chapter three

Madison’s POV

The next day felt like a storm brewing under a deceptively clear sky.

Sophia flitted around the house in a frenzy, trying on dress after dress, tossing shoes across her room like a madwoman. Her squeals of excitement echoed down the hall, and I couldn't help but smirk behind my door.

Let her think tonight will be hers.

Let her think she’s won.

Meanwhile, I had my own plans to set into motion.

At exactly 5:30 PM, I slipped out of my room, dressed simply but stunningly: a black off-shoulder dress that clung to my figure like a second skin, paired with silver stilettos. My hazel eyes were sharper than ever, outlined with a smoky touch of makeup, my brown hair cascading down my back in soft waves.

Tonight, I wasn’t Madison the pushover. Tonight, I was Madison Harper — the woman who would turn their world upside down.

I pulled out the invitation Sophia had carelessly left on the kitchen counter earlier:

Venue: R&B Hotel.

Time: 6:00 PM.

Perfect.

Sophia, oblivious in her self-obsessed haze, barely noticed me as she scampered into the house to change one last time. I grabbed my keys and slipped out quietly.

As I drove to the R&B Hotel, the city lights blurred past me. My heart thudded hard, not from fear... but from anticipation.

This was it. The first move in my game.

The R&B Hotel was even grander in person, its glass façade shimmering like a jewel under the setting sun. Valets in crisp suits opened doors as I walked in, my heels clicking against the marble floor with every step.

Inside the restaurant, a waiter approached politely.

“Miss Madison Harper?” he asked.

I smiled. “Yes.”

“This way, please.”

I followed him across the floor, passing candlelit tables and couples speaking in hushed tones. My breath caught slightly as I spotted him... Richard Benjamin — seated alone by the window.

He was even more breathtaking in person. Sharp features, jet-black hair, a jawline so defined it looked like it was carved from stone. His blue eyes flicked up to me as I approached — piercing, unreadable, almost... curious.

He stood up, extending a hand.

"You're not Sophia Harper."

I smiled sweetly, slipping my hand into his. "No, I’m not. I’m Madison Harper — Sophia’s sister."

A flicker of something ... amusement? — crossed his face as he gestured for me to sit.

"I take it there’s a reason for this switch?" he asked, voice smooth and commanding.

I leaned in, resting my chin lightly on my hand. "Yes. I have a proposition for you, Mr. Benjamin."

His interest clearly piqued. "Go on."

"I know your family is pressuring you to get married. And I also know you despise being manipulated into anything."

He smirked slightly — the first crack in his stoic mask. "Accurate."

"Well, I’m offering you a way out. Marry me instead of Sophia. In exchange, I’ll give you a controlling share in the Harper Hotel chain."

For a second, he just stared at me — assessing, weighing, calculating.

"You’re serious," he said finally, a glint of admiration flashing behind those cold eyes.

"As serious as a heart attack," I said, smiling sweetly.

He leaned back, studying me like a chess master sizing up an unexpected opponent.

“Well, Miss Harper, in case you didn't notice, I’m a billionaire. The richest one in this country, to be exact," he said casually. "As tempting as your offer sounds... I want something more."

"What more could I possibly give you?" I asked, confused.

He smirked, pulling out a hotel room key card and placing it on the table before me.

"What do you think?" he said, a huge grin spreading across his face.

I stared at the card, my mind racing. Doubt clawed at me for a moment — should I go through with this?

I almost faltered... until I saw her.

Sophia.

Walking into the hotel, her eyes scanning until they landed directly on us. She hurried over, looking both puzzled and nervous.

"Sis! What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice high and fake.

I stood up, casually plucking the room key from the table and holding it up between two fingers, right in front of her face.

"Oh, we were just about to use this," I said smoothly. "Please excuse us."

I turned slightly to gauge Richard’s reaction. He stood up with a slight smile, walking over and snaking his arm around my waist.

"Sorry, Miss Sophia," he said smoothly. "As you can see, we were about to get... busy. But it was nice meeting you."

Without another word, we headed for the elevators — not missing the devastated look on Sophia’s face.

As the elevator doors slid shut, the nervousness I'd buried started to creep back up.

Heading upstairs, my stomach twisted in knots. We reached the highest floor, where his penthouse condo was. I stepped out of the elevator, hesitating in front of the door.

Richard chuckled softly behind me.

"Miss Harper, are we going to keep standing here... or are you going to open it?"

I blinked, realizing I was still holding the key card.

My hand shook slightly as I tried to open the door, but the key slipped from my fingers. Richard caught it easily.

"You should never show nervousness during business, Madison," he said smoothly. "Or your enemies will eat you alive."

He casually swiped the card and opened the door, gesturing for me to step inside.

He moved straight to the sleek desk in the living room, where a laptop sat waiting, and turned to face me.

"So," he said, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"Let’s talk business."