CHAPTER 1

One hit, the golf ball goes inside the tee. A small, satisfied smile crept across my lips. I handed the club back to his secretary.

"Have you had enough fun?" Spencer's voice floated from behind, dry and unamused.

Mr. Tiu quietly excused himself. Spencer walk towards the blinds as I made myself comfortable to his office and sat down.

"It's nice to see I wasn't on the news yet," I answered.

Surely, he covered it up. My controversial issues were only a glimpse of who I am. He wouldn't want his reputation stained.

I checked my phone. Mom messaged me about the recent issue she got dragged on.

Spencer removed his suit. His eyes watched me like he already know the dirty tricks I'm pulling. I stayed silent. I opened my Mom's message and sent a reply.

Iarra:

I'll take care of it.

Spencer walked behind my back. He crouched down as his hands enveloped mine and turned the phone off.

"You know what it means to be coming here," he reminded, his voice low, close.

I put my phone down. How would I even forget that?

"For business," I replied, brushing him off.

He smiled — not with kindness, but something sharp underneath. He walked towards his table and brought the reason why I personally went here.

"How do I know you're not just stalling?" he asked, trying to remind me of what we've talked days ago.

I stayed still, hesitant. No one knew I was here. I don't even know what he's really up to.

"You're not even losing...” Spencer trailed off, voice calm, rehearsed. "I'm providing you a way out that doesn’t look like running."

He sat and placed the folder on the desk in front of me. Leather-bound. Precise. Nothing accidental.

I paused. My eyes met his across the desk. The contract sat there, untouched.

His gaze didn’t waver. His fingers tapped once. “You decide, Iarra.”

My eyes drifted to the contract. With this, I could earn Dad’s favor — secure a position no one could question. But at what cost? Once Spencer reveals it to the public, there's no pulling back. No undoing the damage. And no way to stay untouched when everything starts to unravel.

My phone buzzed.

Arkius:

"You're not showing up tonight?"

I didn't answer.

Spencer watched me contemplate. I stared at him — the man I've never seen for a long time, now trying to interfere, screaming more power than permission.

I heaved a sigh. Spencer knows I can’t refuse the contract. But dragging Arkius into a public downfall? That wasn’t part of the plan. And no matter how much I want to get rid of him, ruining him isn’t a win — it’s just another stain we'll have to carry.

"What if it go too far?" I asked, trying to see how far he have foresee.

A smirk tugged at his lips.

"Then maybe..." he said, voice a thread between threat and promise, "... you'll have to rely on me."

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