Billionaire's Deadly Obsession

The grand lobby of Vale Enterprises was a masterpiece of modern architecture—towering glass walls, sleek marble floors, and a crystal chandelier that bathed the space in a cold, expensive glow. Celeste Carter stepped inside, her heels clicking against the polished floor, her breath hitching as she took in the sheer luxury surrounding her. This wasn't just a company—it was an empire.

She adjusted the strap of her designer handbag, a nervous thrill rushing through her veins. Today was the day. The opportunity of a lifetime, working under Lucian Vale, a man she had admired from a distance through magazine covers and success stories. And now, she was about to meet him.

At the front desk, a security officer in a crisp black suit eyed her carefully before handing her a sleek black tray.

"All electronic devices must be submitted before proceeding to the interview floor, Miss Carter."

Celeste hesitated for half a second before slipping her iPhone onto the tray. Standard protocol, she told herself. Nothing to worry about. The officer placed a tag on her bag and handed her a claim ticket.

But as she walked towards the elevator, the guard discreetly passed her phone into another set of hands. Logan Briggs.

Logan smirked, already flipping the device between his fingers. He turned to a thin, sharp-featured man sitting at a nearby workstation.

"You know what to do. I want full access—calls, messages, live GPS, everything."

The tech expert nodded, already working on inserting a hacking chip before slipping the phone into a sleek scanning device. Within moments, a notification pinged onto Logan's own phone.

ACCESS GRANTED.

A slow grin spread across Logan's scarred face. Perfect.

On the 47th floor, Celeste entered a conference room that felt colder than it looked. The long obsidian table stretched across the room, the glass walls offering a stunning view of New York City, but all she could focus on was the man sitting at the far end.

Lucian Vale.

He was dressed in a sharp, custom-tailored black suit, the pristine white of his shirt accentuating his broad frame. A platinum watch rested on his wrist, gleaming under the low, controlled lighting.

He didn't immediately acknowledge her. Didn't even look up.

Instead, he tapped his fingers against the armrest of his chair, slow and deliberate, as Bianca—his stunningly beautiful Black secretary—read through the company's values and expectations.

Celeste sat straight, her hands resting neatly in her lap, but inside, her nerves were unravelling.

When Bianca finished, a long silence followed.

Finally, Lucian spoke.

"Tell me, Miss Carter…" His voice was deep, edged with an authority that sent a shiver down her spine. "Why should I hire you?"

She had rehearsed her answer a dozen times. But under his gaze—intense, unreadable, predatory—every word she had prepared felt useless.

"I…" she swallowed. "I've always admired Vale Enterprises, Mr. Vale. I believe my skills in finance and business strategy can bring fresh insights to your company."

Lucian leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the table, his expression revealing nothing.

"Fresh insights?" A faint smirk ghosted his lips. "You think we need fresh insights?"

Celeste felt her face heat. Was this a test? Or was he simply enjoying watching her squirm?

"No, sir. I mean—"

"Relax." His voice softened—just a fraction. "You're nervous."

Celeste let out a small breath. He noticed.

Something about his presence made her feel exposed. Vulnerable. But… excited.

"You're hired."

Her heart nearly stopped.

"I—What?"

Lucian leaned back in his chair, studying her. "I like hiring people who aren't comfortable around me."

Celeste felt her pulse race.

He was right. She wasn't comfortable. But she was… intrigued.

He slid a sleek contract folder across the table. A high-paying offer. More than she expected. More than she had dared to dream.

As she reached for the pen, a single thought crossed her mind.

He's the most dangerously attractive man I've ever met.

Celeste stepped out of the towering Vale Enterprises building, the crisp evening air cooling her flushed skin. She had done it. The interview, the contract, the chance to work under Lucian Vale himself.

She pressed a hand against her chest, feeling the rapid thud of her heartbeat. Why did he make her feel this way?

Shaking off the thoughts, she climbed into a cab and gave her address. The city lights blurred past the windows, but her mind was fixated on one thing—she had to make a call.

Back at her apartment, Celeste tossed her handbag onto the couch and poured herself a glass of wine. She slipped out of her blazer, leaving only the silk camisole she wore underneath.

Then, she reached for her iPhone.

A contact labelled "OBT" stared back at her from the screen. She hesitated for a second before pressing dial.

The line rang. Once. Twice.

Then, a deep voice answered. "You never call first."

Celeste smirked faintly. "Things change."

A beat of silence. Then—

"Are you inside?"

Celeste walked to the window, looking out into the city. "I just got the key."

"And the owner?"

Her fingers traced the rim of her wine glass. "Dangerous."

A low chuckle from the other end. "Then he's the right one."

Her grip tightened around the phone. "I don't have much time. Someone might be listening."

"Then listen carefully. You know what to do."

She exhaled. "I always do."

The line clicked off.

Celeste set the phone down and took a deep breath.

She had taken the first step. There was no turning back now.

Across the city, in the darkened office of Lucian Vale, Logan Briggs was leaning against a desk, his face twisted into a grin as he played back the recording of Celeste's call.

Lucian sat behind his desk, one hand resting against his jaw, his icy blue eyes locked onto the screen displaying Celeste's live phone activity. The call had ended. But the words… the words still played in his mind.

Logan scoffed, shaking his head. "She's talking in code."

Lucian's expression didn't change. "Decode it."

Logan played the recording again, jotting down the key phrases.

"I just got the key."

"And the owner?"

"Dangerous."

"Then he's the right one."

"I don't have much time. Someone might be listening."

"Then listen carefully. You know what to do."

Logan exhaled sharply. "She wasn't talking about an apartment key. 'Key' meant access—she got in."

Lucian's fingers drummed against the desk. "She called me dangerous. She expected it."

Logan nodded. "And 'the right one'—that means she was searching for someone like you. That wasn't an accident."

Lucian's gaze darkened. "She's been planning this. The only question is… why?"

Logan tapped at his phone, running another trace on the number Celeste had called. No match.

"It's VoIP," he muttered. "No registered owner. Untraceable."

Lucian's jaw clenched. "Then that means whoever she called... didn't want to be found."

Silence settled between them.

Then Logan grinned. "Looks like your innocent little employee has secrets of her own."

Lucian leaned back, his fingers steepled beneath his chin.

"Find out everything. I want to know who she really is."

Logan smirked. "Oh, trust me, boss. She won't hide for long."

Lucian reached for his glass of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling under the dim light.

Celeste Carter had walked into his world like an innocent doe.

But does a doe make secret phone calls that can't be traced?

Lucian's lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk.

She wasn't just some girl who got lucky. She was up to something.

And when the time came…

He'd make sure she paid.