Chapter 3
Jayden's POV
As soon as she walked in, I was left intoxicated, her scent, her eyes, her lips. For some reason, she looked even better in a corporate outfit.
I heard her rattling about the scandal, stumbling over apologies.
Clearly, Selena Kane.
Top of her class.Berkeley scholarship lawyer.Even after spending only a year at Preston & Moore was very desperate to keep her place.
I was watching her in astonishment until she called the kiss stupid.
My throat tightened and I shot back before I could stop myself
"But you kissed me back, didn't you?"
"I don't remember it being forced." I continued
"And that's because you kissed me first,with no apology or explanation after" she said sharply, arms folding across her chest.
"You could've stopped. Or thrown a drink in my face," I countered, my voice dropping lower.
Teasing her,watching her fluster was far more entertaining than the ballroom last night.
I flicked a glance at Vivian, signaling her to excuse us. Selena's cheeks flushed hotter under my gaze. Cute. Infuriatingly cute.
Then Cameron slipped in, holding out a folder.
"Sir," he said smoothly, placing it in my hand. "The contract. Prepared just as you requested."
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Selena's POV
Vivian slipped out of the room, and almost instantly, the driver from that night stepped in with a folder, placing it in front of Jayden before disappearing again.
Jayden didn't waste a second. His deep, husky voice rolled out.
"Whether you like it or not, we kissed. And whatever that was, made headlines.
I have no interest in gossip, speculation, or dragging this out longer than necessary. We both have reputations to protect. Mine, unfortunately, is louder.
He leaned back, eyes gleaming and his lips curving in the faintest smirk.
"Ms. Kane, I am Jayden Ashford. The only heir to the Ashford Fortunes. The Ashford name is on half this city. Something like this could taint my image.
If it were just a mistake, fine. But you…" He tilted his head slightly.
"You kissed me back. That puts you in this mess too. You don't get to walk away without taking responsibility."
I blinked at him, stunned. Did this man just twist the entire thing into my fault?
"You're insane," I snapped.
His words were smooth and deliberate. He slid the folder closer.
"But I have a way to fix it." He paused. "Pretend to be my fiancée."
I laughed, sharp and humorless. "You're joking."
"I don't joke," he said flatly.
"Come have dinner with my parents.
Introduce yourself as my fiancée. No one dares mess with the Ashford first lady.
The media noise will calm down and we'll continue our normal lives." His smirk deepened.
"And to make it worth your while—fifty million dollars wired directly to you once this arrangement is done."
My heart raced, but I shoved the folder back toward him.
"Absolutely not. I want nothing to do with you, your money, or your family. The kiss was a mistake, and I don't have to take responsibility for something I didn't start."
I turned, ready to storm out.
"Do you think you'll keep your job here though?"
His voice stopped me cold. "The media won't let this go. Neither will the disciplinary committee. Why do you think I came to see Vivian Monroe this morning?"
I turned slowly,His eyes burned into mine.
"To tell her you're my fiancée," he said smoothly.
"She won't dare to fire my fiancée, would she?" he added arrogantly.
My throat went dry. "Are you threatening me?"
He shook his head once.
"No. Think of it as a request with mutual benefits. You keep your career. I keep my image."
He nudged the folder back toward me, his hand brushing the leather cover. "Call it… a contract."
"Just one night, and you can save your job."
I stared at it like it was a bomb about to detonate. Every instinct screamed to run, to throw it back in his face.
But the thought of Vivian's smug smile slammed into me harder than my pride. If I leave now, I lose everything.
My hand trembled as he shoved the contract into my hands.
"This is insane," I whispered.
"You don't have to say yes right now," he murmured, that damned smirk tugging at his lips. "I'll pick you up by five tonight."
I blinked. "Excuse me, tonight—?"
"Nice doing business with you, Ms. Kane." He smirked wider, stepping out.
I stepped out of the office with the folder clutched in tight.
The stares that followed me through the hallway told me the truth I didn't want to face,keeping this job might already be out of reach.
I thought of the endless nights at Berkeley, Clawing my way here with no family name, no silver spoon, no connections.
Preston & Moore wasn't just any firm. It was the firm,the rare place in Manhattan where skill meant more than legacy. I loved it here.
But love didn't pay rent. And the Velvet Mug had just doubled ours. My youngest brother still needed school fees too.
It is just one night. One night to tolerate that arrogant man and keep my life intact.
I flipped the contract open and forced the pen across the page.
Fifty million dollars.
Is this how the rich throw money away? Like loose change?
Not that it mattered. I am not out of my mind.I am not about to be tied down to Jayden Ashford. Not now, not ever.
Jayden's POV
Cameron and I pulled up at five sharp.
I'd planned to get her a makeover to look more like an Ashford woman but she stepped out already dressed in emerald silk, simple makeup, nothing like what I had in mind.I don't know who told her to bother but she looked breathtaking.
Then I saw him. She smiled at him,soft and unguarded. It made her look even more beautiful.
He handed her a bag, helped with her heels, then hugged her.
She hugged him back, her bare back brushing his hands. Like it was his place. Like it was routine.
Something in me snapped. My jaw tightened; my blood boiled.
She wasn't even mine, yet I felt like she was.
I couldn't take it anymore. I shoved the door open and stepped out.
He tucked her
hair behind her ear and leaned in close. Too close.
Does she have a man? The thought turned my stomach.
Before I could think, I barked, "SELENA!"