Chapter 5 Lines in the Sand

The question hung in the air like a loaded weapon.

"Why is my biggest rival calling you?"

Clara Bennett's fingers tightened around her phone.

Across the kitchen table, Liam and Isla continued eating their ice cream, completely unaware that the room had suddenly filled with tension thick enough to cut.

Clara slowly turned the phone face down.

"It's nothing," she said.

Ethan Kingsley didn't move.

"That didn't look like nothing."

Clara forced a calm smile.

"Wrong number."

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"Your 'wrong number' seems persistent."

The phone buzzed again.

The name flashed across the screen before Clara could stop it.

HARTLEY GLOBAL HOLDINGS

Ethan's expression hardened instantly.

He walked closer, each step slow and deliberate.

Clara's heart pounded harder.

"You know something interesting?" Ethan said quietly.

Clara folded her arms defensively.

"What?"

"The company that just stole my contract," he continued, "is owned by someone named Daniel Hartley."

Clara forced herself to stay still.

"And?"

"And the same company has been calling you nonstop."

Clara shrugged lightly.

"Maybe they want to recruit me."

Ethan stopped a few feet away from her.

His gaze was sharp enough to slice through steel.

"Are you telling me," he said slowly, "that my rival is calling my wife for a job offer?"

Clara let out a small laugh.

"You said it yourself. This marriage is contractual."

"Not publicly."

Clara's smile faded.

For a moment neither of them spoke.

Across the table, Isla suddenly looked up.

"Mummy?"

Clara turned quickly.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

Isla pointed between them.

"Are you fighting?"

Clara forced another smile.

"No, darling. Just talking."

Liam looked at Ethan thoughtfully.

"Grown-ups fight quietly."

Ethan almost smirked.

Clara shot Liam a look.

"Finish your ice cream."

The twins obediently returned to their bowls.

Ethan lowered his voice.

"Answer the question, Clara."

She met his gaze directly.

"I already did."

"No, you avoided it."

"And you're interrogating me."

"You're living in my house."

Clara stepped closer.

"And you married me."

The tension snapped tighter between them.

Ethan's voice dropped.

"You're hiding something."

Clara tilted her head.

"So are you."

For a moment Ethan didn't respond.

Then his phone buzzed again.

He glanced at the screen.

Another message from his assistant.

His jaw tightened.

"What now?" Clara asked.

Ethan turned the phone toward her.

A new headline had just appeared online.

HARTLEY GLOBAL ANNOUNCES MAJOR TECH EXPANSION IN Sydney

Below the article was a statement from the company.

But what caught Ethan's attention was the final line.

"Our CEO believes competition drives innovation."

Clara read it and felt a chill crawl up her spine.

Ethan looked back at her slowly.

"That's interesting."

Clara pretended not to understand.

"Why?"

"Because that's exactly what you said earlier."

Her pulse jumped.

Ethan continued watching her carefully.

"You defend them."

"You receive their calls."

"And you speak like someone who understands their strategy."

Clara's voice hardened slightly.

"Are you accusing me of something?"

Ethan's eyes darkened.

"I'm trying to understand why my wife appears connected to my biggest rival."

Before Clara could respond-

Liam suddenly jumped down from his chair.

"Look!"

Everyone turned.

He had grabbed the TV remote.

The giant screen in the living room flickered on.

A business news channel was broadcasting live.

A female reporter stood outside a corporate building in Sydney.

"Breaking news," the reporter said.

"Hartley Global has confirmed that its mysterious CEO will soon appear publicly for the first time."

Clara's stomach dropped.

The reporter continued:

"Sources say the CEO has been operating quietly for years while building the company's technology division."

Ethan watched the screen with growing interest.

"They've been hiding their leader," he murmured.

The reporter added one more sentence.

"And insiders say this CEO has a personal reason for targeting Kingsley Group."

Ethan's gaze slowly shifted to Clara.

Her face had gone pale.

The twins were still watching the TV.

"Mummy," Isla said.

Clara forced herself to breathe.

"Yes?"

Isla pointed at the screen.

"The lady on TV says someone is fighting Mr. Ethan."

Clara swallowed.

Liam frowned thoughtfully.

"Why would someone fight him?"

Ethan didn't look away from Clara.

"That," he said quietly,

"is exactly what I'd like to know."

Just then-

Clara's phone rang again.

The same caller.

Hartley Global Holdings

The room went completely silent.

Ethan's voice was calm.

"Answer it."

Clara hesitated.

The phone kept ringing.

Ethan stepped closer.

"If you don't answer," he said quietly,

"I will."

Clara's hand trembled slightly.

Slowly...

She picked up the phone.

And pressed accept.

"Hello?" she said.

The voice on the other end spoke immediately.

"Miss Bennett, the board meeting is ready."

Clara closed her eyes.

Because the next words made everything worse.

"Our CEO needs to approve the Kingsley takeover strategy."

Across the room-

Ethan Kingsley heard every single word.

And the look in his eyes turned dangerously cold.