Chapter thirteen (Elara's pov)

Killian waved his hand in dismissal. “There’s no need. She’s seen enough.” He turned his attention back to Elara. “Wait for me in my office. Down the hall, last door on the right.”

With that, he walked past her, his cologne— cedarwood and pine, an utterly sinful combination lingered in the air after him.

Elara resisted the urge to fan herself as she turned sharply in her heels and made her way to his office.

His office was exactly like she had imagined— dark wood, leather furniture, a massive desk, fireplace and a large window. A decanter set sat on his desk, untouched, beside a thick folder and his computer.

Shutting the door, finally alone she placed a hand on her chest as she sat down on one of the chairs. “Get it together, Elara.” She muttered to herself. “You're here for a purpose and not to drool over your fake fiancé.”

By the time the door opened again, she had managed to gain back her composure and put on a professional face.

She turned as watched as Killian walked in, fully clothed this time in black slacks and a polo which hugged his biceps nicely.

Snap out of it! She cautioned herself.

He tossed a folder on the desk as he took a seat across from her. 

“What's this?”

“That,” he started, nodding in the direction of the folder. “is the backstory my PR team has created for us. Study it. Memorize it.”

Elara opened the folder and skimmed through the first few pages. It was thorough, she had to admit— it talked about how they met, how their ‘relationship’ developed, key dates, inside jokes, even photoshopped images of them together.

“Jesus,” she muttered. “This is amazing. You guys didn't waste any time.”

Killian smirked. “If we’re going to sell this, we have to be prepared at all times. Any slip-up, and people will start asking questions. I assume you can handle that, right?” He gestured to the story in her hands.

She rolled her eyes at his question.“Please. I could convince the Pope we were in love if I wanted to.”

“Good.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “Because our first public appearance is tonight.”

Her eyes snapped to him in surprise. “Tonight?”

Killian nodded. “Gala event. High-profile. Lots of cameras. It’ll be the perfect way to flaunt our engagement.”

She wasn't ready but she didn't let it show. “Fine. What’s the plan?”

Killian leaned back in his chair, his eyes locked with hers. “We’ll walk in together, you'll smile, look at me like I’m the only man in the world, and let them take as many pictures as they want. And then…”

He paused, a slow smirk growing on his face.

“And then?” she pressed.

“We give them a show they’ll never forget.”

His smirk made butterflies erupt in her tummy. She had never felt like this towards anyone, not even Adrian so she wasn't used to it nor did she like it.

Clearing her throat, she said. “I also have something to say about Ivy.”

“Go ahead.”

“She’s a control freak.” 

“I am aware.” he deadpanned.

His tone made Elara glare at him. “You either act interested or I'll keep my words ro myself.”

This made Killian close his eyes and sigh. “Sorry, your majesty.” He said sarcastically. “You know her better than I do, so tell me this idea of yours.”

“Much better.” She crossed her legs. “We have leverage over her— we seized control.”

Killian leaned forward, his intrigue showing. “Go on.”

Elara stood up and walked to the edge of his desk and sat down, the proximity made her smell his cologne more and she felt her composure skip slightly but she was feeling confident by her bold move.

“Ivy built her empire by eliminating competition before they even had a chance to rise— including you and myself. She doesn’t play fair. She manipulates, blackmails, and when necessary, she destroys. She’s careful, strategic… but there’s one thing that always makes her reckless.”

He arched his brow. “And that is?”

Elara lowered her voice and leaned closer to him. “Fear.”

For a brief moment, she saw his eyes wander down to her lips before snapping back to her eyes.

“We need to make her desperate. When people panic, they make mistakes.” she continued.

“What is she afraid of?”

A slow smirk crossed Elara’s face. “Failure. Public disgrace. Losing the power she’s spent years accumulating.”

She got up, walked over to her bag and grabbed a thick folder then tossed it on the desk before taking her position at the edge of the desk.

He glanced down at it. “Beckett industries: confidential.” He read the title out loud.

“This,” she said, pointing at it. “This is everything I know about her business dealings. Weak links, rivals she’s pushed out, people who would love nothing more than to watch her empire crumble.”

Killian picked up the file, opened it then flipped through its contents. Stock reports, acquisitions, shady dealings that had been swept under the rug.

“You really did your homework,” he said with a low chuckle.

Elara’s eyes lit up. “We start by targeting her business. She’s spent the last few years cornering big companies, cutting off the smaller ones and buying the companies of threats before they could grow. We need to hit her where it hurts. I haven't been able to get everything so…”

Killian leaned back, crossing his arms. “You’ll need my resources for that.”

“That’s why I’m here.”

His lips curled into a smirk. “Clever girl.”

Elara crossed her arms and shrugged. “Well, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.”

“We use her enemies, cut off her resources, and force her into damage control. Meanwhile, I’ll pull strings with my contacts to make sure she doesn’t find an easy way out.”

Elara nodded. “And while she’s busy trying to put out those fires, I’ll make my next move.”

Killian smirked. “Which is?”

She leaned closer to him again— dangerously close to his face. “Taking everything she stole from me and watching her burn.”

A slow, satisfied chuckle escaped from Killian.

“You’re ruthless,” he said, eyes filled with amusement and something like…amusement? Respect?

Elara leaned back with a deadly smile on her face. “You have no idea.”

Killian reached for the untouched decanter and poured them both a drink. The game has officially begun if there's one thing Elara lived more than winning, it was watching her enemies fall.

And Ivy?

She was about to learn that all actions come with consequences.

Elara was the grim reaper and she had come for her soul.