Cassandra's POV
Elijah Morgan walks into Hayes Tech headquarters like he owns it.
I follow behind, mind spinning. He just offered to be my weapon against Marcus. Now we're walking into a board meeting where my cousin is waiting to attack.
Miss Hayes.
Elijah stops. Don't let them see you scared. Fear is blood in the water.
Then he's cold again, pushing through the glass doors.
The lobby buzzes. Heads turn. Whispers spread.
Marcus has been talking.
The elevator ride feels endless. Elijah checks his phone, perfectly calm.
Why are you helping me? I ask.
I'm not. I'm doing my job correctly.
That's not an answer.
It's the only one you're getting.
The doors open. Marcus is waiting.
Cassandra! His smile is all teeth. And Mr. Morgan. Right on time.
Marcus steps closer, voice dropping. Ninety days, Cassie. You won't find anyone. You haven't dated in three years. You work until midnight. You don't trust anyone.
My hands curl into fists.
The board? Marcus continues. Very concerned about your ability to lead during this difficult personal time. I suggested an interim CEO.
My heart stops. Interim CEO means Marcus takes over now.
And our stock dropped two points this morning. Someone leaked a rumor that our CEO is distracted.
You did it.
See you in the meeting, cousin.
He walks away, whistling.
I'm shaking with rage.
Elijah appears. Breathe.
He tanked our stock.
I know. Which is why we're going to destroy him in that boardroom.
The board meeting is brutal. Marcus presents concerns with twisted data. Then Elijah stands.
My assessment: Hayes Tech has one of the most brilliant CEOs I've evaluated and one of the most dangerous internal threats.
Marcus freezes.
Elijah shows evidence. Leaked emails. Financial transactions. Proof of sabotage.
Someone has been systematically undermining this company. That someone is Marcus Hayes.
The room explodes.
I have authenticated emails showing communication between your account and three competitor companies, Elijah says calmly.
This is a setup! Marcus shouts.
This evidence goes back six months. I've been here one week.
The board chair speaks: Marcus, you're suspended pending review.
Marcus looks at me, hatred burning. This isn't over. You're still going to lose everything.
He storms out.
I escape to my office. Jordan bursts in.
What just happened?
I slide down the door. My grandfather's will. I have ninety days to get married or lose the company to Marcus.
Jordan's eyes go huge. What? But you don't even
I know.
A knock. Elijah stands in the hallway.
Jordan stares. Who is that?
The consultant Marcus hired.
After Jordan leaves, Elijah closes the door.
Marcus is suspended, not gone, he says. He's more dangerous now.
I know.
I know about your marriage clause. I also know about my custody case. My need for a wife.
My heart pounds.
We help each other. Contract marriage. Ninety days. We both get what we need.
I stare at him. Why?
Because I can't lose my niece. And you shouldn't lose your company. He sets a card on my desk. Think about it.
Wait. Your niece what's her name?
He pauses. Mia. She's five. The only family I have left.
I'll think about it.
He leaves.
I stare at the card. On the back, written in neat handwriting: Sometimes the solution is closer than you think.
My grandfather's exact words.
How did Elijah know?
My office door flies open. Jordan rushes back in, her phone in her hand, her face white.
Cassandra. You need to see this. Now.
She shoves her phone at me.
It's a news article. Posted twenty minutes ago.
HAYES TECH CEO FACING MARRIAGE DEADLINE: Inside Source Claims Cassandra Hayes Has 90 Days to Find Husband or Lose Company
Below the headline is a photo of me leaving the lawyer's office this morning.
Looking devastated.
Looking desperate.
Looking exactly like someone who's lost before she's even begun.
Marcus, I whisper.
But Jordan shakes her head, scrolling down to show me the byline.
The article was written by Amanda Chen.
Victoria Chen's sister.
Marcus's sister-in-law.
They're working together, Jordan says, her voice shaking with anger. Marcus and his wife's family. They're destroying you in the press.
My phone explodes with notifications. Emails. Texts. News alerts.
The story is everywhere.
Every tech blog. Every business site. Every gossip column.
My private humiliation is now public entertainment.
I sink into my chair, staring at Elijah's business card.
A contract marriage.
It sounded insane thirty seconds ago.
Now it sounds like the only option I have left.
My phone rings. Unknown number.
I answer without thinking. Hello?
Miss Hayes. Elijah's voice is calm, controlled. I assume you've seen the news.
How did you know about my grandfather's letter? I demand. Those exact wordshow did you know?
Silence on the other end.
Then: Meet me tonight. Nine PM. Address is in the text I'm about to send you. Come alone.
Why should I trust you?
Because right now, Elijah says quietly, I'm the only person offering you a way out of this nightmare.
He hangs up.
A text arrives immediately: Pier 39. East End. 9 PM. Come alone or don't come at all.
I stare at the message.
This could be a trap. This could be Marcus's final move to destroy me completely.
Or it could be exactly what Elijah said: a way out.
Jordan touches my shoulder. Cass? What are you going to do?
I look at my best friend. At the news article destroying my reputation. At Elijah's business card with my grandfather's words written on the back.
I'm going to make a deal with a stranger, I say.
That sounds dangerous.
Everything is dangerous now.
And somewhere in my mind, a tiny voice whispers: What if Elijah Morgan isn't a stranger at all?