Chapter 4: Let the games begin

Daisy’s POV

“Where am I?” I asked, my voice trembling as I looked around the strange room. The walls were soft gray, and the bedspread was a gentle pastel. I blinked slowly, trying to clear the fog in my mind.

“What happened to me?” I whispered aloud, trying to remember. I recalled being at Moxy, laughing with friends and drinking with abandon. Then suddenly, everything went dark. I remembered feeling dizzy, men closing in, and a loud commotion—a fight. My memories came in broken pieces, like a puzzle with too many missing parts. But one part was clear: there was a guy, and then the door opened in a flash, catching me off guard.

I sat up slowly and squinted at the door. “You…” I said, pointing at the man who had entered just a moment ago.

He walked in gently. He wore nothing but a towel around his waist, and water dripped from his chiseled abs. His skin was smooth, and his grey eyes shone with an intensity that made me feel both shy and safe. I closed my eyes briefly at the sight and pressed my hand to my face. I felt my heart beat faster.

He did not say anything at first. Instead, he came closer until I could feel his warm presence. I reached out a few fingers to peek, and his grey eyes met mine so closely that I almost lost myself. He leaned in, and for a moment, the sight of his soft lips made me hold my breath. I thought he was going to kiss me, but then he pulled out a small phone from beside the bed and called out.

“You can bring the breakfast now,” he said, his voice calm and clear. He talked softly on the phone for a while. I did not listen much—I just kept staring at him. When he finally ended the call, he turned toward me.

“So, no more closing your eyes. I thought you were shy?” he teased with a playful smile.

I flushed and replied, “Well, I was just startled. I retaliated,” trying to sound tough even though my voice trembled.

He tilted his head. “You look familiar. Have we met before?” I squinted, trying to remember the face.

He shrugged and said, “I don’t think so,” then reached for a black T-shirt and pulled it on.

I frowned. “You were the guy who helped that grandma—and you were the guy from last night. What happened last night? And where the hell am I? Did you kidnap me? Rape me? Drug me?” I demanded, trying to force every detail out of him.

He looked at me steadily and replied, “Do I look like a kidnapper? And why on earth would I want to drug you? Look, as hot as I am, I can have any girl I want. I don’t need drugs for that.” He scoffed and turned his attention to something on his phone.

I muttered under my breath, “No one said you were hot,” and a small smile crept across my face. “Well, that’s not what I heard from you last night,” I teased.

“Look, what happened last night?” I asked again, more angrily this time.

He sighed and said, “In short, you were at Moxy. You got drugged, and I saved you by getting you away from that mess. So, I guess this is the part where you say thanks?”

I closed my eyes and tried to piece the night together—everything was still blurry, but I could sense that his actions had saved me. “Thank you,” I said softly. Just then, my phone buzzed.

I looked at it—it was a message from Trey telling me to report to work immediately or I’d get fired. I scowled. “When did this little guy become such a hot shot? How dare he threaten me in my father’s company,” I muttered under my breath, my brows furrowing with anger.

The man beside me asked, “Any problems?” I looked at him for a long moment. All I knew was that to secure my inheritance, I had to get married. And here I was, standing with a drop-dead gorgeous man who saved a grandma and me the same day. He watched over me all night without even touching me. If that wasn’t good manners, I didn’t know what was.

A wide smile slowly appeared on my face. “What’s your name?” I asked.

He smiled back. “Liam Musk,” he answered. “And you are?”

I extended my hand. “Daisy. Daisy Turner.”

“Nice to meet you, Daisy,” he said as he shook my hand firmly. I stared at him for a long moment, my heart pounding. Unsure of how to ask, I finally blurted, “I need your help. Please marry me.”

He raised his eyebrows. “We just met. You barely know me.”

“Please, I really need this. It’s just for six months, and after that we’ll get a divorce,” I pleaded, my voice a mix of desperation and determination.

