CHAPTER 4
1084 Words
Julian’s pov
Marcus was lounging in the leather chair opposite my desk, his arms crossed, his
expression half-amused, half-exasperated.
“Julian, tell me something,” he said, his voice dripping with curiosity. “Why the hell
are you marrying Victoria Hale?”
I leaned back in my chair, my fingers resting under my chin. “Why not?”
“Don’t play games with me,” Marcus snapped. “You could have any woman. Hell, you
already do but Victoria?” He shook his head. “She hates you and I think everyone can
see it.”
A smirk tugged at my lips. “Exactly.”
Marcus narrowed his eyes. “Exactly? That’s your reasoning?”
I leaned forward, my elbows resting on the desk, meeting his stare head-on. “Marcus,
you don’t understand. This isn’t about love. It’s about control. She’s spent her whole
career trying to prove she’s untouchable, untamable but now? She’s mine and everyone
will see it. She would walk into every room knowing she’s under me, whether she likes it
or not.”
“That’s sick,” Marcus muttered, though I could see the flicker of intrigue in his eyes.
I chuckled darkly. “No, it’s power. Victoria Hale built her empire pretending she was the
one running the show. Now she’ll learn who really runs the business world.”
Marcus tilted his head. “So this is all… punishment? A lesson?”
“A reminder,” I corrected smoothly. “And she’ll hate every second of it. Which makes it
even more satisfying.”
He raised a brow. “And what happens if she tries to fight back?”
“She already signed, Marcus. The contract is binding. If she steps out of line, I’ll bury
her company so deep, no one will even remember Hale Enterprises existed.”
Marcus whistled low, shaking his head. “You cold bastard but I’ll admit, it’s brilliant.”
I allowed myself a thin smile. “It’s necessary.”
***********************************************
The press conference was scheduled for eleven.
By ten-thirty, I was already at the hotel hall, cameras flashing in the distance, reporters
swarming like vultures. Everything was ready—the stage, the microphones, the banner
behind us with both logos
Saint Clair Group x Hale Enterprises.
Marcus followed me inside, adjusting his cufflinks. “You sure she’s coming?”
“She’ll come,” I said flatly. “She knows what’s at stake.”
And right on cue, the doors opened. Victoria walked in.
She was dressed in a sleek black dress that hugged her curves which commanded
attention. It was like she was telling everyone that she was the boss. Her chin was high,
her eyes cold as ice, but I saw through her, the way she was clutching her bag tight, I
could tell she was nervous.
I stepped forward, letting my gaze sweep over her. “You’re late.”
Her lips curled into a tight line. “Traffic.”
I smirked. “Of course.”
Marcus muttered something under his breath, but I ignored him. Instead, I leaned in just
enough so only she could hear. “Smile, Victoria. Today, the world sees us as one.”
Her jaw clenched, but she plastered on the fakest smile I’d ever seen.
Good. She was learning to take orders.
We walked onto the stage together, the blinding lights of cameras exploding around us.
Reporters shouted questions, but I raised my hand, silencing the room with practiced ease.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” I began smoothly, my voice carrying across the ballroom.
“Thank you for joining us on this important day. Today marks not just a merger of two
companies, but the beginning of a partnership that will reshape the future of business.”
Flashes erupted again, the room buzzing with anticipation. I glanced at Victoria. She
stood right beside me, her smile glued in place, her eyes were like she was plotting my
death.
I savored it.
“Yes,” I continued, “Victoria Hale and I have decided to take this partnership one step
further. We are officially engaged.”
The room exploded with noise, shouts, and questions. Reporters nearly trampled each
other to get closer.
Victoria’s nails dug into her palm. I could see the tension in her clenched fist. She looked
at me sharply, as if daring me to push further.
So I did.
I turned toward her, took her hand, and before she could even react, I pulled her close
and kissed her.
Gasps echoed through the room.
The cameras went insane.
Victoria stiffened in my arms, her eyes wide, her body rigid as a board. For a moment,
she didn’t kiss back, nor did she even move. I deepened it anyway, holding her firmly,
making sure the world saw her as mine.
And it was a way to let her know that I was the one who had control of her life and I could
decide when to blow it up.
When I finally pulled back, her lips were parted, her eyes blazing with fury.
I leaned down, whispering against her ear so the microphones wouldn’t catch. “Smile,
darling or I’ll make sure this little scene repeats itself in every headline tomorrow.”
Her teeth clenched so tight I thought they’d crack, but she turned to the cameras and gave
them the picture-perfect smile.
The paparazzi screamed louder.
“Is this a love match or a business deal?”
“When’s the wedding?”
“Victoria, how do you feel about marrying Julian Saint Clair?”
Victoria lifted her chin, her voice steady but ice-cold. “It’s… the beginning of something
new.”
I almost laughed at how hard she had to swallow those words.
As the press conference wrapped up, Marcus clapped me on the shoulder. “Well, that was
one hell of a show. You really know how to steal the spotlight.”
I smirked, watching Victoria storm off the stage. “That’s the point.”
But just as I was about to follow her, a man broke through the crowd of reporters, his
voice carrying over the chaos.
“Victoria!” he shouted. “Tell us, what about the rumors of the real man in your life?”
The room went silent.
Victoria froze mid-step and my smile faltered for a minute.
The reporter grinned, holding up a photograph. “Care to explain this?”
I couldn’t see the photo from where I stood, but I saw the blood drain from Victoria’s face.
- Writer
