His Revenge Bride

‎‎The rain fell heavily over New York City, but Alina Hayes barely noticed. ‎ ‎She stood in the middle of her father's office, staring at the financial reports scattered across the desk. ‎ ‎The numbers were clear. The Hayes family company was failing. Debt. Lawsuits. Betrayal from business partners. Everything they had spent years building was slowly collapsing. ‎Her father lowered his head. ‎ ‎"I never wanted you to carry this burden, Alina." Alina picked up another document and studied it carefully. ‎She was scared. But she refused to show it. ‎"How much time do we have?" ‎ ‎Her father's silence was enough. Not much. ‎For years, people had seen Alina as the daughter of the Hayes family. They thought she was protected by wealth and privilege. ‎ ‎They were wrong. ‎ ‎She had learned quickly that when a family lost power, even former friends became enemies. ‎ ‎"What is the condition?" she asked. ‎ ‎Her father looked at her with guilt. ‎ ‎"Damien Blackwood wants a marriage contract." ‎ ‎The room became silent. ‎ ‎Everyone in New York knew the name Damien Blackwood. The ruthless CEO of Blackwood Group. A man who built an empire by destroying his competitors. ‎A man who never gave anyone a second chance. ‎ ‎Alina folded her arms. ‎ ‎"And what does he gain from marrying me?" Her father hesitated. "Control." ‎A cold feeling settled in her chest. So this was not an offer. It was a takeover. ‎--- ‎ ‎The next day, Alina walked into Blackwood Group without fear. ‎ ‎The employees avoided her gaze as she passed. Everyone knew why she was there. ‎They knew she was walking toward the office of the man people called the Ice King. ‎ ‎The elevator doors opened. ‎ ‎Damien Blackwood's office was silent. Too silent. ‎He stood beside the window, his back facing her. ‎ ‎"You are late." ‎ ‎Alina checked her watch. ‎ ‎"I arrived three minutes before the agreed time." ‎ ‎Damien finally turned around. His expression did not change. ‎"Then you should learn that being early is better." ‎ ‎Alina looked directly into his eyes. ‎ ‎"And you should learn that respect goes both ways." ‎ ‎For a moment, the room was completely still. Most people feared Damien Blackwood. Alina didn't. ‎Damien walked toward his desk and placed a contract in front of her. ‎ ‎"Sign it." ‎ ‎No greeting. No explanation. Just an order. ‎Alina looked at the document. ‎ ‎"Before I sign anything, I read every word." ‎ ‎Damien's eyes narrowed slightly. ‎ ‎"You think you have the power to negotiate?" ‎ ‎"No," Alina replied calmly. "I think I have the right to know what I am agreeing to." ‎ ‎She turned the pages carefully. One year of marriage. Public appearances. No interference in his business. No questions about his personal affairs. ‎Alina looked up. "This isn't a marriage." "No," Damien replied coldly. "It's a transaction." The answer did not surprise her. ‎But it confirmed everything she had heard about him. "You don't want a wife," she said. "You want a hostage." ‎Damien's expression remained emotionless. ‎ ‎"Call it whatever you want." ‎ ‎He leaned forward. ‎ ‎"Your family destroyed mine years ago. This marriage is the price." ‎ ‎Alina's eyes hardened. ‎ ‎"My family?" ‎ ‎"Don't pretend you know nothing." ‎ ‎"I don't pretend," she replied. "But I also don't accept punishment for something I didn't do." ‎ ‎Damien stared at her. For the first time, he saw that she was not the weak, spoiled heiress he expected. ‎But it didn't matter. His decision was already made. ‎"You will sign the contract, Alina Hayes." ‎ ‎"And if I refuse?" ‎ ‎Damien looked at her without emotion. ‎ ‎"Your family's company will disappear before the end of the month." ‎ ‎The threat hung in the air. ‎ ‎Alina clenched her fists under the table. He wanted her to break. He wanted her to beg. ‎She refused to give him that satisfaction. She picked up the pen. Not because she was defeated. ‎Because she was choosing her battlefield. ‎ ‎"I will sign," she said. ‎ ‎Damien watched silently. ‎ ‎"But understand one thing, Mr. Blackwood." ‎ ‎She signed her name. ‎ ‎"I may be entering this marriage because of my family, but I will never become someone you can control." ‎ ‎For the first time, Damien's cold expression shifted slightly. Not because he cared. Because she was unexpected. ‎And unexpected people were dangerous. ‎ ‎Alina walked out of his office, leaving him behind. Damien looked at the signed contract. ‎The first step of his revenge had begun. But he didn't know that the woman he planned to destroy would become the biggest obstacle in his path.