Peter stood calmly outside the office as Louis Toreto walked out of the CEO's room. Though curious, Peter maintained his professionalism and simply nodded at the somewhat bewildered Louis. He waited until Louis was gone before entering Cleopatra's office, closing the door carefully, and approaching her desk.

'Miss Thompson…," Peter began cautiously, looking at Cleopatra with a questioning expression. 'Excuse me, but… marrying a junior employee, especially in a contract… this isn't a typical decision for you."


Cleopatra only smirked slightly, showing a look of complete confidence. 'Don't be surprised, Peter. I know what I'm doing."

'Of course, Miss. But… why Louis Toreto? You have high-status men with clearer backgrounds who may be easier to control," Peter replied, his tone respectful but filled with concern.

Cleopatra's smile widened as she looked at Peter with a sharp gaze. 'That's the problem, Peter. Every man who's been close to me has always looked at me with ambition or insincere admiration. Only Louis Toreto has treated me like a normal person. The first time we met, he didn't look at me lustfully or see me as a trophy to be conquered."


Peter remained silent, beginning to understand Cleopatra's reasoning, though there was still a hint of doubt on his face. 'But… Louis isn't just any employee, Miss. You know his financial situation. He might be desperate enough to do anything to save his family. Aren't you worried that this contract marriage could lead to a scandal?"

Cleopatra took a deep breath, looking at Peter with conviction. 'Peter, don't worry about trivial matters. I've considered it all. Besides, this scandal might not be any worse than handing over the company to Theodore." Her tone grew sharper and more serious. 'What you need to do now isn't to doubt my plan, but to help investigate Theodore."


Peter nodded, beginning to grasp Cleopatra's direction. 'You want me to track his whereabouts on the night of Mr. James's accident, correct?"

'Exactly," Cleopatra replied firmly. 'Find out where Theodore was, who he met, anything that might indicate his involvement in the accident."

Peter nodded confidently, though there was still some concern in his expression. He knew that Cleopatra's actions could carry significant risks, but he also understood her resolve couldn't be swayed.

'I'll start the investigation today," Peter finally said.

Cleopatra looked at him with a confident gaze. 'I trust you, Peter. Don't waste that trust."

Peter nodded once more, then left the room with a steady step. Behind Cleopatra's calm demeanor, he knew there was a storm ready to reveal the truth. Cleopatra herself sat in her chair, fully aware that her offer to Louis Toreto was not just about a contract marriage. It was part of her plan to maintain control of Dimitri Group, uncover her father's death, and bring down anyone trying to jeopardize her future—including Theodore William Blake.

'Now, I have to see if my future husband… can satisfy me in bed or not. Let's check him out on the internet and—wait! What did I just think about him? Damn. My mind's corrupted now. But honestly, I am intrigued by his body. He's truly a hot man, and I'm curious about which moves I should try on our first night."

________________________________________

'I reject your offer."

'Um, what did you say?"

On the third day since Cleopatra's proposal, Louis Toreto finally entered the CEO's office with a determined expression. Cleopatra sat at her desk, sipping wine from a crystal glass while Peter stood beside her, carefully pouring more into her glass.

Louis stopped in front of the desk, took a deep breath, and finally said, 'Miss Thompson, I came to inform you of my decision. I… will not accept this contract marriage."

Cleopatra froze, stunned by what she had just heard. Her hand holding the glass trembled slightly, and without realizing it, she dropped the crystal glass onto the floor. The sound of shattering glass echoed in the room, startling Peter, who was still standing beside her. He immediately looked down in fear, not daring to meet Cleopatra's gaze.

Cleopatra slowly stood up, glaring at Louis with a sharp, cold stare, ensuring that what she had heard wasn't a misunderstanding. 'Say that again, Toreto. Is what you just said something you won't regret?" her voice sounded firm, almost like the hiss of a snake filled with menace.

Louis looked at her for a moment, then bowed respectfully. 'I will not accept this contract marriage, Miss. Thank you for your offer. I apologize if this decision disappoints you." With a tone both firm and polite, Louis turned and left the room, his steps steady though there was a hint of tension in his face.

As the door closed behind Louis, Cleopatra stared at it, her eyes blazing with anger. Peter, who had been watching from the side, bowed his head even lower, his body almost trembling from fear of Cleopatra's reaction.

Cleopatra suddenly slammed both hands onto the desk, her anger erupting. 'Who does he think he is to reject me?" she shouted, her voice trembling. 'Does he think he can walk away from my offer just like that?"

Peter nodded quickly, not daring to counter anything his boss said. Cleopatra looked at him with a sharp, demanding gaze.

'Peter!" she snapped. 'I want him back here, begging. Got it? I won't let that man leave without giving me what I want."

Peter nodded rapidly, fearful that any delay would only increase Cleopatra's fury. 'Of course, Miss. I'll handle it," he replied in a low but steady voice.

Cleopatra huffed in frustration, walking back to her chair and sitting down, her anger making her hands tremble as she tried to calm herself. However, beneath her rage was something else—an unexpected disappointment. Disappointment that he had the nerve to refuse her without a trace of fear, proving that Louis Toreto was not an ordinary man who could be easily controlled.

'I want black and white for my wedding."

Peter looked startled. 'Excuse me?"

'I want all the design and colors I see at my wedding to be only black and white."

'You… are very sure that Mr. Toreto will accept—" Cleopatra shot a piercing look at Peter, silencing him instantly. 'I apologize for speaking out of turn, Miss Thompson."

'You'd better go find out about Theodore before I tear you to pieces."

'Yes, Miss." And with that, Peter left, before Cleopatra could unleash the 'lion" within her.