The entire office arrived at the inauguration ground together.

The first car door opened.

Out stepped Mr Norman.

His presence always sent shivers, because he had built an empire that seemed unbreakable.

"Mr Norman!"

"Sir, this way!"

He lifted a hand, smiling the fake and practiced smile he put on for cameras. He had built empires and buried scandals.

Then the second door opened.

Jace stepped out.

The reaction shifted.

Upon stepping out of his car,

"That's the son."

"The future CEO."

"He rarely attends public events."

Jace was immediately greeted with flashlights, paparazzi, and journalists. Everyone wanted a glimpse of Jace, the heir to his father's empire who had just returned from California.

"Stand straight," Edward, "His father" murmured low enough that only Jace could hear. "They're watching."

Jace didn't look at him.

"I'm aware."

Bodyguards and armed security personnel immediately stepped in to escort them through the entrance, where a large glass door opened slowly in front of them.

The mayor of Atlanta approached first,

"Mr Norman, this is extraordinary. The city hasn't seen development like this in decades. You really outdid yourself this time around."

"It's only the beginning, I have my eyes set on something bigger, something that would send shock waves round the nation." Mr Norman replied with a smile on his face.

Another investor turned to Jace.

"Mr Jace Norman, we're honoured you could represent the next generation."

"I am here to support the vision and together with my father send the nation into a frenzy."

Please everyone settle down, as we welcome on stage Mr Jace Norman.

The room was filled with applause and more importantly. The investors were watching. The press was watching. The board was watching. It was the first time he would appear in a public event, so everyone was full of excitement and curiosity.

"Good morning," he began smoothly. "Today isn't just about the opening of this big infrastructure. It's about legacy, it's about bringing development and expansion to Atlanta, development unlike any other in the whole nation."

Jace had started pretty well, receiving nods of acknowledgement from the mayor and senators present.

He continued, "The Sovereign Galleria represents strength and Stability. A symbol of where Norman Enterprises and Atlanta, Georgia is headed-"

"Mr Norman!"

The interruption from the crowd, A female reporter.

"Yes?" Jace replied evenly.

"Before we discuss expansion," she said sweetly, "would you care to address concerns regarding your past leadership performance?"

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

Edward's facial expression tightened.

Jace replied. "I'm not sure what you're referring to."

Another reporter stood up.

"The university raping scandal, Mr Norman."

A third reporter's voice followed.

"The cocaine possession investigation during your second year at California University?"

More murmurs round the crowd.

Cameras shifted attention, zooming in on Jace's face.

The mood in the room changed instantly.

From celebration, to instant doubt.

Jace kept his voice level. "Those allegations were addressed years ago."

"Were they?" a male reporter pressed. "You were named in a list of students under review for distribution of heroin and other unlicensed drugs."

"That list was never proven," Jace replied.

"But your name was on it."

"And cleared," Jace shot back.

The first reporter stepped forward slightly.

"How can investors trust your discipline when you failed to lead your university football team to nationals? Records show you skipped mandatory practices."

Jace inhaled slowly. "University mistakes don't define executive capability."

"Oh?" another voice called out. "Then perhaps you can clarify where you were last night, Mr Norman?"

Jace's hand tightened and his facial expression was scared. around the podium.

"That's irrelevant."

"Is it?" the reporter asked, raising a tablet.

The screen lit up.

Photos, clear and undeniable.

Jace is exiting a bar, Late and Alone.

"The supposed heir has returned," the reporter continued, "but it seems his habits returned with him. Can a man who spends his nights in bars truly manage an empire?"

"I mean this is an empire where the Atlanta government is a major shareholder, and needs to be handed over to someone disciplined and hardworking, not a spoilt billionaire's son." The reporter continued.

"You're confusing an inaugural event with professional incompetence."

"Were you alone last night, Mr Norman?" the reporter pushed.

"That will be enough," Edward said, voice low but commanding. "This is an inauguration, not a trial."

But the damage was done. And no one knew this better than Mr Norman.

The narrative had shifted, Investors weren't clapping anymore. They were questioning the future of Norman Enterprises.

"Enjoy the evening," Jace said coolly before walking off stage.

The drive home was silent.

"You embarrassed this family," Edward said.

"They exposed you." and you gave them leverage.

"You think shareholders invest in potential? No. They invest in stability. Discipline."

"I can handle the company," Jace said.

"You can't even handle a podium without looking like a coward."

Inside the house, Jace barely made it to his room before Edward spoke again.

"You will be married within the week."

Jace blinked.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"That's absurd."

Edward poured himself a drink. "Public perception must change. Immediately."

