Chapter 3

Later, amidst the buzz of shocked whispers and hurried re-evaluations of power dynamics, Jax found me.

He stood a little awkwardly by the refreshment table, holding two glasses of champagne.

"Rory," he began, his voice cautious, "are you sure about this? About me?"

He looked genuinely concerned, his brow furrowed. "I don't want to be chosen out of... spite for Caleb."

I smiled, a genuine smile this time. "Spite, Jax? No. This is strategy. And perhaps... correcting a past mistake."

His eyes searched mine.

I leaned in. "Besides," I whispered playfully, "you look much better in Ryder colors than Vance ones."

A faint blush crept up his neck. He cleared his throat and handed me a glass. "Right. Strategy." He took a large gulp of his own champagne, then practically fled. It was endearing.

Just as I was savoring the small victory, a soft voice said, "Miss Blackwood?"

Lila Hayes.

She approached me, all wide-eyed innocence and feigned humility. "Thank you," she murmured, "for... for understanding Caleb. He has such a strong sense of justice. I know this is difficult, but I' m so grateful you' re not making things harder for him."

Before I could respond, Caleb materialized at her side, his face a thundercloud.

"What are you doing, Rory?" he snarled, misinterpreting the scene instantly. "Leave Lila alone! Can't you see she's been through enough?"

He stepped in front of Lila, shielding her. "I'm warning you, Blackwood. Don't you dare try to hurt her or come between us. She' s more of a lady than you' ll ever be."

I almost laughed. Hurt her? Lila was a viper.

I remembered her supposed "death" in my past life, a convenient tragedy that had driven Caleb further into the Syndicate' s orbit, blaming me and my family.

It was all a lie. She was a key agent for the Crimson Syndicate, a master manipulator.

I let my gaze drift over Caleb' s furious face. Let him believe his fantasy. He would learn the truth about Lila the hard way. It was a lesson he needed to experience firsthand.

My father approached then, effectively ending the confrontation. "Rory, some of our allies wish to congratulate you on the new pact."

As Caleb stewed, news arrived that CEO Vance, in a desperate bid to maintain some goodwill and perhaps hoping to salvage any connection to Blackwood resources, was sending a lavish collection of "peace offerings" to Blackwood Ranch.

Not for an alliance, but as an apology for his son' s public spectacle and to solidify the general peace between the families, even if the direct marriage was off.

I merely raised an eyebrow when my father told me. "Gifts?" I said, my voice cool. "How... quaint. After his son publicly dragged our name through the mud."

My father chuckled. "Indeed. But some of these are... significant. Rare earth mineral rights, a portfolio of cutting-edge tech patents, and something called the 'Phoenix Vial' – an experimental life-saving drug, only a handful in existence."

The Phoenix Vial. My mind snagged on that. It sounded far too important to be a simple apology gift.