dismissive ha

ng the door behind them. The operating room was su

her. "That's enough, Clare. The performance is ove

e'd seen through it, there was no point in continuing. Her eyes,

raspy. "You were about to have me assaul

You threaten me with a child that doe

on shaky feet. She smoothed down her dress, a small, futile gesture to recla

rategy. Head-on confront

t like swallowing glass. "I used the pregnancy to get to you. M

"I don't have to marry you. You want this 'problem' gone? Fine. Give me one

ber, a desperate bid to buy

d at her as if she were a cornered animal, fascinating in her final, futile struggle

r there's another option. You marry me. You provide a 'dowry' of one billio

that he needed a shield against his grandf

greedy, seemingly simple woman was far easier to contr

, his voice dropping, snatching back control of t

al and the heat of his body. "Your family's company, Beaumont Group, has debts totaling nine hundred and sev

nk. He knew. He

uel smile playing on his lips. "But what do you think he would do? Give

st points. All her bluffs, all her desperate plays,

t her ear. The warmth of his breath was a shocking contrast

ty, it all crumbled

r voice f

," he c

n bringing fresh tears. She saw her father's

she swore she would never

e seemed to savo

ily," she whispered, h

atisfaction on his face. He hadn't wante

our marriage. And it won't be you telling me wha

lip from a prescription pad, and scribb

hundred million. It was just enough to cover the debts. Just en

e the price was just high enough to secure her complianc