the polished wood and chrome furniture in a soft, golden hue. Damon stood by the window, his hands in his

ered empty flattery to earn his favor. Elena had fire. She challenged him, met his every remark with a sharp reto

's arrival. "Mr. Knight," her voice came, crisp and profes

nswer the phone to know what Gregory wanted. Picking up the receiver, he spoke without

otiating? Damon, this isn't a hostile takeover. I

plied coolly. "I told you I'd meet her, and I did. Now it's u

ry pressed, irritati

said. "But I'm

been more concerned with strategy than sentiment, but Damon wasn't about t

-

left her on edge, and she hated the feeling. He was everything she'd expected: arrogant, calculating, and far too composed fo

Sophie, poked her head inside. "You look lik

ough her hair. "Not a date. A bu

hifting to concern. "This is about that arrange

ely," Elena

air, crossing her legs. "And? I

nfuriating. Too calm, too controlled. He acts lik

d an eyebrow

"But I don't want to be part of his corporate ch

arents no," Sophi

. "Sorry. It's not that simple. My father's business is i

's time to figure out what you want. If you're stuck in this,

l had always been her issue. She hated feeling powerless

y. "If I have to go through with thi

-

rivate conference room at Knight Enterprises. The setting

look on her face. She dropped the folder on the table between them

else," she began, "let's est

row, intrigued despi

a neatly typed list. "If we're going to do this, I need to

his chair, gesturing

t quitting my career. I don't care how much money your family h

e appearances at certain events. My wife ne

ine. As long as I have contr

n said, his

your penthouse. If you want to play house for

raid of living und

ng my sanity,"

ng her. "Agreed. We'l

astly, and most importantly, this marriage is strictly business. No romantic ex

smirk fading. "That's one condit

y not? You just said this

amilies, the board, and the public that this marriage is real, we'll need to act like it. That

ny the logic. "Fine," she said reluctantly. "But only in pu

on said, extending his

skin warm against hers. For a moment, she felt the spar

this," she muttered,

ith a faint smile, "has

, neither could shake the feeling that they had just entered a