The rain continued to pour as Elena stared at the man inside the car.
Alexander Kingsley.
Everyone in New York knew his name. He was powerful, untouchable, and rumored to be as cold as ice.
Elena narrowed her eyes. "Destroy them?" she repeated.
Alexander didn't answer immediately. Instead, he pushed the car door open from inside.
"Get in," he said calmly. "You're freezing."
For a moment, Elena hesitated.
Her life had collapsed in a single night. The people she loved had thrown her away like she meant nothing.
What else did she have to lose?
Slowly, she picked up her suitcase and got into the car.
The warmth inside instantly wrapped around her like a blanket. The driver pulled away from the mansion without a word.
Elena glanced at Alexander. "How do you know my name?"
"I know many things about you, Miss Carter," he replied.
"That sounds creepy."
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"You were framed for stealing five million dollars from Carter Industries today," he continued. "Your fiancé, Daniel Wright, provided the evidence."
Elena's chest tightened.
"And your stepsister, Sophia Carter," Alexander added, "is the one who transferred the money to an offshore account in your name."
Elena's heart pounded.
"You… you know it wasn't me?"
Alexander looked at her, his eyes calm and certain.
"Of course it wasn't you."
"Then why didn't anyone else see that?"
"Because," he said coldly, "your enemies planned it perfectly."
Elena stared out the window as the city lights blurred through the rain.
Her voice came out quietly.
"They took everything from me."
Alexander leaned back in his seat.
"Then take it back."
She turned to him.
"And how exactly do you expect me to do that?"
Alexander reached into his coat and pulled out a thin folder.
He handed it to her.
Inside were documents… photos… bank records.
Evidence.
Proof that Daniel and Sophia had set her up.
Elena's hands trembled as she flipped through the pages.
"This… this could clear my name," she whispered.
"It could," Alexander agreed.
She looked at him carefully.
"But you're not giving it to me for free."
"No."
"Then what do you want?"
Alexander held her gaze for a long moment.
Then he said the last thing Elena expected.
"Marry me."
Elena blinked.
"What?"
"Marry me," he repeated calmly. "Become my wife… and I will help you destroy everyone who betrayed you."
The car fell silent.
Elena stared at him as if he had lost his mind.
"You're asking a stranger to marry you?"
Alexander's expression didn't change.
"I'm offering you power, protection, and revenge."
Elena's heart pounded loudly in her chest.
Outside, thunder roared across the sky.
"Why me?" she asked.
Alexander's eyes darkened slightly.
"Because," he said slowly, "you're the only woman brave enough to burn your enemies to the ground."
Elena looked down at the evidence in her hands.
Then back at the powerful billionaire sitting beside her.
Her life had already been destroyed.
Maybe it was time to stop being the victim.
Maybe it was time to become the storm.
"Fine," she said quietly.
Alexander raised an eyebrow.
"I'll marry you."
For the first time, a real smile appeared on his face.
"Good choice, Mrs. Kingsley".