Bound by Deception

Shivers ran down Elena Moreau back the moment she entered her father’s office. She didn't need a soothsayer to tell her that something was terribly wrong. The air was drenched with the scent of whiskey and when she looked around, she could see his untouched lunch on the desk. Her eyes continued to search and behind the massive oak table was her father, Victor Moreau. He stood in all his glory, tall, handsome and powerful. Her father was her hero, he was also the man who had built the Moreau Enterprises from the ground up. But this time, this powerful man didn't look so confident, in fact, he was trembling over a single sheet of paper. His hands were shaking and he struggled to reach for his glasses but Elena could see from his eyes that he felt defeated. The same eyes that were once burning with so much passion now looked vacant. Elena’s stomach turned. Whatever the problem was, it was terrible. Standing far from him, she said "dad?" The man did not look up, he didn't even flinch. "Dad, talk to me," she tried again. This time with more emotions in her voice. She hated feeling helpless and she was not going to allow that to define her. The man still didn't say a word, and she knew she wouldn't get any response if she stood far away, so she crossed the room in seconds and grabbed the document from his grip. Her breath hitched the moment her eyes landed on the words. FINAL NOTICE Effective in 48 hours, Moreau Enterprises would be seized. Everything—assets, shares, properties—would be stripped away. Elena tried to tell herself that it was all a lie. So she flipped through the pages, hoping that something there would signify to her that this was a lie. The more she did that, the more her heart kept hammering. This was not a foreclosure, this was an execution. As the truth glared at her, her father finally spoke and his voice came out as a whisper. "Elena, it's over." No! Her brain screamed. It could not be over like that, she wasn't going to accept it. Elena thought for hours on what she could do. There had to be a way out of this. She didn't want for the pity as she grabbed her phone, determined to resolve this. "Do not call them," Victor rasped as he tried to get the phone from her but Elena dodged just in time. Ignoring everything he said, she allowed her fingers to fly over the screen as she dialed. The first person picked "I am terribly sorry Ms Moreau but we cant extend the credit lines anymore." The second banker "Ma, you need to understand, the risk is just too high and we can't." Elena was getting frustrated but she didn't stop. She went on to the third banker "Elena, surely you understand that right now, the Moreau name is poison." Two things were common in all her calls. They would disagree with her and would then proceed to end the call on her. Finally, Elena placed her phone on the table, the weight of the problem finally weighing down on her and she closed her eyes. Still, that didn't stop the overwhelming feeling she had and so gripped her phone so tightly till her knuckles turned white. The worst part was that this was not just some sort of bad deal. Someone had purposely blacklisted them. They were targeted and her father’s company was systematically destroyed. She needed answers. She had stayed away for just one day and now everything seemed to be turning to shreds. Turning to her father, she saw him rubbing his temples and it looked like he was trying to save himself from a migraine. "Dad, who did this?" Her voice was razor sharp and she got more upset when her father did not answer. "Dad!" She shouted, still she got nothing. Elena looked at him, unable to say a single word and fury ignited in her chest. Immediately, she stormed to his desk and slammed her palms against it. "WHO?!" She screamed and watched as his shoulders slumped. Then, the long silence engulfed them and finally, he spoke and gave her a name, one that made her blood run cold. “Elliot Grayson.” Elena sneered, the bastard. Elliot was a ruthless investor and everyone knew that he had circled round the Moreau Enterprises for years like a vulture. He waited patiently for them to show weakness and immediately they did, he pounced. If truly Elliot shut every door in their face, they had one way forward and that was to go straight through him. *** The headquarters of Grayson Capital’s was a fortress of wealth and power. Elena had barely heard the receptionist’s protests as she stormed past the security. She didn't run, she was too mature for that child's play. Instead, she clicked her heels against the marble floors, indicating her arrival. Did she have an appointment? No Did she need one? No She walked straight into Elliot office only to be disappointed cause he was not there. The room was totally empty. No papers. No laptop. No traces that work was being done here. Just when she was about to walk away, she heard a voice in the shadows. "You’re late." She turned around quickly to see the one person she had absolutely not expected. Alexander Hawthorne. He sat powerfully behind the desk and he was definitely relaxed. He looked at her with a smile on his face. Clearly he had been expecting her. His suit was too clean and under the soft light, his watch gleamed. He did not even bother to stand up. Elena felt her throat closing up. What was he doing here? Like everyone else, she had little knowledge of the man. All she knew was what the people would say, Alexander Hawthorne was a ghost. Untouchable and unreadable. The man had no past and no weaknesses. All he had was the empire that he had toiled and built from the ashes of those who dared to underestimate him. Elena took a deep breath and got her priorities straight. He was not her problem. "Where’s Grayson?" She asked. Slightly, Alexander tilted his head and said "gone." Elena got confused as her pulse hammered. "Gone where?" Alexander smirked. "Gone as in... he no longer owns your father’s debt." Elena felt a terrible feeling swelling up in her as she responded. "So who does?" He leaned forward, hands clasped, the weight of his gaze pinning her in place. “I do.” No, no, no. This could not be happening. Taking a step back, she muttered "you..." “Bought out the debts. Yes.” Elena clenched her fists. “Why?” Suddenly, his lips curved into something that looked like a smile but wasn't. "It's simple really. I want something from you." "Listen if you think I am going to beg..." she began to speak but he cut her off with a chuckle. "Oh trust me darling, I don't want you to beg. I want you to listen." Just then, he passed a folder to her. It was a contract and Elena immediately snatched it. She got a little confused as she scanned the pages. All it spoke about was corporate clauses, legal jargon and then she saw it. A marriage license. Her eyes lit up as she finally got the joke. "This is some sort of game, right?" "I don't play such games," Alexander answered and Elena just stood there and watched him in shock. "You’re out of your mind." "I'm a business man," he responded, not taking his gaze off her. Elena’s heart slammed against her ribs. Marry him? This must be some sort of game. "Listen to me Mr. Alexander, you will have to find some sort way to entertain yourself cause I am not up for sale." With that she turned to walk away but before she could move further away, the security moved in and blocked her path. Slowly, she realized that she had walked into a trap. Realizing that she was trapped, she turned to Alexander who stood composed. "If you marry me, I promise to save your father’s company. If you say no, by this time tomorrow, you will have nothing left." Elena dug her nails into her palms. All her life, she tried to prove that she was more than a Moreau’s daughter and now, an Hawthorne was trying to own her. She lunged forward, slamming the contract onto the desk. “I’d rather starve.” Alexander did not change his expressions. Instead he smiled and said, "lets see how long that will last."