His Regrets, Her Revenge

The Contract

Serena stared at Margaret Kingsley in stunned silence.

For several seconds, the only sound in the library was the ticking of the antique grandfather clock in the corner.

She blinked once.

Then twice.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Kingsley..."

"I must have heard you wrong."

Margaret smiled kindly.

"I don't believe you did."

"I'd like you to pretend to be Adrian's fiancée."

Serena let out a nervous laugh.

"You... you're serious."

"Completely."

Serena slowly pushed the folder back across the desk.

"With all due respect..."

"I can't."

Margaret wasn't surprised.

"I expected that answer."

"You don't even know me."

"I know enough."

"You saved a stranger's life without expecting anything in return."

"You've spent years volunteering without seeking recognition."

"And despite everything that's happened to you..."

"You haven't become bitter."

Serena lowered her eyes.

"I appreciate your confidence in me."

"But pretending to be engaged to your grandson isn't something I can do."

Margaret nodded thoughtfully.

"I understand."

"Before you make a final decision..."

"Would you at least hear me out?"

After a brief hesitation, Serena nodded.

"I'm listening."

---

At that moment, Adrian knocked once before entering the library.

"Grandmother."

His voice stopped the instant he saw Serena.

Margaret smiled innocently.

"Perfect timing."

Adrian looked from his grandmother to Serena.

"I have a feeling I'm walking into a trap."

"You usually are," Margaret replied with a grin.

Adrian folded his arms.

"What is it this time?"

Margaret gestured toward the chair opposite Serena.

"Sit."

Reluctantly, he did.

Then Margaret folded her hands.

"I've just asked Miss Brooks to become your fiancée."

Silence.

Adrian stared at his grandmother.

Then at Serena.

Then back at his grandmother.

"...What?"

Serena raised both hands.

"I already said no."

Adrian looked almost relieved.

"Good."

Margaret sighed dramatically.

"You're both impossible."

---

Adrian stood.

"Grandmother, I'm thirty-four."

"I run a multinational company."

"I don't have time for games."

"This isn't a game."

"It's my life."

Margaret's expression softened.

"And that's exactly why I'm asking."

She looked at both of them.

"The board has been pressuring Adrian to settle down."

"They believe a family man inspires more confidence among international investors."

Adrian frowned.

"I've handled that pressure for years."

"But it's getting worse."

Margaret turned to Serena.

"And you've become the victim of a cruel conspiracy."

"You need time."

"You need protection."

"And you need the resources to prove your innocence."

Serena's heartbeat quickened.

Margaret continued.

"I'm offering a contract."

"No romance."

"No deception beyond the public engagement."

"You'll have your own room."

"Your own independence."

"When the contract ends..."

"You both walk away."

Adrian rubbed his forehead.

"This is unbelievable."

---

Margaret slid the folder toward Serena again.

"Read the last page."

Serena hesitated before opening it.

Most of the pages outlined the terms of a six-month engagement.

Then she reached the final page.

Her eyes widened.

Kingsley Global would hire an independent forensic accounting firm to investigate the missing three million dollars.

They would also provide legal representation if evidence suggested Serena had been framed.

She looked up.

"You'd do this for me?"

Margaret nodded.

"I don't believe you're guilty."

Adrian's expression changed.

He looked at his grandmother.

"You've already arranged this?"

"I have."

"And if she's innocent..."

"We'll find the truth."

---

Serena closed the folder slowly.

"I can't accept charity."

Margaret smiled.

"It isn't charity."

"It's an agreement."

"You help my grandson."

"We help you."

Adrian looked at Serena.

"I should warn you."

"I didn't ask for any of this."

Serena met his gaze.

"Neither did I."

For the first time, a faint smile tugged at the corner of Adrian's mouth.

Despite the tension, he appreciated her honesty.

---

Margaret stood.

"I'll give you both ten minutes."

She quietly left the library, closing the door behind her.

Silence settled over the room.

Finally, Adrian spoke.

"My grandmother has always believed she can solve everyone's problems."

Serena smiled faintly.

"She reminds me of my mother."

Adrian looked surprised.

"You lost your parents?"

"When I was sixteen."

"I'm sorry."

The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard.

She nodded.

"Thank you."

He leaned back in his chair.

"I've read the news."

"I don't know whether you're innocent."

"But I do know something doesn't make sense."

Serena looked up.

"You think so too?"

He nodded.

"If you stole three million dollars..."

"Why would you show up at the company the next morning?"

She couldn't help smiling.

"Exactly."

"It would have been a very poor escape plan."

For the first time that evening, they both laughed.

It wasn't much.

But it broke the ice.

---

Meanwhile, outside the library, Margaret stood in the hallway with James.

"They're talking."

James smiled.

"That's a good sign."

Margaret's eyes sparkled.

"They don't realize it yet..."

"But they have something in common."

James raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"They've both been hurt by people they trusted."

---

Back inside the library, Serena rose from her chair.

She walked to the large window overlooking the illuminated gardens.

"I have one condition."

Adrian stood as well.

"What is it?"

"If I agree..."

"I won't pretend to be someone I'm not."

"I won't tolerate lies."

"And I won't let anyone treat me like a decoration."

Adrian looked at her for a long moment.

Then he nodded.

"I wouldn't expect anything less."

She turned to face him.

"So..."

"When do I have to decide?"

Adrian glanced toward the closed library door before answering.

"You probably have until tomorrow."

Just then, the library door opened.

Margaret stepped inside with a knowing smile.

"I'm afraid not."

Both of them looked at her.

Margaret folded her hands.

"The press already knows Adrian had dinner with a mysterious woman tonight."

Serena's eyes widened.

"What?"

James walked in holding a tablet.

The headline had already gone live.

> WHO IS THE MYSTERY WOMAN SEEN DINING WITH BILLIONAIRE ADRIAN KINGSLEY?

Beneath it was a photograph of Serena stepping out of the Rolls-Royce.

Margaret sighed.

"It seems fate has made the first move."

Adrian looked at Serena.

Serena looked back at him.

Neither of them had agreed to anything.

Yet by morning...

The entire city might believe they were already together.