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*CHAPTER 5 – Enemies in Silk Gloves*
*Willie Group's boardroom* was a glass box in the sky. Alexa sat at the head of the table for the first time, dressed in a crisp ivory suit, confidence dripping from every angle.
She wasn't the same girl who left for London. She was now *Vice President* of her family's empire — and every executive knew it.
But there was a storm brewing behind her calm.
Lixxie had offered her a new proposal: a merger between one of his companies and Willie Group. On paper, it was solid. In her gut? It felt like manipulation.
Yet she said yes — for now.
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*Later That Day – Lucia's Apartment*
"You're playing with fire," *Lucia* said, sipping tea while scrolling through photos of Alexa and Lixxie.
"That's the point," Alexa replied, unbothered.
Lucia raised a brow. "And Luxia?"
"I need him to admit he feels something. I won't be a backup option."
"Or maybe you just don't want to choose."
Alexa didn't respond. She didn't have to.
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*Elsewhere – Luxia's Office*
Wang Lefie dropped a glossy folder on Luxia's desk.
"She signed the merger deal with Lixxie."
He looked up slowly. "Why?"
"She's either blind, desperate… or playing both of you."
Luxia chuckled darkly. "No… Alexa never moves without a reason."
Wang stepped closer, voice sharp. "You should stop chasing someone who uses you as bait."
He looked her dead in the eyes. "And you should stop thinking you're the one I want."
Silence. Burn.
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*Evening – Alexa's Penthouse*
Lixxie arrived with champagne and a smirk. "To power moves," he said, raising a glass.
Alexa clinked. "To partnerships."
But as she smiled, her eyes drifted toward the city skyline — toward Luxia's building glowing in the distance.
She didn't want a merger.
She wanted a reaction.
And she was about to get it.
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