A Marriage Signed In Power

sed for a brief moment, clutching her portfolio tightly against her chest. Every instinct in her sc

s gaze locked on the man standing at the reception, as if he had been waiting for her all along. Tall. Broad-shoulder

Blac

e decisions could make or break careers overnight. But Lena wasn't here for gossip. She was

eld the

er stomach tighten with both fear and awe. She had rehearsed every word she would say, every justification she could possib

s if he measured every syllable before it left his mouth

wed hard.

" he paused, his eyes cold and assessing

voice to remain steady. "I only ask th

worth. Lena felt exposed under his gaze, like a painting being analyzed for flaws. And maybe she was

d his head. "Then w

sudden winter wind. Agree

g woman who had never set foot in a corporate boardroom, had j

cisive, "this is strictly a business arrangement. No love. No entangle

allowing hard.

n command. She took it, feeling the firmness of his grip, th

nod and stepped back. "I expect complianc

eality of what she had just agreed to. A life lived not for herself, not f

glass and steel, she couldn't shake the feeling that sh

nds shook. Her heart raced. And somewhere deep inside, a tiny, stub

ow, survival was

A message flashed on the screen, one that would shat

ntract must begin im