Chapter 3: Everything went perfectly
Damien Madox’s POV
I snorted and pull out my phone and opened the banking app.
My balance: $0.
Wait…what?
I tried my corporate card—Blocked.
I pulled my wallet, slide my black card on my desk, I called the private number. The operator stuttered when she confirmed: “Your card’s been deactivated, Mr. Maddox.”
“What the—” I stood, heat rushing up my spine.
“I had to freeze them,” Dad said calmly. “So you’d take this seriously.”
“You’ve lost your mind,” I growl. “You think money’s gonna scare me into marrying someone I’ve never even met?”
“Well the go ahead…..try to book your dinner meeting tonight.”
I walk out of the office like a storm, coat in hand, jaw tight…. Dad's got to be kidding me!
I made a smart move of taking the Company cards with me, I got them checked before the dinner started and they are pretty accessible. I laughed to myself internally…. that old my needs to rest.
Everything went perfectly, I and my client had a long business finalization plan before we begin eating.
I offered to pay and handed my card to the waiter who came back running few minutes later, he leaned over me,“Mr. Maddox, I’m sorry... your card’s been declined.”
My client shifted awkwardly in his seat. I tried another, same result…fuck! Embarrassment burnt down my neck like acid.
I left the restaurant humiliated, my jaw aching from how hard I’m grinding it…..Dad is damn serious about this but why? Why should I get married to her? Why her? Ughhhh
It's been two weeks since the marriage sage and father has been threatening me with this and that but I'm never marrying her, all the Maddox properties got seized, I go kicked out from every Maddox companies but I'm not breaking …I'm so sure he will soon give up
I reached my penthouse after a shirt time at the beach, the door’s opened and I saw my staff—my own damn staff—are packing boxes….my suits, my whiskey, my suitcases, my mother’s art.
“What are you doing?” I barked at them
“Orders from Mr. Maddox Senior,” the house manager stammered
I yanked open the bedroom closet, every single compartment and hangers are empty, I rushed downstairs in fury and I found him in the living room.
“You’ve crossed a line,” I said through my teeth.
“You think I wanted this?” he said standing up.
“Yes!” I shout. “You built me into this—this machine. And now you want to shove a wife into the gears like she’s part of the blueprint?”
“She’s not a threat,” he said…“She’s your balance.”
“I don’t need balance. I need control!”
“Then earn it back,” he said
I stared at him. My own father. The man who taught me how to tie my first tie. Who showed me how to hold a scotch glass like power lived in it. The one who took me on endless vacations and park.
And he’s betraying me.
“Why now?” I asked quietly. “Why pull the trigger now?”
“Because her father is dead,” he said
My hands curl into fists.
He slides a pen across the table. “Sign it son, In weeks she will be twenty, the age agreed in the documents…”
“And if I refuse?”
“You’ll be another rich boy with only a last name, but no throne, no penny.”
Silence stretched between us.
I stared at the contract—my name, her name, the legal chains in gold ink.
I thought of everything I’ve done to get here. The nights I didn’t sleep. The people I buried in business. The blood I swallowed to make the Maddox name feared and respected.
And I feel something I haven’t felt in years.
Powerless.
I sat down, grabbed the pen and signed.
I didn’t ask what she looks like because it doesn't matters.
I already know one thing.
I will marry her.
But I will never, ever love her….I will make her suffer for this instead.
Anneliese’s POV
The first thing I noticed about him was that ridiculous jaw that looked like it was chiseled in a lab
The second? The way he stood staring at me like I'm some kind of tax he doesn't want to pay.
I haven't spent a minute with him yet but I already want to punch him.
We could have met in a restaurant or somewhere else but our parents are planning some ridiculous date so we both chose another venue to meet and here he is— standing by the fireplace in my father’s old study so confidently like he owned the world.
Every single thing about him is black—he is putting on a black suit with a bow which made him look like a baby goat. His black hair was pulled backwards with few strands falling in his face….cute right? No!
I think he is dull, ugly just like the way his presence is in my life, the only thing shiny about him is the silver watch glinting on his wrist and his ego and maybe his eyes that are cold and calculating.
“Anneliese Rowan,” he began like a person reading a bad review. “So this is what I’m being forced to marry.”
“Oh, never knew you lack conversation starter manners that much… “ I rolled my eyes at him
“Or maybe I'm not just a sick pretender like you are…. you know, what is the essence of the fake pleasantries? It's better to skip them.”
“Why? Are you scared your dry face might crack if you try smiling?”
Before he can come up with something, the lawyer coughed and steps between us. He is an old bald man who have probably spent all his life ruining youths and joining forced marriages.
“Mr. