The lobby of Luxe Group International was silent when she walked in. Not because no one was there—quite the opposite.
Every employee froze.
She wore a fitted black blazer, tailored pants, and boots that clicked sharply against the marble floor. Her hair was tied high, her gaze steady, posture confident. She didn't need to speak to draw attention—she owned it just by being present.
Aria Sinclair.
A name people didn't say lightly.
Rumors followed her like shadows.
The girl who fought her way from nothing.
The woman who didn't bow.
The one you shouldn't try to crush unless you were prepared to break yourself.
She walked to the private elevator without looking at anyone.
The receptionist swallowed. "Miss Sinclair, the CEO is in a meeting—"
Aria pressed the elevator button.
"I'm the meeting."
The doors closed.
---
The 48th floor was silent, the air sharp and cold, like the man who owned it.
Adrian Locke.
CEO of Luxe Group.
The youngest in the city to build an empire from dust.
Brilliant. Ruthless. Charismatic only when necessary.
People called him the Ice Wolf of the corporate world.
Aria entered his office without knocking.
He was standing by the window, hands in pockets, suit flawless, posture relaxed—but his presence filled the room like a storm waiting to break.
He didn't turn around.
"You're late."
Aria's voice was calm. "You called me last night. I came in the morning. That's punctual."
Adrian turned, and their eyes met.
Cold gray. Dark fire.
Two wills. Both unbending.
He walked toward her slowly, like a predator examining prey—but she didn't step back. If anything, she lifted her chin slightly.
He placed a folder on the table between them.
"A contract," he said. "You need something. I need something."
Aria didn't touch it. "I don't take deals I haven't read."
"You'll take this one," Adrian replied quietly. Too quietly.
And then, he said the words that froze the air:
"I need a wife."
Aria blinked once.
"…Excuse me?"
"A legal spouse." Adrian's tone remained flat. "For business negotiations. Investors respect a man with stability. Marriage changes the power dynamics in my favor."
"And why me?" Aria asked.
"You're the only woman in this city," he said, "who wouldn't fall in love with me."
Silence.
Her expression didn't change—but something like laughter flickered in her eyes.
"You're very confident," she said.
"I'm realistic."
Aria finally opened the folder. Terms. Timelines. Non-interference clauses. No intimacy. Public appearances only. A clean exit in one year.
She closed it.
"No."
She turned to leave.
Adrian didn't move. "Your father's company is collapsing."
Her steps stopped.
Her hands curled at her sides.
He continued, voice smooth and emotionless:
"I buy their debt—we sign the contract. Your family survives."
Aria slowly turned back to him.
"You're not looking for a wife," she said softly. "You're looking for someone who won't belong to you. So you chose the one woman who never could."
Adrian didn't answer.
Because she was right.
She studied him for a long, quiet moment.
Then:
"I'll sign."
Their eyes locked like blades crossing.
"But hear me clearly, Adrian Locke," she said. "You don't own me. You don't control me. And you don't scare me."
Adrian stepped closer—just enough. His voice dropped to a whisper.
"Then this will be interesting."