Chapter 14 The Whitmore Group's deal collapsed. The reason? Chase had picked a fight in public. The potential partner thought he was unstable and chose to walk away. "I'm sorry," Nora apologized as she dabbed iodine on Dominic's wound. "I only suggested provoking him because I was out of options. I didn't think he'd lose control like that..." Dominic looked at her steadily. His throat bobbed, but his voice remained calm. "It's fine. What he did... really was inexcusable." Nora was a little surprised. Dominic added, "But your idea worked. Provoking Chase to make a scene was far more effective than our original plan." A bright smile spread across Nora's face, lighting her up from within. It landed squarely in Dominic's heart. He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Actually... I think we can keep using this strategy." "What do you mean?" Nora didn't quite follow. Dominic looked a bit awkward. "I mean you telling people you're my fiancée." "Oh," Nora nodded. "Faking a fiancée thing-sure, makes sense.' }) "It's not pretending," Dominic cut in. "What I mean is... you can say it to others. But maybe you could... also consider making it real." Nora looked up at him in shock. Dominic quickly turned his head, his ears flushed red. "L.. you... Nora stumbled over her words, utterly flustered. "Let's talk later!" she blurted, practically fleeing the room. She hadn't expected Dominic to harbor feelings like this for her. Their mutually beneficial partnership had suddenly taken a sharp turn. She needed time to process. Meanwhile, back at the Whitmore residence, Chase had just received a contract termination notice from his former business partner-along with divorce papers delivered straight from the County Clerk's Office. Chapter 14 30.26% Assets: split fifty-fifty. Custody: awarded to the innocent party. At the bottom of the page was Nora's fingerprint, red as blood, stabbing straight into Chase's eyes. He still refused to believe she had really left him. That she would leave him for another man. How could she be so heartless? Had she truly forgotten all their promises? The vows they'd once made? That cold, ruthless woman. A flicker of vindictive light flashed in his eyes. "Get me all the videos and pictures of her," he ordered. "The beach photos, the bedroom shots, everything -especially the one where that guy was groping her. Upload them. Make them blow up. Let the whole damn world see." Let's see if she'd still act so high and mighty after this. At the same time, at the Faulkner estate- Nora nearly passed out when she saw the videos. Her hands trembled as she called Chase. "You leaked those pictures?" "Yeah," he said casually. "So? Changed your mind yet? Come back to me, and I'll take everything down." Nora's voice broke. "You're disgusting." "Me? You're the one who ran off with another man right after the divorce. Who's the shameless one here?" Chase paused, then softened his tone a little. "But look-if you're willing to come back home, I'll forgive you. I won't hold your thing with Dominic against you." Nora hung up on him with a sharp click. Tears streamed down her face as she scrolled through Weibo. A tidal wave of hate washed across the screen. [Damn, look at her face-like she's enjoying it. What a whore.] [Wait... isn't she that ex-wife from the Whitmore Group?] Chapter 14 30.26% [Oh yeah, I heard she's hooking up with the Faulkner guy now. Talk about moving fast.] The vulgarity was overwhelming. She looked through the photos one by one. The first time she'd been with Chase, he'd filmed it. Said it was proof of love. The photo of her on the delivery table-exhausted, half-naked, just after giving birth-he'd snapped it while holding her hand and whispering "You did great." Now it was all laid bare for the world to see. Her chest ached so badly she could barely breathe. She had thought she no longer cared. But Chase had just delivered the killing blow. The man who once held her most intimately now left her with the deepest scars. He was truly cruel. In the midst of her breakdown, she collapsed into a warm embrace. Dominic held her close, eyes full of tenderness and fury. "Don't worry I'll make this disappear." He pulled out his phone and called someone. "Ten minutes. I want every last trace of those images off the internet." Nora blinked through her tears, dazed. A strange warmth bloomed in her chest. She had never-not once in her life-been protected like this. She'd been married to Chase for almost ten years. All she ever got from him was indifference, coldness, and disdain. Never once had he defended her. He only ever humiliated her-again and again. Now, as she looked at Dominic, something in her heart quietly began to shift. That night, the two of them dined at a rooftop restaurant with a panoramic view of the city skyline. Dominic