It was late at night when Cleopatra arrived at her penthouse. She walked in without saying a word, took off her coat, and headed straight to her bedroom, ignoring Peter's voice following her from behind.

"Miss Thompson, are you alright?" Peter asked cautiously.


Cleopatra simply raised a hand, signaling him not to disturb her. She needed time alone.

After closing her bedroom door, she threw herself onto the bed. The documents from Noah were still clenched tightly in her hand. With a heavy breath, she opened them again, reading the contents for what felt like the hundredth time.

The evidence was clear: Theodore had attempted to illegally alter several stock agreements, making him potentially lose his inheritance rights if she didn't get married soon.


Cleopatra clenched her jaw. She had always known Theodore would try something dirty, but seeing it written in black and white made her chest tighten even more.

The choices in front of her were clear—marry Louis and save the company, or let her pride take over and allow Theodore to win.


Before, the answer would have been easy. A contract marriage was just a tool to achieve her goal. But now? Cleopatra was starting to feel something different.

With Louis, there were small moments that felt real. The sincerity in his eyes, the way he nervously reacted to her teasing, even their kisses—it all felt like more than just an act.

Cleopatra closed the document, staring at the ceiling as her thoughts spiraled.

"Is this just part of the game?" she whispered to herself.

Before she could answer her own question, her phone vibrated on the table. A message from Peter appeared on the screen:

"Theodore will be at the office tomorrow. Prepare for war, Miss."

Cleopatra smirked. If Theodore thought she would back down, he was sorely mistaken.

**

In a small house on the outskirts of the city, Louis arrived with sluggish steps. The moment he stepped inside, he saw his mother, Linda Toreto, sitting at the tiny dining table with a stack of freshly folded laundry in her hands. The house had only two bedrooms, a small kitchen, and a living room that also served as a storage space for old belongings.

"You're home?" his mother's voice was gentle, but there was a hint of worry in it.

Louis nodded, placing his bag on the worn-out chair before grabbing a glass of water from the table. He knew his mother must have seen the news about his shocking engagement with Cleopatra Thompson.

And he was right.

"Are you sure about all of this, son?" Linda finally asked, her voice cautious. "I saw the news about you and that woman… Cleopatra."

Louis took a deep breath. "Mom, I'm fine."

Linda studied him, her gaze filled with the deep concern of a mother who knew her child better than anyone. "Louis… a woman like Cleopatra, she comes from a different world. You know that, right?"

Louis gripped his glass. Of course, he knew.

"She could have any man she wanted," Linda continued, her voice softer. "But you… you're just the son of a woman who washes other people's clothes for a living. I'm afraid she's just playing with you."

Louis looked at his mother, then lowered his gaze. He didn't even know the answer himself.

"I don't know, Mom," he finally admitted. "I don't know if this is real or just a game."

Linda was silent for a moment before reaching out and gently touching his arm. "Be careful, son. Don't get hurt over something you can't have."

Louis didn't respond. He simply stared at the floor, his confusion deepening.

**

Cleopatra arrived at the office with quick steps.

The conference room felt suffocating despite the air conditioning running at full power. Cleopatra sat at the head of the long table, her posture upright like a queen ready to face her enemy. Louis had just walked in when he saw Theodore William Blake sitting with a smug expression, as if he had already won the battle before the war even started.

With a casual flick, Theodore tossed a newspaper onto the table. Cleopatra swiftly caught it. Her eyes narrowed as she read the headline:

"Dimitri Group CEO Trapped in a Contract Marriage? Source Reveals Shocking Truth!"

The room fell silent. Every executive in the room turned to Cleopatra, waiting for her reaction.

Theodore leaned back in his chair, smirking. "So, Cleo," his voice was relaxed but sharp, "how much are you paying Louis to stay in this fake marriage?"

Cleopatra remained silent, holding back her anger. Finally, she spoke, her voice calm but full of authority.

"If I wanted to argue with a clown, I'd go to the circus, Theodore."

Some of the executives stifled small laughs, but the tension remained thick.

Theodore smirked, his gaze sharp. "You think you can fool me, Cleo? This contract marriage is just to save the company, and we both know it."

Cleopatra met his gaze without flinching. "And you think you can take me down with something this cheap?"

Theodore leaned forward. "I'm just reminding you, dear niece, that this game isn't over."

Cleopatra smirked. "I never play to lose."

Their eyes locked like two predators ready to strike. Louis remained silent, but he could feel the heat of this battle. Cleopatra might look composed, but he knew she was burning with anger inside.

The meeting ended without any real resolution, but Cleopatra knew this was just the beginning.

**

Cleopatra walked into her office with heavy steps. The moment the door closed, she collapsed onto the sofa. Her breath was still uneven.

Louis followed her in, standing near the door, hesitant.

He had never seen Cleopatra like this—not the fierce, calculating Cleopatra, but a woman who looked exhausted and fragile.

Slowly, Louis walked over and sat beside her.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softer than usual.

Cleopatra opened her eyes and looked at him. There was exhaustion, but also something else—something deeper.

Without a word, Cleopatra pulled Louis into an embrace. There was no passion, no games. Just warmth.

Louis froze. This was the first time Cleopatra had held him without any teasing or playful manipulation.

He was more confused than ever. What was this? What was happening between them? Was Cleopatra just seeking comfort after her fight with Theodore, or was there something more?

He was just a poor man with nothing but this marriage contract. Cleopatra could have any man she wanted—a rich, powerful man who belonged in her world. So why had she chosen him?

Louis looked at Cleopatra, still clinging to his chest. He felt comfortable, but also terrified. Was he starting to have feelings for her? Or was this just another part of the grand lie they were living?

When Cleopatra finally lifted her face and looked at Louis, there was something in her eyes he had never seen before—softness, sincerity, or maybe something even deeper.

Cleopatra gave a small smile, raising her hand to gently trace Louis' jawline. "You always look at me like I'm a puzzle you can't solve," she whispered.

Louis swallowed. He wanted to respond, but his mind was too tangled.

Then, Cleopatra leaned in. Her lips were just inches from his.

Cleopatra seemed to sense Louis' hesitation. She stopped, not kissing him as she usually would. Instead, she held his gaze longer, reading the confusion in his expression.

"Are you afraid of me, Louis?" Cleopatra asked gently.

Louis closed his eyes for a moment, then let out a long breath. "I'm afraid… this isn't real," he finally admitted.

Cleopatra gave a faint smile, but this time, there was sadness in her eyes. "So am I," she admitted.

Before they could say anything more, Cleopatra's phone vibrated. A message popped up from an unknown number:

"I know your secret. And I will make sure you pay for it."

Cleopatra immediately tensed, her expression turning cold. Louis noticed the change and became alert as well.

"What is it?" Louis asked.

Cleopatra stared at her phone for a few seconds before placing it on the table. "A new problem," she murmured.

Louis saw the shift in her demeanor—from a vulnerable woman back to the cold, calculating strategist.

He didn't know who had sent that message, but he knew one thing: The game had just turned even more dangerous.