Victoria

    Rain tapped against the floor–to–ceiling windows of my penthouse as I swirled the dark red wine in my ss. The city lights blurred through the droplets, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that matched my turbulent thoughts.

    I took another sip, savoring the rich cabe. At least I could count on this thousand–dor bottle to deliver satisfaction, unlike my current schemes.

    Behind me, the balcony door slid open. Thomas stepped out, the cool night air following him as he closed the door. He was still in his work clothes, though he’d loosened his tie and unbuttoned his cor.

    “Drinking alone again?” he asked, settling into the chair beside me.

    I didn’t look at him. “There’s another ss inside if you want to join me.”

    Thomas disappeared briefly, returning with a full ss. He sat down and crossed his legs, looking annoyingly rxed for someone whose wife bwas /bplotting a corporate takeover.

    “What’s got you thinking so hard?” he asked after a lengthy silence. “You’ve barely touched your phone all evening, which means either you’re plotting something or the world is ending.”

    I shot him a sideways nce. “Carter Enterprises.”

    “Ah.” He nodded knowingly. “Still obsessing over your cousin’s new marriage?”

    “I’m not obsessing,” I snapped. “I’m strategizing.”

    Thomas took a slow sip of his wine. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

    The rain picked up, creating a soothing white noise that contrasted with my irritation.

    ‘You don’t understand what’s at stake,” I said. “The controlling shares of a multi–billion dorpany. My birthright.”

    “Your birthright?” Thomas raised an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure Alexander is Harold’s firstborn grandson, not you.”

    ‘Gender shouldn’t matter in session,” I retorted. “I’m smarter, more qualified, and actuallymitted to thepany’s legacy.”

    Thomas leaned back in his chair. “So what’s the n? Are you nning to destroy Carter Enterprises if you can’t have it?”

    I pped his arm, harder than I meant to. “I’m being serious here, and you’re joking about it!”

    “Ow!” He rubbed his arm, looking wounded. “Destroying might be true. I wasn’t joking.”

    I hit him again. “Give me some credit! I don’t want to destroy thepany. I want to run it.” I sighed dramatically. “Just give me some n.”

    “n for what exactly?” Thomas looked genuinely confused. “Alexander beat you to the punch. He got married. Game over.”

    I set my wine ss down with more force than necessary. “They’re not in love. I’m certain of it.”

    “How can you possibly know that?”

    “Think about it,” I leaned forward, warming to my theory. “Until Grandfather announced the marriage requirement,

    Alexander waspletely single. Not dating anyone seriously. Then suddenly, what, a few weekster, he’s madly in love with some nobody from marketing? They appear all over social media, and now they’re married? It’s obviously his n to secure the controlling shares.”

    Thomas sighed. “You’re overthinking this. Maybe they were dating secretly. Maybe he fell in love quickly. People do that, you know.”

    “Not Alexander,” I insisted. “He’s never been in love with anyone but himself and thatpany. This marriage is a sham.”

    “And what if it’s not?” Thomas countered. “What if they’re actually in love? Did you see them at the wedding? They looked pretty convincing to me.”

    I scoffed. “It’s called acting. Thomas. Something Alexander excels at in boardrooms. He just applied those skills to his personal life.”

    “I think you’re reaching,” he said, taking another sip of wine. “Maybe it’s time to ept that you’re not getting those shares and focus on something else.”

    “Are you supporting me or trying to drag me down?” I demanded, my voice rising. “Because right now it feels like thetter.”

    Thomas raised his hands in surrender. “I’m trying to help you not get admitted to a mental hospital with all this overthinking. You’re seeing conspiracies where there might just be a simple love story.”

    “A love story?” Iughed bitterly. “Between my cousin and his employee? Please.”

    “Stranger things have happened,” Thomas shrugged. “Office romances aremon.”

    “Not for Alexander. He’s too careful, too calcting.” I picked up my wine again. “There’s something off about this whole

    situation.”

    “Even if you’re right,” Thomas said, “what can you do about it? They’re legally married. The shares are his.”

    I smiled thinly. “Only if they stay married for a year. That’s the stiption in Grandfather’s will.”

    “And you think they’ll divorce before then?”

    “With a little help, perhaps they will.” I took a long sip of my wine, savoring both the taste and my nascent n.

    Thomas looked at me with rm. “Victoria, whatever you’re thinking—”

    “Rx,” I cut him off. “I’m not going to do anything illegal. Just… apply a little pressure. Test the strength of their supposed

    union.”

    “That sounds dangerously iclose /ito sabotage.”

    “I prefer to call it ‘strategic intervention,” I replied. “If their marriage is real, they have nothing to worry about.”

    Thomas drained his ss. “And if it’s not?”

    “Then I’ll be there to pick up the pieces when it falls apart.” I smiled, feeling better than I had all day. “And the controlling shares of Carter Enterprises.”

    “You’re terrifying sometimes,” Thomas said, but there was a hint of admiration in his voice.

    “Thank you, darling,” I replied sweetly. “It’s a family trait.”

    The rain continued to fall as we sat in silence, the city lights blurring below us. In my mind, pieces were already moving, a chess game with Alexander that he didn’t even know we were ying.

    Let him enjoy his honeymoon. The real game would begin when he returned.

    “What’s your first move?” Thomas asked finally, curiosity oveing his caution.

    I smiled slowly. “I think it’s time I got to know Olivia better. Every woman has secrets, insecurities. Find those, and the rest bes easy.”

    “Victoria…” Thomas warned.

    “Nothing drastic,” I assured him. “Just a friendly lunch between cousins–inw. Is that so suspicious?”

    “When you’re involved? Absolutely.”

    Alexander thinks he’s won,” I said softly. “But the game is just beginning.”

    Thomas stood, collecting our empty sses. “Just be careful. Alexander isn’t stupid. And if they really are in love, you’ll look ike the viin trying toe between them.”

    Risk versus reward, darling,” I replied. “The controlling shares of Carter Enterprises are worth looking like a viin.”

    As Thomas went inside, I remained on the balcony, watching the clouds part to reveal a sliver of moon. I’d been utmaneuvered in the first round, but the match was far from over.

    lexander may have won the battle, but I was nning to win the war.

    Chapter