Chapter Three – Terms of the Devil

Lucas Kane did not lead Ava toward a quiet corner of the banquet hall. Instead, he walked straight out through a side entrance, past two bodyguards who immediately fell into step behind him. Ava followed without hesitation, ignoring the curious glances from guests and the tightening expression on Mark’s face across the room.

The hallway outside was silent.

They entered a private lounge reserved for VIP guests.

The door closed.

The noise of the wedding vanished.

Only the faint hum of the air conditioner remained.

Lucas turned around slowly.

“Sit.”

Ava sat.

Lucas did not.

He leaned against the edge of the desk, arms crossed, eyes fixed on her as though she were an unfamiliar species.

“Start from the beginning,” he said. “And choose your words carefully.”

Ava took a slow breath.

“In three months, I will be accused of embezzling Reed Holdings.”

Lucas’s eyes flickered.

“My fiancé, Mark Collins, will testify against me.”

Lucas said nothing.

“My step-sister, Lily Reed, will claim she witnessed the transfers.”

Lucas’s fingers tapped lightly against the desk.

“I will be sentenced to life imprisonment.”

Ava’s voice did not shake.

“I will die in prison from poisoning.”

Silence filled the room.

Lucas stared at her for a long moment.

“You expect me to believe a reincarnation story?”

“No,” Ava replied. “I expect you to verify facts.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

“Go on.”

“Check the financial authority levels inside Reed Holdings,” Ava said. “You’ll find Mark holds unrestricted transfer privileges.”

Lucas’s gaze sharpened slightly.

“Check surveillance logs in the Collins residence basement,” Ava continued. “You’ll find Lily entering Mark’s bedroom repeatedly after midnight.”

Lucas did not interrupt.

“Check the offshore accounts under the name Blue Harbor Holdings,” Ava said. “They belong to Mark, but the funds originate from Reed Holdings.”

Lucas slowly straightened.

“These are specific.”

Ava met his eyes.

“Because I lived through the outcome.”

Lucas studied her as if trying to peel apart every layer of her existence.

“You gain protection,” he said slowly. “What do I gain?”

Ava did not hesitate.

“A legally recognized wife.”

Lucas’s eyes narrowed.

“Explain.”

“My understanding is that Kane Group’s inheritance clause requires a legally married heir to assume full control,” Ava said. “Otherwise, the board retains temporary authority.”

The room went silent.

This time, the silence was heavier.

Lucas took a step toward her.

“That information is not public.”

Ava’s heartbeat remained steady.

“In my past life, you were forced into an arranged engagement eight months from now.”

Lucas stopped.

For the first time, his composure cracked.

Just slightly.

“You investigated Reed Holdings after my conviction,” Ava continued. “You suspected something was wrong. But pressure from your family forced you to halt the investigation.”

Lucas stared at her.

The air felt sharp.

“Why would I care about you?” he asked coldly.

Ava answered calmly.

“Because I was a convenient scapegoat.”

Lucas’s lips pressed into a thin line.

Ava continued, “If Mark succeeds in swallowing Reed Holdings, he becomes powerful enough to enter Kane Group’s investment circle. He becomes a future threat.”

Lucas did not deny it.

Ava leaned forward slightly.

“I can become your excuse.”

Lucas looked at her.

“Excuse?”

“You need a wife,” Ava said. “I need protection.”

“Our enemies overlap.”

“Temporary alliance.”

Lucas stared at her for several seconds.

Then he laughed softly.

A low, dangerous sound.

“You’re asking me to marry you on your wedding day to another man.”

“Yes.”

“And you think I’ll accept.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Ava met his gaze.

“Because you’re not a sentimental man.”

“You’re a businessman.”

“You don’t reject profitable investments.”

Silence returned.

Lucas’s eyes darkened.

“Let’s assume I agree.”

“State your terms.”

Ava did not hesitate.

“One-year contract.”

“Public marriage.”

“No interference in each other’s private relationships.”

“Mutual protection.”

“After one year, peaceful divorce.”

Lucas considered.

“My terms,” he said slowly.

“No emotional involvement.”

“Absolute loyalty.”

“You move into my residence.”

“You follow my public schedule.”

Ava nodded.

“Agreed.”

Lucas stared at her.

“Final condition.”

“If you betray me…”

“I will personally destroy you.”

Ava did not flinch.

“If I betray you,” she said calmly, “I deserve it.”

Lucas studied her face.

Then he turned toward the door.

“Come.”

Ava stood.

“Where?”

“To cancel your wedding.”

Ava’s lips curved faintly.

“No.”

Lucas paused.

Ava continued, “Let the wedding proceed.”

Lucas turned back slowly.

“You want to marry two men in one day?”

“I want Mark to believe he has won,” Ava said. “So he lowers his guard.”

“Tonight, after the ceremony, I will disappear.”

Lucas stared at her.

Then smiled.

“You’re cruel.”

Ava replied softly.

“I learned from the best.”

Lucas walked to the door.

“I’ll have my lawyer draft the contract.”

Ava followed him.

As the door opened, noise from the banquet flooded back.

Music.

Laughter.

Celebration.

Lucas glanced at her.

“Once you step into my world, there’s no turning back.”

Ava looked toward Mark across the hall.

Mark was smiling.

Waiting.

Expecting.

Ava smiled back.

“I already died once,” she said quietly.

“What’s there to be afraid of?”

Lucas watched her for a moment.

Then said, “Welcome aboard, Mrs. Kane.”