Craving My Ruthless Ceo novel Chapter 157

Chapter 157

Roman’s POV

0:0

20

55 vouchers

I stood at the entrance of the converted warehouse space, scanning the scene with the eye of someone who had built an empire on perfection.

The lighting was perfect, highlighting the runway. The seating arrangement lined the elevated platform.

Servers moved through the crowd with champagne and appetizers.

The guest list was solid. Fashion editors from Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, celebrities, tech billionaires, old money socialites, influencers whose posts could make or break a brand.

This was the result of months of work. The launch event for Beaumont’s expansion into the American

market.

It would be a success. Anna had made sure of it.

Her name brought back flashes of last night. That photo. Her legs spread, her heat glistening with arousal, an image seared permanently into my brain. And then she had simply said goodnight and ignored every single message, every call.

Strike one.

She didn’t know it yet, but she was playing a very dangerous game.

My eyes shifted across the room, and then I saw her.

Anna stepped through the entrance, and every thought in my head went silent.

She wore the silver gown I had sent her, one of Beaumont’s pieces from their evening collection. It was floor- length, shimmering under the lights.

The dress had a high neckline but was backless, revealing smooth skin all the way down to the curve of her lower back.

The fabric clung to her curves, the swell of her breasts, the dip of her waist, the flare of her hips, before flowing to the floor.

Her hair was beautifully pinned up, exposing the graceful line of her neck and the delicate curve of her shoulders.

Her makeup was a subtle smoky eye, nude lips, and a hint of blush across her cheekbones.

She looked like a goddess. And soon, she would be mine,

The possessive thought hit me with such force that I had to consciously relax my grip on the champagne glass in my hand before I shattered it.

13:01 Thu, Mar 26

Chapter 157

20

55 vouchers

I moved toward her, slipping through clusters of guests. On the way, I set the glass down on a passing server’s tray without stopping.

A few people tried to pull me aside. A tech CEO started talking about investments, and a fashion editor called out for a quote. I ignored them.

Anna was scanning the room, probably looking for her team or checking on last-minute details. Still working, even dressed like that.

When I reached her, I didn’t hold back. I leaned in, close enough that my lips brushed the air near her ear.

“You look absolutely breathtaking,” I murmured, letting my voice drop low enough that only she could hear.

My hand found the small of her bare back, and I felt her suck in a deep breath.

“Stunning doesn’t even begin to cover it. You’re the most beautiful woman in this room.”

A faint blush crept into her cheeks. “Thank you,” she murmured, a little softer than usual. “The dress you sent, it’s perfect. And the venue, everything looks amazing.”

“Because of you,” I said, my thumb tracing a small circle on her bare skin. “You did all of this.”

She glanced around, taking in the crowd, the décor, the energy of the room.

I could see the pride in her eyes, mixed with nervousness and anticipation.

“Roman, I should really find the team.” She started to pull away slightly. “There are probably last-minute things that need…”

“Everything is handled,” I interrupted smoothly, keeping my hand on her back. “You’re not working tonight.”

Her eyebrows drew together in confusion. “What do you mean I’m not working? This is my event. I need to make sure…”

“You’ve already made sure. For months. Every detail has been planned, delegated, and executed.” My voice was firm. “Tonight, you’re going to sit down and enjoy what you created.”

Understanding dawned in her eyes, followed quickly by irritation. “Roman, I can’t just sit around while everyone else is working. I need to coordinate with the team, handle any issues that come up…”

“No.”

Her lips parted in surprise. “I didn’t agree to that,”

“Tonight, you’re here as my date. Not as the campaign manager.”

“Your date?” Her voice rose slightly before she caught herself.

“Yes.”

“Roman, I need to be working. I should be making sure the backstage runs smoothly, that the models are

13:01 Thu, Mar 26

Chapter 157

ready, that…”

55 vouchers

“Anna.” I stepped closer, my other hand coming up to cup her elbow. “You’ve done your job. Brilliantly. Tonight, I want you beside me. Not running around managing things.”

“But…”

“What if I wanted a choice?” she asked, her chin lifting slightly in that stubborn way I was beginning to recognize.

I leaned in closer, lowering my voice so only she could hear. “Good thing you don’t have a choice.”

Fire flashed in her eyes, but before she could respond, Maison Beaumont’s voice rang out behind us.

