Christian Harper, CEO of Harper Industries, sat in the back seat of his sleek black car, his thoughts consumed by the woman he'd just encountered—Amelia Lyrax.
He barely remembered how he ended up in her apartment, let alone hiding in her suitcase like some twisted joke. But none of that mattered now. What haunted him wasn't the absurdity of it all. It was her.
Amelia Lyrax.
Cold. Dismissive. Unimpressed.
He wasn't the type to chase anyone—especially not women. But there was something about her. The sharpness in her eyes, the way she looked at him like he was nothing more than a nuisance. She hadn't batted an eye at his wealth or charm. Instead, she'd met him with suspicion, sarcasm—and a frying pan to the chest.
That sting still lingered in his bones… and he liked it.
His phone buzzed.
A message from his secretary, James: Still digging, will update you once I have more on Amelia Lyrax.
Not fast enough.
As the car rolled to a halt in front of his penthouse, Christian threw the door open before it had even fully stopped. He strode into his office, jaw tense, his fingers digging into the back of his leather chair as he stared out at the city skyline.
She had gotten under his skin. No one ever did that.
He needed more. More information. More control.
More her
"Find her," he ordered coldly as Ryan, his assistant, stepped into the room.
Ryan didn't ask questions. He knew better. Working for Christian Harper meant understanding that when he wanted something, he got it. No exceptions.
Minutes passed in silence until Ryan's fingers stilled on the keyboard.
"I've got her, Mr. Harper," he said. "Amelia Lyrax. Age 28. Top model. Currently single. She lives in Ryuko Villa now, but the apartment you visited was registered under Rena Hotel downtown—an older residence she's since moved out of. Her parents own Lyrax Jewelry."
Christian's lips curled—not into a smile, but something darker. A predator's grin.
Single.
Living alone in a villa tucked away in the quietest part of the city.
Perfect.
She wasn't like the others. She hadn't tried to impress him or seduce him. She stood her ground—fiery, quick-witted, fearless.
She hit him.
And instead of fury, it left him ravenous.
He straightened abruptly and brushed a speck of dust from his sleeve, the decision already made.
"Maria!" he called.
His housekeeper appeared in the doorway within seconds. "Yes, sir?"
"I want the guest room next to mine cleared out. Everything. I want it redecorated—soft lighting, full comfort, high-end bedding, curtains, details. Elegant, intimate. Like a room meant for someone… very special."
Maria blinked once but said nothing. "Understood. When do you need it done?"
"Three days."
She nodded and vanished down the hallway without another word.
Christian turned back to the window, the city stretching wide beneath him like a kingdom he already owned.
No more hesitation.
No more waiting.
Fate didn't exist in his world—but if it did, it had brought Amelia Lyrax to him.
And now that he had her address…
She would be his.
Soon.