Obsession for the Sweetheart (Possessive Billionaires, Precious Sweethearts #8)

Chapter 1 Blackmailed

It was a busy Monday morning at Black Diamond Horizon.

Celia Thompson stormed into the building, arrogance clinging to her every step. Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she crossed the lobby, stepped into the elevator, and rode straight to the top floor. The moment she stepped out, she headed toward the main office.

“Miss Thompson?” the receptionist called.

Celia turned her head.

Behind the marble reception desk stood Willow, always impeccably put together.

She wore a fitted cream blouse tucked into a sleek black pencil skirt, her posture straight and professional.

Her long chestnut hair was styled in soft waves that rested neatly over her shoulders, and her makeup was subtle but precise — just enough to enhance her sharp features.

A thin gold nameplate rested against her blouse, catching the office lights.

“Yes, Willow?” Celia turned her head and flashed a confident smile.

“Your dad is waiting for you in his office,” Willow said.

The faint smile on Celia’s face stiffened.

“Waiting for me?” She stepped closer to the desk. “What do you mean? What happened?”

Willow flicked a quick glance toward the CEO’s office — the frosted glass doors at the end of the corridor — before lowering her voice. Her professional expression shifted slightly, tension slipping through.

“I’m not sure,” she admitted quietly. “The operations team called the moment Mr. Thompson arrived this morning. He seemed quite upset and told me to send you in as soon as you came.”

Her fingers lightly tapped the desk as if even she felt the pressure in the air.

Celia waved it off. “It’s fine. He worries about every silly thing. I’ll handle it.”

Turning on her heels, she walked straight toward the CEO’s office. The golden nameplate on the door gleamed under the lights.

Jerry Thompson, CEO.

Celia smiled with pride and pushed the door open without knocking.

The smile vanished instantly.

Jerry was pacing the room, his suit disheveled, collar loose—nothing like the perfectly composed man she was used to seeing. He looked breathless, phone pressed to his ear as he barked into it.

“I don’t care how you do it. Get it done,” he snapped. “Tell Mr. Graves we’re ready to give up ten percent of our profit if that’s what it takes.”

He paused, listened, then cursed under his breath before hanging up.

Celia’s body went stiff.

Mr. Graves?

Her fingers tightened against her shoulder as a chill ran down her spine.

Just then, Jerry turned around.

His gaze swept over Celia in passing. But before Celia could even take another step inside, that fleeting glance snapped back to her. His eyes darkened instantly, fury igniting like a lit match.

He whirled around, slammed his phone onto the table beside the couches, and strode toward her in long, aggressive steps.

“You’re finally here,” he barked.

Celia stiffened.

“What the fuck did you do, Celia?” he demanded, stopping right in front of her. “What did you do to Mr. Graves last night that he canceled the deal with us?”

“I—I didn’t do anything,” Celia said, her voice shaky. Her fingers curled into the fabric of her sleeve. “I just told him we were happy to sign a deal with him and—”

Before she could finish, Jerry exploded.

“Talk to him about signing the fucking deal?” he roared. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

His face flushed a deep, ugly red. The thick mustache above his lip twitched violently as he shouted, spit flying from his mouth. His chest heaved with each furious breath.

“How the hell did you offend him?” he thundered. “Do you think we’re the only ones begging for Empire Group’s attention? It took me five goddamn years to secure that deal. Five years, Celia!”

His voice thundered through the room. “I sent you so we could leave a good impression and instead, you offended him?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Celia whispered, her throat tight. Her eyes burned, tears pooling despite her effort to hold them back. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Then why the hell did he cancel it?” Jerry shouted.

The walls seemed to vibrate with his voice.

“We got a call from his people” he continued, pacing like a caged animal. “They said you told him we don’t want this deal!”

He spun back to her, eyes blazing.

“Are you fucking insane?”

Celia flinched as his voice boomed through the office. Her knees weakened, her hands trembling at her sides.

The next second, Jerry stepped closer.

He leaned down until his shadow swallowed her whole, his finger jabbing inches from her face. His voice dropped, low and deadly.

“I don’t care how you do it. I don’t care what you have to crawl to or who you have to beg. I want that damn deal back!”

“T-Then why don’t you ask Willow to—”

She didn’t get to finish.

“And if you don’t,” he cut in sharply, “I’ll disown you.”

Celia froze.

“I don’t need a useless daughter,” he went on cruelly. “I can adopt a thousand children smarter than you. I’ll give them my company instead. I’d rather hand everything to a stranger than to someone this goddamn stupid.”

