Sold to the scarred CEO

Chapter 7: The Stranger That Changed Everything

Morning came too soon.

I woke up with a start, sunlight streaming through the thick window. For a moment, I forgot where I was. Then the memories flooded back—Alex's voice through the wall, the plan to meet at midnight, the promise of escape.

My heart raced. Today was the day.

I got out of bed, walking to the door. I tested the knob. Unlocked.

I paused, surprised. The CEO had left it unlocked. Was it a test? A trap? Or did he actually trust me?

I didn't know. And I didn't care.

I opened the door, stepping into the hall. It was empty, silent. The mansion seemed to hold its breath, waiting.

I walked down the corridor, my footsteps echoing on the marble floor. I passed portraits of people I didn't recognize, their eyes following me as I moved. I ignored them, focusing on my goal.

The library.

I'd seen it yesterday during my exploration. It was on the second floor, down a long hall, past the CEO's study. A massive room filled with books, leather chairs, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Perfect for a secret meeting.

I reached the library, pushing the door open. It was empty, just as I'd expected. I walked inside, closing the door behind me.

The room was even more impressive up close. Books lined every wall, reaching all the way to the ceiling. A large desk sat by the window, covered in papers and files. Leather chairs were arranged around a fireplace, the ashes cold and gray.

I walked to the window, looking out at the grounds. The guards were still there, patrolling the perimeter. But from up here, they looked small. Distant.

Escape was possible.

I just had to survive until midnight.

I spent the day exploring the mansion, memorizing every corridor, every exit, every guard's patrol pattern. I needed to know the layout if I was going to make it out alive.

The CEO didn't appear. Not once. I didn't know if he was avoiding me or watching me from the shadows. Either way, I stayed alert.

Dinner came and went. I ate in my room, the maid silent as always. I thanked her, but she didn't respond. She just took the tray and left, closing the door behind her.

Locked.

I tested the knob, confirming what I already knew. I was trapped again.

But not for long.

I sat on the edge of the bed, waiting. The clock on the wall ticked slowly, each second stretching into an eternity.

11:00 PM.

I stood, pacing the room. My heart raced, my palms sweaty. This was it. The moment I'd been waiting for.

11:30 PM.

I changed out of the dress the CEO had given me, pulling on a pair of black pants and a dark shirt I'd found in the closet. They fit well, like they'd been left for me.

Which they probably had.

11:45 PM.

I walked to the door, testing the knob. Locked.

I frowned. I'd need to get out somehow. I scanned the room, looking for options. The window was too high, too reinforced. The walls were solid, no hidden passages.

Then I remembered.

The key.

I'd found it days ago, tucked under the edge of the nightstand. I'd forgotten about it in the chaos of everything else.

I rushed to the nightstand, pulling it out. The key was small, silver, unassuming. But I knew what it was for.

I inserted it into the lock, turning it slowly.

Click.

The door opened.

I froze, listening. The hall was silent. No guards. No footsteps. Just the distant ticking of a clock.

I stepped out, closing the door behind me. I didn't lock it. If I was caught, I wanted to be able to get back in quickly.

I walked down the hall, my footsteps silent on the marble. The mansion was dark, lit only by a few scattered lamps. Shadows stretched long and deep, hiding secrets I didn't want to know.

I reached the library, pushing the door open. It was dark inside, the only light coming from the moon through the windows.

Alex? I whispered.

No answer.

I walked inside, closing the door behind me. Alex? Are you here?

Still no answer.

I frowned, walking to the desk. I pulled out my phone, using the flashlight to scan the room.

That's when I saw it.

A note on the desk.

I walked over, picking it up. The handwriting was familiar—Alex's.

Change of plans. Come to the east wing. Room 214. I found something you need to see.

My heart raced. What had he found? What was so important that he couldn't wait in the library?

I hesitated. This could be a trap. The CEO could be waiting for me.

But I didn't have a choice. I needed answers. I needed to know what Alex had found.

I tucked the note into my pocket, walking to the door. I opened it, stepping into the hall.

The east wing was on the other side of the mansion, past the CEO's study. I'd avoided that area during my exploration, sensing it was off limits.

But now I had no choice.

I walked down the hall, my footsteps silent. The mansion seemed to hold its breath, waiting. I passed the CEO's study, the door closed, dark. I didn't stop. I kept walking.

I reached the east wing, the corridor narrowing. The lights were dimmer here, the shadows deeper. I felt like I was being watched.

