Chapter 4 A Partnership of Revenge

Scarlet faced the huge glass building of Titan Holdings, its modern exterior glimmering in the midday sunlight. The name itself carried meaning: a symbol of strength and power, an empire built of tempered steel and ambition.

Titan Holdings built the cities of the future, and its elusive owner, Grayson, was said to possess the kind of power that could destroy or resurrect nations.

Scarlet's fingers clutched the black card Grayson had given her as she peered up at the towering skyscraper.

She had done her research.

Grayson of Titan Holdings.

That's what he was known as.

No last name, no personal details.

Just Grayson.

A billionaire so private and elusive that even the most prying tabloids could only speculate about his life.

Yet, last night, that same man had found her, offered her a lifeline cloaked in mystery.

Now, standing at the edge of this monumental decision, Scarlet wondered if she had lost her mind.

But she couldn't walk away. Not after what they did to her.

Scarlet pulled her cap lower, adjusting her oversized sunglasses.

She couldn't risk being recognized.

Deciding to wear a loose sweater and jeans, she had been very careful not to be seen by the paparazzi.

Taking a deep breath she opened the revolving doors and entered the cool interior of the Titan Holdings.

She approached the clean front desk, where a woman with a strict appearance and red nail polish was typing on her phone.

Her badge said "Vanessa."

"Excuse me?"

Scarlet spoke, her voice soft and shaky.

Vanessa looked at her, up and down, then said clearly, "Yes, how can I help you?"

"I... I need to meet Grayson of Titan Holdings," Scarlet said.

Vanessa raised an eyebrow. "Do you have an appointment, Miss...?"

Scarlet hesitated.

Revealing her name felt like peeling back a layer of armor, exposing herself to judgment and recognition.

But she had no choice.

"Tell him Scarlet Sinclair," she said, her voice stronger now.

Vanessa's eyes widened a little, the name clearly familiar.

After a moment, she nodded.

"One moment."

She picked up the telephone and murmured something.

Vanessa stood and gestured for Scarlet to follow.

"This way, Ms. Sinclair. You can go up to his office on the top floor. Take the private elevator."

Scarlet nodded, making her way to the lift.

It was quiet.

She walked into a big office, floor to ceiling windows offering the view of the city.

"You took the wise path," he said, still not looking back, his deep voice traversing space.

She walked in and shut the door.

"Grayson."

He faced her, and his cold icy blue eyes met hers. He appeared effortlessly put together, his black hair slicked back, his shirt caught on the elbows to reveal veined, muscular forearms.

His toned chest was partially revealed through two undone buttons.

"You did your research, I can tell," he replied, his mouth tugging into a half-smile.

"Enough to know that you always have a reason," Scarlet said.

Grayson gave a low laugh.

"Good point."

He motioned toward the chair facing his desk.

"Sit down, Ms. Sinclair."

Scarlet sat, her posture tense but poised.

"You look bad," Grayson said, straight up.

Scarlet's mouth turned up in a mocking smile.

"And you look like you practice mean words in front of a mirror."

Grayson let out a low laugh, his eyes shining with amusement.

"Got me there."

He looked right at her, sharp and sizing up. "Let's start, then. You want to go all in?"

Scarlet inclined her head forward.

"I have questions first. Why did you approach me? What do you want? Also, what will you get for helping me?"

Grayson sat back in his chair, looking unsure.

"Such big questions," he said with a small smile. "Like I told you, Sinclair, we share the same goals. That's my answer."

He stopped, then said, "And what I want back... a partnership."

Scarlet's face showed a frown, her eyebrows coming close.

"A partnership?"

Grayson took a thin file from a drawer and pushed it towards her.

"Read."

Scarlet hesitated, then opened the file to look at the paper inside.

As she read, she got more lost.

"You need a partner?" she asked, looking up at him.

Grayson just shrugged.

"Think of it as a deal. A pretend wife, to be clear. I'm in a fix that needs me to look a certain way, and you match the part."

Scarlet's mouth fell open a bit, but she said nothing.

"Don't worry," he went on, sounding easy. "It's strictly professional. You can set your own terms."

Scarlet closed the folder, her gaze narrowing.

"Do you realize this would be a legal marriage? I'd have to wear your ring, live your life-"

"And stir the media into a frenzy," Grayson interrupted, leaning forward.

"Think about it. What better way to kickstart your comeback than by becoming the wife of the man everyone's dying to know more about? The headlines alone would send your name skyrocketing again."

Scarlet's mind raced.

The idea was outrageous, yet... tempting.

She was about to ask another question when Grayson interrupted.

"Why hesitate?" he asked, leaning back with a glint of confidence in his eyes.

"We're both getting what we want. Revenge, redemption, and a partnership that benefits us both. You'll have access to my connections, my resources, and everything you need to destroy the ones who wronged you. Lawyers, media control, influence-you name it. You want to take them down? I'll make sure the ground beneath them crumbles."

Scarlet studied him for a long moment.

There was no going back to her old life.

That much was certain.

"I'm in," she finally said, her voice steady.

Grayson tilted his head and smiled slightly.

"Good."

He gestured to the folder. "Then sign."

Scarlet picked up the pen, pausing to meet his gaze. "You promise to help me take them down?"

Grayson leaned closer, his smirk deepening. "You have no idea, Sinclair. I'm all in on this revenge with you."

Scarlet had felt an ember deep down inside her after weeks of feeling hopeless. She signed it with a flourish.

Grayson gave her a thin black phone, a plane ticket and a set of keys.

"Disappear," he instructed. "No socials, no public appearances. You'll be off the grid until we're ready. Use this phone to contact me and no one else."

Scarlet nodded, standing as he extended a hand.

"Pleasure doing business with you, Sinclair," he said in a steady voice.

She had made a deal-it was too late to change her mind.

Scarlet exited the building with her choice weighing heavily on her shoulders.

The phone, the keys, and the ticket in her pocket felt like anchors tying her to this new reality.

She wasn't the same woman who'd walked in, that much became clear as she cast one last glance at the gleaming Titan Holdings logo above.

This wasn't merely the formation of a partnership; it was the beginning of her reclaiming her life, and reclaiming power that had been taken from her.

She walked away knowing her life was about to change.

For better or worse.