LOGIN~ ALISTAIR ~
The cold air inside the basement was heavy with tension and the faint metallic scent of blood.
Two men knelt on the floor, their wrists bound behind them. One had a split lip; the other, a swelling eye. They looked like rats caught in a trap—cornered and reeking of fear.
I stood a few feet away, sleeves rolled up, the faint smear of blood dried on my knuckles.
These thugs were
~ ISLA ~The car rolled up the familiar driveway after long hours on the road, and the fresh New Jersey air brushed against my cheeks as we stepped out.Ahead, Grandma’s house stood modest but warm, the early winter sun reflecting off the windows.My heart raced with anticipation. The last time we were here was for her birthday. And the thought that this was the place where I had finally become Alistair’s woman made my cheeks warm.More than anything, though, I couldn’t wait to see my grandmother.Evan began hauling the bags from the front seat, then moved to the trunk for the boxes Alistair had insisted on bringing.I turned to Alistair, who was already adjusting his coat, his expression calm but expectant.“Ready?” he asked softly.I nodded with a bright smile. “Let’s go.”We walked up the steps together, hand in hand. Before reaching the door, I called out excitedly, “Grandma!”No one answered. I was about to press the doorbell when the door suddenly swung open—but it wasn’t my gra
~ ISLA ~Weekend mornings felt different. Quieter and lighter.Evan drove smoothly along the highway toward New Jersey, the bustling city slowly fading behind us. The skyline grew smaller in the rearview mirror, replaced by open roads and stretches of winter trees.Beside me, Alistair was unusually relaxed. One hand rested on my lap, while the other scrolled through his phone occasionally. In the front seat and the trunk were neatly arranged gift boxes—expensive tea sets, silk shawls, imported pastries, and even a new massage chair he had insisted on ordering for Grandma.“She’ll scold you for spending too much,” I muttered, glancing at the pile.My grandmother had never cared much for material things. But Alistair had gone all out this time. Although these things were barely a cent of his wealth, it was still overwhelming.He smirked faintly. “She’ll scold me and then brag about it to her neighbors.”I couldn’t help but smile. He wasn’t wrong about it. The last time they met, Grandma
~ ISLA ~The coffee shop was anything but cold.Or maybe it was just me.Bethany sat across from me at a small round table near the window. Afternoon light filtered through the glass, soft and golden, but it did nothing to ease the tension between us.This was the first time she didn’t look intimidating. She looked… diminished. Her polished composure had been replaced with a humble demeanor. And it felt strange seeing her this way. I wasn’t used to it. I couldn’t help but wonder if she was deliberately presenting herself like this so I would soften toward her.I kept my back straight as I looked at her, maintaining a neutral expression. “What did you mean when you said this is about my mother?”Her throat moved as she swallowed, gripping the cup of coffee she hadn’t touched.“You deserve to know the truth,” she said quietly.A cold smile touched my lips, but deep inside, my heart skipped a beat. “That would be new.”She took a deep breath before speaking. “Your mother… she was my sis
~ ISLA ~Lunch with Alistair felt nothing short of warm and comforting.For two hours, I sat across from him, feeling like a queen as he served me different dishes. Each of his movements was careful and elegant, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him.Even now, everything still feels surreal. From the moment I was sold by my family to the most powerful family in New York, I had expected to suffer at Alistair’s hands. But what happened was the complete opposite. I was pampered and protected by the very merciless billionaire everyone had warned me about.Lunch went on, and we talked only about ordinary things—his plans for the weekend, surprising Grandma, small details that felt almost domestic.I was already beaming at the thought of it.This was the first time I had truly seen Alistair’s considerate side without the shadow of business looming over him. I secretly wished we could stay this way forever, though I knew it was impossible for us.After lunch, reality returned. I had to go back
~ ISLA ~I still couldn’t process what had just happened.The boardroom. The letter. The fifteen percent shares. And my name written on that piece of paper.My mind buzzed as the realization finally hit me. I had walked into that room as nothing more than Alistair’s “contracted” wife. I had walked out as a new shareholder of Montgomery Group. And I didn’t even understand how.Alistair guided me quietly down the hallway toward his office after the meeting ended. The employees we passed lowered their heads respectfully. A few even offered hesitant congratulations.To me. But it felt misplaced.When we entered his office and the doors closed softly behind us, the silence suddenly felt heavier than it had in the boardroom. His office was massive—but somehow, it felt more intimidating than personal space ever should feel. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entirety of New York, the afternoon glow spilling across the marble-tiled floors.And there I was, standing beside his executive c
~ ALISTAIR ~The silence after my words did not last long.Mr. Taylor stepped fully into the room, his presence alone calm yet commanding. The two legal representatives accompanying him remained near the door—quiet but unmistakably official.He placed the leather portfolio on the table and adjusted his cufflinks before speaking.“For those who may not know me,” he began, his tone professional and measured, “I am Attorney William Taylor, legal counsel to the old Lady Margot and the late Mr. Albert Montgomery.”At the mention of Lady Margot’s name, several directors straightened subtly. But what amused me most was Rebecca’s reaction.The color drained slightly from her face. She looked completely unprepared for William’s sudden appearance.My grandmother had always been cautious when it came to our family’s assets. That elderly woman had been sharper than anyone in this room. She must have foreseen this battle over inheritance long before it began.Although the Montgomerys had several l







