The Groom Who Ruined Me

Chapter 3

The headquarters of Sinclair Enterprises was a glass monolith that pierced the city sky like a silver dagger. As the limousine pulled up to the private executive entrance, Clara’s stomach twisted into tight, agonizing knots.

Alec didn’t wait for her. He stepped out of the vehicle and immediately began walking toward the glass doors, surrounded by a small army of executives who had been waiting for his arrival. Clara hurried after him, her heels clicking rapidly against the polished granite. She felt acutely aware of the stares from the lobby staff. They knew exactly who she was. They knew her father’s company had collapsed overnight, and they knew she had married the executioner.

"Keep up, Clara," Alec muttered over his shoulder as they approached the private executive elevator. "My time costs more than your family’s remaining assets."

Before Clara could fire back a sharp retort, the elevator doors slid open. Standing inside was a man who looked completely out of place in the sterile, high-stress environment of Sinclair Enterprises. He was tall, with honey-blonde hair, warm amber eyes, and a relaxed, effortless charm that contrasted sharply with Alec's rigid, military-like dominance.

The moment the blonde man saw Alec, a brilliant, mocking grin spread across his face.

"Well, well. If it isn't the king of the castle," the man said, leaning casually against the elevator wall. Then, his gaze shifted to Clara. His amber eyes widened slightly, softening instantly as they took in her black dress and proud, defensive posture. "And you must be Clara. The rumors didn't do you justice. You are absolutely stunning."

Clara blinked, caught off guard by the genuine warmth in his tone. "Thank you.

"Hi Julian," Alec interrupted, his voice dropping an octave into a low, predatory growl. The temperature in the elevator bay seemed to plummet to below freezing. Alec stepped directly between Julian and Clara, his massive frame completely cutting off Julian's view of her.

"What are you doing on the executive floor? Your board meeting isn't until Thursday."

Julian Vance the CEO of Vance Global and Alec’s fiercest corporate rival simply laughed, stepping out of the elevator. "I like to stay ahead of schedule, Alec. Besides, I wanted to congratulate you on your... sudden nuptials. Though, it seems a bit tragic to lock such a beautiful bird in a cage, don't you think?"

Julian bypassed Alec entirely, stepping closer to Clara. He reached out, taking her hand gently. Before Alec could stop him, Julian pressed a soft, polite kiss to the back of her knuckles. "If you ever find the Sinclair cage too cold, Clara, remember that my door is always open to a talented artist."

A jolt of shock went through Clara, but before she could speak, a heavy, powerful hand gripped her wrist.

Alec yanked her back behind him with terrifying speed. His body was entirely tense, his knuckles white as he stared Julian down. The stormy gray in Alec's eyes had turned almost pitch-black with a sudden, violent rage.

"Touch my wife again, Julian, and I will liquidate your tech sector by noon," Alec said, his voice dangerously quiet, vibrating with absolute malice.

Julian raised his hands in a mock gesture of surrender, though his amber eyes flashed with amusement. "Just being polite, Sinclair. See you at the gala tonight." With a final, lingering look at Clara, Julian turned and walked down the corridor.

The moment Julian was out of sight, Alec spun around and grabbed Clara’s arm, pulling her into the empty executive elevator. The doors closed, trapping them in the confined space.

"Let go of me!" Clara hissed, pulling her arm out of his grip. "He was just being kind! Something you clearly know nothing about!"

Alec slammed his hand against the elevator wall right next to her head, pinning her against the glass. He leaned down, his face mere inches from hers. The scent of woodsmoke and pure fury radiated off him.

"Kind?" Alec mocked, his breath hot against her skin. "Julian Vance is a predator, Clara. He doesn't want to help you. He wants to use you to get to me. You are a Sinclair now. If I catch you smiling at him, or any other man, I will make sure your father's prison sentence is doubled by tomorrow morning."

Clara’s chest heaved as she stared up into his fierce, possessive gaze. "You said you didn't care about me! You said I was just a ghost paying a debt!"

"I don't care about you," Alec snarled, his thumb gripping her chin, forcing her to look directly into his burning eyes. "But I care about what belongs to me. And right now, your contract belongs to me. Don't embarrass my name."

The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to the sprawling, top-floor CEO suite. Alec let go of her chin, stepping back as if he hadn't just completely lost his composure.

"Welcome to your office," Alec said coldly, pointing to a tiny, plain desk sitting right outside his massive glass-walled office. On the desk sat a towering stack of hundreds of legal files. "You will sort, alphabetize, and log every single file on that desk into the digital database before you are allowed to leave tonight. No lunch break. No assistance."

Clara looked at the mountain of paperwork. It was an impossible task for a single day. He was trying to punish her for Julian's actions. He wanted her to beg for a break. He wanted to see her cry.

She walked over to the desk, pulled out the chair, and sat down. She looked up at Alec, who was watching her from the doorway of his office, waiting for her to break.

Instead, Clara gave him a cold, defiant smile. "Is that all, Mr. Sinclair? I’ll have it done by five."

Alec’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of reluctant surprise passing through his gaze before he turned and slammed his office door shut.

Clara looked down at the first file, her fingers tightening around the paper. She was exhausted, terrified, and surrounded by enemies. But as she glanced at the glass wall of Alec's office, watching him dictate orders to his secretary, her jaw set with determination.

You think you can handle me, Alec Sinclair, she thought, opening the first file. But you just brought your worst enemy inside your own fortress.