FAZER LOGINElena had never been particularly interested in another woman's relationship with her fiancé.Especially when the relationship had ended years before she came along.But there was something about Celeste Harrington that refused to leave her thoughts.It wasn't jealousy. At least, that was what Elena kept telling herself.She had no romantic expectations of Adrian. Their agreement was clear, and she had no intention of developing feelings simply because they were spending more time together.Still, she couldn't forget the look on Celeste's face when she saw the ring.It was not the look of a woman congratulating an old friend.It was the look of someone who had just discovered that something she once considered hers had been handed to somebody else.Elena shook her head and returned her attention to the documents spread across her dining table.She had more important things to worry about.The Sterling Foundation had sent an updated proposal, including the event schedule, estimated att
Elena had read the email four times.Not because it was difficult to understand, but because something about the offer bothered her.The Sterling Foundation wanted her to coordinate the visual presentation and guest experience for its upcoming charity fundraiser. It was a good opportunity, especially for someone trying to establish herself in the event planning business.The budget was reasonable. The responsibilities were clearly outlined, and the foundation had promised to provide a team to assist with execution.On paper, it was exactly the kind of opportunity she needed.But Vivian Sterling was the woman behind it.Elena leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling."Why does everything have to be complicated?"Her phone rang.Rebecca."Have you looked through the documents?" her lawyer asked."I'm looking at them right now.""And?""It's a good opportunity. I won't pretend otherwise.""Then what's the problem?"Elena hesitated."The woman who offered me the job is Adrian's
Elena was beginning to regret agreeing to marry Adrian Blackwood.Not because of the money.Not even because of his difficult personality.It was the attention.Everywhere she turned, someone seemed to know about her engagement. Her phone had become a source of constant interruptions, and she had received more messages from strangers in two days than she had received from some of her friends in an entire year.Some people congratulated her.Others wanted to know how she had managed to win Adrian's heart.A few were not interested in being polite.She was scrolling through the comments beneath an online article when her phone rang.Maya.Elena answered."Good morning, beautiful.""Good morning, Mrs. Blackwood."Elena groaned."Please don't start."Maya burst into laughter."What? It's your new title.""It's not my title yet.""Yet," Maya repeated teasingly.Elena shook her head."How are you feeling today?""Better. The nurse said my results are improving."Elena sat up straighter."Re
Elena read the message for the fourth time.Ask Adrian what his uncle knows about your sister.Her thumb hovered over the screen.She wanted to believe it was some cruel joke. Maybe someone had found out about the engagement and decided to scare her. But the photograph of Maya outside the hospital made that difficult to believe.Whoever had sent it knew where her sister was.And that frightened her more than the message itself.She immediately called Maya.The phone rang twice before her sister answered."Hello?""Hey, Maya. Where are you?""In my room. Why?""Are you alone?"There was a pause."Elena, what's going on?""Nothing. I just wanted to check on you.""You're asking strange questions. Is something wrong?"Elena looked at the photograph again.She didn't want to frighten her sister, especially when Maya was already dealing with enough."No. Just promise me you'll be careful. Don't leave the hospital without informing me, and please don't go anywhere with anyone you don't know
Elena woke up to the sound of her phone vibrating repeatedly.She reached for it on the bedside table, still half asleep, and squinted at the screen.Seven missed calls.Three messages from Maya.And one message from an unknown number.She sat up immediately.The messages from Maya were harmless. Her sister had sent her a picture of the breakfast the hospital had served, followed by a complaint about how tasteless it was.Elena smiled briefly before opening the message from the unknown number.Congratulations on your engagement, Miss Hayes. We hope the money is worth it.Her smile disappeared.She read the message again.Then another notification appeared.This time, it was from a news website.BILLIONAIRE ADRIAN BLACKWOOD TO MARRY HIS FORMER ASSISTANTElena stared at the headline.She hadn't announced anything.Neither had Adrian.With a growing sense of unease, she opened the article.A photograph of Adrian and herself entering the Blackwood estate from the previous evening appeared
Elena Hayes had faced angry clients, demanding executives, and three years of Adrian Blackwood's impossible expectations.Yet, as she stood in front of her bedroom mirror on Saturday evening, she felt more nervous than she had ever been in his office.She adjusted the sleeve of her dark blue dress and studied her reflection.The dress was simple but elegant. It hugged her figure without revealing too much, and the small gold earrings she had borrowed from Maya completed the look.She wasn't trying to impress anyone.At least, that was what she kept telling herself.Tonight, she would meet Adrian's family for the first time. They would be told that she was going to marry their billionaire son, a man who had spent three years treating her as little more than an efficient assistant.She could already imagine the questions.Why her?How long had they been seeing each other?What did she know about his family?And the question she feared most: Was she marrying him for his money?Her phone







