Evangeline sat at her computer, scouring the audio logs for any sign of anomalies. Nothing. Not a single blip.

She sighed, leaning back in her chair. The news of the pregnancy was out. By all logical metrics, Cassidy should be making her next move, but the silence remained absolute. Evangeline loathed this—a game where the variables were hidden in the dark.

The next morning.

Edward Montgomery arrived at the Harrison offices as scheduled. The three of them sat in the executive suite, the air thick with tension.

"Edward, what is so urgent that you had to come down here yourself?" Anthony Harrison started.

"Cassidy is pregnant. Jonah needs to take responsibility," Edward said, his voice flat. He secretly triggered the voice recorder in his pocket.

Jonah flinched at the weight of Edward's tone, but he quickly steeled himself. "Sir, I am not going to marry her."

"Do you really think a daughter of the Montgomery family can be treated like a toy?"

"I will provide adequate compensation."

"And the child?"

"Terminate it. My children will only be born to my wife."

Jonah’s blunt refusal caught Edward off guard, though he kept his expression stony. He wouldn't let his family be humiliated.

"Terminate it? That’s for the mother to decide! Cassidy has made her stance clear: she is keeping it."

"If she insists on keeping it, that’s her own business. The Harrison family will never recognize that child."

Thwack!

Edward slammed his hand onto the mahogany desk, the sound echoing like a gunshot.

"Jonah, are you trying to play me for a fool?"

"Easy, Edward, let's not lose our heads," Anthony said, pushing a cup of tea toward him.

Edward turned his glare on Anthony. "Look at the mess you've made of your son."

Anthony felt a spark of annoyance. "Jonah was drunk, but Cassidy wasn't. If she didn't want it to happen, how could he have forced her?"

"Ha! So, this is entirely Cassidy's fault now?"

Anthony realized he was grasping at straws. "I mean... both of them are at fault. Jonah has been a wreck ever since his engagement with Evangeline fell through."

"Sir, as compensation, I’m offering an 80/20 profit split on the Eastside Development project," Jonah said, his voice cold.

The offer shocked both Edward and Anthony.

"That's a three-hundred-million-dollar deal!"

"I know. I'll have the contracts redrafted this afternoon and send them over personally."

Edward hadn't expected Jonah to bleed himself dry just to avoid marrying Cassidy. Pushing further would be a waste of time.

Once Edward left, Anthony grabbed Jonah by the arm. "Son, isn't this price tag a bit steep?"

Jonah’s gaze darkened. "Cassidy is a viper. I won't have her in my home, and I won't let her be the reason the Montgomery and Harrison families cut ties. With this, Edward can’t say a word."

"Fine. Money is just paper; we can earn more. But for God’s sake, stop letting women be your downfall," Anthony patted his shoulder.

Edward left the Harrison building and immediately sent the recording to Cassidy, hoping she’d wake up to reality.

Cassidy listened to the playback, her breath hitching. She slid down the wall, her eyes bloodshot. She couldn't believe those cold, sterile words had come from the man she once thought of as gentle.

Her phone rang, pulling her back to the present. She cleared her throat and answered.

"Hello, Dad."

"Cassidy, did you hear the recording? Jonah isn't the one for you. He’s offered an 80/20 split on the project; I’ll transfer the difference to you. It’s the best deal I could negotiate."

"Understood. Thank you, Dad."

She hung up. Cassidy grew calm. If she wanted this, she had to do it herself.

She typed out a quick message, attached an image, and hit send.

Jonah saw the notification and let out a roar, sweeping his files off the desk. "Cassidy, you bitch! I underestimated you!"

He grabbed his jacket and stormed out of the office.

They met at a quiet coffee shop. Jonah’s face was livid, while Cassidy leaned back in her chair, looking entirely at ease—the picture of someone who held all the cards.

"Cassidy, I never realized you were this calculating," Jonah hissed.

"Jonah, I just love you. If you marry me, my schemes will be used to help you, not destroy you."

"In your dreams! I am only ever marrying Evangeline!"

"Evangeline! Evangeline! What makes her so damn special?!"

The shouting drew curious glances from other patrons.

Jonah leaned in, lowering his voice. "Just tell me: what will it take for you to leave me alone?"

"I want you to marry me!"

Jonah looked at her obsessive glare. "I don't love you. You won't be happy even if you force this marriage. What are you even looking for?"

Cassidy fell silent.

What am I looking for? She thought. Marrying a man who hates me? She’d lived under Evangeline’s shadow her entire life. If Evangeline weren't here, would everything finally be perfect?

A cruel smile touched her lips.

"Don't waste your breath. If you don't marry me, I have plenty more photos where that one came from. If they ever get leaked, don't blame me."

"You're insane!"

Jonah couldn't fathom it. Spreading their intimate photos? She was ready to burn everything to the ground.

"You have two days to think it over. Give me an answer then," Cassidy said, her smile not reaching her eyes. It was chilling.

That afternoon, after the contracts were drafted, Jonah rushed them to the Montgomery headquarters.

"So soon?" Edward said, taking the paperwork.

"Cassidy sent this to me shortly after you left," Jonah said, handing over his phone.

Edward glanced at the screen and immediately flipped the device face-down. While the photos weren't overtly explicit, the look of intoxication and messiness in them was disgraceful.

"Sir, Cassidy is threatening to leak those photos. She isn't just looking to ruin me—she’s prepared to drag the Montgomery name into the mud with her," Jonah added.

Edward understood the gravity of the situation.

"I understand. I will see that she is kept under control."

"Then I’m relieved. If the contract is in order, you can sign it."

The deal was struck.

As Jonah walked past the adjoining office, he caught a glimpse of a familiar, beautiful figure inside. He lingered for a moment, but ultimately left without a word.

"Evangeline, the young Mr. Harrison was hovering at the door for ages. He had such a lovesick look in his eyes!"

Evangeline poked the junior assistant who had been gossiping. "Millie, get back to work!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Millie pouted, rubbing her forehead, and hurried back to her desk.

That evening, when Cassidy returned to the estate, she found a pair of security guards standing by the entrance. She entered the foyer, confused. "Mom, why are there bodyguards at the door?"

Edward and Marilyn looked at her, their expressions freezing her in her tracks.

"Cassidy, what did you promise me today?"

Cassidy felt her heart plummet. "Dad..."

"If you insist on keeping this child, the Montgomerys can afford to raise it! But if you pull another stunt like this, don't blame me when I throw you out."

"Dad, you're kicking me out?"

"If your threats against Jonah had actually been carried out, have you considered the damage it would have done to the company?"

"I..."

"If you want to terminate the pregnancy, we’ll find you the best surgeons. If you don't, you stay in this house until the baby is born! If I catch you playing games again, I will issue a public notice immediately and disown you!"

"Dad... no, please!"

Cassidy dropped to her knees, clutching Edward’s leg in desperation.

"Get her! Take the second mistress upstairs!"