Contract Marriage: I Will Never Love You-Chapter 151: Lead the Way

Marcus

I look at Hailey from across the room. The suspicion in her eyes is delicious. I know she is smart enough to wonder if I orchestrated Elise and Thomas’s offer to Josh. But she can’t accuse me outright. It’s fascinating to watch her think, to see her mind working behind those expressive eyes.

Thomas raises his glass to me from across the room, a silent acknowledgment of a favor returned. I nod back, keeping my expression neutral.

Of course, I arranged the meeting. Thomas owed me after I connected him with the Chinese textile manufacturer that saved his spring collection last year. One phone call was all it took.

But the offer is legitimate. Josh does have the look L’Attente wants, and Elise isn’t the type to waste her time on mediocrity. If he accepts, he’ll be whisked away to Milan within weeks, leaving Hailey here, in my orbit, without her golden retriever bodyguard.

I take a sip of my scotch, enjoying the slow burn down my throat as I survey my kingdom.

The party is going perfectly. The right people, the right conversations, the right atmosphere of exclusivity and indulgence. Even the lighting is flawless, casting everyone in the most flattering glow money can buy.

"You look pleased with yourself," a voice purrs beside me.

I turn to find Rebecca, that irritating little firecracker, watching me with knowing eyes. Her red dress is admittedly stunning, if obvious. The kind of dress a woman wears when she wants every man in the room to imagine taking it off.

Not me, though.

"I’m always pleased with myself," I reply, not bothering to temper my arrogance. "It’s one of my more charming qualities."

She laughs, the sound surprisingly genuine. "Is that what you call it? Charming?"

I allow myself a small smile. "What would you call it?"

"Compensating," she says sweetly.

Despite myself, I chuckle. The girl has nerve, I’ll give her that.

"Tell me," I say, turning to face her fully, "what exactly is your role in all this? Professional third wheel? Bodyguard? Or just a bored little girl looking for excitement?"

Rebecca’s smile doesn’t disappear. "Maybe I just enjoy watching you squirm when things don’t go your way."

"Is that what you think you’re doing? Making me squirm?" I take another sip of my drink, amused. "You overestimate your importance."

"And you," she counters, leaning in slightly, "underestimate mine."

Our eyes lock, and for a moment, I feel a flicker of genuine curiosity. She’s not as simple as I first thought.

There’s a sharpness to her that I didn’t notice before, hiding beneath the flirtatious facade. Something almost...

"You arranged that offer for Josh, didn’t you?" she asks, voice dropping lower.

I raise an eyebrow. "What makes you think that?"

"Because you’re the type of man who controls every variable in the room." She sips her drink, eyes never leaving mine. "Including who gets which opportunities."

"The modeling world is small," I say dismissively. "Connections are made all the time."

Rebecca laughs softly. "Right. And I’m sure you had nothing to do with dangling a contract that would take Josh halfway around the world."

"If Josh is truly talented, he deserves the opportunity," I say, keeping my voice neutral. "And if Hailey is as committed to him as she claims, a little distance shouldn’t matter."

"Unless that distance creates space for someone else to move in," Rebecca counters.

I smile thinly. "You have quite the imagination."

"And you have quite the reputation." She steps closer, close enough that I can smell her perfume. Something floral and young. "But I will tell you right now, you are wasting your time. What Hailey and Josh have is something special."

I study her for a moment, genuinely intrigued by her boldness. "You are a romantic, are you?"

"Yes," Rebecca says simply.

Something uncomfortable stirs in my chest. I dismiss it with another sip of scotch.

"Josh makes her happy," she continues. "So if you think shipping him off to Milan will clear your path, you’re not as clever as you think."

I laugh, the sound sharp and dismissive. "You think I’m threatened by Josh? A boy who stumbled into modeling by accident?"

"I think you’re threatened by the fact that he got what you couldn’t." Her eyes gleam with satisfaction. "Her heart."

Before I can respond, she leans in, her lips brushing my ear. "And just so you know, I wasn’t lying about being interested in you. But watching you lose? That might be even more satisfying."

She pulls back with a wink and saunters away.

I watch her go, an unfamiliar tension in my jaw. The girl is more perceptive than I gave her credit for.

But she is wrong. I won’t lose to Josh.

I drain my glass and signal for another. Across the room, I spot Hailey laughing at something Josh said, her hand resting casually on his chest. The intimacy of the gesture sends a flare of irritation through me.

I straighten my jacket as I see Elise walking toward me.

