told him everything.

Unlike Zane, who basked in attention, Vincent barely acknowledged it. He walked through the crowd in a perfectly tailored black suit, his expression unreadable, his presence commanding without needing words.

The man knew how to make an entrance.

Vincent's gaze found Zane's across the room, and for a brief moment, the noise around them faded.

Zane raised his glass slightly in a silent toast.

Then, slowly, he walked toward him.

THE GAME OF APPEARANCES