"Her father once pulled your grandfather back from the brink. We can't push things too far," Lise said. "Just pretend she doesn't exist. Someone like her isn't worth your time."

Sophia let out a quiet breath. "Still, a lot of wealthy guys at school seem drawn to her. What if she actually snags one of those heirs as her boyfriend?"

"Impossible!" Lise said, her tone sharp with disdain. "With a background like hers, even being kept around for a few days by a rich man would already be more than she should expect."

Sophia fell silent, her lips pressed tight. The bitterness in her chest didn't ease. No matter what it took, she would see Elena gone from Bramville for good.

Inside one of the club's VIP rooms, Henry leaned into the sofa, his posture relaxed yet distant. His eyes held no warmth, and his thoughts were clearly somewhere else.

The two men seated across from him were talking, but he didn't give them a single glance.

Then Ashton stepped in, his face set with tension. He moved straight to Henry, leaning closer as he spoke in a low voice. "She got away. We couldn't catch her."

Henry's expression hardened in an instant. He shifted his gaze toward him. "Say that again."

Ashton stiffened. "That's on me. The men I sent said she moved fast. She slipped past them before they could react. To shake off two trained bodyguards that easily—she's got skills."

Henry spoke in a low, steady tone with a sharp edge. "So she got skills, or your men messed up?"

Ashton didn't know what to say. The two men he had assigned were former mercenaries now working as bodyguards. Even he hadn't expected them to lose track of a college girl.

"Did you review the surveillance nearby?" Henry asked.

"I did," Ashton said. "She never appeared on any of it. She avoided every camera on purpose."

She had shaken off trained guards and stayed out of sight of every camera? A deeper look settled in Henry's eyes. Then a faint smile touched his lips. So the top student from Bramville University's computer science department had more to her than expected.

Jaycob led Elena straight to a private room and pushed the door open. "You can head in."

"I appreciate it," Elena said, stepping past him.

Jaycob followed behind her and announced, "Sir, Miss Harvey has arrived."

From the sofa, Samuel Owen turned at once and rose to his feet. "Elena, glad you made it."

As the future successor of Enclave Club, Samuel had yet to take full control. For now, he focused on running his own tech company.

At work, he was all business—sharp, efficient. Outside of it, he softened. There was a quiet elegance to the way he carried himself.

Their connection had come through Professor James Burton. Samuel respected Elena's skill and had already offered her a place as a partner in his company. Her expertise would serve as her share, and she would have full control over her schedule. Even so, she hadn't made it official yet.

Not far from them, the others in the room turned their attention toward Elena as well.

Under the glow of the crystal lights, her figure stood out in a way that felt almost unreal. Her hair flowed smoothly down her back, her skin caught the light with a soft glow, and her features carried a quiet elegance that drew every eye in the room.

"Mr. Owen," Elena started, offering a small smile.

By chance, her gaze met Henry's. The expression on her face stalled.

It was him—the man from last night!

Why was he here? And what was his connection to Samuel?

For a brief second, Ashton showed a flicker of surprise before lowering his voice. "That's her."

From the moment she stepped inside, Henry had already placed her. His eyes stayed on her, steady and unreadable, giving nothing away.

Without letting anything show, Elena moved toward Samuel and placed the flash drive into his hand. "Everything's been restored. You can check it."

Relief crossed Samuel's face as he took it. "Thanks. I owe you for this."

"It wasn't a big deal."

Leaning back on the sofa, Evan Stewart watched her with clear interest, a hint of amusement in his gaze. "Samuel, care to introduce your guest?"

"Elena Harvey. She's studying computer science at Bramville University," Samuel said. "I'm planning to bring her into the company as an engineer." He turned slightly. "Elena, meet Evan Stewart from Aura Jewels, and Henry Watson, who runs Genesis Group."

Both names carried weight across the city. Anyone who paid attention knew exactly who they were.

A jolt ran through Elena.

So he was Henry Watson! The man from last night, the one she had spent the night with, the same man she had handed a check to, was the wealthiest man in town.

That meant the two men who tried to grab her earlier had been working for him.

