queenadey

Felix Blackwood is a ruthless CEO known for his cold precision and unshakable control. But beneath his polished exterior lies a dangerous secret—one that powerful enemies would kill to keep buried. When a mysterious leak threatens to expose a corrupt organization tied to his past, Felix is forced into a deadly game of deception, where every move could be his last.

Enter Elena Carter—a journalist with a knack for uncovering hidden truths. When she stumbles upon Felix’s world, she becomes entangled in a web of forbidden attraction, dangerous alliances, and secrets that could destroy them both. As their fates collide, passion ignites, but so do the forces determined to tear them apart.

With danger lurking in every shadow, Felix and Elena must decide: trust each other and fight—or become pawns in a game they can’t escape.

But some truths are better left buried…

the CEO dark secrets

The black card sat on Elena's nightstand, gleaming under the faint glow of the city lights streaming through her apartment window. She had tossed it there hours ago, thinking she could ignore it. But the weight of Felix's offer lingered.

The man was impossible to read. One moment he was ruthless and calculating, and the next, he was peeling back just enough of his guarded exterior to leave her questioning everything. What exactly did he want her to uncover? And why had he chosen her?

Elena's reflection in the window revealed her furrowed brow, strands of dark hair tumbling over her shoulder. Sleep was out of the question. Not with her thoughts trapped in an endless loop.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She glanced at the screen a message from her best friend, Lily.

Lily: Still alive, journalist? Or did the CEO whisk you away to his lair?

Elena smirked. Lily had been relentless with her teasing ever since Felix Donovan had entered the picture.

Elena: No lairs. Just questions. Lots of questions.

A moment later, her phone buzzed again.

Lily's name disappeared from the screen, but the weight of her question remained.

That was what she wanted. Wasn't it?

With a sigh, Elena pulled her laptop onto her lap, the soft hum of the city below fading into the background. She typed Felix Donovan into the search bar. Articles flooded the screen. Corporate acquisitions, billion dollar investments, charity galas a perfectly curated public persona. But nothing too revealing.

She scrolled further, scanning headlines.

"From Boardroom to Billionaire: Felix Donovan's Meteoric Rise"

"The Man Behind Donovan Enterprises: Ruthless, Brilliant, and Untouchable"

"No Comment: CEO Felix Donovan's Mysterious Family Ties"

The last one made her pause. She clicked it open.

The article was vague, littered with speculation. Felix's parents had died when he was young. Raised by a wealthy uncle with questionable business ties, he had inherited control of the family corporation before he turned twenty-five. There were whispers of scandal, but nothing concrete. Every trail led to a dead end.

Elena's gaze drifted back to the card. The embossed silver lettering caught the light, as if daring her to reach for it.

She hated the fact that Felix had gotten under her skin. He had dangled the one thing no journalist could resist a story.

And she wasn't sure she could walk away.

The next morning, Elena stepped into the bustling offices of CityLine Magazine. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly as reporters scurried past, their arms full of notebooks and steaming cups of coffee. The air smelled of ink and ambition the lifeblood of any newsroom.

"Morning, Monroe," a voice called from behind her.

She turned to see David her editor looming by the coffee machine, his shirt wrinkled and sleeves rolled up. His expression was unreadable.

"How was the gala?" he asked, though the slight arch of his brow suggested he was more interested in the Felix Donovan aspect than the event itself.

"Interesting," Elena replied, keeping her tone casual.

David sipped his coffee, waiting. "And?"

"And I might have an angle," she admitted.

"Felix Donovan doesn't give angles, Monroe. He gives well-rehearsed soundbites and photo ops."

"Maybe," she said, narrowing her eyes. "But I think he wants more than just good press. He wants to control the narrative. And I want to know why."

David's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "You think there's something worth digging into?"

He studied her for a moment before nodding. "Then dig. But be careful. Men like Donovan don't play fair."

Elena nodded, determination settling in her chest. She would find out what Felix was hiding. And this time, no carefully constructed facade would stand in her way.

But as she walked toward her desk, Felix's voice echoed in her mind.

chapter 7: the temptation