No, demanding. Her entire life, she had fought for her independence, clawing her way out of small-town obscurity to build a

sfaction of a man who knew he had already won. "You're insane if you thi

ist. You see, my son has a problem that needs solving, and so do you. This arrangement benefits both of you. Sebastian gets

forward to interject. "Enough, Father. You

rvival-yours and mine. Or do you think the board will sit quietly once I reveal the cracks in Hale Enterpri

conflict playing out behind his cold blue eyes. F

arms over her chest. "What exactly do I gain f

ain access. Access to the Hale family. The inner circle. Isn't

d see every secret she tried to hide. "You think you're clever," she said, her voice trembling with contro

is already breathing down your neck about this story, isn't he? And let's not forget your family-your mother's me

like the ground had been pulled out from u

spiraling thoughts. "Enough, Fat

ve already? How charming. But this isn't about her family, Se

eck. When he spoke, his voice was low and measured, but there was an edge of steel bene

you underestimate me. This isn't about winning or losing. It's abou

essing down on them like a vice. Ivy glanced at Sebastian, hatin

s expression unreadable. "You're not

m considering it? But your father seems to thi

icker of something human behind his icy facade. Regret, maybe?

" Sebastian said quietly, his voice

ight in shining armor? That's rich, coming from

ep his patience. "I said what I said.

back. "You're just going to rol

fighting him my entire life. You thi

ention back to him. "Well, this has been entertaining, but I'm afraid time is r

to add, "Oh, and one more thing-if either of you breathes a w

, leaving Ivy and Sebastian

he silence. "Well, t

umorless laugh. "That

uge whether he was as trapped a

older than ever. "We surviv

en implications. And for the first time, Ivy r