Celia’s face drained of color.

Her lips parted, but no sound came out at first. Her chest tightened painfully as she whispered, barely audible, “Dad… it’s not that serious.”

Her eyes shimmered, tears slipping free.

“Why are you doing this to me?”

“Get out,” Jerry growled.

His voice was low, rough, edged with pure rage. “And don’t even think about coming back to this company unless that deal is back in place. Do you hear me?”

Celia shivered.

Her shoulders shook as she slowly nodded, her chin dipping toward her chest. “O-Okay,” she whispered.

Turning around, Celia walked out of the office in silence, her footsteps light but unsteady, as if she might collapse the moment the door closed behind her.

***

Violet picked up the fifth dress from the bed and held it against her body, turning back and forth in front of the mirror. She frowned, then clicked her tongue in annoyance before tossing the dress aside.

“Tsk,” she muttered, frowning.

With a flick of her wrist, she tossed the dress back onto the bed, where several others lay discarded. “I look good in everything,” she scoffed, brushing her hair over her shoulder. “Why is it so hard to choose just one?”

Her gaze drifted to her reflection again—and then her thoughts slid elsewhere.

To Magnus.

To the look on his face when his eyes had landed on her for the first time, the way his gaze had lingered on her.

A slow, satisfied smile curved her lips.

“He’s definitely going to regret it when he sees me at this party,” she whispered. “Marrying someone like Sophia instead of me?” she added, lifting her chin. “What a joke.”

Pride gleamed in her eyes as she reached for another dress and held it up—

Just then, her phone rang on the table.

She frowned and walked over, glancing at the screen.

Celia Thompson.

Violet’s expression darkened instantly.

“Tch.” She scoffed under her breath. “Why the hell is she calling me now? I gave her one damn thing to do, and she still hasn’t finished it.”

After a brief pause, she exhaled slowly, schooling her expression. She picked up the call and raised it to her ear, her tone instantly turning sweet.

“Celia, you finally met Magnus that day, didn’t you? I hope you two are together by now?”

On the other end, Celia’s voice sounded distant, uninterested.

“We’re not together,” she said flatly. “And I don’t have any interest in him.”

Violet’s brows knit together, irritation flashing across her face.

“Oh?” she said lightly, her lips curling in annoyance. “I thought you two still had feelings for each other. After all, once I told you about his marriage, you still went to meet him at that restaurant.”

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

‘Then why the hell did this whore meet him?’ Violet thought angrily. ‘The only reason I sent her to Magnus was to break Sophia and Magnus apart. If she couldn’t even make him interested in her, what use is she?’

“I heard you’re hosting a party tomorrow,” Celia said.

Violet paused, then answered casually, “Yes. Why?”

“I need your help,” Celia said quietly.

Violet’s lips curved instantly.

A slow, knowing smirk spread across her face as she leaned against the vanity. “Of course,” she replied smoothly. “How can I help? Tell me.”

“Good.” Celia’s voice lowered. “I heard your family is having a business party tomorrow? I’ll arrange for someone to take Sophia to a private room. Your job is simple—make sure she spends the night with a man. That’s all.”

Violet straightened, interest flickering in her eyes. “So that’s your plan…”

“Yes,” Celia said without hesitation. “Exactly what you’re thinking.

He would never accept a woman he believes betrayed him.

Once he thinks she spent the night with another man, he’ll definitely leave her.

And once she’s out of the picture… it’ll be much easier for me to convince him to be with me. ”

Violet chuckled softly. “Got it. Leave it to me.”

Celia added, her tone dripping with false warmth, “You’re being so helpful to me. Don’t worry—I won’t forget this.”

There was a brief silence before she continued, “I’ve already transferred a million dollars to your account. Once it’s done, I’ll give you more.”

Violet’s eyes gleamed.

“That’s wonderful,” she replied sweetly. “Of course I’ll help. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

She ended the call and tossed the phone onto the bed, laughter bubbling from her lips.

“What a fucking moron,” she muttered.

She glanced at her reflection, eyes sharp and calculating.

“This fool is really paying me to ruin Sophia,” she scoffed. “Does she seriously think Magnus will marry her after that?”

Her lips curled upward.

“In the end, it’ll be me standing beside him.”

With renewed confidence, Violet picked up the dress again and slipped it over her body, admiring herself in the mirror.

***

Music echoed through the Grand Tulip Hotel.