er. To the guests, he appeared calm and composed, every inch the powerful billi

randmother. It was a business transaction, nothing more. He would marry her, keep her at a dis

n the veil was finally lifted, revealing not Vanessa but her quiet,

been

ad Vanessa backed out at the last minute, and why had Sophie agreed to take her place? He knew the Reynolds family was

xander could barely contain his anger. He had never been one to let emotio

of the Reynolds family, and he had paid her little mind. But now she was his wife-forc

it takes to secure a life of luxury and power? Or was there something mo

furiously to make sense of the situation. She, for her part, seemed nervous, unsure of her place in all of

ey arrived at his penthouse later that evening, the tension between them was palpable. The luxurious space, with its fl

through the apartment, taking in her new su

you expected," Alexander said fin

ression unreadable. "No, it's

g. "But let me make one thing clear: I don't trust you. I don't know what your game is

lexander. I was forced into it." Alexander's anger flared. "Forced? You expect

You don't know anything about me. But you're right-I'm not like Vanessa. I didn't wa

phie's eyes was not greed or ambition; it was pain. She wasn't cowering before hi

his guard easily. He wasn't about to let himself be swayed by a few words. He had

y out of my way. This marriage is nothing more than a contract

that, Alexander turned on his heel and left the room, ret

dentify. This situation was far more complicated than he had anticipated. As he sat at his

trolled. "I want to know everything about her. What she's done, where she's been,

replied without hesitation.

knowing every detail and every angle. But now, with this unexpected marriage, that control felt like it was slipping through his fingers.He didn'

seem to crave attention or power, and she certainly did

hrough his home, never demanding his time or attention, never trying to worm her way into his life. S

ed-different from what he had known. She wasn't loud or vain; she didn't try to impress him with shallow ch

a fool. He wouldn't let his guard down just because of a few moments of intrigue. He would wait f

ength, watching, waiting, and trying to