"I'm not marrying someone to fix a headline."

"You will marry to prove responsibility."

Jace laughed. "You don't seriously expect me to-"

"You will," Edward cut in. "Or you will forfeit your position as successor."

"You'd strip me of the company?"

"I would protect my empire."

Edward stepped closer.

"You want to inherit Norman Enterprises?" he asked calmly. "Then you will demonstrate maturity."

"I don't love anyone," Jace said.

"This is not about love."

"It's about control."

"You have one week," Edward continued. "Find a suitable wife. Sign the papers and she must be from this town, to present stability."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then you will no longer be my heir," Edward said as he walked away.

Charlotte had gone to the bank to deposit $10,000 Jace had given her.

Because she didn't want her boyfriend "Bruce" to get his hands on the money knowing very well that he would squander the money on gambling.

Charlotte went to her apartment straight from the bank.

The second she pushed the door open, she was immediately greeted with a slap to the face from her boyfriend.

Charlotte fell on the floor hitting her head on the wall.

He slammed the door behind her.

"You filthy slut!"

Bruce's voice was loud and aggressive; one would think he was under the influence of alcohol.

Charlotte held her face looking at him.

"What-"

"You didn't come home!" he roared.

"You didn't call!" he continued.

"You didn't call me either," Charlotte replied.

His face darkened.

"Why the hell would I call you?" he snapped. "You're the one who left."

She stared at him.

"You could've texted," she said, sobbing quietly.

"Texted? I had to cook for myself," he said. "Do you know that? I had to cook."

Charlotte stared at him confused, as she had just misheard him.

"You're angry because you had to cook?"

He stepped closer.

"Where were you?" he demanded.

"At work."

"You closed by midnight."

Her throat tightened.

"Where were you, Charlotte?" he repeated, his voice sounding more dangerous.

She looked away.

That was all the confirmation he needed.

"WHO IS HE?" Bruce shouted.

"There is no he," she snapped back

Bruce laughed.

"You really think I'm stupid?"

"Seriously Charlotte you take me for a big fool."

He lifted her up, moving closer.

His hand gripped her chin harshly, forcing her to look at him as he pinned her to the wall.

"You think you can embarrass me?"

Tears burned her eyes

"You smell different."

"Me–"

"Who did you sleep with?" he asked.

She pushed him away. "Get off me."

"You didn't even check on me," she said crying uncontrollably. "You didn't call. You didn't text."

"You're lucky I even keep you here," he muttered.

"Well, that's because I work hard to pay the rent, while all you do is drink, gamble and lay your filthy hands on me." She followed up screaming.

Bruce picked up the TV remote and turned up the volume so the neighbours wouldn't hear, loosening his belt as he said, ..."I am going to deal with you and leave a scar on your body you will regret ever opening your mouth to speak."

"Bruce please I am sorry, I don't know what came over me, it was a slip of the tongue." She said crying and begging Bruce for forgiveness.

whether it was a slip of the tongue or not. I am going to leave a scar on your body, so that next time I confront you, you keep your filthy mouth shut."

"Bruce please–, I promise this won't repeat itself again. Please Bruce, I am begging you, I will be your slave, I will do anything you ask of me, but please spare me, I am already too stressed to carry a scar." Charlotte wept as she kept on begging Bruce for mercy.

"I am going to ask three more times and if you don't open your mouth and tell me who f**ked you last night, I am going to be your worst nightmare and you will regret ever crossing paths with me," Bruce said.

She closed her eyes as he started.

"Who is he?"

"Who is he?" He said for the second time.

Jace walked into his room furious, he was still thinking about his father requesting that he get married when his phone rang.

It was Malory calling.

He stared at the call before he finally answered.

"What?!" he said.

What was that, Jace? Do you have any idea what you looked like up there? They tore you apart."

"Is this why you called?" He replied clearly not in the mood.

"I had to watch you get dragged across national television," she snapped. "Cocaine? Distribution of heroin? Failing football captain? Do you enjoy humiliating me?"

"I didn't invite the press circus," he said. "Someone paid them."

"Oh, don't start with conspiracy theories," Malory cut in. "You clearly gave them leverage."

"My father wants me married."

There was a pause.

"Married to who?" she asked.

"To someone suitable," he replied. "Within a week."

"You're joking."

"No."

"You're actually serious," she whispered.

"He thinks it'll stabilize the company. Rebuild the brand. 'Responsible heir.'" He made air quotes she couldn't see. "Apparently a wife photographs well."

"And what about me?" she demanded.

"You'll still be you," he said.

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one that matters."

"You expect me to do what? Clap while you marry somebody?"

"It won't be real."

