Chapter 5

Warm light filled Isabella's penthouse as morning sunshine filtered through the curtains. With a cup of coffee in hand, she sat by the bay window thinking back on the gala the night before.  

It seemed like the event went nicely. Xander Blackwood was present as Isabella maintained her ground while mingling with the wealthy and influential elite. Still, she felt uneasy about their indisputable bond.  

Xander was passionate and mysterious, unlike anyone she had ever met. He could get beyond her barriers in a way that others could not, therefore his influence carried a danger.  

Her thoughts were interrupted as her phone buzzed on the table. When she saw his name, Xander Blackwood, she momentarily froze. She reluctantly clicked on the message.  

Xander: Today's lunch. Only us. The location is your choice. I'm going to wait.  

She gave him a stern look, which was typical of Xander. Still, there was something fascinating about his candour. "Just the two of us." This was no ordinary business lunch; rather, it was a calculated move to entice her and push her boundaries, as seen by the familiar strain in her chest.  

Isabella had her own plans, too, so she wasn't an easy target. Breathing deeply, she answered.  

Isabella: 1:30. Palm Court.  

A private, elegant restaurant with a reputation for exclusivity, The Palm Court was the perfect place for conversations that may turn dangerous.  

Isabella arrived shortly before 12:30, her confidence a façade that belied her nervousness. She was trying to project strength with her sleek black dress and elegant chignon of hair.  

The maître d' welcomed her and showed her to a separate booth where Xander was waiting for her. When their gaze locked, her heart leaped.  

When she got closer, he stood and stared at her. "You're on time," he said with ease.  

She responded, "Time is precious," and slid into the booth across from him.  

With a smile, Xander raised the corners of his mouth. "Very accurate."  

They were surrounded by an electric quiet that was full of unsaid tension. Leaning back, Xander fixed his gaze on her.  

He said softly but passionately, "I must say, Isabella, you've surprised me."  

"How so?" she questioned, arching her brow.  

He looked her over carefully. "You don't match my expectations,"  

A small glimmer of satisfaction flickered through her; he'd thought she was weaker. But just because he recognised her strength didn't mean she would let her guard down.  

"And what were your expectations?" she asked softly, keeping her piercing eyes open.  

Someone with less ability. more obedient.  

Isabella stared at him unfazed. You've got me beat, Mr. Blackwood.  

"I don't think so," he said with a flawless reply. "I can tell you're determined, aspirational, and risk-taking without fear."  

She felt challenged by his remarks to reject who she was, but she wasn't going to fall for his trap just yet.  

"Well, what is the true purpose of this meeting?" She persisted, her voice becoming grave. "What's up with the sudden interest in me?"  

Xander leaned in with a focused expression. "because Isabella, you are unique. I think we may benefit from one another.  

When he proposed it, her heart raced. She felt that there was more going on here than just manipulation; this was a complicated possibility, not just a business proposal.  

"I don't make deals lightly," she remarked as she tried to calm her growing anxiety.  

He leaned down and said, "Neither do I," his voice growing darker. But this is not only a business issue. It has to do with control and power. You could have more of both than you could have ever dreamed of if you play your cards well.  

His remarks had a tremendous weight of peril and seduction. Isabella was at a crossroads in her life, where a false turn may take her into a dangerous place from which she would never return. But she was drawn to the alluring prospect of power.  

With the tension building between them, she questioned gently, "What exactly are you offering?"  

Xander's eyes met hers, a glimmer of weakness beneath his collected exterior. "A collaboration. An agreement.  

With her heart pounding, she repeated, "A contract?" "What kind?"  

"A marital contract," he said thoughtfully.  

She was shocked; this was strangely compelling but unexpected. He was extending an invitation to enter his life, a far more intimate and unstable territory, rather than merely suggesting a commercial partnership.  

Isabella’s mind raced as she faced this pivotal moment—the first move in a game that could change everything.  

“Think about it, Isabella,” Xander urged softly. “Together, we could seize it all. You’d gain the power you desire. But you need to decide how far you’re willing to go.”  

Caught between conflicting emotions, Isabella held his gaze, understanding this was not just a business deal. It was an invitation into a world that could offer everything—or demand everything in return. The lingering question remained: was she willing to risk it all for this opportunity?