gestured toward the glittering buildings. "I remember the first time I came to Bellwood ten years Chapter 14 30.26% ago. I was dead broke, and everything felt so shiny and new. Never thought I'd make it here." Nora looked at him with genuine admiration. "Starting from nothing? That's incredible." Dominic gave a faint smile. "Yeah. I'm not the kind of man who freeloads off women. Especially not the kind who mooches off them and still acts like he's doing them a favor." Nora paused. That seemed a little pointed. Dominic continued, "I've spent years chasing status and wealth. Now I've got both. And somehow... life just feels kind of dull." "You? Bored?" Nora raised a brow. "With money and time like yours, the world's at your feet." Dominic looked at her, his gaze teasing but serious underneath. "Sure, but I still don't have someone to do all that with." "If this company had a lady boss by my side, that'd be even better." He stared right at her as he spoke. Nora's heart jumped. She quickly tried to change the subject, but Dominic gently pulled her right back. "Nora," he said softly, "I mean it." At the top of the hotel, lights shimmering across the city like spilled gold, Dominic finally confessed: "Nora, I'll admit-at first, I approached you with an agenda. But the more time I spent with you, the more I saw the real you. You're an amazing woman. Kind, strong, resilient." "It's not love at first sight. That'd be too easy. What I feel is deeper. Something that's only grown stronger with time." "Nora, would you give me a chance? Let me protect you, care for you... and make sure you never have to flinch again." Nora's eyes filled with emotion. She had only just broken away from Chase. A new relationship was the last thing on her mind. She didn't feel ready. But she didn't know how to say that to Dominic. Everything tonight had happened so fast. Dominic was watching her, silently encouraging. "I..." she began. "Well, well. If it isn't the perfect pair of adulterers!" Chapter 14 30.26% A voice suddenly roared from outside the room. Chase stormed in, livid. He had waited all day, expecting Nora to apologize and beg for forgiveness. Instead, what arrived was a legal notice from the Faulkner Group's lawyers. The claim? He had defamed Dominic and his fiancée. Utter nonsense! "Nora belongs to me-past, present, and future." he shouted. "Dominic Faulkner, you're just a side piece. A shameless homewrecker!" "You've seen the photos, haven't you? She's already been in my bed. You're picking up my leftovers. You make me sick!" Nora felt a surge of shame and anger, her cheeks burning-when suddenly a tall figure stepped in front of her. Dominic shielded her. "I love Nora," he said. "I love all of her-past and present. Your words mean nothing to me." He paused, then added coolly, "If anything, they just show how low you really are." Chase nearly choked on his rage. Nora's eyes turned red. That evening, back home, she stared at Dominic's sharp jawline and took a deep breath. It took all her courage to speak up. "So... about what you said earlier," she mumbled, "maybe we could... give it a try." Dominic blinked. "Hmm? Try what?" Nora blushed furiously. "You said I should give you a chance... so I'm saying yes.' She only realized she'd been played when she saw the teasing smile tug at his lips. Flustered, she turned to storm off-only to bump into his firm chest. "You said it," he murmured. "No backing out now." Three days later, their engagement party was set. When Chase heard the news, he froze. Title: Addicted to You Author: CrushReel Genre: Romance, Billionaire, CEO, Modern, Romantic, Hidden Feelings, Mansion, Office, Meet Again Status: ongoing In "Addicted to You," a captivating romance unfolds between Audrey and Floyd. Despite Floyd's arranged marriage and family struggles, he continually comes to Audrey's rescue after their one-night stand that has left her secretly pining for him for eight years. As their paths intertwine in unexpected ways within the backdrop of a luxurious mansion and high-stakes office dynamics, hidden feelings resurface, igniting a tale of love, loyalty, and second chances. This modern romantic narrative by CrushReel delves deep into themes of forbidden love, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships in the world of billionaires and CEOs. What sets "Addicted to You" apart is its deft exploration of the characters' internal conflicts and the magnetic pull drawing them together despite external obstacles. Experience the emotional rollercoaster as Audrey and Floyd navigate their undeniable connection amidst societal expectations and personal dilemmas. Available to read online at CrushReel for those seeking a story that goes beyond conventional romance tropes with its rich character development and intricate plot twists.