ALL NOVEL Chapter 4: The First Move
Chapter 4: The First Move
Amara sat in her study, the glow of her laptop screen illuminating her face. She couldn't stop replaying the dinner in her mind. Lucas's words, his questions, his enigmatic smile—it all felt like a puzzle she was desperate to solve.
Her father's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Amara, what are you working on?"
She looked up, startled. Gregory stood in the doorway, his expression curious.
"Just some research," she said, closing her laptop.
Gregory stepped inside, his gaze sharp. "On Lucas Rayner?"
Amara hesitated before nodding. "I want to understand him better. He's... different."
Her father nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Good. But be careful, Amara. Men like Lucas don't reveal themselves easily. And when they do, it's often too late to back out."
Meanwhile, Evelyn was already taking action.
She stood in the boardroom of Hart Enterprises, her team gathered around her. "I want everything we have on Lucas Rayner," she said, her tone firm.
One of her assistants hesitated. "Everything? That might take some time. He's notoriously private."
"Then work faster," Evelyn snapped. "I need leverage, and I need it now."
As her team scrambled to gather information, Evelyn leaned back in her chair, her mind racing. Lucas was more than just a potential ally or rival—he was a mystery, and Evelyn hated mysteries.
Across town, Lucas sat in his penthouse office, a small smile playing on his lips. His assistant, Claire, stood by his side.
"They're both digging into your background," she said, handing him a tablet with the latest reports.
Lucas chuckled. "Of course they are. That's exactly what I wanted."
Claire frowned. "Are you sure this is a good idea? They're both formidable in their own ways."
"That's what makes it interesting," Lucas said, his gaze distant. "Let them play their games. They'll soon realize they're playing mine."
The stage was set, and the first moves had been made. But as Amara, Evelyn, and Lucas began their intricate dance of power and intrigue, none of them realized just how high the stakes would become.