Chapter 4 Secrets Beneath the Surface

Chapter 4: Secrets Beneath the Surface

The pact Alex and I made felt tenuous, like a thread stretched taut, threatening to snap under the weight of the deception we were about to undertake. Yet, for the first time since this nightmare began, I had a sliver of control-or at least the illusion of it.

Alex and I were now conspirators, bound by a shared goal to navigate our circumstances and find a way out of this arranged disaster. But trust? That was another story entirely.

It was the morning after our agreement, and my father's staff had already begun preparing for another round of public appearances designed to cement the image of our so-called "fairy tale romance." I sat at the breakfast table, absently stirring my coffee, when Alex strode in, his phone pressed to his ear.

"Yes, have the documents sent over by noon," he said curtly before hanging up. He didn't so much as glance my way as he poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down across from me.

"Busy morning?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

He finally looked at me, his expression unreadable. "Business doesn't stop, even for forced engagements."

The air between us was thick with unspoken words, but before I could respond, my father walked in. His presence was a cold gust of wind that instantly set me on edge.

"Good, you're both here," he said, his tone brisk. "We have a charity gala tonight. The press will be there, so make sure you're... convincing."

I forced a smile, though my hands clenched into fists beneath the table. "Of course, Dad. Anything for the family."

Alex didn't say a word, but his jaw tightened, a flicker of irritation crossing his face.

---

By the time evening rolled around, I was already on edge. The charity gala was being held at an exclusive event hall downtown, and as Alex and I stepped out of the sleek black car, the flashes of cameras blinded me.

"Smile," Alex murmured, his hand settling on my lower back as he guided me toward the entrance.

I gritted my teeth but complied, plastering on a smile that felt as fake as the life we were presenting to the world.

Inside, the room was a whirlwind of opulence. Chandeliers sparkled overhead, and the soft hum of conversation mixed with the clinking of champagne glasses. I felt like a doll on display, every movement scrutinized by the crowd.

As we moved through the room, I couldn't help but notice the way Alex shifted seamlessly into his role. He charmed the guests effortlessly, his deep voice and confident demeanor drawing people in like moths to a flame.

And me? I felt like an imposter.

"Alex, darling," a sultry voice purred from behind us, and I turned to see a stunning woman approaching. She was tall and willowy, her emerald-green dress hugging her figure perfectly. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she gave Alex a knowing smile.

"Melanie," Alex said, his tone polite but clipped.

"And who's this?" she asked, her gaze sliding over to me.

"Jade," Alex said smoothly, placing a possessive hand on my waist. "My fiancée."

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise, but she quickly masked it with a dazzling smile. "Fiancée? My, my, Alex, you've been busy."

Her words dripped with insinuation, and I couldn't help but wonder what history she and Alex shared. I glanced at him, but his face was a mask of indifference.

"Melanie is an old acquaintance," Alex said, his tone dismissive. "She was just leaving."

Melanie's smile faltered, but she recovered quickly, giving me a once-over before sauntering off.

As soon as she was out of earshot, I turned to Alex. "Old acquaintance?" I echoed, my voice low. "She looked ready to eat you alive."

He gave me a sideways glance, his lips twitching into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Jealous already, Jade?"

I rolled my eyes, refusing to rise to his bait. "Hardly. But if you're going to parade your past around, you might want to warn me first."

He didn't respond, and I couldn't tell if his silence was an admission of guilt or just his way of ending the conversation. Either way, it left a bitter taste in my mouth.

---

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of forced smiles and meaningless small talk. By the time we returned to the estate, I was exhausted. I kicked off my heels and collapsed onto the couch in the living room, letting out a heavy sigh.

Alex entered a moment later, loosening his tie as he poured himself a glass of whiskey. He didn't offer me one, not that I wanted it.

"So, Melanie," I said, breaking the silence. "What's her story?"

Alex took a long sip of his drink before meeting my gaze. "She's irrelevant."

"Didn't look irrelevant," I muttered, more to myself than to him.

He set his glass down with a sharp clink, his expression hardening. "I don't owe you an explanation, Jade. Remember, this is all pretend."

His words stung, but I refused to let him see how much. "Fine," I said, standing. "Keep your secrets. But don't expect me to play along when they come back to bite you."

As I turned to leave, his voice stopped me.

"Jade."

I glanced back, surprised to see a flicker of something in his eyes-guilt, maybe, or regret.

"Just... don't believe everything you see," he said quietly.

Before I could respond, he downed the rest of his whiskey and walked away, leaving me alone with more questions than answers.

---

The next morning, I was determined to get to the bottom of whatever Alex and our fathers were hiding. I decided to start by digging into the merger itself. If I could understand why this marriage was so important to them, maybe I could find a way to unravel it.

Using the excuse of needing some fresh air, I slipped out of the estate and headed downtown to the library. It was one of the few places where I knew I wouldn't be followed or monitored.

I spent hours poring over business journals, financial reports, and anything else I could find on Bennett Enterprises and the Vance Group. But the more I read, the more confused I became. On the surface, both companies were thriving. There was no logical reason for them to merge, at least not one that I could see.

Unless there was something they weren't telling the public.

I was so engrossed in my research that I didn't notice the man watching me from across the room until he approached.

"Jade Bennett?"

I looked up, startled, to see a tall man in a dark suit standing over me. He had an air of authority about him, and his sharp blue eyes seemed to see right through me.

"Who's asking?" I said cautiously.

He slid a business card across the table. "Detective Mark Holden. I'm investigating some discrepancies in the Vance Group's financial records. I believe your family might be involved."

My heart skipped a beat, and I stared at him, unsure of how to respond.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said finally, my voice shaky.

He studied me for a moment before nodding. "Maybe you don't. But if you find anything... unusual, give me a call."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me with more questions than I had answers for.

As I slipped the business card into my pocket, a sinking feeling settled in my gut. Whatever was happening behind the scenes, it was bigger than just a marriage or a merger. And I had a feeling that uncovering the truth would come with a price.