"Elise," I say smoothly as she approaches, her platinum heels clicking softly against the polished marble floor.

She raises an eyebrow, lips already tugged into that sly, knowing smile of hers. "He didn’t say yes right away. Think he will change his mind?"

"Hard to tell," I murmur, tipping my glass toward her in a mock toast.

She leans against the edge of the table beside me, sipping her Martini.

"He needs to say yes to your offer. He will be a fool not to. But let’s give him a little...push."

Her lips curl. "You want me to seduce him?"

"I want you to distract him," I say coolly. "Flirt a little. Show him what the European fashion scene is really about. Pull his attention where it needs to be."

She gives a soft, wicked laugh. "You want him dazzled enough to leave Hailey behind without thinking twice."

"Exactly," I say. "And you’re very good at dazzling, Elise."

She swirls her glass, amused.

I lean in slightly, my voice dropping just enough to feel conspiratorial. "I mean, what’s the harm? It won’t be the first time you took a model to bed."

Her gaze flicks to Josh again. "He is pretty. But it seems that he is with your photographer. I generally don’t take something that belongs to someone else."

I smile, slow and deliberate. "Don’t think of it as taking. Think of it as borrowing."

Elise laughs, a low, elegant sound that blends seamlessly with the hum of conversation around us. "You really are a piece of work, Marcus."

"Thank you," I say, raising my glass. "I try."

She studies me over the rim of her drink, her expression unreadable for a moment. "You’re awfully invested in this, you know."

"I like to win," I say simply.

"At what cost?"

"That depends on the prize."

Her eyes narrow slightly, but I can see the gleam of intrigue in them. Elise loves a game almost as much as I do. And this one? This one is just heating up.

With a final, teasing smirk, she sets her glass down and turns toward the crowd. "I’ll talk to him. No promises, Marcus."

"Got it," I murmur as she walks away.

I watch her weave through the guests, her movement purposeful and poised. She approaches Josh with an easy smile, touching his arm lightly as she speaks. Hailey turns toward them, her laughter dimming into a tight, uncertain smile. Good. Let the cracks start to show.

I sip my drink, feeling the familiar thrill of control settle back into my bones. Rebecca may think she sees through me, may think I’m scrambling for Hailey’s affection out of desperation or jealousy.

But that’s where she’s wrong.

This isn’t just about Hailey. This is about proving I can take whatever I want because I can. Because I always do.

Josh might have stumbled into the spotlight, but he’s not built to survive in it. Milan will eat him alive. Elise will make sure of that. And when he falls apart?

I’ll be right here.

Waiting.

The golden retriever gone, the pedestal cracked, and Hailey looking for someone who understands how the world really works.

Someone like me.

I’m still watching Elise’s calculated approach when she suddenly turns and catches my eye across the room. I make my way over.

"Marcus," she purrs when I reach them, her hand still resting on Josh’s arm. "I was just telling Josh and Hailey about the amenities at the Milan penthouse."

Josh shifts uncomfortably, his eyes darting to Hailey, who’s maintaining an admirably neutral expression despite the obvious tension.

"Speaking of amenities," Elise continues, her gaze sliding over me with practiced appreciation, "I noticed your spectacular hot tub on the terrace. I’d love to try it out."

Her meaning couldn’t be clearer if she’d stripped naked right there in the middle of my living room. Josh’s eyebrows shoot up, and Hailey’s glass freezes halfway to her lips.

"Of course," I reply smoothly. "It’s heated year-round. The view of the city is... incomparable."

"I bet it is," Elise says, her voice dropping to a silky murmur. "Perhaps we could all enjoy it?" ƒгeewebnovёl.com

Josh clears his throat. "I, uh, didn’t exactly come prepared for swimming."

"That’s not a problem," I interject. "I keep extra suits for guests. All sizes."

Hailey’s eyes narrow slightly.

"What do you say?" Elise asks, addressing Josh directly, her fingers trailing down his arm. "The night is young, and I’d love to continue our conversation about Milan."

"I’m not sure—" Josh begins, but Hailey interrupts.

"Actually," she says, "that sounds fun. I could use a break from these heels anyway."

I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips.

"Perfect," Elise declares, clapping her hands together.

Rebecca materializes at Hailey’s side, a fresh drink in hand and mischief in her eyes. "Did someone say hot tub?"

"We’re taking this party outside," Elise explains, her smile not quite reaching her eyes as she looks at Rebecca. "Care to join?"

"Wouldn’t miss it," Rebecca replies sweetly, linking her arm through mine. "Lead the way, Marcus."