Of all the ways things could turn out, she had ended up walking straight into his circle.

When their eyes met again, something in his gaze made her uneasy, though nothing showed on her face. She kept her tone steady as she greeted Evan and Henry.

Evan greeted her with a relaxed smile.

Silence lingered for a moment before Henry spoke, his voice even. "We meet again."

He didn't stress the words, but the meaning was clear.

Samuel glanced between them, curiosity showing. "You've met her before, Henry?"

Elena stepped in before Henry could respond. "We only ran into each other once, and I didn't know who he was back then."

Realization settled on Samuel's face. "Got it."

Henry didn't add anything, and Elena slowly released the breath she had been holding.

From the side, Evan watched the exchange closely, his eyes shifting between them. Something didn't add up. He had never seen Henry strike up a conversation with a woman he barely knew. That alone caught his attention.

A faint grin formed as he leaned forward. "Miss Harvey, can I get you a drink?"

A faint smile appeared on Elena's lips. "I'll pass. I don't drink."

She had already made up her mind. Alcohol wasn't something she would touch again.

Henry's voice cut in, calm and distant. "You don't drink?"

The night before told a different story. She had walked into his room smelling of alcohol, yet now she stood there, acting as if she didn't drink.

Elena didn't react. "I can't. I'm allergic."

"You don't look too good. Are you feeling unwell?" Concern showed in Samuel's eyes as he looked at her.

Elena gave a small cough and shook her head. "I'm fine. I just walked a bit too fast getting here."

Henry's gaze lingered on her, cool and unreadable. She had managed to shake off two trained bodyguards, yet she still ended up right in front of him. This time, he wasn't letting her slip away.

"Don't just stand there," Samuel said. "Sit down for a while."

Elena had no intention of staying. "It's alright. I've already handed over the drive. I should head back to campus."

"Then send me a message once you get there," Samuel said. "I want to know you made it back safely."

"Okay."

Elena's eyes swept briefly over Henry and Evan. She gave them a small nod before turning and walking out.

Evan watched her leave, the corner of his lips lifting. "Samuel, do you always look after your subordinates this closely, or is she an exception?"

A soft smile formed on Samuel's face. "You've got the wrong idea. I treat all my partners the same."

The meaning was obvious. He didn't see Elena as someone working under him.

Without warning, Henry stood up. "You two go ahead. I've got something to handle."

He didn't wait for a reply and walked out.

Ashton moved right after him.

Evan barely reacted, since he was used to it. Samuel, on the other hand, looked unsure, as if wondering whether he had done something wrong.

Noticing that, Evan waved it off. "That's just how he is. Don't take it personally. Come on, have a drink."

He poured a glass as he spoke.

Samuel looked away from the door and gave a polite nod. "Alright."

Only a few steps outside the room, Elena heard someone behind her.

"Miss Harvey, wait a moment," Ashton called out.

Elena stopped and turned. Two tall figures were heading straight toward her. From the moment she realized who Henry was, she already knew last night wouldn't end so easily.

Ashton stepped ahead and opened the door to another private room. "Mr. Watson, no one's using this one."

"Come in." Henry gave Elena a brief look before he stepped inside.

Ashton shifted his gaze toward her. "After you."

Without hesitation, Elena walked in.

The door closed behind them as Ashton entered last.

Henry made his way to the sofa and sat down, one leg crossing over the other. The air around him shifted the moment he settled in. His presence carried quiet authority, the kind that didn't need to be announced.

Most women would have felt the pressure right away.

Elena, however, didn't react to it. She moved forward at an even pace and took the seat across from him. Fear didn't touch her, but she had no intention of provoking someone like Henry Watson either.

Silence lingered for a moment before she spoke. "Mr. Watson, about what happened last night, I owe you an apology. I went too far, and leaving the way I did wasn't right. If the way I handled things upset you, we can talk about how to fix it."

There was no sign of anger on Henry's face. He looked at ease, almost indifferent. "I wasn't sober either. If I gave in to your seduction that night, it wasn't just your fault."

The word "seduction" made heat rise to her ears.

