Chapter 5

Genevieve POV

Finally, I looked back at Elijah. “Fine. I’ll help you investigate my father.”

He nodded once. “Good. We would both be sharing this penthouse.”

“Don’t you own another house?”

“I do but it would be rather suspicious if an engaged couple preparing to marry in a few days lived in separate houses.”

I opened my mouth, then closed it. Unfortunately, he had a point.

For the rest of the afternoon, we barely spoke to each other.

I occupied myself with my phone, while Elijah worked through several documents and answered calls.

A few hours later, the doorbell rang.

Elijah stood up to get the door. “That’s my lawyer.”

A few minutes later, his lawyer placed a folder on the coffee table.

“The agreement is ready,” he said. “Both parties should read it carefully before signing.”

Elijah nodded. “Thank you.”

Once the lawyer had left, I picked up the folder and began reading.

The contract outlined our obligations, the conditions of our arrangement, and the expectations we were to maintain throughout the marriage.

I frowned at one clause. “What’s this? This section says neither party is obligated to disclose personal activities unrelated to the marriage.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“Nothing. I just want to be sure you won’t use that clause to interfere with our investigation.”

He took the document from me, examined the section, and returned it.

“Then we’ll clarify that information relevant to our investigation must be shared.”

I nodded. “Good.”

I finally signed my name and he signed immediately afterward.

The contract was complete. I leaned back and released a slow breath.

Then I noticed the ring. I removed it from my finger and held it out to him.

“Here. Take it back.”

He looked at the ring, and something in his expression shifted.

“Be careful with the ring. It belonged to my late mother.”

I looked down at it again. “Then I really shouldn’t be wearing it.”

“I said you should keep it.”

“And I said I don’t want it.” I dropped the ring onto the table. “Then it can stay there.”

“We need to get married as soon as possible. Our fathers already know about the engagement. Neither of them is going to sit quietly and watch us ruin their plans.”

For once, I agreed with him completely. “Then let’s get it over with.”

—

“Where are we going?” I asked as Elijah drove through the city.

“To get your wedding dress.”

I turned toward him. “My what?”

“Your wedding dress, Genevieve. Unless you intend to get married wearing your pajamas.”

I glared at him. “You could have told me before dragging me into your car.”

“You would have complained either way.”

“That’s not the point.”

He ignored me and reached for his phone.

“Have you informed the press?” he asked after placing a call.

I listened as he spoke to his assistant.

“Make the announcement today. Genevieve Beaumont and I will be getting married in three days.”

I nearly choked. “Three days?”

He covered the phone briefly and looked at me. “Do you have a problem with that?”

“Yes! I haven’t even chosen a dress!”

“That’s why we’re going to the boutique.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

He returned to his call. “Make sure the announcement reaches the major outlets. I want it public by this evening.”

He ended the call and returned his attention to the road.

I looked out the window, trying to calm myself.

I was getting married in three days to a man I barely knew, and the only reason I had agreed was because I wanted revenge against my father.

What could possibly go wrong?

When we arrived at the boutique, a sales assistant welcomed us inside.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Harrington. How may we assist you?”

“I need a wedding dress for Miss Beaumont.”

I immediately turned toward him. “I can pay for my own dress.”

He looked at me. “With what money?”

I stiffened. “I have money.”

“Then you shouldn’t have a problem telling me where it is.”

I clenched my jaw.

I wasn’t going to tell him about my trust fund, especially when I hadn’t decided how much I could trust him.

He glanced at the sales assistant. “Show her the dresses.”

I followed the woman toward the bridal section, muttering under my breath. “Arrogant, controlling, irritating man.”

“Did you say something?” Elijah called from behind me.

“No!”

“Good.”

I wanted to throw something at him. Instead, I focused on the dresses.

The first was too plain. The second had too much lace. The third was beautiful until I noticed the neckline.

The fourth was worse than the first three combined.

I shook my head. “No.”

The sales assistant smiled patiently. “Perhaps you’d like to try another design, Miss Beaumont?”

“Please.”

I moved from one dress to another, inspecting the fabric, the cut, the neckline, and every tiny detail.

Elijah’s patience began to disappear. “How many dresses do you intend to examine?”

“As many as I need.”

“You’ve rejected twelve.”

“Thirteen,” I corrected.

He stared at me while I smiled sweetly. “Pay more attention.”

“Four eyes, are you planning to inspect every dress in this building?”

My smile vanished. “Don’t call me that because I wear glasses!!!”

“Then stop examining dresses as if you’re preparing to submit a report to the board of directors.”

I picked up another gown. “Maybe if you had better taste, I wouldn’t have to.”

He laughed quietly.

I hated him. I really did.

After what felt like an eternity, I finally selected another dress and stepped into the fitting room.

The sales assistant helped me arrange the gown before leaving me to adjust the zipper.

I was still struggling with it when Elijah’s voice came from outside.

“Are you planning to spend the entire day in there?”

“I’m getting married in three days! Can you give me a moment?”

“You’ve had several moments.”

I rolled my eyes and reached behind me again. The zipper refused to cooperate.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered.

“What’s taking so long?”

“Would you like to come in here and do it yourself?”

There was a brief silence. Then he replied, “Don’t tempt me, four eyes.”

I gasped. “I told you not to call me that!”

I finally managed to adjust the gown enough to step out of the fitting room.

Unfortunately, I was too busy fighting with the zipper to notice the person standing directly in front of me.

I collided with him.

My foot slipped, and before I could regain my balance, I fell forward.

“Whoa!”

Elijah caught me, but my momentum sent us both stumbling backward.

The next thing I knew, I landed flat against him.