CHAPTER 003
1262 Words
CHAPTER 003
Ellie walked into the Bristol Pavilion, clutch bag to her like a shield. The marble floors boasted a gleam under the golden light of the chandeliers, the evening at its grandest by comparison. The deep emerald green of her dress clung to her shape, and her dress was a statement she hadn’t been ready to make. It wasn’t just a dress, it was borrowed courage.
It was a room full of polished bees, laughing and murmuring with a sound that buzzed and trill together. She entered her heels clicking on the floor felt the eyes immediately turn to her. Pitying whispers followed, and sharp ones of judgment.
Someone murmured, 'That's Eleanor Harrington.'
“Isn’t her family’s business on the brink?”
Ellie straightened her back and pretended not to hear. She had expected this. Here, it was true: her father’s company had been a colossus in Bristol, and now that it was crumbling the vultures were circling. It didn’t make it easier, but I knew it.
She nodded politely and smiled strainedly as she moved through the crowd. Her nerves were raw and her heart in her chest pounded. It wasn’t just coincidental for her. This was a desperate attempt to find anyone to help save Harrington Holdings.
And then she saw him.
Sebastian Whitmore had perched himself near the ballroom’s edge, half hidden in its shadows, his presence almost a cold wind to cut through the ball room’s warmth. His black suit was tailored to perfection, he was tall, and his sharp features, resting in an expression of quiet, calculating power. Everyone else around him would part instinctively, their laughter dying down.
Ellie froze. Everyone had heard of Sebastian Whitmore. Ruthless, unyielding, and more steps ahead of his competition than anyone. He wasn’t just a businessman – he’d been a force of nature. He was staring straight at her.
He came closer, his voice deep as it kissed her name like a caress. He didn’t smile. “Nice to finally meet you.”
Ellie forced herself to swallow hard, and stay composed. “Mr. Her voice was steady, despite the knot in her stomach, but, ‘Whitmore’ she said.
“Sebastian,” he corrected. “Let’s skip the formalities.”
His tone was polite, the edge of it like a blade, but without silk. Ellie nodded, without really knowing what else to say.
He continued and his eyes never left hers, "I understand that you’ve recently had a difficult time." “Your father’s company is in trouble.”
Her jaw tightened, she bristled. "Thank you, I know my situation."
“Good,” he said. “You know how dire it is, then.”
But Ellie did not flinch at the words; they hit like a slap. 'If you're here to offer me your condolences, save them.' I don’t need pity.”
Sebastian tilted his head slightly, like he was deciding something about her. “I’m not here to pity you. ‘I’m here to give you a solution.’”
Ellie narrowed her eyes. “What kind of solution?”
He said simply, 'A partnership.' “Saving Harrington Holdings was the way.”
She looked startled, blinked. “Why would you care about my family’s company?”
His voice lowered and Sebastian took a step closer. “Because I see value in it. And in you.”
Ellie caught her breath, pretending not to have made any sort of reaction. “What sort of partnership are you proposing?”
He said, a marriage, the word lingering in the air as though it were a loaded gun. “A marriage of convenience. I get an ally, and you keep your company.”
Her mind raced, Ellie stared at him. “You can’t be serious.”
Sebastian replied, “I’m always serious.” "This has nothing to do with romance, Eleanor," declares Sandy old cliche sadly. It’s about survival. For both of us.”
The voices of the crowd faded into the background, the room seemed to grow quieter. In Ellie’s ears, pulse thundered. “I’d never agree to something like that.”
He said calmly, “I think you don’t have much of a choice.” “Your company is on the verge of collapse, weeks away.” This is your lifeline.”
Ellie was about to reply, when a voice spoke.
“Sebastian,” someone called.
They turned to look as someone approached, smiling easily, sure striding. Dominic Hayes. She'd seen his face in magazines and newspapers, a nice looking entrepreneur that could outsmart his rivals. Sebastian was cold and intense, but he was warm, so warm.
Sebastian said, his tone flat, “Dom.”
Dominic ignored him, his eyes on Ellie. He said, his voice smooth, “Eleanor Harrington.” “It’s a pleasure to meet you. “You’ve heard so much about me.”
Ellie forced a polite smile. “Likewise.”
“My eyes kind, Dom continued,”I admire your resilience.” “Not many could take the pressure you’re under.”
‘Thank you,’ Ellie said wary but unconvinced of his motives.
Sebastian's smile never wavered as Dom looked at him. I hope Mr. Whitmore here isn’t overwhelming you. ‘He has a way of making everything sound... transactional.’”
Sebastian’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t say anything.
Dom turned back to Ellie. “Don’t let anyone back you into a corner,” I offer some advice. Especially not him.”
Sebastian said sharply, "Enough, Dom."
Dom raised his hands in mock surrender, ‘Just looking out for her.’ 'This isn’t exactly gentle’, you remind me, 'your methods'.
Dom snapped a look up at the voice again, Sebastian was closer to him now, his voice low and dangerous. “Leave.”
Dom smirked. “Always so polite.”
He gave Ellie a small bow. "You have a second opinion for whenever you need it."
He walked away with that, leaving an icy tension between Ellie and Sebastian.
His expression hard, Sebastian turned back to her. “Don’t listen to him. He thrives on manipulation.”
“And you don’t?” Her frustration made her shoot back.
Sebastian’s eyes softened, just a little. “I don’t lie to people I respect.”
She hesitated, her attention pulled at hearing honesty in his voice when he hadn't offered any for an eon. “I need time to think.”
Sebastian stepped back, “Take all the time you need.” “Time is not on your side, Eleanor,” but remember.
Suddenly the lights flickered, but not in the way you would want – instead they went dim and sinister. The crowd gasped, and to Ellie's spine, gave a chill.
Sebastian didn’t even flinch, his eyes still on her. He said quietly, “Stay close.”
Her clutch buzzed with Ellie’s phone. She pulled it out and read the message on the screen: *If you value your life, leave now.*
She looked up and her heart began to beat hard. “What is this?”
Sebastian’s face darkened. “Just what I told you would happen.”
The lights came back on full brightness, but the discomfort remained. She looked around the room, a shadow was moving unnaturally in the crowd and she had seen it. But she turned to ask Sebastian, and she was already gone.
She watched Dom, a cryptic smile on her face from across the room, as the shadow disappeared into the crowd of guests.
Ellie squeezed her grip on her clutch tighter. She didn’t know what was happening.
Who could she trust?
- Writer
