Cassandra's POV
The lawyer's words hit me like a slap.
Marry within ninety days, or Hayes Technologies transfers to Marcus Hayes.
I stare at the document, reading the same sentence over and over. My grandfather's handwriting scrawls in the margin: A strong leader needs a strong partner, Cassie. Let someone in.
My throat closes.
Across the table, my cousin Marcus leans back, spinning his pen. That smirk makes me want to throw something at him.
Ninety days, he says cheerfully. Going to be tough, cousin. You haven't dated anyone in three years.
I grip the will so hard it crinkles.
Helen Rodriguez, my grandfather's lawyer, clears her throat. Cassandra, your grandfather added this clause six months ago. He was very specific.
Why would he do this?
He believed you'd built walls after Derek. He wanted you to have partnership.
Derek. My ex who sold my secrets while planning our wedding.
So I lose my company because I won't marry?
Not your company, Marcus cuts in. Grandfather's. He's leaving it to someone who values family.
You got married six months ago for this.
Not my fault Grandfather valued family men.
The clock starts today, Helen says quietly.
Today? My head spins. June second?
Ninety days exactly, Marcus supplies.
What if I refuse?
Then Marcus gets fifty-one percent. He'd control the board.
Everything my grandfather built. Gone.
There has to be a loophole.
Helen shakes her head. It's ironclad.
Marcus stands. I have a board meeting. OhI told them about the will. They're concerned about leadership stability.
The door clicks shut.
Helen sighs. I'm sorry.
What if I can't find someone?
We both know. Marcus wins.
I grab the envelope and leave.
My phone buzzes. Jordan: Board meeting 2pm. Marcus says urgent. What's going on?
Another buzz. Email:
BOARD VOTE: CEO Performance Review - March 18th
Two weeks.
I open my grandfather's letter:
My dearest Cassie,
You're furious. Good.
I watched you build walls after Derek. Hayes Tech needs a leader with vision AND heart. You have vision. You've locked your heart away.
Ninety days to let someone in. Someone who sees past the CEO.
I believe in you.
If you're stuck, remember: sometimes the solution is closer than you think.
Love always, Grandpa Will
Tears blur my vision.
Sometimes the solution is closer than you think.
What does that mean?
I'm standing there when someone crashes into me from behind.
Hard.
I stumble, dropping my phone. Strong hands catch my arms.
I'm so sorry, a deep voice says. I wasn't watching
I turn around, ready to snap.
And freeze.
The man is tall, dark-haired, with sharp cheekbones and eyes almost black. Expensive suit. He's staring at me like I'm a puzzle.
You, he says slowly.
I blink. Do I know you?
Cassandra Hayes. CEO of Hayes Technologies.
How does he know me?
He picks up my phone. Our fingers brush. Electricity shoots up my arm.
Elijah Morgan, he says. We have a meeting scheduled. Two o'clock today.
My stomach drops.
The board meeting.
This is the consultant Marcus hired to evaluate company performance. The one I never got details about because I was dealing with my grandfather's death.
Elijah Morgan studies me like I'm a problem to solve.
You look upset, he observes. Bad morning?
I almost laugh. Bad morning doesn't cover it.
You could say that.
He glances at his expensive watch. We should talk before the meeting. There are things you should know about why I'm really here.
Ice floods my veins.
What do you mean?
Elijah Morgan's expression doesn't change, but something dangerous flickers in his eyes.
Your cousin Marcus hired me to prove you're unfit to run Hayes Technologies, he says quietly. And he's given me thirty days to build a case for your removal.
The words slam into me. Thirty days. Marcus hired someone to destroy me.
Why tell me this? I whisper.
Because I've analysed Hayes Tech. Your cousin is mediocre, trying to steal from someone competent. He pauses. I don't work for fraudulent evaluations. So here's your choice, Miss Hayes.
His gaze is intense.
We walk into that meeting as enemies, and I tell them what Marcus wanted that you're unfit. Or you trust me to expose the real problem. But my way means I tear apart everything to find truth. His eyes bore into mine. Can you handle that?
I should say no. Walk away from this dangerous man. Protect myself like I've done since Derek.
But Marcus is already inside, poisoning the board. Already planning my destruction.
And this stranger just offered me a weapon.
Yes, I hear myself say. I can handle it.
Elijah Morgan's lips curve into something that's not quite a smile.
Good, he says. Then let's go show your cousin what a real evaluation looks like.
He starts walking toward Hayes Tech headquarters.
I stand frozen, my grandfather's letter clutched in my hand, my entire future balanced on a knife's edge.
Ninety days to get married.
Thirty days before this consultant could destroy me.
Two weeks until the board votes.
And now I'm trusting a complete stranger who just admitted he could ruin everything.
I look down at my grandfather's last words: Sometimes the solution is closer than you think.
My phone buzzes.
Unknown number: Looking forward to working with you, Miss Hayes. Don't be late. - EM
Elijah Morgan.
Who somehow has my private number.
Who somehow knew exactly where to find me this morning.
Who somehow crashed into me minutes after I learned about the marriage clause.
This can't be a coincidence.
I take a deep breath and start walking toward headquarters, toward the board meeting, toward whatever trap or salvation Elijah Morgan is offering.
My grandfather's words echo: Sometimes the solution is closer than you think.
And for the first time since reading that will, a terrifying thought occurs to me.
What if he didn't just mean close?
What if he meant already here?