Chapter 4

Evelina stared down at Sterling. His cold calculation did not surprise her.

She pulled out the leather chair and sat down again. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the silver flash drive. She rolled the metal casing between her thumb and index finger.

"Let us talk about the European merger the Montgomery Corporation is executing next week," Evelina said lightly.

Sterling's eyes turned lethal. The muscles in his neck corded. That merger was classified at the highest level. Not even his vice presidents knew the details.

Evelina recited three specific financial figures. They were the exact bottom-line numbers for the buyout.

Sterling slammed both hands onto the desk and stood up. His massive frame cast a dark shadow over her. The physical threat rolling off him made the air thick and hard to breathe.

"Stealing corporate secrets is a federal crime," Sterling snarled, his voice vibrating with rage. "I will bury you in a federal prison for the rest of your miserable life."

Evelina did not shrink back. She met his furious gaze and smiled.

"I set up a dead man's switch," Evelina said. "If I do not walk out of this building today as Mrs. Montgomery, those files will automatically broadcast to every major short seller on Wall Street."

Sterling ground his teeth together. The sound was audible in the quiet room. He hated being cornered.

Evelina watched the anger boil in his eyes. She shifted her strategy. She dropped another name.

"Sterling Montgomery III," Evelina said softly.

Sterling flinched.

"Your grandfather is forcing you into blind dates," Evelina continued, her voice smooth and persuasive. "He is threatening to freeze your voting shares if you do not marry by the end of the quarter."

Sterling sank back into his chair. He rubbed his temples. She had hit his rawest nerve.

Evelina stood up and walked around the desk, stopping just inches from his chair.

"Marry me," she said. "I will play the perfect, adoring wife. I will block your grandfather's interference. I will never ask about your private life. And I will give you weekly acupuncture treatments until your smell is permanently restored."

She leaned down, her face close to his. "In exchange, I get the Montgomery name to protect me, and you help me produce the heir I need for my trust fund."

At the word 'heir', a flash of intense disgust crossed Sterling's face. His stomach tightened. He hated the idea of being used for breeding.

But he masked it instantly. His brain processed the data.

She was beautiful. She was a genius hacker. She was a medical prodigy. And she hated the Barretts as much as he hated complications. She was the perfect, ruthless tool.

Sterling sat in silence for a full minute. The tension in the room was thick enough to choke on.

Finally, Sterling let out a dry, humorless laugh. He reached out and pressed the intercom button on his desk.

"Doyle," Sterling said. "Bring the legal team and a standard prenuptial agreement in here. Now."

Evelina let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. The tight knot in her chest uncoiled. She had won.

She slipped the flash drive back into her pocket and stepped away from him, restoring her cold, distant posture.

Sterling watched her. "During this marriage, you follow my orders. You do not create messes I have to clean up."

Evelina nodded. She smiled, but inside, her blood burned with the anticipation of the mess she was about to make.

Three minutes later, the oak doors opened. Doyle walked in, followed by two men in sharp suits carrying briefcases.

Doyle stopped dead in his tracks. The lawyers froze. They stared at the breathtaking woman standing by the desk, completely failing to connect her to the scarred girl from minutes ago.