His eyes sharpened slightly. "But after sleeping with me, you walked out and left money behind. That part doesn't sit well with me."

Elena didn't respond. If she had known who he was, she never would have handled it that way.

"What do you want from me?" she asked after a pause.

Instead of answering, Henry studied her in silence, as if weighing every detail.

Something about the way he looked at her made her face warm, even though she kept her expression steady. It was the first crack in her composure.

After letting the silence stretch, he finally spoke. "Marry me."

Elena went still. For a second, she thought she had heard him wrong. "What did you say?"

Off to the side, Ashton struggled to keep his expression in check. Weren't they supposed to settle a problem? How had this turned into a proposal? What was his boss trying to do here?

"I meant what I said," Henry replied, his voice calm and firm. "You'll marry me. It's only a charade. Two years. When that's done, we go our separate ways."

So that was his plan. A contract marriage.

It didn't take long for Ashton to piece it together. The intention behind it became clear.

Elena studied Henry in silence.

Someone had once told her—she couldn't remember who—that Henry's family had always pushed him to settle down, but he'd never shown any interest in women.

That explained everything. He wanted her to deal with his family and to cover for his sexuality?

Holding onto that thought, she looked straight at him. "Why pick me?"

Henry didn't look away. "Do you really need me to go over last night again?"

Elena stayed quiet. A hint of color crept onto her face. "So that's your only reason?"

"You could say that."

He had never tolerated close contact with unfamiliar women. After what happened, she didn't fall into that group anymore.

Elena shifted her focus. "Those two men earlier. The ones who tried to stop me. You were behind that?"

"I was."

So she hadn't been mistaken.

She held her lips tight for a moment. When it came down to it, she had started everything. She was the one who entered his suite and pushed things forward.

Two years didn't sound long. The marriage would exist only in name, with nothing deeper tied to it. What he asked for wasn't out of line. It still beat having him come after her. After all, if he chose to make a move, the consequences wouldn't be small.

Her gaze drifted back to him. Let's be honest—that face made things a whole lot easier. Two years with a guy this good-looking? She could live with that.

After weighing it carefully, she spoke. "I have two conditions."

Henry gave a small nod. "Let's hear them."

"First, you can announce the marriage, but my identity stays hidden. Second, when you need me to cooperate, I will. Outside of that, my personal life stays mine. You stay out of mine, and I'll stay out of yours."

She wasn't about to reveal more of herself than necessary. Two years later, she didn't want to walk away with a label she never asked for.

"That works," Henry said without a pause.

His answer came too easily.

Elena gave a slight nod. "Then we have a deal."

"I'll come by your school tomorrow afternoon," Henry said.

Elena's brows lifted. "Tomorrow?"

Everything felt rushed.

"Yeah, tomorrow," he repeated. Then he added, "Is there an issue?"

It would happen either way. Waiting wouldn't change the outcome. Elena pushed the thought aside. "No. It's fine."

That was how they reached their agreement.

Henry pulled out his phone and glanced at her. "I'll reach out before I show up. Give me your number."

Without hesitation, Elena recited it. Her phone rang almost right after.

Henry ended the call. "That's mine."

"Alright." Elena looked down and saved the contact, labeling it simply as "Watson".

A short silence passed before she stood. "If that's everything, I'll head out."

Henry's eyes followed her. "Ashton can drive you."

"No need. The campus isn't far. I'll walk."

Elena turned toward the door and took a couple of steps when his voice stopped her. "Hold on."

She paused and turned back. By the time she faced him, he was already close. The pressure around him felt immediate. He raised his hand, a check held between his fingers. "Take this. I don't need money like this."

Elena didn't argue. She took the check, turned away again, and left. Her steps grew faster without her noticing.

By the time she reached the dorm building, her phone buzzed.

She took it out and checked the message.

"Void, someone in Bramville is offering a huge payout to find his missing sister. You in?"

Elena answered instantly, "Not this time. I've been tied up with work."

The response came quickly. "Work? What kind of work's got you turning this down? You're really choosing small gigs over this?"

Elena typed back, "Yes."

