Chapter 5.

Clarissa woke up in an unfamiliar room, groaning in pain as she slowly opened her eyes.

Her hand instinctively went to her forehead, rubbing the dull ache there. But as she touched her skin, she felt something warmer, like a bandage.

That's when it hit her—she'd been in an accident. With the realization settling in, Clarissa tried to push herself up, but a sharp grunt escaped her mouth as she pushed herself up too quickly.

"Easy..." a male voice called out, making her snap her head toward the door. A man stood there, watching her with unreadable eyes. His face was blank as he stared at her, pinning her down with his gaze.

Clarissa's heart skipped a beat when their gazes met. She froze, words caught in her throat as she watched him step closer.

He was tall, dressed in black pants and a white shirt with sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His black curly hair framed his face as his brown eyes locked onto hers. "You shouldn't get up like that," he said, his voice calm. "You've been through a lot."

"What—how did I get here?" Clarissa asked, her head still spinning as she tried to focus on him.

The man cleared his throat, his face tense. "I'm Lucas Reed. And... I accidentally ran you over last night. My car was tampered with," he explained, his jaw tightening at the end of his statement.

Clarissa's eyes stayed fixed on him as she processed his words. For a moment, she thought she'd died and this was all some sort of strange afterlife.

Lucas took a step back, his gaze never leaving her. "I'm really sorry for all the trouble and pain I caused. If you need anything, I'll make it right."

Clarissa frowned, her mind racing. "Anything?"

Lucas hesitated, clearly unsure. But he nodded. "Yeah. Anything."

She opened her mouth to speak, but a vibrating sound interrupted her. Lucas quickly pulled out his phone, checking the screen before muttering a string of curses. Looking up at her, he said in a hurry, "Sorry, I need to take this."

Without waiting for a response, he walked toward the window a short distance away.

His voice dropped, full of frustration. "What's going on?"

The worried voice of his grandmother's butler came through. "Your grandmother's causing a scene. She—"

Before he could finish, Lucas's grandmother's angry voice interrupted, grabbing the phone from the butler. "Young man, you better come home with a woman, or I swear, I'll stop taking my meds and drown myself in the bathtub!"

Lucas sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Granny, please don't do this today. I thought we'd talked about it."

His grandmother screeched back, "Talked about what? If you don't bring me a granddaughter-in-law, you'll be buying a black suit soon for my funeral!"

Lucas's expression turned cold. "Can you stop with the death talk? You know I can't—"

She interrupted again, her voice filled with venom. "If you want me to stop, go get a wife, you thirty-year-old bachelor!"

With a deep breath, Lucas ended the call. His brows were tightly joined as he dropped the phone into his pocket, his face tight with frustration.

He turned to Clarissa, who was watching him with wide eyes. He stood there, his jaw clenched, clearly still processing his grandmother's words.

Finally, he spoke, his voice hesitant. "I'm sorry about that.."

Clarissa just stared mindlessly at the handsome stranger. Heavenly and sinfully beautiful?? That was this stranger's middle name.

Lucas cleared his throat, his eyes scanning Clarissa thoroughly too."Can you..."

He paused, running a hand through his hair, embarrassed by what he was about to ask.

"Yes, I can," Clarissa replied, cutting him off before he could continue.

Lucas's eyes widened in surprise. "What are you talking about?"

Clarissa shrugged. "Sorry, I overheard. Are you asking if I can pretend to be your wife? Yes, I can do that."

Lucas stared at her for a moment, his head tilted. "What's your name?"

"Clarissa."

"Clarissa," he repeated, stepping closer. "I'm in a tough spot, and I really need a wife to get my grandmother off my back. I'll pay you for your services—whatever you want."

Clarissa studied him for a long moment. He looked wealthy, maybe even more so than Easton. Her mind briefly went back to the man who had tormented her for so long, to the family that had abandoned her. She clenched her fists.

"I just want one thing," she whispered, her eyes darkening. "Revenge on the people who hurt me."

Lucas was momentarily stunned, his eyes never leaving her face. Her features were delicate, almost angelic, but her words were sharp, full of bitterness. Her eyes, once full of fragility, were now cold.

After a long pause, Lucas nodded. "Fine. You'll be my fake wife for as long as it takes, and in return, I'll help you get your revenge. Deal?"

"Deal."

Not long after, Clarissa was discharged from the hospital. Lucas Reed, the mysterious stranger, drove her out of the hospital in a wheelchair, carefully placing her into his Mercedes Benz.

As the car drove away, Clarissa couldn't help but smile to herself. The smell of wealth surrounded her. He seems richer than Easton. Nice.

The driver got into position, and Lucas joined her in the backseat.

"When we get home, I'll have the contract ready," Lucas said, and she nodded without speaking.

The car made its way out of the hospital grounds. The farther it went, the more Clarissa felt herself being drawn into a new world—one filled with uncertainty and a sense of dread. But the taste of revenge was sweet, and it pushed away any rational thoughts she had.

' They'll all pay for what they did to me. And for killing my unborn child.' That was her mantra.

The car pulled into a large compound, and Clarissa gasped at the sight of the mansion ahead. A tall, black-and-white building stood before her. Lucas, clearly pleased with her reaction, helped her out of the car and into her wheelchair. His driver drove the car toward the garage.

Clarissa took in the mansion's imposing presence, its cold beauty. It lacked warmth, yet, it was impressive.

"Shall we?" Lucas asked, pushing her toward the door.

Clarissa nodded, still in awe.

The maids opened the door, greeting them as they entered. "Welcome home, Mr. Reed."

Lucas didn't respond, his eyes now fixed on a man sitting on the couch in the living room. Clarissa took in the elegant decor as she was wheeled into the living room, but her gaze quickly shifted when she spotted the man.

"Boss Reed..." the man, Mr. Schnitzel, stood up in respect.

Clarissa's eyes widened. Mr Schnitzel??

Clarissa thought to herself aloud. 'Did I hear 'Boss' correctly??'

"Justin..." Lucas said lazily, pointing at Clarissa. "Meet Clarissa."

Clarissa's jaw dropped.

"Clarissa..." Lucas pointed at Justin. "Meet my secretary, Justin Schnitzel."

Clarissa quickly covered her mouth, her mind racing as she connected the dots.

Mr. Schnitzel—the billionaire representing a multinational group where Easton works as a manager. Mr Schnitzel's boss is Lucas Reed, the anonymous CEO of Bluestone Corporation!

Clarissa nearly passed out from the shock. Lucas Reed is Easton Maddox's boss!

Holy Crap!