CHAPTER 2

"You're either brave... or stupid."

The air between us turned heavy.

His voice was low. Calm. Controlled. Like he already knew I was up to something.

His eyes were sharp, assessing, like I was a puzzle he had already solved halfway just by looking at me.

I didn't look away. No. That would be a sign of weakness.

"If I were stupid, I wouldn't be standing in front of you right now," I replied in a calm tone, hoping he didn't sense the nervousness I was feeling.

Silence. A deafening, thick, suffocating silence.

For a moment, neither of us moved and just stared into each other's eyes.

Then, he leaned back slightly in the chair, his gaze never leaving mine.

"Women have approached me before. For money, status, and power."

My heart thumped faster. I could hear it beating loud and clear.

"But none of them opened with marriage." His lips curved slightly, but it was cold. There was no sign of warmth.

"Tell me, Miss Cruz..." He examined me up and down, his voice dropping just enough to make my chest tighten and my knees weak. "What makes you think you're worth that offer?"

Just as I expected. My fingers curled slightly at my sides. Not from fear, but from restraint.

I can't risk anything because one wrong move—and this entire plan collapses.

And the man in front of me doesn't give second chances.

"I'm not asking you to marry me because I think I'm worth it. I'm asking because it benefits you," I said calmly.

That seemed to catch his attention as his gaze sharpened.

"Go on. I'm listening."

I took a step forward. "You're a man who values control, reputation, power, and discipline," I said.

No reaction, but he also didn't interrupt. Good. I piqued his interest.

"I'm not here to ruin that. I can maintain an image. I can play the role. I won't cause scandals, and most of all, I won't make demands." I held his gaze.

"In return... I get your name."

Silence filled the room again. But this time, it felt different. He wasn't dismissing me. He was thinking. He was considering it.

Then, he stood up. His movement was so abrupt that my breath hitched for a second and my legs almost gave out.

He's so intimidating. Too intimidating.

He walked toward me slowly with deliberate steps. Heavy and controlled.

He stopped right in front of me. He's too close. I could feel his presence. His height. His expensive, manly perfume. And the pressure of his presence.

"Just my name?" he asked quietly.

My heart pounded. "Yes."

A beat passed.

"Liar." He stepped back.

The word hit harder than I expected. My brows furrowed slightly.

"What—"

"You want more than that," he cut in smoothly. His eyes locked onto mine.

"Revenge."

My breath caught for a second.

How did he know?

He saw it. Of course he did. A faint, knowing smirk appeared on his lips.

"Against my son."

Silence. A heavy silence.

I didn't deny it. I didn't confirm it either. I just kept quiet, and somehow, it was enough.

He let out a quiet hum, as if amused. "Interesting."

He walked back toward his desk like the conversation had already shifted in his favor.

"Most people would cry, make a scene... beg for explanations." He glanced at me over his shoulder.

"But you... you're planning something. Revenge."

I swallowed slowly. There was no point pretending anymore. Not with him. Not when he had already figured it out.

"You're not wrong," I admitted.

His smirk widened. "Of course I'm not. You're like an open book." He sat back down, fingers tapping lightly against the desk.

Then his expression changed. The amusement faded, replaced by something colder.

"And what makes you think I'll agree? Using me as a key for your revenge... on my own son?"

"Because you can't catch the rat in your business," I said.

He stopped tapping his fingers and looked at me seriously. Dangerously serious.

"What did you just say?"

I didn't move. I didn't take it back. Instead, I held his gaze and stepped forward just enough to show him I wasn't bluffing.

"You heard me. There's someone inside your company feeding information out," I said calmly.

"You dared investigate me?"

I tilted my head slightly. "There's a traitor in your company, right? And you haven't found them."

His jaw tightened, and a smirk appeared on my lips.

Gotcha.

"I work in a bank. Patterns don't lie. Money doesn't move without leaving traces." I stepped closer, almost invading his personal space.

"And yours?" I said, almost a whisper. "It's been moving... strangely."

That caught him off guard. I noticed it. I saw it—not on his face, but in the stillness of his body.

Then, a low chuckle escaped his lips. Quiet. Unexpected. Dangerous.

"You have a lot of nerve, Miss Cruz. It's quite... refreshing."

"I wouldn't be useful without it," I replied without hesitation.

His eyes found mine and locked onto them again.

This time, there was no amusement. Just a sharp, focused, calculating look.

"And you expect me to believe that a bank manager just happened to notice irregular movements tied to my company?" he said slowly.

"It wasn't an accident... but it wasn't personal either." I gave him a slight smile.

"Until now."

Silence stretched between us. Heavy and tense.

He studied me like he was trying to decide whether I was a risk or an opportunity.

"Hypothetically, let's say I believe you. What exactly are you offering me?"

"Access." I walked to my desk and opened a bottle of water.

"You're being watched. Your employees are careful around you. Always walking on eggshells. No one would dare make a move where you can see it."

I walked toward him, closer this time. "But me? I'm irrelevant. I blend in like a chameleon. I listen. I notice things people don't think matter." My voice softened, but my words were sharp.

"I find your rat."

Silence. Complete silence.

He didn't speak or move, but his eyes shifted. They darkened. Then he stepped forward until we were very close.

I froze. He's too close. Closer than before.

"You think you can waltz into my life, offer me information I didn't ask for, and expect me to hand you my name in return?"

"I don't expect it. I negotiate."

"Careful... confidence and arrogance are separated by a very thin line."

"And intelligence knows exactly where to stand."

"And what makes you think that you're in a position to negotiate with me?" he asked.

My heartbeat picked up its pace, but I didn't hold back. Didn't step away. I stood my ground firmly.

"Because you haven't told me to leave," I said quietly, almost a whisper.

Then, he chuckled. A low chuckle that made my heart skip a beat.

"You notice more than you should.”