Another message followed. "What, is your boss that good-looking? Don't tell me you're distracted by a pretty face."

The words lingered. Without warning, Henry's face surfaced in her mind.

She shook her head, didn't reply, and slipped her phone away before pushing open the dorm door.

Back at Enclave Club, Evan ended his call, his expression turning grim.

Void had refused the offer.

Since when did anyone walk away from easy money?

Inside the dorm, only Chloe Walsh was there.

She looked up when Elena walked in. "Good evening."

"Good evening." Elena offered a small smile.

Chloe leaned forward slightly. "Why'd you leave so suddenly last night? And you didn't come back either."

"I had something to deal with, so I left early." Elena glanced toward the bed inside. "Have you seen Hazel?"

Chloe shrugged. "She's probably out with her rich boyfriend. I doubt she's coming back tonight."

A faint chill passed through Elena's eyes, but she didn't press further.

The next afternoon, in a quiet wooded corner of campus, Hazel Ford tried to keep her expression steady, though a flicker of unease showed for a moment. "Elena, why did you ask me to meet here? What's going on?"

Elena looked at her without warmth. She had always known Hazel played both sides, acting one way in front of her and another behind her back. Still, she hadn't expected her to drug her at the party.

"It was your doing."

Hazel's shoulders tightened, but she forced a confused look. "What are you talking about?"

Elena stepped closer, and a heavy tension settled in the air. "You put something in my drink that night."

"What are you even saying? I have no idea."

Hazel's eyes flicked to the faint marks near Elena's collar. A quiet sense of satisfaction crept in. She assumed the man she arranged had already done what she intended.

Knowing Hazel would never admit it easily, Elena took out her phone, opened her gallery, and turned the screen toward Hazel.

"This account belongs to you. And this is the purchase record. Are you still going to deny it?"

A trace of unease crossed Hazel's face. She had deleted everything, yet the records were back.

"I've never seen that before. I didn't buy anything like that. You're just trying to pin this on me."

Elena slid to the next image. It showed Hazel receiving the package, her face clear, with the delivery details matching the order.

"What's your excuse now?"

The color drained from Hazel's face before shifting again. She let out a sharp breath and dropped the act. "Yes, I did it. I can't stand you, and I drugged your drink. You think I don't know you got into Epoch Tech? Why should you fail at marrying into money, then turn around and take my internship at Epoch? Why do you get everything?"

In her mind, that position had always been hers.

A cold smile tugged at Elena's lips. "If you didn't get into Epoch, that's on you. Don't blame me for it."

Hazel responded, refusing to accept that, "Maybe I can't beat you when it comes to playing with men."

Her expression twisted with contempt as she added, "So what if you have all that? Are you really going to report me? Once this gets out, the school's reputation takes a hit too. Do you think they'll protect you? Elena, we're both nobodies. In Bramville, people like us don't matter. Take my advice and don't push this. Your plan to marry rich has already fallen apart. If you keep going, you'll destroy your own name again. You might even get kicked out of the university."

Buying that kind of drug was illegal. Hazel knew that.

But Elena hadn't taken it to the school yet—and there was a reason. The school's reputation was on the line. So was Elena's.

That was exactly why Hazel felt no fear. She was certain Elena wouldn't dare take this to the school directly.

Elena's voice stayed calm. "Someone like you isn't worth dragging the university's name down. I've already sent everything to the president anonymously. He'll take care of it. Getting you expelled shouldn't be difficult."

Elena raised her phone as she spoke. The screen clearly showed the message had gone through.

The moment it sank in, panic took over Hazel's face. "Have you lost your mind?" She rushed forward, reaching for the phone.

Elena reacted instantly. She grabbed her and shoved her away.

Hazel crashed onto the ground. A sharp cry slipped out. Her ankle twisted badly, though the pain barely registered. She had worked too hard to get into this university. She hadn't even graduated yet. If she got expelled now, everything would fall apart.

Hatred filled her eyes as she stared up at Elena. "If I'm thrown out, I'll drag you down with me. Your scandal's already all over campus. You want another one? If that happens, forget about marrying into money."

