His Deal,Her Secret

CHAPTER 3

Carlton Harris was no stranger to ambition. He thrived on it, fed off it, and weaponized it. For years, he had watched Adrian Blackwell rise to power, dominating every industry he touched.

But Carlton didn’t see Adrian’s success as a triumph. He saw it as a challenge, a constant reminder of the empire he hadn’t yet built.

And now, Adrian had made the mistake of stepping into Carlton’s territory.

The Carter Inn was supposed to crumble under the weight of its debts, leaving Carlton to swoop in and claim it for himself. But Adrian’s intervention had ruined that plan, and Carlton was determined to make him pay.

Standing in his penthouse office, Carlton stared at the city skyline, a sinister smile curving his lips. He swirled a glass of whiskey in his hand, his thoughts dark and calculated.

“They think they’ve won,” he muttered to the man standing behind him, a private investigator with a folder in hand. “But they have no idea who they’re dealing with.”

The investigator placed the folder on the desk. “Everything you asked for is in here. Financials, personal histories, even a few skeletons in the closet.

Adrian Blackwell’s Achilles’ heel isn’t the hotel. It’s her.”

Carlton’s grin widened as he opened the folder to see photos of Lila Carter, her fiery green eyes glaring back at him. “Interesting,” he mused.

“So, Adrian’s weakness comes with red hair and a sharp tongue. This just got even more fun.”

Back at The Carter Inn, Lila was pacing in her office, her nerves frayed after Carlton’s unexpected visit. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Carlton’s threats weren’t empty, and she knew he wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Adrian’s voice. “You look like you’re plotting a murder.”

She turned to see him leaning against the door, his piercing blue eyes watching her with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

“What do you want, Adrian?” she snapped, more harshly than she intended.

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “I came to check on you. Carlton Harris showing up wasn’t exactly on today’s schedule, was it?”

Lila sighed, rubbing her temples. “No, it wasn’t. And I don’t trust him. He’s up to something.”

Adrian nodded, his expression darkening. “He always is. Carlton doesn’t just play dirty, he rewrites the rules of the game. But don’t worry, Lila. He won’t win.”

His confidence was infuriating, but it was also oddly comforting. “And how can you be so sure?” she challenged, crossing her arms.

“Because I’ve beaten him before,” Adrian said simply. “And I’ll do it again.”

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the tension between them shifted. It wasn’t about the hotel or Carlton or their endless arguments.

It was about something deeper, something neither of them wanted to admit.

“I don’t need you to save me, Adrian,” Lila said, her voice softer now.

“I know,” he replied, stepping closer. “But that doesn’t mean I’ll stop trying.”

Before she could respond, the office door burst open, and Zoe rushed in, her face pale. “Lila! You need to see this.”

“What is it?” Lila asked, her heart sinking.

Zoe handed her a tablet, the screen displaying a breaking news article.

The headline read: Billionaire Adrian Blackwell Accused of Corporate Espionage.

Adrian’s jaw tightened as he read over Lila’s shoulder. “Carlton,” he muttered, his voice laced with venom. “This is his doing.”

“Why would he do this?” Lila asked, her voice trembling.

“To discredit me,” Adrian replied. “If he can make me look like a criminal, it’ll scare off investors and destabilize the hotel. He’s playing the long game.”

Lila’s mind raced. Carlton’s hatred for Adrian was more personal than she’d realized, and now she was caught in the middle of their war. “What do we do?” she asked, looking up at Adrian.

“We fight,” he said, his voice resolute. “Carlton wants to play dirty? Fine. But he’s underestimated us.”

Over the next few days, Lila and Adrian worked tirelessly to counter Carlton’s attacks.

Adrian used his connections to dig into Carlton’s dealings, while Lila rallied the hotel staff to keep morale high.

But beneath the chaos, something else was brewing something Lila couldn’t ignore.

She’d been feeling off for days. Exhaustion, nausea, and an odd sensitivity to certain smells had become her constant companions.

At first, she chalked it up to stress, but deep down, she knew it was more than that.

One evening, as she stood in her bathroom staring at a pregnancy test, her hands trembled. She hadn’t taken it yet, too scared to confirm what her instincts were telling her.

