CHAPTER FIVE (ELARA'S POV)

You can't be serious.” She said, flabbergasted by his audacity and nonchalant attitude.

“I didn't stutter, miss Beckett.” Killian said calmly.

His tone ticked her off but she calmed herself down before she creates a scene.

Elara crossed her legs and clasped her hand. “At the gala,” she started. “You said we have a common goal. I would like to hear it before I'll consider this… absurd idea of yours.”

Killian studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable but she didn't flatter under his gaze. He let out a breath then started, “Your lovely sister, Ivy Beckett—”

“Step.” Elara interjected. “We do not share even a drop of blood. We are only related due to unfortunate circumstances.”

“Okay.” Killian said then continued. “Your step sister is the most manipulative person I have ever met. She is also ruthless. Years ago, she leaked confidential information about one of my biggest business deals to her— your father. It gave him the upper hand— the perfect step to climb above me and it got me millions. I tried everything but like the snake she is, she managed to slither away unscathed.”

“And you want revenge?” Elara asked with a brow raised.

“Yes. I have been waiting for the right moment to strike and make her pay for the damage she cost me.” Killian said smoothly.

Elara clenched her jaw as she remembered her fair share of Ivy's manipulation, her anger began to bubble within her. “We’ve both had our fair share of Ivy.” She said, voice laced with bitterness. “Ivy didn't just steal my inheritance, she also made sure to humiliate me and render me powerless. Everything I had built was brought down to nothing but ashes thanks to her. But that ends now.”

Elara watched as Killian's eyes darkened as he also became filled with rage and determination. “We both have unfinished business.

She nodded, a little shared of trust blooming between them but Elara had been hurt enough in the past to know not to trust easily. “So… tell me about this engagement plan of yours. Do you really think it'll work?”

Killian straightened in his chair. “It will. I have the resources and connections to make everything go smoothly. But we'll still need access. Ivy is a very cautious woman, she won't let me get close. But with you…” he locked eyes with her.

Elara raised an eyebrow. “With me what?”

A slow dangerous smile spread across his face, it sent a slight pleasurable shiver down her spine. The man before her was undeniably sexy and she tried her best not to react to his presence.

Snap out of it, Elara! She yelled in her mind.

“We're going to give her something she can't ignore. A reason for our worlds to collide.”

“The engagement.” Elara finished for him.

“Bingo.” He winked at her and she felt heat pool in her core making her shift uncomfortably in her seat but Killian didn't notice.

He leaned closer and the scent of mush, cedar and coffee infiltrated her nose making her want to close her eyes and inhale in delight. “Think about it. Together, we'll be unstoppable. The perfect power couple that the media wants to see and the type that Ivy doesn't want to see. It'll drive her insane and cracks will begin to form which will give us access to her empire which we will seize.”

Elara's heart raced as she thought about his plan. It seemed perfect but she had never expected her return to end with an engagement. “And what happens when we're done with our plan? What happens to the engagement?”

His smile changed to a predatory smirk that made more heat pool between her legs. “We'll cross that bridge when we get there.”

Elara looked away from his distracting face for a minute, she needed to collect her thoughts. Once her mind was settled, she turned back to his expectant gaze.

A fierce determination lit inside her. “Alright.” She said, her voice firm and steady. “Let's do it.”

His smirk widened as he extended his hand towards her. She took it and felt a tingle shoot down her arm as his large palm engulfed her small one and warmed it up with the heat that radiated from him.

“Let's make Ivy regret ever crossing us.”