A chill settled in Elena's gaze. She stepped forward and pressed her foot down on Hazel's leg.

Hazel screamed. It felt like her bone would break.

Elena tapped her phone again. A recording began to play, and Hazel's own voice echoed out.

"Yes, I did it. I can't stand you, and I drugged your drink."

As the words filled the air, Elena looked down at her. "Seems like expulsion isn't enough for you. You want to end up in prison too."

Shock overtook Hazel's face. For a moment, she forgot the pain entirely.

She had never expected Elena to recover everything, let alone trap her into admitting it.

Her teeth clenched before her tone shifted. "Elena, I'm sorry. I messed up. I just lost my head for a moment. I can't leave school. We've been roommates for three years. Please let this go. Take the email back. I'm begging you. I can't get expelled."

Elena didn't soften. "If saying sorry fixed things, laws wouldn't exist. You made your choice. Now you face it."

Frustration broke through Hazel's fear. "So what? Some punk slept with you. It's not a big deal. You walked away just fine. And over something like that, you're going to destroy my entire future?"

"Some punk?"

Elena's fingers curled tight, and the chill in her eyes deepened.

So the man outside the private room, the one she had knocked down, had been sent by Hazel.

The color drained from Hazel's face when she saw that reaction. She knew exactly what Elena was capable of. If Elena chose to hit her, she wouldn't hold back. That was why she had relied on drugs in the first place. Otherwise, there was no way that kind of man could have controlled her.

Right then, Elena's phone lit up with Henry's name.

She ignored the call and looked down at Hazel. "Pack your things and leave this university. Don't let me see you again."

After a brief pause, she added, "And that man you hired? He's probably lying in a hospital bed right now."

Without another word, she turned and walked away, picking up the call as she moved.

Hazel stayed where she had fallen, her face pale, her eyes fixed on Elena's back, filled with resentment.

What did that mean? Had that man failed? But Elena hadn't returned that night, and the marks on her neck had been obvious.

In the parking lot, Henry waited alone. There was no driver this time. The moment he saw Elena, he stepped out of the Maybach and opened the passenger door himself.

Elena gave a quiet thanks and got inside.

Henry took his seat behind the wheel and glanced at her. "Put your seat belt on."

Elena pulled it across and secured it. "Where are we going?"

For a marriage that existed only in name, they weren't actually heading to register it right away, were they?

His hands rested on the steering wheel. After a short pause, he answered, "Our home."

Elena understood right away. Even if it was only for show, it still had to look real.

A brief pause passed before she spoke. "We can stay in the same house, but we're not sharing a room."

Henry shot her a sideways look. "You don't need to worry about that. I have no interest. If anything, you should stop drinking whatever's handed to you and walking into a stranger's room."

Elena turned her gaze toward the window and stayed silent.

Not long after, the car rolled into Hartwell Mansion, set within one of the city's most exclusive neighborhoods.

The grounds were carefully designed, with water features and landscaping that stood out even among the city's best.

The vehicle passed through the gates of the mansion.

They stepped out from opposite sides, and Ashton approached without delay.

Together, they walked through the garden, passed the pool, and entered the main sitting room.

On the coffee table were a marriage certificate and a prenuptial agreement. Both in duplicate.

Ashton started, "Everything has been prepared."

Henry gave a slight nod and picked up the certificate, glancing over it.

Elena leaned in for a look. It appeared completely legitimate.

Henry then turned to her and handed over the prenup. "Go through it. If you don't see any issues, sign it."

The document was thick. Elena didn't bother flipping through it. She signed her name without reading a single page.

To her, this marriage was nothing but a sham. The contents didn't matter.

Henry watched her for a moment before settling back against the sofa, saying nothing.

After putting the pen down, Elena's eyes shifted toward a painting on the wall.

Ashton noticed right away. "Do you like that piece, Miss Harvey? It's by Drift. Mr. Watson values that artist highly. Drift is also the only student of the famous painter Joseph Dawson."

In Ashton's mind, since they were bound by a fake marriage, Elena had to learn Henry's habits and preferences. Otherwise, she might make a mistake in front of the Watson family.