Room 214 was at the end of the hall. I walked up to it, knocking softly.

Alex? I whispered.

The door opened.

But it wasn't Alex.

It was the CEO.

He stood in the doorway, his mask in place, his expression unreadable. He held a glass of wine in one hand, swirling it slowly.

Looking for someone? he asked, his voice cold.

My heart stopped. Where's Alex?

Inside. He stepped back, gesturing for me to enter. Come in.

I hesitated. This was a trap. I knew it. But I didn't have a choice.

I walked inside, the CEO closing the door behind me.

The room was different from mine. Smaller. Darker. A single bed sat against the wall, the sheets rumpled. A desk was covered in files, papers scattered everywhere.

Alex sat at the desk, his head in his hands. He looked up as I entered, his eyes wide with panic.

You came, he said.

Of course I came. I walked to him, my heart racing. What's going on? Why is he here?

Alex didn't answer. He just looked at the CEO, his expression grim.

The CEO took a sip of his wine, setting the glass down on the desk. "Your friend found something interesting. Something he shouldn't have."

What? I asked.

Alex reached for a file on the desk, handing it to me. This. I found it in his study.

I opened the file, my hands shaking. Inside were documents. Contracts. Photos. And a name that made my blood run cold.

My father's name.

What is this? I whispered.

Proof, the CEO said. Your father didn't just sell you to me. He sold you to them.

Them?

The people who want me dead. He walked closer, his presence overwhelming. Your father has been working with my enemies for years. Feeding them information. Sabotaging my company. And when I found out, he offered you as payment.

I stared at the documents, my mind reeling. That's... that's not possible.

It is. The CEO's voice was cold, hard. And your friend here was about to expose it. To use it against me.

I looked at Alex. Is that true?

He didn't answer. He just looked away, his expression pained.

My heart broke. Alex?

I'm sorry, he whispered. I didn't know. Not at first. But when I found out... I thought I could use it. To help you escape.

By blackmailing me? the CEO asked, his voice sharp.

Alex flinched. I... I didn't know what else to do.

The CEO walked to the window, looking out at the dark grounds. You should have come to me. Told me the truth.

I was scared.

Of me?

Yes.

The CEO was silent for a moment. Then he turned, facing us. Both of you. Listen carefully. Your father is a traitor. He sold you out. And he's not the only one.

He walked to the desk, pulling out another file. He handed it to me.

Open it.

I did, my hands shaking. Inside were more documents. More photos. And another name that made my stomach turn.

Alex's mother.

The CEO's stepmother.

She's been working with him, the CEO said. "Plotting against me. Against this company. Against everything I've built.

I stared at the documents, my mind racing. Why are you showing us this?

Because you need to know the truth. He walked closer, his presence overwhelming. You're not just my wife. You're a target. And so is he.

He gestured to Alex.

"Your father and my stepmother want us both dead. And they'll stop at nothing to make it happen."

I looked at Alex, his face pale. Is that true?

He nodded slowly. I think so. I found these files yesterday. I was going to tell you. But... I didn't know how.

I turned to the CEO. Why are you telling us this now?

Because I need your help. He paused, his expression unreadable. I can't fight them alone. I need you. Both of you.

I swallowed hard. What do you need us to do?

The CEO's mouth twitched, that almost-smile again. Survive.

He walked to the door, opening it. Go back to your room. Both of you. And don't leave until I say so.

I looked at Alex, then back at the CEO. What about my father?

The CEO's eyes went cold. "Leave him to me."

He walked out, closing the door behind him.

I heard the lock click.

I was trapped again.

But this time, I wasn't alone.

Alex stood by the desk, his expression grim. I'm sorry, he said. I should have told you sooner.

I walked to him, placing my hand on his arm. It's okay. We'll figure this out.

He looked at me, his eyes filled with pain. I don't want you to get hurt.

I won't. I paused. But we need to be careful. Both of us.

He nodded. Agreed.

I walked to the bed, sitting down. My mind raced with everything I'd learned. My father was a traitor. The CEO's stepmother was plotting against him. And I was caught in the middle.

But there was something else.

Something the CEO hadn't told me.

Why had he shown us the truth? Why had he trusted us with that information?

I didn't know. And I wasn't sure I wanted to.

Because now I knew.

This wasn't just about escape.

This was about survival.

And I wasn't sure I could survive the truth.