place than ever. The room was cold and sterile, the walls lined with bookshelves filled with t

eek black hair and wire rimmed glasses, s

er said, her tone professional. "Pleas

marriage, public appearances, no romantic entanglements, and a hefty financial settlement at the end. Yet as she read t

was watching her intently,

ed suddenly, brea

ve nothing to lose, and I have everyth

omach churn, but she coul

up to my end of the

y. "But if you don't, the cont

rowed. "What kin

party breaches the agreement, the financial settlement

This wasn't just a business deal it was a tr

hoice did

ned her name at the bottom of the contract. The mom

rs. Kane," he said,

against his firm grip. "Not yet," sh

rked into a fain

Wed

k. Lucas insisted on a small, private event at h

simple white dress, her heart racing. She had never imagined h

hind her, fussing with the veil. "You still have

signed the contract. Ther

careful. This guy... he's not normal, E

ed. "What d

one gets this rich without hiding some s

nd was already spinning.

r finger, and she mumbled her vows, feeling like a puppet on a string. When i

ely, and just like that, it was

Penth

space with floor to ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city.

r room-a guest room, n

space," he said,

ully decorated, but it didn't feel l

she asked, her voic

all," he sa

his," she murmured, more

dded. "W

, but Elena called

ancing over h

irm. "There's something about all of this that doesn

slipped. His jaw tightene

ldly. "Stick to the terms of the cont

her, he walked away, leaving he

arn

d, she couldn't sleep. Clara's words

ing to clear her head. The place was eerily quiet,

osity got the better of her, and she peeked inside. The room was

spotted a file wi

le. Inside were pages of information-her financial record

whispered, flipping

for som

e Lucas standing in the doorw

was

room. "Yes, I've had you investigated. I needed to know

nched into fists.

, he interrupted,

ena. I don't take risks with

ne of your business acquisit

but his tone remained firm. "You agree

ng. "You're hiding something. And

ething dark and unreadable. "Be careful,