“Why do you want to get married so badly?” he asked, his grey eyes looking right through me as if searching for the truth in my soul.

I sighed and said, “For my inheritance and to get back at my ex and my stepmother. I caught them cheating on me.”

He frowned sympathetically. “Oh, that must have been terrible. I’m so sorry.”

“Please marry me. I can pay you for it—I can even give you shares at Turner Empire. Just say yes,” I begged.

Liam thought for a moment before opening his mouth slowly. “I’ll help you out. But I want 5% of the shares at Turner Empire to turn my life around,” he said.

“Sure thing,” I smiled, relief mingling with excitement.

---

Two Days Later – The Wedding

The wedding ceremony was nothing like the grand event my father had always dreamed of for me. There were no flowers, no guests, no elaborate vows. It was just a small courtroom with a bored-looking registrar and a photographer who seemed more interested in his phone than capturing the moment.

“Do you, Daisy Turner, take Liam Musk to be your lawfully wedded husband?” the registrar asked in a monotone voice.

“I do,” I said, my voice steady despite the knot of nerves in my stomach.

Liam’s response was just as flat. Within minutes, it was all over—we were married. The photographer snapped a few obligatory photos of our heads touching and our forced smiles, and then we were handed our marriage certificate.

“Here, catch,” I said, tossing the keys to my mansion over to Liam as we stepped outside. “Make yourself at home. I’ll be back soon.”

He caught the keys with a frown and said nothing. I felt his eyes on me as I walked away, but I did not look back. I had more important things to focus on.

---

The Lawyer’s Office

The drive to Mr. Samuel’s office felt like a lifetime. My mind raced with thoughts of what was to come—the inheritance, my revenge, and the look on Anna and Trey’s faces when they realized they had lost. I parked my black SUV in the lot and stepped out, smoothing my skirt as I walked toward the building. The elevator ride up was quiet; I could only hear the hum of the machinery and my own racing heart.

“Good morning, ma’am. How can I help you?” a pretty blonde in a black skirt suit asked, her smile polite but distant.

“Good morning, I’m Daisy Turner,” I replied. “I have an appointment with Mr. Samuel.”

“One moment, please,” she said as she picked up the phone. I heard her murmur something softly, then she smiled at me. “You can go in now.”

I nodded and walked into Mr. Samuel’s office. My heels clicked against the polished floor. “Good morning, Mr. Samuel,” I said as I reached out to shake his hand.

“Good morning, Mrs. Turner,” he replied warmly. “What brings you here today?”

I sat down across from his large desk, my heart pounding with anticipation. “I came to let you know that I’m married.”

Mr. Samuel’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, and he leaned back in his chair with a smile. “Oh, that’s fantastic news. I assume you’re here about the inheritance?”

I nodded, forcing a smile even though my stomach churned. “Yes.”

He reached for a folder on his desk and opened it, pulling out a stack of documents. “May I ask who the lucky man is?”

“Liam Musk,” I said.

Mr. Samuel paused, looking thoughtful. “I see. I expected you might choose someone else, perhaps Mr. Baker. But nevertheless, congratulations.”

“Thank you,” I replied, my tone light though my mind was heavy.

The next hour passed in a blur of signatures and legal words. Mr. Samuel brought in document after document, and I signed them carefully. By the end, my hand ached, but I did not care. I took the folder, my hands trembling slightly, and said, “Thank you, Mr. Samuel.”

“You’re welcome, Mrs. Musk,” he said, his smile genuine. “Congratulations on your marriage. I wish you a happy married life.”

His words felt like a punch to the gut. A happy married life? That was the last thing on my mind. Still, I forced a smile, clutching the folder to my chest as I left the office.

As I stepped into the elevator, the weight of the folder felt like a victory. Finally, after weeks of planning and scheming, I had what I needed. The inheritance was within reach. The power was mine.

This was my game now. And I wasn’t just playing to win—I was playing to destroy.

Let the games begin.