Ste looked at them, her expression heavy with conflict. "Antoney, Lauretta... how do you want to handle this?"


    Lauretta took a deep, shuddering breath. "Mr. Watson was just coteral damage in a hit meant for me. So... he doesn''t have to take responsibility for any of this."


    Abby, entirely unable to filter herself, blurted out, "But the story is already out there! It''s blowing up as we speak.


    If you two just admit you''re dating, we can spin it. But if you walk away and say it was nothing, Lauretta''s reputation is going to bepletely trashed."


    This was basically the equivalent of getting caught having an illicit affair.


    Abby muttered under her breath, "Lauretta, your fake friend is absolutely ruthless. She''s throwing you straight to the wolves."


    The world was always infinitely harsher on women when it came to scandals.


    Lauretta had only just broken off her engagement with Jonathan, and now she was caught in a hotel room with another man.


    If they were dating, fine. But if they weren''t... the media would tear her to shreds.


    Ste turned to Antoney. "What do you think we should do?"


    Antoney met Ste''s eyes and fell dead silent.


    After a long, agonizing pause, his voice came out rough and raspy. "I... I''ll make this right."


    He turned slowly to face Lauretta.


    "Ms. Chapman, let''s get married."


    The very next day, the Watson family officially announced their engagement to the Chapman family.


    The night air was cool and crisp.


    A woman''s slender silhouette cast a long, wavering shadow under the moonlight. Led by Jake, she pushed open the heavy double doors and stepped into the room. Inside, a strikingly handsome young man lounged gracefully on the sofa. He looked as if he were fighting off a headache, his eyes closed as he massaged his temples. Yet, even in this rxed state, he radiated an air of dangerous elegance thatmanded absolute terror.


    "Mr. Gardner."


    N Dney didn''t dare look at him for more than a second. He was undeniably the most breathtaking man she had ever seen, but every time she was in his presence, she couldn''t stop herself from trembling. The fear seeped all the way into her bones.


    The man slowly lifted his head, his gazending on her.


    It was a casual nce, but it felt as heavy and sharp as a physical de.


    N''s breath hitched in her throat.


    His voice was cold, crisp, and beautifully lethal.


    "You did well."


    N didn''t dare take the credit. She stammered out, "You were ten steps ahead, Mr. Gardner. The n only seeded because of your brilliance..."


    Joshua stared at her. "Throwing away a lifelong friendship with Lauretta just like that. Don''t you think it''s a bit of a shame?"


    N forced a bitter smile. "It is. But when ites down to my family''s survival, personal feelings don''t mean a thing."


    "Did Lauretta suspect anything?" Joshua asked.


    N shook her head. "I don''t think so. Before making the move, I contacted the guy I used to like and had him pursue her again. I made sure to y up my jealousy right in front of her.


    She''ll absolutely believe I set her up over a petty rivalry."


    N was Lauretta''s childhood best friend.


    It was true that the guy she liked had always carried a torch for Lauretta, but she had never actually cared enough to destroy her best friend over it.


    The only reason she had betrayed Lauretta was that her family


    facing total financial ruin-andhet


    devil sitting in front of her was the only one who could save them.


    Joshua gave a curt nod. "I''ve already had the contracts for the Dney family drawn


    up. If you need anything else, talk to Jake."


    N bowed her head. "Thank you, Mr. Gardner."


    "You''re dismissed."


    Keeping her eyes fixed on the floor, N backed out of the room.


    The second the doors clicked shut, she wiped ayer of cold sweat from her


    forehead and let out a massive breath.


    The suffocating pressure that man exerted was almost unbearable.


    She couldn''t stop herself from ncing back at the closed doors.


    The depths of this man''s scheming were downright terrifying.


    Every single piece on the board had moved exactly as he calcted.


    The more she dealt with him, the more paralyzed by fear she became.


    He was a monster.


    A beautiful, calcting monster.


    And it wasn''t just Lauretta who was going down. McCoy and the entire Chapman


    family... were about to face his wrath.