By Monday morning, the world was back in chaos.
News headlines had shifted from "Carter's Collapse?" to "Comeback Queen." Nancy's move to expose Dominic's fraud went viral, especially the footage of her coldly stating, "Power isn't stolen. It's reclaimed."
But while the internet celebrated, Nancy was already three steps ahead.
Because while one enemy fell… another was just stepping onto the board.
---
Blackwood Tower – CEO Floor
Adrian's phone buzzed as he sipped his espresso.
Unknown Number:
"We need to talk. About your father's will.
—M. Pierce"
His face paled slightly.
Nancy walked in at that exact moment, waving a contract. "The PR team wants you to approve—whoa. You look like you saw a ghost."
"Close," Adrian muttered. "I saw a lawyer."
Nancy raised an eyebrow. "The deadliest species."
He handed her the phone.
She read the message, her humor fading. "Wait. Your father's will? I thought that was settled."
"So did I."
Adrian sat down slowly. "He left behind a clause no one knew about. It could… change who gets control of Blackwood Enterprises if I'm married."
Nancy blinked. "Wait. Like... us married?"
"Yeah. Only it gets messier."
Nancy crossed her arms. "Oh goody."
---
Later That Day – Carter & Co. Boardroom
Mia practically slammed a stack of papers on the table.
"So," she said, eyes wide, "Your father's will does include a clause. If Adrian's marriage lasts more than 180 days, and appears genuinely functional—not a contract—he inherits the controlling shares. If not... the shares go to his uncle."
"Uncle Harold?" Nancy said slowly. "The one who thinks women shouldn't run boardrooms and still uses a fax machine?"
"That's the one."
Adrian groaned. "He'll dismantle everything we've built."
Nancy pinched the bridge of her nose. "Okay. So we fake the marriage a little longer."
But Mia was already shaking her head. "Fake won't work. The clause includes surveillance logs, therapy visits, even interviews with close friends. This clause was built by someone very paranoid."
Nancy looked at Adrian. "So we have to… what? Pretend to be in love?"
Adrian met her gaze.
And for a split second, it didn't feel like pretending at all.
---
Meanwhile – Unknown Location
Uncle Harold watched the video of Nancy and Adrian's press conference with a glass of scotch in hand.
He paused the footage right at the moment Adrian looked at Nancy like she was the only person in the world.
"Too good," he muttered. "Far too convincing."
He picked up the phone.
"Activate the investigator. Let's see how 'real' this marriage really is."