Chapter 9: THE DEVIL'S OFFER

“Chloe, sit down.”

My father's voice was calm, but the anger beneath it was impossible to miss.

Chloe stood beside Marcus, her fingers nervously twisting the bracelet around her wrist. Marcus, on the other hand, looked completely composed.

The forged authorization form lay on my father's desk.

“Would you care to explain why your name appears on this document?” Dad asked Chloe.

She glanced at the paper before looking at me.

“I already explained. Elena asked Marcus to help her.”

“I never did,” I replied.

Marcus sighed. “Elena, this is getting ridiculous. You know how much pressure you've been under lately. Perhaps you simply forgot.”

“I may forget where I leave my keys, Marcus, but I don't forget signing documents that give someone access to my family's confidential accounts.”

His expression tightened.

Then he reached into his jacket and placed his phone on the desk.

“I anticipated this argument. I have a recording.”

He pressed play.

My voice filled the room.

“Marcus, I trust you. You can handle the arrangements for me.”

For a moment, nobody spoke.

It sounded like me. The tone, the pronunciation, even the slight pause before the word arrangements.

But something was wrong.

I listened again, carefully.

“Where did you get that recording?” I asked.

“From our conversation last week.”

“That isn't the original recording.”

His eyebrows lifted. “And how would you know?”

“Because I never said those words to you in that order.”

Marcus gave a humorless laugh. “Are you accusing me of fabricating evidence?”

“I'm saying the original recording should be examined before anyone accepts it as proof.”

My father picked up the phone.

“That's enough. Mr. Bennett will forward this document and recording to our legal department. Until the investigation is complete, Marcus will have no access to Hart Group's accounts.”

Marcus's jaw tightened.

“Richard, surely we don't need to turn a family misunderstanding into a legal battle.”

“It's no longer a family misunderstanding when someone attempts to access my company's private accounts.”

Chloe stepped forward.

“Dad, please. Marcus was only trying to help.”

I turned towards her.

“Then why did you confirm that I signed something you never saw me sign?”

Her lips parted, but no answer came.

For the first time, I noticed something in her eyes that looked less like innocence and more like fear.

Marcus took her hand.

“We're leaving. There's no point arguing when Elena has already made up her mind.”

He looked at me before walking out.

“This isn't over.”

I held his gaze.

“I know.”

After they left, my father sank into his chair.

“I don't know what to believe anymore,” he admitted.

The words hurt more than I expected.

In my previous life, I had lost him. I had watched the people we trusted destroy everything, and I had been powerless to save him.

Now he was sitting in front of me, alive, yet I could see how deeply this situation was affecting him.

I moved closer and hugged him.

“Dad, please don't sign anything Marcus brings you. Let Mr. Bennett verify every document first.”

He wrapped his arms around me.

“I promise.”

I closed my eyes.

This time, I wouldn't lose him.

The following afternoon, I received an invitation to a private business reception at the Sterling Hotel.

Several influential investors would be attending. I wasn't particularly interested in socializing, but the guest list caught my attention.

Damian Wolfe.

The thirty-one-year-old billionaire had built an empire powerful enough to influence entire industries. Some called him ruthless. Others called him untouchable.

Marcus had once mentioned him with admiration and envy.

I decided to attend.

If someone was quietly targeting Hart Group, a room filled with powerful investors might reveal something useful.

I had barely entered the reception hall when I spotted Marcus.

Chloe stood beside him in a sparkling silver dress.

Wonderful.

Marcus noticed me immediately and started walking towards me.

“Elena, we need to talk.”

“I'm not interested.”

He caught my wrist.

“Stop making a scene. You're going to listen to me.”

“Let go.”

His grip tightened.

Before I could pull away, a deep voice interrupted us.

“She asked you to let go.”

Marcus turned.

The change in his expression was immediate.

“Mr. Wolfe.”

Damian stood behind him, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. His expression was cold, his presence commanding.

“I believe you heard her,” Damian said.

Marcus released my wrist at once.

“Of course.”

“Now, if you don't mind, give her some space.”

Marcus swallowed. “We were having a private conversation.”

“Then I suggest you learn to recognize when a conversation is over.”

For a moment, Marcus looked as though he wanted to argue. But he didn't.

Nobody challenged Damian Wolfe without considering the consequences.

Chloe approached with a bright smile.

“Mr. Wolfe, it's lovely to see you again.”

“Miss Hart.”

That was all he said.

His attention returned to me.

“Shall we?”

I hesitated, then walked beside him.

Behind us, Marcus remained silent.

For once, he wasn't the most powerful man in the room.

Damian led me towards a quieter section of the balcony.

“You don't seem surprised to see me,” he observed.

“I knew you were on the guest list.”

“And you came because of me?”

“I came because I'm interested in finding out who's trying to interfere with Hart Group.”

His expression changed slightly.

“Your father has enemies.”

“Most successful businessmen do.”

“Someone recently approached one of my associates with an offer to purchase a substantial portion of Hart Group's shares.”

My stomach tightened.

“Who?”

“Not Marcus Cole.”

I stared at him.

“Then who?”

“Someone much closer to your father.”

The words settled heavily between us.

“Do you have proof?”

“Not enough to give you a name. Yet.”

I disliked how calmly he said it.

“Why are you telling me?”

“Because I have a proposal.”

I folded my arms.

“I'm listening.”

“My family has been pressuring me to enter an arranged marriage. I have no intention of doing so.”

“And what does that have to do with me?”

“I need a fiancée.”

I almost laughed.

“You can't be serious.”

“I'm entirely serious. A public engagement would put an end to the pressure from my family. In exchange, I can give you access to influential people, resources, and information that may help you protect Hart Group.”

“So you want me to pretend to love you?”

“I want you to pretend we're engaged. Love isn't part of the agreement.”

I studied his face.

There was something unsettling about Damian Wolfe. He never seemed to say more than necessary, and I suspected he knew far more than he was revealing.

“And what happens when I refuse?”

“Then you walk away. I won't force you.”

At least he was honest about that.

“I'll consider your proposal,” I said.

A faint smile touched his lips.

“I expected nothing less.”

Before I could respond, my phone vibrated.

An unknown number.

You're making a terrible mistake by getting close to Damian Wolfe.

My fingers tightened around the phone.

Another message arrived.

Ask your father what happened between him and the Wolfe family fifteen years ago.

Fifteen years ago.

The year my mother died.

I slowly lifted my eyes towards Damian.

He was already watching me.

For the first time since I had met him, his expression wasn't cold or unreadable.

He looked almost afraid.

And suddenly, I wasn't sure whether Damian Wolfe was offering me a way to save my family…

Or leading me straight into the secret that had destroyed it.