There was something intoxicating about destruction.
Not fire. Not blood. But control.
Arielle sat cross-legged on Lucien's leather sofa, files spread before her like battle plans. Every document was a secret. Every secret was a dagger.
And she was about to start stabbing.
Lucien entered the room, half-buttoned shirt, black slacks, and a mug of black coffee in one hand. His eyes swept over the papers.
"You've been busy."
"I'm just getting started," she replied.
He walked behind her and glanced at the laptop screen.
"Camille Monroe. Beauty Queen. Philanthropist. Innocent face with dirty hands," he read aloud. "What's this?"
"Evidence," Arielle replied coldly. "She's been funneling charity funds through offshore accounts. I have the bank trails, fake invoices, and a former employee ready to talk."
Lucien raised a brow. "You're not just exposing her. You're going to bury her."
"I'm going to rip her crown off and throw it into the mud."
Lucien smirked. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."
"You're already on it," she teased without looking up.
He chuckled. "Good."
Three Days Later
The front page of every tabloid screamed the same headline:
"Camille Monroe Under Investigation for Charity Fraud?"
"Golden Girl's Image Cracks, Donor Funds Missing"
Camille's face was everywhere. So was her panic.
She held an emergency press conference in a white dress, tears glistening, claiming innocence.
But the press was ruthless.
"Miss Monroe, why is there a $250,000 deposit from a non-existent charity under your name?"
"Did you pay for your Maldives trip with donation money?"
"I—I would never—!"
She tried to cry.
But no one listened.
That Night – Lucien's Penthouse
Arielle curled up in her robe, sipping tea, eyes glued to the news replay. She didn't smile. She didn't cheer.
She just watched.
Lucien stood behind the bar, arms crossed, silently observing her.
"You took her spotlight," he said finally.
"No," Arielle whispered. "I showed them the truth."
He walked over and set a glass of wine in front of her.
"You're glowing," he murmured.
She raised a brow. "I just destroyed someone's life."
"And you're still glowing."
Their eyes held. For a moment, there was something sharp and heated between them.
Then the doorbell rang.
Lucien's jaw tightened. He rarely had visitors.
He opened the door and froze.
A woman stood in a blood-red dress, her eyes dark, lips crimson, smile wicked.
"Lucien," she purred. "Miss me?"
Arielle rose from the sofa slowly.
Lucien's body shifted protective.
The woman stepped in uninvited, her eyes landing on Arielle like a blade.
"And this must be the new pet."
Arielle met her stare. "You walked into the wrong penthouse if you're here to bark."
The woman's smile widened. "I like her. Fiery."
Lucien stepped between them. "Lilith. Say what you came to say and leave."
Lilith.
Arielle recognized the name. A devil in heels. Rumors said she used to be Lucien's lover—or weapon. Maybe both.
"I just wanted to see what replaced me," she said with a shrug. "But you don't look like his type."
"What was his type?" Arielle asked.
"Shadows. Blood. Control."
Arielle tilted her head. "Then he must be bored with you."
Lilith laughed. "You're cute. Naïve. You think he won't burn you too?"
"He can try," Arielle whispered. "But this time, I brought matches."
Lilith's smile dropped.
Lucien stepped forward, his tone sharp. "You're done here."
She looked at him—just once—and walked out with a dangerous sway.
The door clicked shut.
Arielle turned to him. "Your ex has a flair for dramatics."
Lucien sighed. "She likes chaos."
"Then why did she leave?"
"I let her see the darkest part of me," he said quietly. "And she fell in love with the wrong monster."
Arielle looked at him for a long moment.
"And what if I fall in love with yours?"
Lucien's eyes darkened.
"Then I'll become addicted."
Later That Night
The moon spilled silver over the city.
Arielle stood on the balcony, her robe fluttering in the wind.
Lucien joined her, silent.
"I used to dream of revenge," she said softly. "Now I'm living it. But it doesn't feel like enough."
Lucien looked out at the skyline. "Because you're not done yet."
She turned to him. "And if I never stop?"
He looked at her like a storm brewing.
"Then I'll keep standing beside you."
For the first time, she felt her heart skip.
Lucien Blackwood her enemy, her partner, her weapon was slowly becoming something more dangerous.
Someone who understood her darkness.
And loved it.