Chapter 19

Ethan's expression darkened, but he had enough self-control to keep his anger in check.

"Vanessa, don't worry about me. I'll just stay here and have another drink. Come find me when you're finished."

Vanessa nodded, relieved to have a moment alone to handle this delicate situation.

The deal with Alexander had been at a standstill for nearly three weeks, and she was growing desperate for his approval.

Now that he had brought it up himself, she couldn’t afford to let this opportunity slip away.

Fresh out of university, Vanessa had been placed at Horizon Enterprises by Richard as a junior project manager.

Despite his influence, she struggled to command respect from the more seasoned employees.

To prove herself, she needed results—fast.

Vanessa took a careful step toward Alexander, searching for the right words. "Alexander, about the proposal—"

His sharp gaze cut her off. "What did you just call me?"

She froze, realizing her misstep. "I mean… Mr. Whitmore."

Alexander flicked open his silver cigarette case with a practiced motion.

"The Horizon Enterprises deal can be yours," he said, lighting the cigarette with deliberate slowness.

Vanessa's breath hitched.

"But there's one condition." His icy gaze locked onto hers. "You walk away from Ethan. Permanently."

Her nails dug into her palms.

If she abandoned Ethan for this contract, he'd never forgive her.

But losing Horizon Enterprises? Explaining that failure to Titan Capital's board—and to Richard—would be catastrophic.

Trapped between betrayal and ruin, Vanessa's throat tightened.

Alexander exhaled a thin stream of smoke, watching her internal battle with visible amusement.

"Pick a side, Vanessa. You don't get both."

The grandfather clock's ticking grew deafening as she stared at the Persian rug, its intricate patterns blurring.

When Alexander abruptly stood, her pulse spiked. "Mr. Whitmore—surely we can discuss alternatives?"

His laugh was razor-sharp.

"Did you honestly think," he murmured, stepping into her space, "you had any leverage here?"

The citrus-and-tobacco scent of his cologne turned her stomach.

Somewhere in the mansion, a door slammed.

Vanessa realized two terrible truths at once:

First—Alexander had engineered this trap long before today.

Second—she'd already lost, no matter what she chose.

Vanessa's voice trembled. "Mr. Whitmore, but I truly love Ethan! I can't walk away from him!"

Alexander's lips twisted into a mocking smirk. "Then Horizon Enterprises will find another partner."

Her knuckles turned bone-white from how tightly she clenched her fists. The decision was already made.

No matter what, she would choose Ethan over the deal.

She wasn’t foolish like Evelyn.

There would always be other business opportunities, but Ethan was irreplaceable.

Alexander studied her with icy amusement.

"Even if you choose him, it doesn’t mean you’ll get to keep him."

Vanessa stiffened, the words like a knife twisting in her chest.

She stared at him, stunned. "You never mentioned that condition before."

"Didn’t I?" His gaze darkened. "I never promised that sacrificing the deal would grant you permission to stay with him."

Her stomach dropped.

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Alexander Whitmore's office as he leaned back in his leather chair.

"You heard about last night, didn't you?" His voice was smooth, almost amused. "The whole scene was rather dramatic. As the head of the Whitmore family, it's my duty to handle this properly—unless you'd prefer a scandal?"

Vanessa Hart clenched her jaw, her fingers digging into the armrest of the chair. "But I love Ethan. Please, don't do this."

Alexander arched a brow, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "Do what? If you're so determined to be with him, why not marry him? That would solve quite a few problems for me."

Vanessa's breath hitched.

This was exactly what she wanted.

But the Whitmores were old money, obsessed with lineage and reputation.

Despite being raised in the Hayes household and treated like a princess, high society still saw her as an outsider.

Eleanor Caldwell would never accept her as Ethan's wife.

That was why, even though Evelyn Carter was less polished, she was the one engaged to Ethan—not Vanessa.

Vanessa quickly realized Alexander was cornering her.

"You're playing games," she said, her voice tight. "Mr. Whitmore, you know Eleanor would never allow this marriage. How could I—"

"Possibly marry him?"

Alexander reclined in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips as he crossed his legs. "If you're so determined, shouldn't you be the one to come up with a solution?"

Vanessa blinked, caught off guard. "What solution?"

"You're asking me?"

Alexander's eyes glinted with icy amusement. "Figure it out yourself. I'll give you three days to make Ethan marry you. If you can't pull it off, then you're on your own."

Vanessa's stomach twisted.

This was far more complicated than she’d anticipated.

If she’d had any real leverage, she wouldn’t have spent three years sneaking around with Ethan without sealing the deal.

Just then, Lucas sauntered over, swirling a glass of wine in his hand.

He gestured toward Ethan, who was slumped face-down on the table, utterly wasted. "Alexander, your nephew can't hold his liquor. How did he get this drunk so fast?"

His gaze then flicked to Vanessa.

"You don’t exactly look like you can handle him alone. Want me to call someone?"

Without responding, Vanessa moved to prop Ethan up, letting his dead weight slump against her shoulder.

The challenge was set.

Three days.

And she had no idea how she was going to pull this off.

Alexander was completely unconscious, dead to the world.

Vanessa's thoughts spiraled, Alexander's cruel ultimatum echoing in her mind.

Amid the chaos of her emotions, a reckless idea sparked.

Perhaps there was a way out—if she dared to play a dangerous game.

Fine liquor had a way of loosening even the tightest self-control.

Not long after Vanessa and Ethan departed, Alexander found himself thoroughly drunk.

Simon was about to help his inebriated boss into the car when his phone buzzed—Evelyn was calling.

Her voice was hesitant. "Simon… is he with you?"

Simon froze.

"Ms. Carter… have you made your choice?"

The air in the Eclipse Lounge was thick with the scent of aged whiskey and regret.

Vanessa watched from the shadows as Ethan downed another glass, his expression dark.

She had to act fast.

Alexander’s words still burned in her ears: "You have until midnight."

But she wasn’t the type to surrender.

Not without a fight.

Simon tightened his grip on Alexander’s arm, steadying him as they reached the car.

The call with Evelyn had left him uneasy.

Something was about to break.

And when it did, there would be no turning back.

Vanessa’s fingers trembled as she pulled out her phone.

One text.

That was all it would take.

"Meet me. Now."

She hit send.

The game was on.

Alexander groaned, his head pounding as the world spun around him.

He barely registered Simon’s voice.

"Sir, we need to go."

But his mind was elsewhere—lost in the memory of Evelyn’s defiance.

And the clock was ticking.

Evelyn stood by the window, her reflection pale in the moonlight.

Simon’s question haunted her.

Have you made your choice?

But the truth was, she already had.

She just didn’t know if she could live with it.

Vanessa’s phone buzzed.

A reply.

"Where?"

She smiled.

Checkmate.