INICIAR SESIÓNElijah’s POVThe first thing I noticed was her scent. Lavender… It was soft, pleasant, and annoyingly distracting.Genevieve was still lying against me, staring into my eyes as though she had forgotten how to move.For someone who had spent the past few days arguing with me about practically everything, she had suddenly become very quiet.“Are you planning to stay there all day?” I asked.Her eyes widened, and she immediately pushed herself away from me.“Of course not!”“Good. I was beginning to think you’d decided to make yourself comfortable.”She straightened her dress and glared at me. “You could have been a little more careful.”“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you intended to throw yourself at me.”Her mouth fell open. “I did not throw myself at you!”“Then perhaps you should learn to walk without attacking innocent people.”She folded her arms. “You’re unbelievable.”“And you’re still standing here arguing with me.”She looked down at the dress before lifting her chin. “Anyway, I’
Genevieve POVFinally, 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
Genevieve’s POVBefore my palm could connect with his face, Elijah caught my wrist.His grip was firm, and his expression turned dangerously cold. “Don’t ever raise your hand at me again.”I glared at him, refusing to show how much his reaction had startled me. “Then stop talking to me like I’m worthless.”“Perhaps you should stop behaving like someone who has never heard the truth.”My mouth fell open. “Excuse me?”“You heard me.”I tried to pull my hand free, but he held it for another second before releasing me.I rubbed my wrist and glared at him. “You’re insufferable.”“And you’re homeless. Shall we continue exchanging insults, or would you prefer to come inside?”I wanted to slap him again. But unfortunately, he wasn’t wrong.I had nowhere else to go. Everything I owned, including the clothes in my wardrobe and the roof over my head, had been provided by my father. The only thing that was technically mine was a trust fund he had signed over to me years ago.I wasn’t about to tel
Genevieve POV“I hate you!” My scream echoed through my bedroom as another flower vase crashed against the wall.The expensive porcelain shattered into dozens of pieces, scattering across the polished floor.I didn’t care. I grabbed the nearest lamp and threw that too and it smashed against the wardrobe with a loud bang.My chest rose and fell violently as tears blurred my vision. “I hate all of you!”No one answered. No one ever did. For two days, I had been locked inside my own bedroom like a prisoner.The only people allowed to see me were the maids who brought my meals.The windows were locked and the balcony door was chained. Security guards stood outside my bedroom and around the mansion.Even if I somehow escaped the room, I might never make it past the front gate.I kicked the edge of my bed in frustration. “This can’t be happening.”Two days ago, I was the future owner of Beaumont Holdings. Now I was nothing more than my father’s hostage.The thought made my blood boil again.
Genevieve pov"What?" The word left Elijah's mouth so calmly that I almost regretted asking the question.I stared at him with wide eyes, wishing I could pull those ridiculous words back into my mouth.Marry him? Out of every insane idea I could have come up with tonight, that had to be the worst one.I rubbed my forehead and let out a frustrated sigh. "I know how that sounded."He took another sip of his drink without taking his eyes off me. "It sounded exactly like a marriage proposal." He said."It was." I said as silence settled between us.The fountain nearby continued to splash quietly while music from the ballroom drifted into the night air.He didn't laugh and he didn't look confused either. Instead, he simply looked at me as if he were evaluating a business proposal.Finally, he spoke. "Why would I marry you?"That simple question made my emotions explode again. I looked back toward the brightly lit mansion where everyone was celebrating Franklin, a company that is supposed t
Genevieve POV“You promised me!” I yelled as his eyes turned cold and before I realized what was happening, his hand struck my face.The slap echoed through the hallway as pain spread across my cheek instantly.I stared at my father in shock as he adjusted his suit calmly. “Plans have changed.”That was all he said, then turned and walked away, leaving me standing there humiliated, heartbroken and furious.A few minutes earlier…“Ladies and gentlemen.” The room erupted into applause.“I want to thank all of you for joining us tonight to celebrate my daughter’s birthday.”More applause followed as I smiled proudly.“Genevieve has worked very hard throughout her life.” My chest filled with pride. Coming from him, those words meant everything.The photographers moved closer as camera flashes lit the ballroom.Then my father lifted a thick folder into the air. My pulse quickened immediately knowing that’s the stock transfer document.I could recognize it anywhere! This was really happenin







