From Desk to Altar: The CEO's Irresistible Bargain

Liam was in a foul mood, his touch far from gentle. Charlotte found proof of his aggression in several bite marks across her lower back as she examined herself in the mirror - a carnivore's claim etched into her skin. After she readied herself to leave, she found Liam quenching his thirst shirtless, the jagged scratches on his back clearly visible from her point.

Drawing closer, the sight of the angry red welts at his throat was enough to make anyone's cheeks flush with a mix of feelings.

He had been too fierce, and she, overwhelmed, had only stopped him with the silent language of her own body.

Hearing her approach, Liam turned, his gaze icily detached, causing Charlotte to awkwardly halt mid-step.

She couldn't decipher his cryptic signals.

"Aren't you leaving?" His voice was a cold blade. "Don't harbor any illusions; I'm not your chauffeur."

"I know... I'm going," Charlotte muttered, her hands fumbling as she reached for her coat. By the time she returned, Liam had vanished, replaced by an unexpected visitor. "Chloe? What brings you back here?"

"Why wouldn't I return? This is my fiancé's home. I don't need a key to enter," Chloe said sternly, her expression hardening as she stepped closer and spotted the telltale signs of a tryst on Charlotte. "Why are you still here?" Chloe's hand lifted Charlotte's hair, revealing the damning marks on her neck.

In an instant, Chloe was livid: "You and Liam... How could you?!"

"I didn't," Charlotte lowered her head, concealing the evidence once more, "I just remembered I had things left to pack."

It wasn't Chloe she feared - their engagement wasn't set in stone, and Chloe's status wasn't enough to shame her.

She was concerned that Chloe's outburst would disturb Liam's rest.

With an early flight and a business trip on the horizon, ensuring her boss was well-rested was her responsibility.

Charlotte's composed response only stoked Chloe's fury.

Did Charlotte think she was a fool? The marks were blatant, impossible to miss.

But the man involved was Liam, and causing a stir could displease him.

During delicate times, Chloe knew she had to bite her tongue.

"Just wait," Chloe hissed into Charlotte's ear, "Once we're in Leiventale tomorrow, you'll regret it."

"Understood," Charlotte replied evenly.

"Hmph!" With that, Chloe snatched up her forgotten purse and stormed out.

Once Chloe was out of earshot, Charlotte exhaled quietly, ready to leave, only to find Liam unexpectedly at the foot of the stairs.

His bare chest was a display of indifference, somehow more intimidating than before.

"Mr. Parker..."

"Come here," his frosty command sent a shiver down her spine.

Hesitantly, she approached, but before she could steady herself, he swept her up and headed straight for the bedroom.

"Mr. Parker!" Charlotte clung to his neck, pleading for mercy amidst her panic, "We have an early flight tomorrow, and the journey will be exhausting. Please, rest?"

"Be quiet." With a swift motion, he deposited her onto the bed and descended upon her with a vengeance, biting her lip with the ferocity of pent-up frustration. "I've left something behind."

She was always good at spinning a story.

Returning to tempt fate, yet in Chloe's presence, she couldn't muster the courage to confess.

What did she take him for?

The night was fraught with tension and unspoken desires, stretching until dawn's early light painted the sky pale.

Exhausted to the bone, Charlotte lay in bed, drained of all strength.

It took her ages to catch her breath and muster the energy to dress.

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With the plane taking off in an hour and a half, her luggage was still in disarray.

"Mr. Parker," she wanted to ask Liam if someone could give her a ride - after all, taxis were rare in the mansion area, and ride-sharing services couldn't enter.

In her current state, even a kilometer seemed an impossible journey.

But glancing at Liam's muscular back, she decided against it.

He was up all night, raging in every word he said. Asking for his help now would bring her nothing but humiliation.

Covering him gently with the blanket, Charlotte tiptoed out of the mansion.

The security guard spotted her and politely offered to call a vehicle.

"Really?" Charlotte was surprised.

"Of course, not everyone drives, so the property management has a shuttle service," the guard explained.

"That would be wonderful, thank you."

Relief washed over Charlotte. Walking any distance in her condition felt daunting; she feared she might faint from exhaustion.

Soon, a sleek black Mercedes pulled up.

"A shuttle?" Charlotte was taken aback again.

"Well, it's not quite the shuttle you were expecting," the guard admitted with a hint of embarrassment. "It's just that... well, shuttles aren't exactly stylish, you know?" She understood perfectly.

The whims of the wealthy.

Charlotte climbed into the car and within minutes arrived at the base of the hill.

Stepping out, she witnessed a drunken couple arguing with the gate security, insisting on a ride up the hill.

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The property management was in a bind, "All vehicles are only allowed to go underground; surface travel is forbidden. We usually get around on bicycles; we don't have cars available for such services." Charlotte's steps faltered at the revelation, her gaze instinctively chasing the receding black Mercedes.

There was no shuttle service, after all.

The realization sent a warm thrill through her - Liam had arranged this ride for her, a silent gesture she hadn't expected.

After a brisk repacking at the hotel, Charlotte returned to the mansion only to find Chloe orchestrating the luggage-loading process as if she owned the place.

Upon spotting Charlotte, Chloe's face brightened mischievously. "Everything of Mr. Parker's is precious. Don't touch anything. His assistant will take care of it." As if on cue, a servant placed a massive suitcase before Charlotte.

She knew all too well the weight of this particular burden; even on her best days, it would be a challenging lift.

"It's way too heavy, Miss Beaumont. Perhaps one of the guards could assist..."Original from NôvelDrama.Org.

"But Liam insisted," Chloe interrupted, her eyes glittering with malice. "He trusts you to handle his belongings, Miss Perry."

Just then, Liam appeared. Chloe quickly clung to his arm with a coquettish smile, "Liam, darling, I've ensured no one touched your things, just as you prefer." Liam frowned and nodded slightly, pushing her to the side, "Don't block the way."

Chloe's smile twitched but quickly recovered. She urged Charlotte to hurry, "Come on, time's ticking."

Charlotte's eyes followed Liam, silently pleading for him to intervene.

But he merely glanced her way before turning to board the vehicle without a word.

With no other option, Charlotte laboriously hoisted the suitcase, her body screaming in protest, particularly her lower half, where the pain was almost unbearable.

Liam traveled on a private jet because he didn't like having strangers around.

So when he was on the plane, it was Charlotte who took care of him.

"Water," Liam requested, and she rushed to fulfill the command.

But perhaps it was the morning's chill or the stress of the day; once on the plane, a crippling headache seized her, and the simple act of standing and fetching water made the world spin dangerously.