Chapter 3

3.

Since I was reborn, I knew exactly how that scene would play out if I did nothing.

Cassie expected me to suffer the same fate she did.

But I was about to ruin her little fantasy.

Before Quinton could make his grand entrance, I cornered him in his private study.

This was our first meeting in this life.

He was a head taller than me, his handsome face a mask of icy indifference.

God, he really was as unapproachable as the rumors said.

I didn't flirt. Instead, I handed him a thick business proposal.

"I know you're struggling with the rollout of the new tech project. This is my plan. I guarantee it will double your projected profits."

Growing up in the orphanage, I had learned to be resourceful. I had a natural brain for business.

In our last life, Xavier's rise to power was entirely due to my secret strategies.

"How do you know about my new project?"

Quinton took the file, his long fingers flipping through the pages.

In the last life, that project had belonged to Xavier.

Back then, Xavier had been kind to me at first, so I gave him my ideas to help him win the contract.

This time, without my help, the project had naturally fallen to the Pierces.

"I did my homework," I said with a confident smile.

"Mr. Pierce, I can be your chief strategist. I can give you more plans like this."

"But I have one condition. We act like a happy couple in public to please your mother, but in private, we stay out of each other's business."

Quinton was a shark. He only cared about the bottom line.

I knew my value was his greatest weakness.

I expected a cold agreement, but he just arched an eyebrow at me.

"I get it. You want to trade your brain for a quiet life."

"But didn't my mother tell you? She wasn't looking for a daughter; she was looking for a wife for me."

"I know. So, what's your point?" I asked, confused.

He smirked, closing the folder with a sharp snap.

"Your plan is brilliant. And once you marry me, all your brilliance will belong to me anyway."

He turned and walked out before I could process that.

What the hell did that mean?

Did he actually just claim me?

No way. He probably just wanted to lock me down so I could work for him forever.