Chapter 4

The morning sun cut through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Baldwin Group CEO office. The light was harsh, exposing every speck of dust in the air.

Ember sat behind the massive mahogany desk. She wore a tailored navy suit that fit her like armor. Her fingers flew across the keyboard of a secure terminal.

Lines of code scrolled across the screen. It was an intelligence report from her Architect team. The data was encrypted, detailing a shadow transaction in the Caymans.

The chime of the private elevator rang out, breaking her focus.

Ember's hand moved instantly. She hit the shortcut key. The code vanished, replaced by a boring, standard quarterly profit chart.

The double doors banged open. Haden walked in, his jaw clenched. Behind him followed two people.

Corbin Bancroft IV strutted in, chewing on an unlit cigar. He looked around the office like he already owned it.

His daughter, Tierney Shaw, clung to Haden's arm. She had her platinum blonde hair piled high and a smug smile on her face.

Ember stood up slowly. She placed her hands flat on the desk, her rings pressing into the wood. She looked at them like they were insects.

Corbin stepped forward and tossed a yellowed document onto the desk. "That little stunt your boy pulled at the club last night tanked our stock," he barked. "We're here to finalize the marriage contract."

Ember didn't look at the paper. "That letter of intent expired two years ago. It's legally void."

Tierney pouted, playing the victim. She leaned into Haden's side, pressing her chest against his arm. "Daddy, she's being mean."

Haden walked past the desk to the seating area. He sat down on the leather couch, spreading his arms out. He completely ignored Ember's authority.

He crossed one leg over the other. His custom Italian loafer dangled in the air.

"My shoelace is untied," Haden said suddenly. His voice was loud in the quiet room.

Nobody moved. Corbin smirked, realizing what was happening.

Haden looked right at Ember. "Show me how well you serve the Baldwin family. Tie my shoe," he ordered.

Tierney let out a fake, breathy giggle.

Ember's hands curled into fists under the desk. Her nails bit into her palms, the pain grounding her.

Her mind raced. If she threw them out now, Corbin would dump his shares. The Baldwin Group's capital chain would snap. She couldn't let that happen.

She took a slow breath. She uncurled her fingers. Her face went completely blank.

She walked around the desk. Her heels clicked on the hardwood floor, each step measured and deliberate.

She stopped in front of Haden. She looked down at him, then slowly lowered herself to the floor.

She went down on one knee. The plush rug cushioned her fall, but the position was humiliating.

She reached out. Her expensive watch glinted under the lights as she grabbed the leather laces of his shoe.

Haden's pupils dilated. He hadn't actually believed she would do it. He thought she would fight. He thought she would scream.

Ember pulled the laces tight, forming a perfect knot. She let go of his shoe.

She looked up. Her eyes were like chips of ice, staring directly into his soul.

"I'm going to make you pay for this," she whispered. The sound was so low only he could hear it over the pounding of his own heart.