mysterious identity

Selena Vale, in the prime of her career, was already a seasoned leader in her field. A successful businesswoman, she was celebrated as an unstoppable force in her industry,a formidable leader whose indomitable authority transformed every boardroom into her arena. Her magnetic presence commanded respect, and her strategic brilliance turned challenges into opportunities. Known as a powerhouse whose influence reshaped market trends, Selena's every decisive action reinforced her legacy of relentless ambition and unwavering determination.

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Her striking beauty impressed everyone, but her personality was sharp and unyielding. Beneath her commanding presence lay a hidden truth,she was the daughter of one of the richest and most powerful families in the country. Few knew her true lineage, and she intended to keep it that way. Her short, sleek black hair framed her sharp, hypnotic hazel-wolf eyes, a gaze that could intimidate even the bravest souls.

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Selena never believed in love. To her, romance was a distraction, an obstacle in the path of her ambitions. She had vowed never to marry, dedicating her life to her goals. She was kind and fiercely protective of those who stood by her side, but to her enemies and betrayers, she was the most ruthless woman in the world.

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However, her family had other plans. They demanded that she marry, threatening to strip her of her inheritance if she refused. Left with no choice, she agreed,but on her own terms. Her family had arranged her marriage to a wealthy partner's son, Caspian Devereux, a man she despised. To her, he was nothing more than a spoiled, irresponsible playboy who had never known hardship.

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Determined to escape this fate, Selena devised a plan. She would marry a man from a normal background, stay with him for two years, then divorce him,convincing her family she was done with marriage forever.

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Her trusted assistant and closest confidante, Sera, was tasked with finding the perfect candidate. Sera was intelligent, intuitive, and one of the few people Selene trusted implicitly. She had worked alongside Selene for years, understanding her mind better than anyone else.

The hiring day arrived. Selene personally interviewed each candidate, but none impressed her. Most were timid, unremarkable, or clearly in it for money. Frustrated, she sighed, rubbing her temple as she glanced through the pile of documents before her.

The sound of firm, deliberate footsteps interrupted her thoughts.

As she looked up, her eyes met those of a man standing before her. 

A tall, broad-shouldered man stood before her, his presence commanding yet wrapped in an air of mystery. Every inch of him exuded silent confidence, from his sharp jawline to the intensity in his piercing eyes. There was something about him,an unspoken authority,that made her heart race and her thoughts falter. It wasn't just his striking appearance; something that drew her in and made her hesitate, unsure of what to make of him.

She looked at him carefully.

The moment her eyes fell upon him, her chest tightened, her breath caught, and her heart betrayed her with a single missed beat. It wasn't just a fleeting moment of surprise; it was something deeper, something unspoken yet undeniable. From that instant, her thoughts were no longer her own. He consumed them, slipping into every quiet moment, every breath, every space where reason once reigned.

Just for a moment.

Selena quickly masked her reaction, but the slight tightening in her chest unsettled her. She wasn't one to be easily affected. What was it about this man?

She lowered her gaze to the document in her hand. His name was Damian Knox. His background was simple, unassuming—exactly what she was looking for. But the feeling in her gut told her there was more to him than met the eye.

Daniam met her gaze with a steady intensity, his expression unreadable. Selena, who prided herself on always being in control, felt an unfamiliar sense of unease. It wasn't just attraction—it was something deeper, something unsettling.

For the first time in her life, Selena Vale felt uncertainty.

And it terrified her.

The Mysterious Man ?

When she walked into the office the next morning, Selena still couldn't shake the strange feeling from yesterday. Damian Knox. The name echoed in her mind like an unsolved riddle. Who was he? Why did he seem familiar when she was certain she had never met him before?

She had spent the night trying to dismiss the sensation, but it lingered like a shadow in the back of her mind. Selene prided herself on rationality, on keeping her emotions locked away where they couldn't interfere with her decisions. And yet, Demian had managed to unnerve her with nothing more than a look.

She took a deep breath, pushing the thoughts aside. Today, she will finalize the contract. Two years. That was all. Nothing more, nothing less.

As she sat at her desk, a knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Come in," she called, straightening her posture.

The door opened, and there he was.

Demian stepped inside, his movements controlled, his gaze calm but unreadable. He carried himself with an air of quiet confidence, a stark contrast to the men she had met before. There was no arrogance, no desperation—just an enigmatic presence that made it impossible to look away.

Selene forced herself to remain composed.

 "Mr. Knox,"

 she greeted, gesturing to the seat across from her.

 "I assume you understand the terms?"

He nodded, taking the seat without hesitation. "I do."

His voice was deep, smooth,sending an unexpected shiver down her spine. She ignored it, focusing on the documents before her.

"Good. Then let's get straight to business," she said, her voice steady as she slid the contract across the table toward him, her fingers brushing the surface with deliberate calmness.

Damian took the contract without hesitation, his large hand closing around it with quiet authority. His eyes, intense and focused, scanned the pages methodically, as if weighing every word. After a brief silence, he spoke, his voice low and deliberate. "Two years. No personal involvement. A clean break afterward." He looked up at her, his gaze piercing, as if studying her every reaction, searching for something hidden beneath her composed exterior.

A ghost of a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he spoke, "What if I want something else?" His gaze shifted to Selena, lingering on her with an intensity that made her pause.

Her stomach tightened, a wave of unease settling in, but she managed to keep her voice steady, betraying none of the tension she felt inside. She met Damian's gaze, her eyes narrowing slightly as she questioned, "What exactly are you implying?" Her words were calm, though her mind raced, trying to understand the hidden meaning behind his cryptic challenge.

Damian leaned forward slightly, his gaze unwavering, as if challenging her to understand something unspoken. "Time will tell,'"he said, his tone low, leaving her to wonder what exactly he wanted.

Selena narrowed her eyes, but before she could respond, he picked up the pen and signed the contract in one fluid motion.

The deal was done.

Yet, as Damian leaned back in his chair, a knowing glint in his eyes, Selena couldn't shake the feeling that she had just invited something dangerous into her life.

And she wasn't sure if she was ready for it.