Chapter 3 3

Ivy stared at Sebastian, her pulse thundering in her ears. The idea of being tethered to a man like him was unthinkable. He was everything she despised-arrogant, entitled, a walking embodiment of the power dynamics she had spent her entire career exposing. And yet, standing here, facing the twisted ultimatum Gregory Hale had laid before them, she couldn't deny the gravity of their predicament.

"What exactly does 'together' mean?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism.

Sebastian sighed and ran a hand down his face. "It means we play along-for now. My father doesn't make idle threats. If we don't give him what he wants, he'll ruin us both."

Ivy bristled at the implication. "So your grand solution is to just... what? Let him pull the strings while we dance like puppets?"

His eyes narrowed. "Do you have a better idea, Ms. Collins? Because I'm all ears."

The condescension in his tone made her blood boil. She stepped closer, pointing a finger at his chest. "Don't you dare act like this is just my problem. I wouldn't be in this mess if your father wasn't a manipulative control freak."

"And I wouldn't be in this mess if you hadn't decided to dig into my family's business," he shot back, his voice rising.

Their words hung in the air, charged with anger and frustration. For a moment, Ivy thought Sebastian might storm out, but instead, he pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled slowly.

"This isn't going to work if we're at each other's throats," he said finally, his voice calmer. "Whether we like it or not, we're in this together now. Fighting won't help."

Ivy crossed her arms, still fuming but unable to argue with his logic. "Fine. But let's get one thing straight-I'm not some pawn for you or your father to use. If we're doing this, I have conditions."

Sebastian arched an eyebrow, his lips twitching in what might have been amusement. "Conditions? Let's hear them."

"For starters," she said, lifting her chin, "this marriage will be strictly business. No romantic entanglements, no 'accidental' feelings. Just a partnership, nothing more."

He smirked, and the sight of it made her want to slap him. "Trust me, Ivy. Falling for you is the last thing on my mind."

"Good," she snapped. "Because I'd rather gouge my eyes out than fall for someone like you."

"Glad we're on the same page," he said dryly.

"And another thing," she continued. "I keep my independence. I'll agree to the marriage for appearances, but I'm not giving up my career or my freedom. Got it?"

Sebastian tilted his head, considering her demands. "Fair enough. But if you're keeping your independence, I'm keeping mine. You don't meddle in my business, and I won't meddle in yours."

"Deal," she said quickly.

"Anything else?" he asked, his tone bordering on impatient.

"Yes." She stepped closer, her green eyes boring into his. "I don't trust you, Sebastian. Not even a little. So if you try to screw me over, I'll make sure you regret it."

His smirk returned, but this time there was a glint of respect in his eyes. "Noted. But let me give you some advice, Ivy-if you're going to threaten me, you'd better be ready to follow through."

"Oh, don't worry," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "I am."

The tension between them was palpable, a silent battle of wills neither of them was willing to lose. Finally, Sebastian extended a hand, his expression unreadable.

"Looks like we have a deal," he said.

Ivy hesitated for a moment before reluctantly taking his hand. His grip was firm, his skin warm against hers, and for a fleeting second, the contact sent a shiver up her spine. She quickly pulled her hand away, reminding herself that this wasn't a partnership born of trust or mutual respect. It was a necessary evil.

Sebastian glanced at his watch, his businesslike demeanor snapping back into place. "We'll need to announce this quickly. My father will expect us to act fast."

She frowned. "Announce? You mean... publicly?"

"Of course," he said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "An engagement like this isn't exactly subtle, Ivy. The media will catch wind of it sooner or later. Better to control the narrative before they start spinning their own stories."

Her stomach twisted at the thought of their names splashed across headlines, her personal life becoming tabloid fodder. "Fine. But I want a say in how this is handled. I'm not just going to be some accessory in your PR machine."

"Agreed," he said. "I'll have my team draft a statement, and you can review it before we release anything."

Ivy nodded, though the idea of being part of his world-even temporarily-left a bitter taste in her mouth. She grabbed her bag and headed for the door, but before she could leave, Sebastian's voice stopped her.

"One more thing, Ivy."

She turned, raising an eyebrow. "What now?"

His expression softened slightly, though the intensity in his eyes remained. "Whatever happens, don't trust my father. Ever."

She stared at him, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone. For a moment, she saw a flicker of vulnerability in him, a crack in the armor he wore so well.

"I don't trust anyone in your family," she said finally. "Especially you."

Sebastian's lips curved into a faint smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Good. Keep it that way."

Without another word, she turned and walked out, her heart pounding as she stepped into the elevator. The doors slid shut, sealing her off from Sebastian and the twisted game she had just been pulled into.

As the elevator descended, she couldn't help but wonder what she had just signed up for-and whether she'd make it out unscathed.