"That's not the point!"

"It is," he said calmly. "That's entirely the point."

"This is strategic and temporary. The board and investors need reassurance. My father needs obedience."

"And what do I need?" Malory shot back.

"You need to trust me."

"Trust you while you slide a ring on another woman's finger?"

"It won't mean anything."

"It will mean a lot to her."

"Then she shouldn't mistake the contract for affection."

"And this girl," she said carefully. "She knows what she's signing up for?"

"She'll know enough."

Malory. "So you're buying compliance."

"I'm buying my spot as the heir."

"And if she falls for you?"

"She won't."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I won't give her anything to fall for."

"You would make her miserable," she said.

"Yes."

"I'm not replacing you," he said.

"Good," she replied quickly. "Because I'm not disappearing."

"And if she questions it?" Malory added.

"She won't."

"And if she does?"

His voice dropped, "She'll regret it."

"That's the Jace I know."

"She'll get the ring. The house and the media appearances," he said. "You get everything else."

"And you won't fall for her?" Malory asked.

"I don't fall," he said.

"Good," she murmured. "Because if I have to watch you kiss another woman in public, I need to know she means nothing."

"She won't," he said again.

"And this marriage? For the media, for your father, for the empire, and for us?" she pressed.

"For control," he finally said.

"Then give her hell."

"Oh, I intend to."

"You won't let her get comfortable?"

"No."

"You won't let her think she's replacing me?"

"Never."

"Good," she whispered. "Because I won't share you."

"You won't have to."

And for the last time, Bruce lifted the belt above his head "Who is he?!"

And just before the belt landed, she opened her eyes and the sound of applause echoed from the television.

Charlotte's eyes shifted past his shoulder as she spotted Jace on the TV. She pointed.

"That's him!"

Bruce turned slowly toward the television.

Jace's inauguration speech was being broadcast live

"That's who?" Bruce asked.

"The guy from last night."

Bruce stared at her and looked at the TV, then back at her.

"You slept with him?" he asked.

She didn't answer.

Bruce's expression changed. He looked at the television once again, this time closely paying attention to the billionaires on screen who rule the city.

"Norman," he repeated.

"I didn't know who he was," she whispered.

Bruce's eyes met hers.

"How much did he give you?"

Her expression changed.

"What?"

"Don't lie to me," he said.

"Nothing, we just talked." She said as her mind flashed back to her making a ten-thousand-dollar deposit into the bank.

"What do you take me for Charlotte? Men like that don't just talk."

"You're telling me you spent the night with a billionaire heir... and came home empty?"

"Oh, Charlotte," he said. "You really don't think."

She stood up quickly. "Don't start."

"Start?" he smirked. "You just handed us a goldmine."

"Us?"

He stepped closer to whisper.

"You think a man like that wants headlines about some bartender he slept with?"

"I didn't sleep with him." She followed up.

"And you are not saying anything."

"Oh, I'm saying everything."

Charlotte shook her head. "No."

"You think he wants the public knowing he picked up some broke girl at a bar the night before an inauguration?"

Bruce grabbed her bag suddenly.

She gasped. "What are you doing?"

He opened it.

And found the bank receipt of the deposit she made.

His eyes widened.

"Oh," he whispered. This must be from Mr Norman."

"Ten thousand?"

She nodded.

"You're going back," he said.

"No."

"Yes."

"I'm not."

He grabbed her face again.

"You're going back," he repeated. "And this time, you would come back with more than ten thousand dollars."

"Are you seriously asking me to steal?" She asked.

"Yes, that's exactly what I am asking you to do."

"Well, I won't." She shot back.

"You don't get to decide. Now quit being useless and go prepare something for me to eat," Bruce said as he sat back on the couch, already calculating how to capitalize on this situation.

He would pick up his phone and send an anonymous message to The Norman Enterprise.

To Mr Edward Norman.

Your son wasn't alone the night he arrived in the city.

Room 55. The Royal Crest Hotel.

He spent the night with a bartender.

I have proof.

If you want this buried before the press gets it, contact me.

Mr Norman was in his office when his phone vibrated.

He opened the message and immediately his expression changed.

"Wtf, a bartender," he muttered.

"Find out everything about my son's movements the night he returned," he said to his head of security. "Every transaction.

All camera footage. Every person he was with."

Within an hour, the confirmation came.

Jace had checked into the Royal Crest Hotel.

Room fifty-five.

And there was footage of a woman entering his room late that night.

Edward stared at the image of Charlotte on the security monitor. Her simple dress and cheap heels.

Edward leaned back in his leather chair.

"If the public wants responsibility," he muttered, "I will give them responsibility."

