His Regrets, Her Revenge

The First Condition

Serena barely slept.

The contract Margaret had given her lay open on the dining table. She had read every page twice, yet she still couldn't make a decision.

Six months.

A fake engagement.

Public appearances.

Strict confidentiality.

In return, Kingsley Global would provide legal assistance and fund an independent investigation into the missing three million dollars.

It sounded too good to be true.

Olivia walked into the living room carrying two mugs of coffee.

"You're still reading it?"

Serena sighed.

"I'm looking for the catch."

Olivia smiled.

"Maybe there isn't one."

"There always is."

---

At Kingsley Global Headquarters, Adrian was in the middle of a board meeting when his phone buzzed.

Grandmother.

He ignored it.

A minute later, it buzzed again.

Then again.

Lucas Reed chuckled.

"You should answer."

Adrian rubbed his forehead.

"If I don't, she'll come here."

"Exactly."

The board members laughed quietly.

Adrian excused himself and stepped into the hallway.

"Good morning, Grandma."

"I assume you've called Serena."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm giving her time to decide."

Margaret sighed dramatically.

"You're impossible."

"She isn't going to call you first."

"She's probably overthinking every word in that contract."

Adrian smiled despite himself.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Invite her to lunch."

"And don't make it sound like a business meeting."

Before Adrian could reply, the call ended.

He looked at his phone and laughed softly.

"My grandmother really does run my life."

---

Around noon, Serena's phone rang.

This time, it was Adrian.

She hesitated before answering.

"Hello?"

"Miss Brooks."

His calm voice immediately settled her nerves.

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

"Not at all."

"I was wondering..."

He paused briefly.

"...if you'd be willing to have lunch with me."

Serena smiled.

"Your grandmother suggested it, didn't she?"

Adrian laughed.

"Is it that obvious?"

"A little."

"So..."

"Will you come?"

She looked at the contract on the table.

"I think we have a lot to discuss."

---

An hour later, they met at a quiet rooftop restaurant overlooking downtown Phoenix.

Unlike the expensive places often featured in celebrity magazines, this restaurant was peaceful and private.

Adrian had reserved a secluded table.

"No reporters," he said as Serena sat down.

"I appreciate that."

After placing their orders, neither spoke for a moment.

Finally, Serena opened the contract folder.

"I've read everything."

"And?"

"I have questions."

"I expected you would."

---

She looked directly at him.

"Why me?"

Adrian didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he folded his hands on the table.

"My grandmother believes you're genuine."

"What do you believe?"

He met her eyes.

"I believe you're someone who refuses to quit."

Serena looked surprised.

"You've only met me twice."

"And both times..."

"You were facing impossible situations."

"You still remained respectful."

"You still thanked people."

"You still stood up for yourself."

He gave a small smile.

"That tells me more than a hundred newspaper articles."

For the first time in days, Serena felt truly seen.

Not judged.

Not pitied.

Seen.

---

She took a deep breath.

"If I agree..."

"I have conditions."

Adrian nodded.

"I'm listening."

"First..."

"My only reason for accepting is to clear my name."

"If your family asks me to lie about the investigation or accuse innocent people..."

"I'll walk away immediately."

"Agreed."

"Second..."

"I won't quit searching for whoever framed me."

"I wouldn't ask you to."

"Third..."

She hesitated.

"I don't want your money."

Adrian smiled faintly.

"My lawyers told me you would say that."

She blinked.

"They did?"

"They've already read your employment history."

"You've never accepted special treatment."

Serena laughed softly.

"That's slightly unsettling."

"It can be."

---

Adrian slid a single sheet of paper across the table.

"It's an amendment."

She read it carefully.

Instead of receiving a monthly allowance, Serena would be employed as a business strategy consultant for Kingsley Global during the contract.

Her salary would match the market rate for her experience.

She looked up.

"You changed it."

"I don't believe in paying people to pretend."

"But I do believe in paying them for real work."

A genuine smile spread across Serena's face.

"I can accept that."

---

Just as they finished lunch, Adrian's assistant hurried onto the rooftop.

"Mr. Kingsley."

"What is it?"

"The reporters found us."

Adrian sighed.

"Already?"

"I'm afraid so."

He looked at Serena.

"We can leave through the private elevator."

She glanced toward the restaurant entrance, where cameras were already gathering.

Then she looked back at Adrian.

A thought crossed her mind.

"If we're going to do this..."

"We can't keep hiding."

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"What are you suggesting?"

Serena stood.

"We walk out together."

"Calmly."

"No running."

"No hiding."

"If we're pretending to be engaged..."

"We should look like two people who have nothing to hide."

For a second, Adrian simply stared at her.

Then a slow smile appeared.

"My grandmother was right."

"About what?"

"You're much braver than you realize."

He offered his arm.

Serena hesitated only briefly before taking it.

Together, they walked toward the entrance.

The doors opened.

Camera flashes exploded around them.

"Mr. Kingsley!"

"Who is the woman with you?"

"Are you dating Serena Brooks?"

"Is the engagement rumor true?"

Adrian glanced at Serena.

She gave the smallest nod.

Without hesitation, he gently took her hand.

The crowd fell silent.

Then the questions came faster than ever.

Somewhere across the city, Ryan Mercer watched the live broadcast from his office television.

The glass in his hand slipped from his fingers and shattered across the floor.

"No..."

"This can't be happening."

He stared at the screen as Serena stood confidently beside Arizona's most eligible billionaire.

For the first time, Ryan realized he might have made the biggest mistake of his life.