A knock at the door startled her. “Lila? Are you in there?” Adrian’s voice was muffled but concerned.

She quickly hid the test and opened the door. “What is it?”

“You’ve been avoiding me all day,” he said, his eyes searching hers. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” she lied, forcing a smile.

He didn’t believe her, but before he could press further, her phone buzzed on the counter. She glanced at the screen and froze.

It was a message from an unknown number: You’re in over your head, Lila. Walk away, or you’ll regret it.

Her breath caught, and she felt Adrian’s hand on her shoulder. “What is it?” he asked, his voice low.

Lila turned to him, her fear evident. “It’s Carlton. He’s not just after you, Adrian. He’s after all of us.”

Adrian’s grip on Lila tightened as he read the text over her shoulder, his jaw clenching. “He’s escalating,” he said darkly. “But that was a mistake. Carlton just gave us the upper hand.”

Lila pulled away, pacing the small room. “You don’t get it, Adrian. This isn’t just business to him, it’s personal. He’ll stop at nothing.”

Adrian stepped in her path, forcing her to look at him. “Then we stop at nothing, too. I won’t let him hurt you or this hotel. You have my word.”

His words should have reassured her, but Lila’s unease only grew. She wasn’t just worried about the hotel or Carlton anymore.

The life-changing possibility she carried within her weighed heavier with each moment.

Before she could respond, Zoe burst into the room, her face pale. “Guys, you need to come downstairs now.”

“What happened?” Adrian asked sharply.

“Carlton,” Zoe said breathlessly. “He’s here. And he’s brought the media.”

Lila’s heart sank as she followed Adrian and Zoe downstairs. The lobby was a chaos of flashing cameras and reporters shouting questions.

Carlton stood at the center of it all, his smile smug as he addressed the crowd.

“The people deserve to know the truth,” Carlton declared, his voice dripping with false concern. “Adrian Blackwell has been lying to you all. He’s no savior, he’s a manipulator, a thief, and a fraud.”

Adrian stepped forward, his presence commanding as the cameras turned to him. “That’s enough, Carlton. You’re playing a dangerous game.”

“Am I?” Carlton sneered. “Or are you just afraid that everyone will finally see you for what you are?”

Lila felt a surge of anger as she pushed past Adrian to confront Carlton. “How dare you come here and spread your lies? You’re nothing but a snake, Carlton.”

The crowd gasped at her boldness, but Carlton only laughed. “Ah, Miss Carter. So loyal, so naïve. Tell me, are you sure you can trust the man standing beside you?”

Lila glared at him, refusing to be intimidated. “More than I could ever trust you.”

Carlton’s eyes gleamed with malicious intent as he leaned closer. “You’ll regret those words, Lila. Mark my words.”

Before anyone could respond, a loud crash echoed from the direction of the dining hall.

The crowd turned, murmurs spreading as a plume of smoke billowed into the air.

“What the hell?” Adrian muttered, rushing toward the scene.

Lila followed close behind, her heart racing. As they reached the dining hall, the devastation was clear, someone had sabotaged the renovations.

Tables were overturned, shattered glass littered the floor, and a large section of the ceiling had collapsed.

Adrian’s eyes burned with fury as he turned to Lila. “This is Carlton. He’s trying to scare us, to make us back down.”

Lila swallowed hard, her voice shaking. “What if it’s not just the hotel he’s after?

Her words were cut off by another explosion of flashbulbs as reporters swarmed the scene. Carlton’s smug face appeared in the doorway, and Lila’s blood boiled.

Adrian stepped in front of her protectively. “Get out, Carlton. Now.”

Carlton smirked. “Oh, I’m not going anywhere. I think I’ll stay and watch your empire crumble.”

Adrian’s fists clenched at his sides, but Lila grabbed his arm, stopping him. “He’s not worth it,” she whispered.

For once, Adrian listened, pulling her close as the chaos unfolded around them. But as they stood there, Lila’s thoughts drifted back to the test hidden in her bathroom drawer.

She pressed a hand to her stomach, a silent prayer forming on her lips. Whatever was coming, she wasn’t just fighting for the hotel anymore.