Jace was halfway through a glass of whiskey when his father walked into his penthouse without knocking.

"I'm not in the mood for another lecture," Jace said, not turning around.

"This isn't a lecture," Edward replied. "It's a solution."

Jace glanced at him over his shoulder. "To what? My college mistakes? Or the board being on your neck?"

"To everything."

Edward tossed a file onto the glass table in front of him.

Jace opened it.

Inside was a printed image from hotel surveillance.

Charlotte Walking into Room 55.

He was shocked.

"Where did you get this?" He asked.

"You're not as careful as you think," Edward said. "And unfortunately for you, someone else noticed."

Jace slammed the file on the table. "What do you mean?"

Edward walked closer.

"I received a message this evening, from an anonymous person threatening to expose your... activities."

Jace stood.

"So pay them off."

"It won't stop there. Whoever it was would surely come back."

Edward's voice lowered.

"You are getting married."

"I am already aware of that," Jace said.

"No you are not, "You're getting married tomorrow. Noon. My office."

"You've lost your mind."

"You have already lost control of your image," Edward snapped. "You will not lose control of this company."

Jace stepped closer to him. "And who exactly am I supposed to marry? Some socialite you picked from a catalogue?"

"No."

He tapped the file.

"Her."

Jace stared at Charlotte's picture again.

"The bartender?" he scoffed. "You want me to marry a stranger from a bar?"

"I want you to marry the only person who can destroy you right now."

"You don't even know her."

"I know enough," Edward replied. "Poor background, no influence or power and more importantly easy to control."

"You're turning this into a business deal," Jace responded to his father.

"That's exactly what it is."

Edward adjusted his cuffs.

"You will marry her. The press will frame it as a pre-marriage romance."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then I release the information myself before your blackmailer does. And you can watch the empire slip slowly away from your hands because of your pride."

Jace exhaled slowly.

"You're ruthless."

"I am prepared," Edward replied as he walked away.

THE Day OF THE M A R R I A G E

Charlotte was sitting in Mr Norman's private office, when Jace walked in.

" He said quietly. "You're the girl from Room 55."

"And you're the man who didn't even say goodbye."

"This isn't about personal feelings." Edward interrupted.

Charlotte looked at him.

"You want me to marry your son."

"You will be compensated generously. Housing. Security. Financial stability for life."

Charlotte almost laughed.

"You think this is about money?"

"Then what is it about?" Jace shot back.

She looked at him properly now.

"You left me without a word. And now you're sitting here like this is a board meeting."

"You think I asked for this?" Jace said.

"Then why agree to it?"

"Because I have no choice." He said.

"And what happens after we sign this contract?"

Edward answered, "You will play the role of devoted wife. Public appearances. Charity events. No scandals."

"How long?"

"One year," Edward replied. "With the possibility of extension if necessary."

"And if I say no?"

Jace leaned closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear.

"Then whoever's threatening my father releases what they have. And you become the woman who slept with the scandal-ridden heir the night he arrived."

"So this is blackmail."

"No," he said.

"It's survival."

"You want me to risk my life, my name, everything... to protect yours?"

Edward slid an envelope towards her, inside was her mother's nursing home bills and her sister's tuition fees both fully paid.

"Now are you going to do as we say?" He asked.

"Yes."

The Norman family lawyer walked into the office with the contract details at hand, alongside the company's COO.

When the lawyer brought out the marriage documents, the COO noticed Charlotte rubbing her stomach looking dizzy, so he said.

"You look pale and stressed."

Charlotte immediately removed her hands from her stomach.

"I'm fine." She said,

"You're pale. And you're shaking," the COO said.

"My wife looked like that before we found out she was pregnant."

"I just need rest, that's all."

Jace signed first.

And as Charlotte was about to sign the documents, she kept shaking and the pen slipped from her fingers.

Both Charlotte and Jace bent down to pick up the pen, Jace held her hand and whispered.

"You are shaking."

"I'm fine."

Jace released her hand.

"If there's anything you're hiding," he murmured, "I always find out."

Charlotte signed the document and she looked up at him.

"So now what?"

Jace's eyes darkened.

"You haven't seen what marriage to me looks like."

Charlotte wrapped her hand around her stomach again.

"You should get a pregnancy test." the COO said,

The entire office became curious as they looked closely at Charlotte.

"I said I am fine, it's probably just food poisoning."

"Yeah that's true, just get yourself checked up," Edward said as he dismissed the office.

Jace stood.

"And understand something, Charlotte..."

His voice lowered.

"If you think this is the worst part of your life-"

He leaned closer.

"From today, your life is no longer yours."