e's

vening had gone as expected, with handshakes and back-patting from the old guard, a few promising discussions about potential mer

t. She hadn't just ignored my handshake...she'd downright dismissed me, as though I were

muttered under my breat

couldn't put my finger on it, but she seemed familiar. The curve of her face, the fire

outdo her in the business world. After all, it wasn't every day you

.

hours

thoughts as he approached, his tablet tucked un

ng at him. "I need you to

rse, si

a full background check. Everything...from where she was born t

s used to these requests. "I'

eady compiled a file. He handed me his tablet as I sat on th

as young, and she's extremely close to her father, Mr. Richard Hart. She attended Westbridge University for a sem

owing my eyes at the

s,

a bolt of lightning. Westbridge

fer?" I asked, my

no official record, but she

a memory I couldn't quite place. "Do we

ough his device. A few seconds lat

ch, her hair in a messy ponytail, her glasses slightly crooked. She wore a

eath

red, the realizatio

was

f the school. The same girl I had humiliated without a second thoug

ow?" I muttered, st

sed an eye

, setting the tablet down

estbridge was timid, awkward, and forgettable. But this woman... she wa

he ha

ed me like a ghost. She hadn't just recognized me, she'd re

uch, letting out a long

curiously but didn'

sked, forcing my voi

ack the tablet. "Shall I con

d distractedl

windows overlooking the city. The lights below shimmered like st

thout a second thought. And now, she was t

king my head. "Well, thi

et, scrolling through my contacts

ted for a moment, my thumb hovering over the call button. She'd probably want to hear about t

's voice cut through the din of the

my pocket. "What is it now?" I mutter

staurant, at the table reserved only for the most important guests. Everything about the

across from me, looking every bit the composed and calculating businessman he was. His custom suit

d, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Perf

ing I wouldn't like where this wa

his gaze steady on me. "Our f

lass of wine and taking a sip. "Yo

ou've seen Emily Hart's impact in the business world, haven't you? She's

ghter. Emily Hart? What was she to me? I kept my expr

e calm but deliberate. "Richard Hart and I have been discussing a s

, setting my glass

f smile that usually meant trouble.

, coughing as I set the glass down with a thud. The rich red liquid sprayed across the pr

tended. My heart was pounding, and I wasn't sure

if he hadn't just shattered my world

prehend what he was saying. It felt like I'd been

inally managed, my voice lo

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for both famil

ettled in. Emily Hart. Marriage. My pulse thundered in

"Dad, you know I have Vanessa. She's my fiancée, f

ion cool and utterly unmoved. "Vaness

oice rising. "She's the woman

y Emily Hart, or you'll lose everything, Cole. The company, your position, everything. I'll pass th

stared at him, my mouth slightly open, trying t

id, though the uncertaint

isn't just about you, Cole. It's about the legacy of this fam

Emily Hart. Marriage. My father's ultimatum. It was like the universe had decide