Chapter 3 : The Devil’s Rules

Chapter 3: The Devil’s Rules

Emaline stood in the center of the third floor dry cleaning suite, staring at the dark navy jacket hanging on the rail. The faint, stubborn outline of the airport coffee stain was still visible near the lapel.

She scrubbed at the fabric with a special steaming brush, her knuckles turning red.

Ten minutes. He had given her ten minutes to fix an expensive suit and organize a billionaire's calendar.

"Arrogant tyrant," Emaline muttered under her breath, aggressively dabbing the cloth. "He thinks because he bought my debt, he owns my every breath."

Yet, a small voice inside her reminded her of the alternative. If she were back in Country Z, Carter’s thugs would be knocking on her mother’s front door right now. Her father would be stripped of his life support. Sixty two million dollars was a death sentence, but Aiden Blackwood had wiped it away with a single stroke of his pen.

She glanced at the silver clock on the wall. Eight minutes had passed.

Grabbing the freshly steamed jacket, Emaline smoothed down her skirt, took a deep breath, and sprinted back toward the executive express elevator.

When the oak double doors of the CEO suite parted, Aiden was standing behind his granite desk, reviewing a stack of financial reports. He didn't look up as she walked in.

Emaline held up the garment bag. "Your suit is clean, Mr. Blackwood. The stain is gone."

Aiden finally lifted his eyes. His gaze traveled down to her hands, then up to her face, assessing her like a cold auditor checking a balance sheet.

"Nine minutes and forty seconds," Aiden said, his baritone completely flat. "Adequate. Where is my schedule?"

Emaline pulled a slim tablet from her leather portfolio, stepping closer to his desk. She refused to let her hands shake.

"Liam forwarded your master calendar on my way up," she said, keeping her voice crisp and professional. "You have a high board meeting at ten regarding the semiconductor acquisition. At one, a private lunch with Lord Sterling from the European trade commission. At four, an emergency briefing with your legal team about Vance Media’s offshore shell companies."

Aiden raised a dark eyebrow. "You memorized it in two minutes?"

"I am here to destroy Carter Vance," Emaline replied, looking directly into his icy grey eyes. "I don't waste time looking down at paper when I can give you the facts directly."

For a fraction of a second, the cold detachment in Aiden's expression cracked. A tiny flicker of dark intrigue gleamed in his eyes before he masked it away.

"Good," Aiden said, stepping out from behind his desk. He picked up his watch from the leather tray and buckled the alligator strap around his wrist. "Because your real test begins tonight."

Emaline frowned. "Tonight? It isn't on the calendar."

"It isn't a company meeting," Aiden said, walking toward her until he was standing less than two feet away. The subtle scent of cedarwood and rain enveloped her again, heavy and distracting. "It is the annual Winter Charity Gala at the Grand Horizon. Carter Vance will be attending as the guest of honor, celebrating his newly acquired capital."

Emaline felt her throat tighten. Her pulse spiked violently. "Carter will be there?"

"He will," Aiden confirmed smoothly. "He believes he has won. He believes you are in hiding or in jail. Tonight, I intend to show him otherwise."

Aiden reached out. His long, calloused fingers lightly brushed against her chin, tilting her head up so she was forced to meet his gaze. His touch was burning hot against her cold skin, sending a strange, terrifying shiver down her spine.

"From this moment on, you do not look like a victim, Emaline," he commanded softly, his voice dropping into a dangerous rumble. "You will wear the finest dress money can buy. You will walk on my arm. And when Carter Vance sees you standing beside the man who is about to ruin him, you will smile."

Emaline stared up at him, her chest rising and falling heavily. The sheer authority radiating off him was overwhelming, but underneath it, she felt a fierce, burning spark of adrenaline.

"I won't just smile," Emaline whispered, her eyes hardening into steel. "I will make sure he realizes his nightmare has just begun."

Aiden’s lips curved into that rare, dangerous smile that sent chills down her spine. He dropped his hand from her chin.

"Liam has already arranged a styling team at my private residence," Aiden said, turning toward the door. "Get your coat, Miss Gonzalez. We leave now."

An hour later, a sleek black Maybach pulled into the gates of a massive estate on the outskirts of the capital.

The Blackwood Manor was a sprawling masterpiece of modern glass, stone, and dark wood, surrounded by acres of private pine forest. It looked less like a home and more like a fortress.

Emaline stepped out of the vehicle, staring up at the grand entrance.

"Your quarters are on the third floor," Aiden said as he walked past her into the grand foyer. "The stylists are waiting in the fitting room. You have two hours to prepare."

Before Emaline could ask a question, a team of three women in black aprons scurried down the marble staircase, greeting Aiden with hushed, nervous bows before surrounding Emaline.

"Miss Gonzalez! Right this way, please," the head stylist said urgently. "Mr. Blackwood gave very specific instructions regarding your gown."

For the next two hours, Emaline was pulled, pinned, and transformed.

Her long chestnut hair was styled into soft, elegant waves that fell over her shoulders. Her makeup was kept fierce yet sophisticated, highlighting her dark eyes and deep red lips.

Finally, the head stylist unzipped a long velvet garment bag and pulled out a dress that made Emaline gasp.

It was an exquisite emerald green silk gown with a subtle sweetheart neckline, a daring thigh high slit, and a floor sweeping train. It fit her body like a second skin, accentuating every curve while exuding pure, unadulterated royalty.

"It’s breathtaking," the stylist whispered, fastening a delicate diamond necklace around Emaline’s throat. "Mr. Blackwood chose the color himself."

Emaline looked at her reflection in the full length mirror. The tired, broken girl who had wept in the hospital hallway was gone. Standing in her place was a woman who looked capable of conquering a kingdom.

She took a deep breath, gathered her silk train, and walked out of the dressing suite.

She descended the grand marble staircase, her heels clicking softly against the stone.

At the bottom of the stairs stood Aiden Blackwood.

He had changed into a tailored black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt and a silk bow tie. He was adjusting his cufflinks when he heard her footsteps.

Aiden looked up.

The moment his icy grey eyes landed on her, his hands froze.

Silence stretched through the massive foyer. The servants held their breath. For the first time since Emaline had met him, Aiden Blackwood stood completely still, his gaze locked onto her as she descended the final steps.

The cold, unbothered CEO looked... stunned.

Emaline stopped on the last step, meeting his intense, dark stare.

"Will this do, Mr. Blackwood?" she asked softly, a hint of defiance in her voice.

Aiden slowly closed the distance between them. He stopped right in front of her, his gaze scanning every inch of her face, her red lips, and the emerald dress that hugged her body.

His throat moved as he swallowed. When he spoke, his voice was lower, rougher than usual.

"You look..." Aiden paused, clearing his throat as his cold mask snapped back into place. "You look acceptable."

Emaline rolled her eyes slightly. "Acceptable. High praise coming from you."

Aiden didn't laugh. Instead, he stepped closer, bending down slightly until his lips were inches from her ear.

"Remember the rules, Emaline," he murmured, his breath warm against her neck. "Tonight, you belong to me. When we walk through those doors, you hold my hand, you stay by my side, and you do not let Carter Vance see a single crack in your armor."

He pulled back, offering her his arm.

Emaline looked at his broad arm, then up into his dark, mesmerizing eyes. She slipped her hand through his, feeling the absolute power and heat radiating from him.

"Let's go ruin my ex," Emaline said cleanly.

Aiden’s eyes flashed with dark satisfaction. "With pleasure, Miss Gonzalez."