" They've always said Mr. Richards rose to power completely by clinging to the Thomas . Word is , the late Mr. Thomas took him out of an orphanage , only to offer Lola an errand boy . Who would've thought he'd become the apple of her eye ? " " Men are colder and more calculating than women when it comes to ambition . " " Look at what James did these past few years : crushing every loyalist of the Thomas , putting his own men in power , and isolating Lola at home . If this scandal hadn't blown up , who knows if she would've make a scene like this . " " Exactly . Betraying true love earns you a thousand needles down the throat . And this is only the beginning . " I listened to their whispers , remembering James swearing those very words to me . " Lola , if I ever betray you , may I choke on a thousand needles and die a miserable death . " The dart felt cool and steady in my hand . At my side , James's voice cut in , hoarse , almost pleading . " Lola ... is this really the end for us ? Is there no going back ? " I gave him no answer . I only raised my arm . The referee began to count down . " Three . " " Lola , I've always carried you in my heart . I do think of the days we had together . " " Two . " " Why is it that once life became stable , we drifted further and further apart ? " " One . " " Lola ... maybe if we had never truly had each other , we could've stayed the way we were . " " Begin ! " I tightened my grip , voice as sharp as the blade itself . " There are only two outcomes in this world . The right one stays safe for life . " Chapter 7 70.00 % " The wrong one- The dart flew . " 1 11 deserves to die . " The dart split the air , piercing the apple balanced on Bradley's head . The hall burst in chaos , pierced by the sound of a woman's sharp cry . I tore the blindfold from my eyes and saw Freya in a pool of blood , pressing the wound on her temple , crying out to James . " James ! " " Save me ! " " James ! " James ripped off his blindfold , shouting in disbelief . " That's impossible ! " " Nothing's impossible . " I replied . The referee replayed the slow - motion footage . The truth was , Freya had dodged the dart out of fear , and ended up harming herself . In the end , she didn't trust James enough to fully surrender herself to his lead . I looked James straight in the eye . " You lost . Will you speak the truth yourself , or shall I do it for you ? " James's composure snapped . He raged , voice breaking . " Lola , what the hell do you want me to say ?! " I clapped my hands once . " Then I'll say it for you . ' A grainy video lit up the screens around us . It displayed the scene before that blood - soaked battle years ago , when James had boarded our ship , betrayed our location , and handed out drugged soup to everyone . That was how my parents had been slaughtered . That night , the boy I thought had been waiting for me on the shore wasn't trying to save me . He had wanted me dead too . Chapter 7 70.00 % The only reason I survived was because James hadn't yet gotten his hands on the inheritance my parents left me . So he played the role of my savior , weaving himself into my weakest moment , taking my heart and building his empire with me by his side . He thought he had planned for everything . He never imagined I'd uncover the truth . The man beside me cast a playful gaze on James , peeling off his mask . He was Erick Koch , one of the childhood playmates my father had arranged for me . " You never thought this through , did you , James ? You plotted , but I survived . " " And not only survived- " His tone sharpened . " I've been your biggest supplier all these years . The Richards Group exists today only because of me . " Erick's gaze on James turned colder than steel , as if he were already looking at a corpse . " I've waited in silence for this day . " " The debt you owe- " " -it's time to pay . " Chapter 7 In "Cinderella's Glass Slipper: The One I’ve Always Loved" by CrushReel, a heartfelt romance unfolds between a woman and the president she has long admired since youth. Overcoming insecurities about her appearance, she finds herself working closely with him as his assistant, leading to unexpected twists and turns in their relationship. This modern romance novel explores themes of self-acceptance, unrequited love, and the dynamics of power and attraction in an office setting. The unique blend of billionaire CEO dynamics, hidden feelings, and the revelation of secrets adds layers of intrigue to the story, keeping readers captivated as the plot unfolds. What sets this novel apart is its delicate balance between sweet romance and the complexities of relationships in a contemporary workplace. With each chapter, readers are drawn deeper into the emotional journey of the characters as they navigate their growing connection amidst professional responsibilities and personal desires. For those seeking a compelling tale that combines elements of romance, secrecy, and personal transformation, "Cinderella's Glass Slipper: The One I’ve Always Loved" is available to read at CrushReel, offering a captivating escape into a world where love conquers all.