Chapter 5 Between A Rock And A Hard Place

Alicia Michelle Morgan had always been a sharp woman. Growing up inside her family's empire taught her early how power moved, how ambition sharpened people, and how betrayal often arrived wearing a familiar face. Still, even someone like her could step into a well laid trap, one woven with care by Matteo Ricci. They met through business. The Morgans generally avoided anything that might draw them into the affairs of the Moretti family in Italy, yet when her secretary informed her that Matteo Ricci was waiting, something unsettled twisted in her stomach.

Alicia reached for her phone and glanced at the endless calls and messages from Marcus. She ignored them all, turned the phone off, and instructed that Matteo be admitted. The moment she saw him, she knew. Nothing good would come of this.

Matteo was a calculating man. He never acted on impulse, choosing instead to study every move as though the world were a chessboard. And in this particular game, Alicia Michelle was the queen. Valuable, powerful, and ultimately expendable.

He understood that forcing her toward Dante would fail. Alicia had a strong will and a sharp mind. Pressure would only drive her to escape.

So he chose the safest path. He left her with no choice. That was how they ended up sitting face to face.

The Morgan company had numerous subsidiaries spread across the world, and Matteo had made sure that one of them, the most strategically important in Europe, appeared to be in a financially precarious state. Of course, the danger itself was not real. The Morgans were more than capable of staying afloat, but Matteo had no intention of letting his boss down. He did not act immediately, of course. Everything was carried out quietly, through disguised transactions, losses concealed as administrative errors, and investments that never materialized.

When Alicia Michelle took control of the company during Aaron's absence, she was confronted with a troubling report. The accounts were bleeding red, and if nothing was done quickly, that vital subsidiary in international trade would collapse.

That was when Matteo made his move. Now, he was ready to present it.

"Ricci," Alicia said evenly, studying him from across the desk, "I have to admit, it's unexpected to see you here."

"I'm aware of your difficulties, Mrs. Morgan," he replied calmly. "Financial ones, and personal ones as well. Though the latter has nothing to do with me."

Alicia met his gaze. "You're right," she said. "So..."

"I have the solution to your business problem," he said, wearing his usual unreadable smile as he set a folder down on Alicia's desk.

She did not bother to look at him. Her arms crossed over her chest, a faint frown tightening her expression.

"I don't need your help."

Matteo remained perfectly composed.

"Are you sure?" he asked calmly. "Because if you fail to secure a capital injection within the next forty eight hours, that subsidiary will declare bankruptcy, and your brother will return to a disaster he won't be able to undo."

Alicia felt her heart falter for a split second. Of course she had considered that outcome. She had options, yes, but every one of them carried serious risk. What she needed was time... And time was the one thing she did not have.

At last, her gaze dropped to the folder.

"What is this?"

Matteo leaned slightly over the desk.

"An investment contract," he said. "Someone is willing to save your company. For a price."

Alicia's brow furrowed as she flipped through the pages. Her movements were quick, practiced. Then her hands stilled.

The investor's name stared back at her. Dante Moretti.

She lifted her eyes sharply, fixing Matteo with a hard glare.

"This is a joke, right?" she asked.

Matteo smiled.

"Not at all," he said calmly. "Dante is willing to save you."

A wave of nausea rolled through Alicia. She knew exactly what Dante Moretti wanted. For years, she had heard the rumors. He did not take women lightly. He chose them. Not merely as lovers, but as wives, as possessions. Alicia had always been clear about one thing. She would never be with a man like him. She had even joked about it with Viviana, who once teased that she might end up marrying Dante. Alicia Michelle had sworn she would never fall into that kind of trap.

Now Dante had found a way to corner her, and she still did not understand why she was the one he had chosen.

"This isn't an investment," she said coldly. "It's a purchase."

"If that's how you choose to see it," Matteo replied with a slight shrug. "Dante only wants one thing in return. For you to marry him. From a business standpoint, it's a very feasible transaction."

Alicia felt her blood begin to boil.

"Never."

Matteo sighed, as though he genuinely regretted hearing it.

"Alicia, let's be realistic," he said evenly. "You have no other choice. No bank will extend credit on such short notice. No investor will place their trust in a subsidiary that appears to be failing." He paused, then continued, his voice steady. "You don't want to burden your parents. You don't want to drag your brother into this. And you certainly don't want to be a disappointment to the family. Especially, after being deceived. Dante is the only alternative. Unless you're willing to let the company collapse and leave Aaron to clean up the scandal when he returns to fix his sister's mistakes. Your father and your brother kept these companies at the very top of the industry. You know that."

It was a low blow. Aaron had trusted her with the company in Italy. If she failed now, it would not only make her look incompetent. It would stain her family's reputation and damage a legacy that had taken decades to build.

Alicia drew a slow breath, forcing herself to stay composed.

"And what if I refuse?"

Matteo tilted his head, a hint of amusement flickering across his face.

"We won't force you..." He said lightly. "But if you say no, the contract disappears, the company collapses, and you'll be the one held responsible." He paused, watching her closely. "Dante isn't asking for an answer right now. You have twenty four hours to think it over."

Alicia's hands curled into tight fists.

Matteo stepped a little closer, leaning toward her desk.

"You know Dante can offer you far more than you imagine," he said quietly. "And believe me, if you accept, you won't become a prisoner. You'll become a queen."

The weight of his words pressed down on Alicia. Dante did not simply want her. He wanted her as an ally, as his wife, as his most prized possession.

But she was not a possession. She was a Morgan family daughter.

"Get out of my office."

Matteo smiled, his confidence untouched.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Alicia," he said calmly. "I'm sure you'll make the right decision."

With that final provocation, he turned and left.

Alone again, Alicia remained where she was. Trapped between the sword and the wall, that was her reality now.

Alicia stood in her office, a tightness closing around her chest as though the air itself had grown scarce.

She knew that if she accepted, her freedom would be gone.

But if she refused... She would lose everything else.

The clock kept ticking, each second pressing in on her, and she found herself trapped inside that narrowing hourglass, staring straight at a gilded cage.