A Deal with the devil ( Tangled lies)

amily business, or of ever finding love with someone who would fight for her. No, all that was left now was the cold,

inform her that the company would be liquidated unless she married by the end of the month. The terms were clear: she

ring at the harsh consequences of his expectation, Clara wanted to scream. How could he have set he

her from her spiraling thoughts. In walke

atures and an aura of authority that made even the strongest quake in his presence. His reputation preceded him: cold, c

marry, even under the most desperate of circumstances

ook surprised to see her in distress. Of course, someone like him was always prepared for a crisi

sing to back down. "An

there was nothing playful about it. He wasn't

s legacy. A mutually beneficial arrangement, don't yo

nside her. She wasn't stupid. She knew exactly what he was proposi

, her voice trembling despite her best effort

, and if you don't meet them, it's all gone. As for me, I'll secure my inheritance and ensure no one questions my posit

partners joining forces. Nothing personal. Nothing emotional. But that was exactly what sh

barely cracked as she pushed back, her anger m

e studying a piece of art. "You get to keep the business. I get the respe

option? Was she really about to sign away her dignity for t

m in the room, the tension thick in the air. Max's eyes never left hers, unwaverin

I refuse?" she asked, her voice quieter now, a

n't change. "Then yo

e was something else-a twisted sense of necessity. She didn't have time to waste on prid

"We can arrange the details later. But if you want

ed her name at the bottom of the agreement, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was signing away something more than just

had no

curled into a cold smile. "Welcome to t

his wasn't a fairytale. This was a business transaction. And she was about to spend the rest

ne. And there w