CHAPTER 2

Audrey's Pov

“Hello, Sister.” Amelia greeted me, her eyes glinting under the sunlight, “How are you? Have you heard the news yet? The engagement party is actually tomorrow, we have been planning it for a while now.” She tilted her head to the side, clearly enjoying the shock I had on my face.

“Tomorrow?” I muttered.

“Yeah.” She put her hands into her bag and shuffled around, then brought out a letter, waved it in the air and put it into my car.

I swallowed the anger that was threatening to spill out, “Since when have you been sleeping with him?”

“Oh, that? From the very beginning.” Amelia responded without any ounce of shame. I closed my eyes, taking a long suffering sigh. When I reopened them, I had calmed down. Calmed down enough not to bash her head onto the window of my car.

“Amelia, what's your actual purpose? You had always loved taking what was mine, so did you have fun?” I questioned, but I didn't let her reply, “You have a boyfriend yourself, he's Zachary's brother so how could you do this?!”

“I can do whatever I want, Audrey.” Amelia said, her smile never wavering, “As for Zachary's brother? Ugh… He was always so boring and I wanted some fun in my life. You can't blame me for that, can you? Mom already agreed to this so there's nothing you can do about it. But I'll have you know, you must be at the engagement party, you're my older sister after all.”

“Oh, is that so? Mom agreed to this too?” I scoffed in disbelief and then straightened my back and stared at her, “But you know, Amelia… Whatever your goal was, I don't even care anymore. But let me tell you something, don't think you have been able to throw me aside just because you snatched a problem from me. I should thank you in fact, you have made my life easier.”

“You…”

“Have fun, Amelia. And good luck, you'll need it.” I smiled at her, got into my car and drove away. I didn't stop driving until I got to the corner to my company, where I stopped. My hands were numb, and I felt like crying. My eyes were also stinging. But I couldn't let this stop me, I couldn't. And I knew just the person that would help me.

Xander Clarkson. Amelia's boyfriend.

I picked up my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I found a number that I hadn't dialed in years. Xander Clarkson was an enigma, the CEO of the most famous Fashion Empire with no time for petty family drama, but for the right price, I was sure he would be interested.

Without another thought, I pressed the button and put the phone in my ear. The line rang twice before an unfamiliar deep voice answered.

“Who is this?” He drawled out, his voice was cold and charming, it felt like winter.

“Audrey. Amelia's sister.” I answered tensely, my heart beating so loudly against my chest, “We need to meet. I have a proposal for you.”

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Xander finally responded, his tone now laced with interest, “A deal… Where and when are we meeting? I'd like to hear this deal of yours.”

I blinked, I really wasn't expecting him to agree to meet this quickly. I thought I'd have to convince him more.

“This evening, Blue Blood Bar, 6pm.” I answered and a slow chuckle escaped his lips, making me blush slightly.

“Alright.” I hung up, my heart pounding in my chest. I had just set the wheels in motion for something that could either be the best decision of my life or the worst. But one thing was clear, I was done playing Amelia’s games.

It was already 4pm so I drove straight to the bar, intending to wait before he arrived. I wouldn't be able to focus on work, so this was the best idea I could come up with. When the clock struck six, the doors to the private room opened, and Xander walked in, he was escorted by a female who left immediately the doors were shut.

Tall, imposing, and dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, he looked every bit the cold, calculating businessman I remembered. His dark eyes scanned the room, finally landing on me with a cold frown tugging at his lips.

He sat down across from me, his gaze was cold but curious, “I wasn't expecting you to reach out by this time, Amelia said you were always the sensible one.”

I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to roll my eyes, “I’m not here to discuss Amelia.”

Xander leaned back onto the chair, crossing his arms, his lips curling into a faint smirk, “Of course. You mentioned a proposal, let's hear it.”

I inhaled deeply, trying to steady my thoughts before speaking, “I want your help. You're a powerful man so you must have known about Amelia's action with your brother.”

Xander's smirk deepened, but he said nothing. He simply watched me.

“You have built a reputation, Xander. I need someone like you on my side. In return, I’m willing to give you the highest shares in my company, control, influence, whatever you want.”

For a moment, only silence prevailed between us. His expression didn't change, and his eyes were still fixed on mine.

Finally, he leaned forward, “You came here expecting to make a deal with me, offering your company’s shares in exchange for what? Revenge on your sister? Control over a situation you’ve clearly lost?" His voice was low and dangerous, "I have no interest in chasing after Amelia. She's nothing more than a passing memory to me. She has always been.”

My heart sank at his words, but before I could say anything, his eyes narrowed, a calculating glint flickering in his gaze.

“However… There is something I want.” He continued.

I swallowed, my mouth dry, “What is it?”

He leaned closer, his smirk turning into something far more sinister, a manipulative smile that promised danger if I fell into his trap.

“I want you, Audrey. I want every part of you, not just your company. I want a marriage, one where you will be mine, both publicly, and privately.”

I blinked, I didn't expect the conversation to head this way, “Why do you want a marriage? You were dating my sister.”

“Let's just say that things have changed. Audrey, I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do, but this is what I require in order for me to do what you want.” He said to me, but still, I wasn't so sure and he knew that. She he said something else that made me make up my mind.

“Your father had said that whoever was the first to get married would get the inheritance of the family. And I guess that is what Amelia is after. She wanted us to get married and I didn't agree; that is why she decided to get engaged with your ex boyfriend. We go over to the Civil Marriage Bureau right now, and register our marriage, you'll be able to get whatever you want. Including the inheritance. The choice is yours, Audrey.”

I took a deep breath. Did this even need thinking through, Xander really was an amazing man. It looked like I was the one who was making him a deal, but I was actually the one getting trapped in it.

“Fine, I'll do it. Let's get married.”