Chapter 1
The first time Elena Park heard the phrase “family-oriented leadership image,” she nearly walked out of the boardroom.
She didn’t. Because she wanted the deal.
The Harrington Consortium was old money wrapped in conservative tradition — infrastructure investors who still believed stability meant wedding rings and polite smiles. They were preparing to back a tech logistics expansion worth eight figures.
And unfortunately for her, they liked optics.
Which was how she ended up sitting across from Adrian Vale.
Her rival.
Her infuriating, smug, perfectly groomed rival.
Adrian leaned back in his chair, one ankle resting on his knee, looking as if this entire situation amused him. “Let me get this straight,” he said calmly. “They’re concerned about leadership image.”
“Yes,” Elena replied tightly.
“And apparently two unmarried executives competing publicly for the same contract looks…” He glanced at the consultant seated beside them. “…unstable.”
The consultant cleared her throat. “The Harrington board values long-term partnership models. They see personal stability as a reflection of business reliability.”
Elena’s jaw clenched. “We are negotiating freight automation, not planning a church fundraiser.”
The consultant gave her a sympathetic look. “They’ve invited both of you to the weekend corporate retreat. They believe collaboration between your firms could be… strengthened.”
Adrian’s eyes flicked to Elena. Slowly. Calculating.
“And?” he prompted.
The consultant hesitated. “They seem particularly enthusiastic about the idea of a unified front.”
Elena went very still.
“No,” she said flatly.
Adrian blinked. “Oh.”
“No,” she repeated. “Absolutely not.”
The consultant folded her hands. “If you appear as a couple — committed, aligned — it reassures them that your joint venture is stable and long-term.”
Silence dropped like a weight.
Adrian turned his head toward Elena slowly, a dangerous kind of amusement building behind his eyes.
“You want us,” he said carefully, “to pretend to date.”
“For the weekend.”
Elena stood abruptly. “That is absurd.”
“It’s strategic,” the consultant corrected.
Adrian’s mouth curved faintly. “Strategic,” he echoed.
Elena shot him a glare. “Do not look pleased.”
“I’m not pleased,” he said mildly. “I’m intrigued.”
She stared at him as if he’d suggested arson.
The consultant slid a folder across the table. “The Harringtons are traditional. Public affection, subtle physical closeness, shared stories. It needs to feel natural.”
Elena pressed her fingers to her temple. “This is humiliating.”
“It’s business,” Adrian replied smoothly.
She turned on him. “You enjoy this.”
“Immensely.”
Her glare could have melted steel.
But beneath her irritation was something else — awareness. Adrian Vale had always been composed, maddeningly articulate, disarmingly charming when he needed to be. He played rooms the way she played spreadsheets.
If anyone could pull this off convincingly, it would be him.
That annoyed her even more.
“Fine,” she said sharply. “We rehearse.”
Adrian raised a brow. “Rehearse.”
“Yes. We are not embarrassing ourselves in front of billionaires because you think winging it is charming.”
He leaned forward now, elbows on the table. “You think I would embarrass you?”
“I think,” she said sweetly, “you underestimate how perceptive people are.”
His eyes darkened slightly.
“Tomorrow evening,” she continued briskly. “My office. We practice the narrative. How we met. How long we’ve been together. Public body language.”
“Public body language,” he repeated, almost tasting the phrase.
Her expression didn’t change. “Hand placement. Eye contact. Casual proximity. We cannot look awkward.”
Adrian studied her for a long moment.
“Casual proximity,” he said quietly. “You’re volunteering for that?”
Her pulse jumped — infuriatingly.
“This is a performance,” she said. “Nothing more.”
His smile deepened just slightly.
“Of course.”
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