isbelief. Alexander Sterling's insane marriage proposal hung in the air like a ticking time bomb. Dylan looked like he wanted to

ween horror at the scandal and a dawning, avaricious gleam as she consid

sted this wasn't really a request, "we could continue this conversation in a more.

een publicly humiliated and slapped by my own mother – knew that this man, this powerful, intimidating stranger, was offering me a lifeline. A very strange, very terrifying lifelin

to whisper, my voi

ite, then. If you would lead the way, Ms. Miller? Or perhaps your mother could direct us." T

ight this way. The penthouse suite is just downstairs. Skye, dear, why don't you accompany Mr. Sterling?" Her tone w

of thunderous resentment. Dylan looked like he wanted to object again, to follow us, but one cool, dismissive glance

eather, the party, anything to fill the silence, while Alexander Sterling walked beside me, his presence a heavy, silent weight. I ju

sent a fresh wave of nausea through me – Mom practically tripped over herself to open the door. "Her

Sterling said, his voice polite but firm, clearly

urse! I'll just... leave you to it." She gave me a look that was a bizarre mixture

exander Sterling. In the room

sh sofa and two armchairs arranged around

He took the other armchair, facing me, his posture relaxed but exuding an almost predatory sti

nd direct. "Ms. Miller... Skye. I

you met five minutes ago because their sister is a psycho who drugged them and set them up!" The words tumbled out before I could stop them. My fa

nd. "Perhaps not. However, given the... public nature of your sister's accusations, and the subsequent... photographic evidence, however misleadin

credulous. "Marrying a compl

reframes the narrative. Instead of being the victim of a sordid setup, you become the unexpected fiancée of Alexander Sterling. The whispers will turn

discussing a business merger, not a marriage. And th

hat's in it for you? You don't even know me. You're Alexander Sterling

e of action. Perhaps I dislike public bullying. Perhaps I have an interest in ensuring certain... disruptive elements," his lips thi

ng, offering nothing personal. H

I challenged, though m

inue her campaign against you. Your mother will likely blame you for the scandal. Your... friend... Mr. Hayes, will be caught

ight. Hailey wouldn't stop. She'd been out to get me because of Dylan's attention, and now, a

pletely trapped. By Hailey's malice, by my mother's social climbin

I said, more to myself than to him. "Th

re you. As will the protection and resources that come with being my wife. Think of it as a mutually beneficial arrangement. You get y

reement and your cooperation in maintaining the façade of a whirlwind romance, at least for a while. After a suitable period, if we both agree, we can

l, maybe, but a devil who was offering me a gold

and frankly terrifying man, even if it was just a temporary arrangement? The al

hink," I whispere

an answer by the end of the day. Events, once set in motion, have a tend

e to you, I assure you. My assistant will contact you with the details. For now, I suggest you return to your family. Act... distraught, but consideri

step in his grand, incomprehensible plan. I was just a pawn in his game,

n, and a tiny, reluctant flicker of something else... a strange, dangerous curiosity a