veiled threat from Gregory and Sebastian. The weight of what she'd agreed to sank deeper into her chest with every floor that ticked past. This

rides. She could feel the stares from employees-polished men in suits, women in designer dresses-all of them

al smile, glanced up from her desk. "Miss Collins," she said, her

, keeping her tone curt a

ll of the Hales' oppressive atmosphere. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. But her

email from

Update on

v

end of the week. The higher-ups are getting antsy, and we

av

in with. The truth about the Hales-their shady dealings, their backroom power plays-was a story she h

That she'd been blackmailed into pretending to marry Sebastian Hale, the very man she

ed time to think, space to breathe. But as she rounded the corner, a

bastian's smooth,

lenching at her sides. "

nfuriatingly calm as ever. "We have things to discuss. And I d

want to talk,

is isn't just about you. If we're going to make this

e sidewalk. But the truth was, he was right. As much as she hated it,

ther seat. The interior smelled of polished wood and e

ed, crossing her arms as the

ne. "We need to figure out how this is going to work, what ou

d with a scoff. "Is that

it whatever you want, Ivy. But if we don't get this right, my father w

is tone but bit h

e perched on a hill. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows showcased a stunnin

?" she asked as the

stepping out and wait

inst the polished concrete. As they entered the house, the cool air

the sunken living room, but she remai

irm. "I'm not moving in here. I don't care how convin

move in. But we will need to spend time together. E

d sarcastically. "This j

either of us wants this. But if we play our cards right, we can g

hether there was any sincerity behind his words. F

aid. "Let's t

la), their "whirlwind romance," the engagement. Sebastian even insisted on creating a shared ca

tanding the man sitting across from her. But one thing was clear: this wasn't just

either of them would