Chapter 3

Evelina pulled out the heavy leather chair and sat down. She kept her back perfectly straight.

Sterling watched her every move. "Tell me your real name. And tell me exactly what you want."

"I am Evelina Barrett," she said, her voice steady. "The illegitimate daughter of the Barrett family."

Sterling let out a harsh laugh. He spun the heavy gold signet ring on his left ring finger. "I have heard the gossip. The Barrett trash who got expelled from the Ivy League for a sex scandal. Why would I want you?"

Evelina's fingernails dug into her palms. The sting grounded her. "The Barretts framed me. They locked me out of the trust fund my mother left me. The only way I can access that money is if I marry and produce an heir."

"You could marry a bartender," Sterling pointed out, his eyes cold. "You did not need to break into my building."

"A bartender cannot protect me from Alden Barrett," Evelina fired back. "I need the strongest shield in New York."

Sterling leaned back, resting his chin on his steepled fingers. He looked at her ugly, scarred face and her cheap clothes.

"This is a bad deal for me," Sterling said. "I need a wife to parade in front of my grandfather. A puppet who looks good at charity galas. I do not want a ruined, hideous woman bringing the Barrett stench into my house."

Evelina did not argue. She stood up. She pointed to the frosted glass door on the right side of the office.

"Give me three minutes in your private bathroom," Evelina said. "I will give you a perfect answer."

Sterling raised an eyebrow. He gestured toward the door with an open palm. His eyes tracked her until she disappeared inside.

Evelina locked the bathroom door. She gripped the edge of the marble sink and stared at her reflection. The ugly red scar mocked her. She took a deep, shuddering breath.

She unzipped her backpack and pulled out a small plastic bottle of industrial-grade solvent. She soaked a cotton pad in the clear liquid.

She pressed the wet cotton against her left cheek. She rubbed hard. The hyper-realistic red pigment began to melt. The fake skin peeled away in clumps, washing down the drain.

She grabbed the heavy black-rimmed glasses and threw them into the trash can.

She reached behind her head and yanked the tight hair tie loose. A heavy cascade of thick, dark, wavy hair tumbled down her back. She then peeled off the thick, clip-in bangs that had hidden her forehead, tossing the fake hair into the trash beside the solvent.

She turned on the faucet and splashed freezing water over her face, washing away the last traces of the solvent. She grabbed a thick towel and patted her skin dry.

She looked in the mirror. The ugly stray cat was gone. Staring back was a woman with flawless, pale skin, high cheekbones, and striking, predatory eyes. Her beauty was sharp, aggressive, and impossible to ignore.

The three minutes were up.

Evelina unlocked the door. The latch clicked loudly in the quiet office.

She pushed the door open and walked back out. Her stride was long and confident.

Sterling was looking at his phone. At the sound of her footsteps, he casually lifted his head.

His body went completely rigid. The phone slipped slightly in his grip. Raw, unfiltered shock flashed across his gray eyes.

This was not a scarred outcast. This is a woman who can make all men pause.

Evelina walked right up to the mahogany desk. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked down at him. A slow, arrogant smile curved her lips.

"Is this face suitable for your banquet?" Evelina asked.

Sterling recovered quickly. He cleared his throat, the sound harsh in the quiet room. He forced his facial muscles back into a mask of cold indifference.

"Your face exceeds expectations," Sterling admitted, his voice tight. "But you are still a Barrett. They are leeches. I do not invite trouble into my life without absolute profit."

Evelina's eyes darkened, Beauty and medical skills were not enough to break this man, She prepared to play her final card.