“Roman! And the brilliant Anna! Come, come, you must meet some people.”

I kept my hand on Anna’s back as we turned.

Maison appeared beside us, his face bright with excitement and champagne. He clapped me on the shoulder hard.

“Anna, ma chérie, you are absolutely radiant tonight.” Maison kissed both her cheeks in the French manner. “That dress, one of Beaumont’s designs, yes? It’s perfect on you.”

“Thank you, Maison,” Anna said with a genuine smile. “I’m so glad everything came together.”

“Came together? My dear, you’ve created magic.” Maison gestured wide at the venue. “This is beyond anything we imagined, given the timeline.”

He turned to me, eyes gleaming. “Blackwood, there are people who must meet the genius behind tonight.”

I had no choice. Maison took my arm firmly, already pulling me forward. “Come with me.”

Maison steered us toward a group of executives. CEOs of major retail chains, tech investors looking to break into luxury fashion, old money figures with new interest in the industry.

I caught a glimpse of Anna being pulled in a different direction, toward where Laurent stood near one of the installations.

“Roman Blackwood,” Maison announced proudly to the group of executives, “the strategic genius behind our American expansion.”

I shook hands, exchanged pleasantries, and accepted compliments about the campaign’s success. A retail CEO launched into questions about market positioning. A tech investor wanted to discuss e-commerce integration. An older gentleman with inherited wealth asked about expansion timelines.

The conversations went on and on. Normally, this was the kind of business talk I thrived on. It usually commanded my complete attention.

But I couldn’t focus.

13:01 Thu, Mar 26

Chapter 157

My attention kept drifting across the room to where Anna stood with Laurent Beaumont.

55 vouchers

Laurent had positioned himself close to her, his body angled toward hers in a way that was too intimate.

They were deep in conversation, Laurent’s hands moving as he spoke. His eyes swept over her face, occasionally dropping lower to take in the silver dress that clung to her curves.

Anna was smiling. Laughing at something he said. Her posture was relaxed, engaged, completely absorbed in whatever story Laurent was telling.

Jealousy rose in my chest.

“Roman? What do you think?”

I shook my head, realizing one of the CEOs had asked me a question. I had no idea what it was.

“I think,” I said smoothly, “that tonight’s success speaks for itself. The numbers will follow.”

The man nodded, launching into another topic. Maison guided the conversation expertly, introducing me to more people and building connections that would be valuable down the line.

I played my part. Nodded at the right moments. Made the appropriate responses. Smiled when expected.

But my eyes kept finding Anna.

Laurent said something else and gestured to her dress, clearly complimenting it. Anna did a small turn, showing off the gown, and Laurent’s eyes followed the movement with open appreciation.

Watching him with Anna got under my skin badly.

He reached out and adjusted something near her shoulder, probably a strap or clasp. His fingers lingered on her skin longer than necessary.

Anna didn’t seem to notice or mind, still smiling at whatever he was saying.

“Don’t you agree, Roman?”

Another question I hadn’t heard. Another response I had to improvise,

Then Fay appeared and announced that the show would begin in five minutes. The guests started moving toward their seats.

I flagged her, and she walked over to me. I leaned in and whispered, “Lead the executives to their seats.”

I turned to Maison. “Fay will seat you, Laurent, and the rest of the executives in your exclusive spots,” I announced. “Front row, naturally. Best view in the house.”

Maison smiled and nodded. “Perfect. Thank you, Roman.”

A few of the other guests murmured their approval. “Looks like it’s going to be an incredible show,” one said. Another added, “You’ve done a great job putting this together.”

13:01 Thu, Mar 26

Chapter 157

My lips curved into a smile. “Thank you.”

:

20

55 vouchers

Fay nodded, excitement clear in her eyes, and moved to guide the VIPS to their designated places.

“Where are you sitting?” Maison asked, scanning the room.

“We have a private viewing area to oversee the event and make sure everything runs smoothly,” I replied, already stepping away from the group.

My gaze stayed locked on Anna and Laurent. “Enjoy the show.”

I didn’t wait for Maison’s response. I walked directly toward them, my stride deliberate, my focus absolute.

As I got closer, I could hear their conversation.

“You would be absolutely perfect for our spring campaign,” Laurent was saying, his eyes moving over Anna’s face and body with clear interest. “Look at you in this dress.”

୦

田

AD