01. The Three-Second Hesitation

The heavy, suffocating scent of thousands of imported white lilies filled the cavernous interior of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, but to Giselle Davis, it felt like the sterile air of a beautifully decorated mausoleum.The high-society elites of Manhattan occupied the polished mahogany pews, a sea of diamonds, designer tuxedos, and judging eyes. Outside, a ruthless New York rain battered the stained-glass windows, casting long, fractured shadows across the marble altar where Giselle stood.She was dressed in a custom-made, ivory silk gown. It was a beautiful dress, meant to embrace her full, voluptuous curves, but standing at the altar, she felt entirely naked under the critical gaze of New York’s upper crust. Whispers floated through the incense-heavy air like venom. “Look at her size.” “A pity about the King family legacy.” “A multi-billion-dollar corporate bailout wrapped in satin.”Giselle clutched her bouquet of white roses, her knuckles turning white. She kept her chin high, her s

Last Updated : 2026-07-02

02. The Taste of Humiliation

Seeking a moment of peace, Giselle retreated to the dessert lounge. She picked up a small silver fork, determined to comfort her aching heart with a slice of the magnificent, multi-tiered white chocolate wedding cake."Careful, Giselle. If you eat any more of that, your next dress will have to be made by a tent manufacturer."Giselle froze. She didn't need to turn around to recognize the sharp, honeyed voice. Julia Lee stepped into the dimly lit lounge, looking impossibly elegant. She held a glass of expensive champagne, her eyes sweeping over Giselle with a look of supreme victory."Julia," Giselle said, her voice dropping into a low, sarcastic purr as she gripped her fork. "I didn't think uninvited stray dogs were allowed past the Plaza's security."Julia’s smile didn't falter. She stepped closer, her perfume cloying and suffocating. "Oh, sweetie, I don't need an invitation when the groom is the one who wanted me here. Look at you, acting like you actually won something today." Juli

Last Updated : 2026-07-02

03. The Price of a Spotlight

Darel King stepped into the room, impeccably dressed in a fresh charcoal suit, buttoning his cuffs with practiced precision. His mind was already charting the day's stock maneuvers, but the moment he crossed the threshold, his senses were violently assaulted. The sophisticated, minimalist aroma of his usual morning espresso was completely drowned out by the heavy, greasy scent of melted cheddar, sizzling bacon, and toasted brioche buns. Darel stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes widened slightly, his brow furrowing into a deep, harsh line. Spread across the pristine marble table was a chaotic, towering feast that looked entirely out of place in his luxury Upper East Side home. There were three gourmet double-patty breakfast burgers oozing with sauce, a mountain of golden hash browns, a stack of thick pancakes dripping in maple syrup, and a platter of heavily seasoned sausages. Sitting right in the center of this culinary chaos was Giselle. Her face was flushed with genuine exc

Last Updated : 2026-07-02

04. A Diamond in the Dark

The cold night air of the alleyway did nothing to soothe the burning humiliation consuming Giselle. She collapsed against the damp brick wall, her emerald-green silk gown stained with dirt, tears completely ruining her makeup. Her shoulders shook violently as sob after sob tore from her throat. She had never felt so utterly small, so violently discarded. The mocking laughter of Manhattan’s elite still rang in her ears, paired with the ice-cold venom in Darel’s voice. A curse. A shameful, embarrassing joke. She clutched her bruised upper arm where Darel had gripped her, her vision blurred by an endless stream of tears. She wanted to disappear. She wanted the cold asphalt to swallow her whole. "A gown that beautiful shouldn't touch the dirt of a New York alley." Giselle froze. A deep, smooth baritone broke through the quiet street, carrying a strange blend of quiet authority and unexpected warmth. Through her tear-filled eyes, she looked up. A tall, broad-shouldered figure stoo

Last Updated : 2026-07-02

05. The Last Request

One month had passed since the disastrous night of the Vanguard Gala, a month of complete, echoing silence inside the penthouse. Darel had kept his word; he never returned, leaving Giselle like a ghost in a gilded cage. But the sudden, frantic phone call from the King family lawyer had broken the isolation, shattering her quiet routine. Giselle walked quickly through the sterile, brightly lit corridors of New York Presbyterian Hospital. The heavy scent of antiseptic replaced the smell of lilies she had grown to despise, and the squeak of her flats against the linoleum floor echoed her racing heartbeat. Grandpa Arthur King, had suffered a massive, sudden stroke. He was the only member of that cold family who had ever shown Giselle a shred of genuine warmth, treating her like a beloved granddaughter rather than a corporate transaction. As she rounded the corner toward the Intensive Care Unit, she spotted a familiar, rigid silhouette standing near the vending machines. Darel. He

Last Updated : 2026-07-02

All Chapters of The CEO’s Curve of Fate: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

01. The Three-Second Hesitation

02. The Taste of Humiliation

03. The Price of a Spotlight

04. A Diamond in the Dark

05. The Last Request