Chapter 7: Hunter vs. Hunter.

“Do I have to repeat myself?” Scott’s gaze bore into the guard.

“Or does he have to do it for you?” He gestured to Gerry.

Gerry moved his arms from his sides and locked them in front, a silent threat.

The guard released Emily’s arm.

It was too late to play it cool—the whole lobby was watching now.

He hadn’t planned to be so vocal, but when he’d seen Emily surrounded, a security guard’s hand on her arm, something unexplainable and uncontrollable had shifted in him.

He’d spoken before he’d even registered Ian’s presence.

“Wife?” Ian threw his head back and laughed. “I mean I knew you were slow, I didn’t think you were straight-up mentally impaired”

Scott ignored him, adjusted his suit, and headed straight for Emily. Gerry followed.

“Are you okay?” He touched her face gently.

The pain in her eyes was unmistakable. She nodded.

A feeling rose in Scott—not pity. No. Anger toward whoever had put that look there.

He turned to face Ian and the woman beside him. Who he figured was the secretary Ian had left Emily for.

“Yes. Wife. We are engaged.” He took Emily’s hand gently. “And she has as much right to be here as anyone.”

Ian’s expression shifted—confusion melting into something darker. Disbelief.

His eyes darted from Emily to Scott and back, piecing it together.

Then his face twisted with anger. He stepped closer. Scott held his ground.

A standoff.

“I don’t know who you think—”

The elevator dinged, cutting him off.

“Glad to see you’re both on time.” Simon stepped out, gesturing down the hallway. “Shall we?”

Ian’s jaw clenched. “This isn’t over.” He straightened his jacket and strode toward the conference room.

Scott released Emily. She turned to leave.

He stopped her, leaning close to whisper in her ear. “You’re coming with me. Remember—we have to make it look real.”

He slid his arm around her waist and guided her down the hall.

When they entered the conference room, Ian and Jane were already seated. Scott and Emily took the chairs across from them. That suspicious look still lingered on Ian’s face.

Simon sat at the head of the table. “Let’s begin.”

He adjusted his glasses. “Before signing, both parties must disclose current financial positions to establish the baseline for Clause Two.”

He glanced at Ian. “Mr. Ian Hunter, Ian The Great Manufacturing currently reports annual revenue of five billion dollars. Your personal net worth is nine hundred million dollars.”

“Beat that,” Ian muttered.

Simon’s gaze shifted. “Mr. Scott Hunter, Horizon Innovative Motors reports annual revenue of two billion dollars. Your personal net worth is four billion dollars.”

Scott watched the color drain from Ian’s face. His half-brother’s jaw dropped—just for a second—before snapping shut.

Four billion. Ian’s eyes said it all.

Scott had expected shock. Maybe denial. But the raw jealousy burning in Ian’s expression was just as satisfying.

That’s right. Scott thought. I’m worth more than you’ll ever be. And I did it without the Hunter name.

“To satisfy Clause Two,” Simon continued, “each party must demonstrate a fifty-percent increase in revenue or valuation within twelve months. Sign these documents if you wish to proceed. They contain the fair play agreement and NDA.”

Both men signed and slid the papers toward Simon.

“The inheritance race begins now.” Simon gathered his files and stood. “Progress reviews will be conducted in six months by myself and the board.” He left.

Silence settled over the room like fog.

Scott met Ian’s gaze—intense, bloodshot, seething.

He wasn’t fazed. He glanced at Emily.

She sat with her head down, avoiding Jane’s eyes.

Time to leave.

Scott stood. Ian rose immediately after.

A sequel to the standoff.

“Why are you really here?” Ian’s voice was ice. “You don’t even need this. You’re already—”

“Who wouldn’t want a seventy-billion-dollar empire?” Scott interrupted.

“You’re a greedy, delusional bastard if you think you’re getting any of this.”

“Watch me.”

Emily’s voice cut through the tension. “Babe, we have to go.”

Scott softened, she’d never called him that.

But it only heightened the absurdity of the moment—everyone suddenly aware of how impossible this was.

“No one was talking to you, gold digging slut” Jane spat.

“Stay out of this, Jane!” Ian snapped.

Scott saw her flinch.

Ian’s gaze shot to Emily, then back to Scott. Suspicion hardened his features.

“Something’s off here.”

“Prove it,” Scott bluffed.

“I will. And when I do, when I find out you two are scheming against me, you’ll be disqualified for violating fair play.” Ian smiled, cold and calculating.

The words caught Scott off guard. He almost froze but recovered quickly, masking his unease with a taunting smile.

“Admit defeat now, it’ll be easier on your massive ego”

The bastard’s smart. Scott thought.

If anyone discovered the marriage was a contract, his reputation would be over.

Then Emily’s hand closed around his.

She turned him toward her, breaking the standoff.

Then she leaned in and kissed him.

Scott froze for millisecond. Her lips were soft, insistent, utterly unexpected. She tasted like desperation and revenge—a combination that should’ve annoyed him.

It didn’t.

His hands moved to her waist, pulling her closer before his brain caught up. The kiss deepened. She made a small sound against his mouth—calculated, he knew, designed to sell the performance.

It sent heat through him anyway.

When she pulled back, their eyes locked.

Hers were cold. Calculating. Empty of desire.

Something in Scott’s chest tightened.

Then she looked at Ian.

Scott followed her gaze.

His half-brother stood frozen, face twisted with raw, undeniable jealousy.

Well played. Scott thought.

If she wanted games, he had a few plays of his own.

Scott took Emily’s hand and glanced at Ian and Jane—both still stunned into silence.

Then he led Emily out.

Whatever she’d done had worked. They looked like they’d been turned to stone.

The walk to the car was silent. Emily kept her eyes down, withdrawn. Back to her guarded self.

It made him wonder who had kissed him in that room.

Gerry opened the door. They slid inside.

As soon as they were seated, Emily turned to face him.

“That can never happen again.”