Breaking News
The headline dropped at exactly 9:00 a.m.
Reed Dynamics Announces CEO's Engagement.
Evelyn's phone vibrated nonstop on her kitchen counter as notifications flooded in. News apps. Financial blogs. Social media tags. Business insiders.
A professionally staged photo accompanied the announcement.
Alexander stood beside her on the balcony of his penthouse, Toronto's skyline glittering behind them. Snow in the background. His hand resting possessively strategically at her waist.
She looked calm. Elegant. Composed.
Like she belonged there.
The caption read:
Alexander Reed, CEO of Reed Dynamics, announces his engagement to finance consultant Evelyn Carter. The couple plans to wed in a private ceremony next month.
Private ceremony.
Next month.
Efficient.
Controlled.
Viral.
Her Instagram follower count began climbing within minutes. She had kept her profile intentionally minimal over the years. Clean. Neutral. No personal drama.
Now strangers were dissecting her face.
Who is she?Where did she come from?She's not from Toronto elite circles.Is this damage control?They look good together though.
Evelyn locked her phone.
She couldn't afford to read too much.
Emotion was noise.
Noise caused mistakes.
Her phone buzzed again.
Alexander.
She answered immediately.
"You've seen it," he said.
"Yes."
"It's trending."
"I assumed it would."
A pause.
"You don't sound surprised."
"I prepared for this."
He exhaled slowly.
"Good. Because tonight we attend a board dinner. Unofficial. They'll want to evaluate you."
Evaluate.
Like she was a new acquisition.
"What time?" she asked.
"Seven. A car will pick you up at six thirty."
"And what do you expect from me?"
Silence lingered for half a second.
"Be exactly who you presented yourself to be."
Controlled.
Composed.
Unimpressed.
"I always am," she replied.
The call ended.
By noon, business networks were dissecting the engagement.
A clip of Alexander from an impromptu press interaction outside headquarters replayed across screens.
"Mr. Reed, was this planned?"
"Yes," he answered calmly.
"Is this related to the federal investigation?"
"My personal life is not a corporate strategy."
The reporter smirked slightly. "Convenient timing though."
Alexander's gaze didn't waver.
"I don't make decisions based on convenience."
The clip ended.
Evelyn replayed it once.
He lied smoothly.
But not entirely.
At 3:17 p.m., her phone rang again.
This time, the name made her breath still.
Hannah.
Her younger sister.
Evelyn answered immediately. "Hi."
"What the hell is happening?" Hannah's voice was half shock, half panic. "You're engaged? To Alexander Reed?"
Evelyn closed her eyes briefly.
She hadn't told her.
Not fully.
"It's… strategic," she said carefully.
"Strategic?" Hannah repeated. "Evie, that's the man whose company—"
"I know."
Silence on the other end.
"You said you'd let it go," Hannah whispered.
"I said I'd move forward."
"Is this healthy?"
Healthy.
That wasn't the objective.
"I'm fine," Evelyn said softly.
"Are you sure?"
No.
"Yes."
Hannah sighed. "Just don't lose yourself, okay?"
Evelyn swallowed.
Too late.
At six thirty sharp, a black town car waited outside her building.
When she stepped out at the Reed penthouse, the city was glowing beneath early evening lights.
The door opened before she knocked.
Alexander stood there.
Without the boardroom distance.
Without the desk between them.
He wore a fitted black suit. No tie. The top button undone.
More relaxed.
More dangerous.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then his eyes traveled over her.
Not in hunger.
Assessment.
She wore a sleek dark emerald dress. Long sleeves. High neckline. Elegant. Controlled.
"You look appropriate," he said.
"You look calculated," she replied.
A faint smirk ghosted his mouth.
"Good."
She stepped inside.
The penthouse was exactly as she imagined — expansive glass, minimalist furniture, the city stretching endlessly below.
"This is where I move in?" she asked.
"Yes."
"When?"
"Tomorrow."
Direct.
No ceremony.
She walked toward the window.
Snowflakes drifted slowly against the skyline.
Behind her, she felt him step closer.
Not touching.
Close enough to feel his presence.
"The board will test you tonight," he said quietly.
"I assumed they would."
"They'll question your background."
"They won't find anything inconsistent."
"They'll question your intentions."
She turned slowly to face him.
"What will you say?"
"That I'm marrying you."
Simple.
Firm.
No hesitation.
Something about that unsettled her more than doubt would have.
"And if they ask if you love me?" she asked.
His gaze locked onto hers.
Long.
Steady.
"That isn't relevant."
Her heartbeat shifted.
"Isn't it?"
"No."
Silence fell between them.
The kind that wasn't empty.
Just loaded.
He stepped even closer now.
Too close.
The air shifted.
"For tonight," he said quietly, "you stay near me."
"For optics?"
"For control."
She tilted her chin slightly.
"And if I don't need controlling?"
His jaw tightened faintly.
"I don't take unnecessary risks."
There it was again.
Control.
Always control.
Her phone buzzed in her clutch.
She ignored it.
Instead, she looked up at him.
"You're afraid of something," she said softly.
His expression didn't change.
"I don't operate on fear."
"Everyone does."
His hand moved suddenly not aggressive but deliberate.
He tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
The touch was brief.
Professional.
But it sent a sharp, unexpected current down her spine.
"For tonight," he murmured, "remember the performance."
She met his eyes.
"I don't forget my role."
He stepped back.
Distance restored.
Masks back in place.
Downstairs, cameras already waited outside the building.
Someone had leaked the dinner location.
Flashes ignited the moment they stepped out of the elevator.
Alexander's hand slid naturally to the small of her back.
Guiding.
Claiming.
Protecting.
She couldn't tell which.
"Alexander! Over here!"
"Is the wedding date confirmed?"
"How did you meet?"
He leaned down slightly, lips brushing near her ear.
"Smile."
She did.
Effortlessly.
His hand tightened just slightly against her waist.
And for the first time, it didn't feel entirely fake.
As they walked toward the waiting car, she caught sight of a figure across the street.
Blonde.
Poised.
Watching.
Victoria Sinclair.
The ex-fiancée.
And she was not smiling.
Inside the car, the noise faded.
Alexander released her waist slowly.
"You handled that well," he said.
"I told you I would."
He studied her for a long moment.
"You don't flinch under pressure."
"No."
Another silence.
He looked almost… thoughtful.
"You're either exactly what I need," he said quietly.
"Or?" she prompted.
"Or the biggest mistake I've made."
She turned her gaze to the window.
Snow fell heavier now.
Toronto glittered cold and indifferent.
Mistake or not
The world believed in their love.
And somewhere inside Reed Dynamics, someone was watching the headlines with very different intentions.
Daniel Cross had just realized something.
Alexander Reed had created a vulnerability.
And vulnerabilities could be exploited.
The car drove into the night.
And the game officially went public.