That got a reaction. A slight shift, a barely-there frown from one of the guards.
He hesitated for only a mont before reaching for his phone, presumably to call soone higher up.
But Celeste wasn’t done yet.
Just as he started dialing, she added casually, "Oh, and while you’re at it—ntion that I know a way to help him get Riley Evans back."
The guard froze.
His eyes flickered with sothing between suspicion and disbelief as he slowly looked her over, as if trying to decide whether she was insane or just bold beyond reason.
The other guard exchanged glances with him, their silent communication almost comical.
Celeste sighed dramatically, crossing her arms. "Well? Are you going to make the call, or do you want to risk personally angering your boss?"
That did it.
The guard cleared his throat, pressed a button, and spoke into his earpiece. "Sir, there’s a woman here nad Celeste Hart . . . claims she’s Ethan Carter’s ex and has information regarding Riley Evans."
Celeste waited, standing tall despite the slight unease curling in her stomach. She had thrown out the bait—now she just had to hope the big bad villain took it.
Seconds stretched into what felt like minutes.
Then, finally—
The guard lowered his earpiece and turned to her, his rigid stance shifting.
"Please enter, Miss Hart," he said, stepping aside. "Mr. Alexander Vale will see you now."
Celeste bead, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she sauntered past them.
Success.
While Celeste was reveling in her small victory, behind the caras, Alexander Vale watched.
Even before his guards stopped her at the entrance, he had already noticed her.
Seated in his private office, his sharp eyes flickered toward the security feed displayed on his multiple screens. He hadn’t been paying much attention—until a striking flash of red caught his eye.
His gaze narrowed.
The woman walked in with an air of effortless confidence, her fiery red hair cascading behind her like a queen’s mantle. She didn’t hesitate, didn’t waver. Every step she took was asured, as if she belonged there—as if she were the one in charge.
Intriguing.
His fingers tapped idly against his desk as he observed her. At first glance, she was undeniably beautiful—the kind of beauty that turned heads and made n forget what they were doing. But it wasn’t just her looks that held his attention.
It was the way she moved.
The way her eyes glead with mischief. The way her lips curved into a smile that seed to brighten the entire hallway. There was a magnetic pull to her, a presence that commanded attention without demanding it.
And then—he heard her na.
Celeste Hart.
For a split second, Alexander stilled. His mind imdiately sorted through everything he knew about her. Ethan Carter’s ex.
Interesting.
And then she said sothing even more intriguing.
She knew how to get Riley Evans back.
His brows lifted slightly. Now that’s sothing worth listening to.
Yet, what surprised him the most was not the proposition itself.
It was the fact that he was more intrigued by her than by her offer.
Alexander leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled, a slow, unreadable smirk forming on his lips as he watched Celeste stand her ground against his guards.
Well, well . . . things seed to get interesting.
With a flick of his wrist, he picked up the phone and gave the order.
"Let her in."
The mont Celeste stepped into Alexander Vale’s office, she couldn’t help but let out a quiet, impressed whistle.
Damn.
She had expected sothing grand, but this? This was next level.
The man occupied an entire floor, and every inch of it scread power, wealth, and dominance. The walls were a sleek blend of black and charcoal gray, accented with hints of gold—rich but not gaudy, elegant but undeniably masculine.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frad a breathtaking skyline, while minimalist yet ridiculously expensive furniture added to the modern, high-class aesthetic.
This wasn’t just an office—it was a statent.
And the statent was clear: Alexander Vale was a man in control.
Just as she was admiring an art piece that she was pretty sure cost more than her entire bank account, a voice cut through the silence—low, smooth, and dangerously seductive.
"Celeste Hart?"
A shiver ran down her spine.
She turned toward the source of the voice and—oh.
Seated behind a massive black desk, leaning forward slightly with his hands folded, was none other than Alexander Vale.
And damn—the man was a nace.
If Ethan Carter was handso, then Alexander Vale was hypnotic. The kind of man who didn’t need to demand obedience—he commanded it with just a look.
Tall, broad-shouldered, and exuding a quiet, lethal charisma, he looked every bit the powerful villain she had imagined. His sharp features were frad by silver-gray hair, a contrast that only made his piercing amber eyes stand out more.
And those eyes . . .
They burned. Intense—like a predator studying its prey. And they reminded her of Han Feng.
For a split second, Celeste forgot what air was.
Holy hell, villains weren’t supposed to be this attractive.
She swallowed hard, very aware of how dry her throat had suddenly beco. Her brain, the sa brain that had so confidently strutted in here monts ago, was now working overti to remind her that she had a plan. A very important plan.
Step one: Don’t get distracted.
But god, was it hard when Alexander Vale looked at her like that.
She couldn’t understand why Riley had broken up with him. Said he was too controlling?
Well, hot damn—Celeste was more than ready to be controlled.
Realizing she had been staring a second too long, Celeste quickly cleared her throat, plastering on her most dazzling smile.
"Well," she said, placing a hand on her hip, "I have to admit, Mr. Vale, you certainly know how to make an impression."
A slow, knowing smirk tugged at his lips.
"And yet," he murmured, tilting his head slightly, "I get the feeling you’re not that easily impressed."
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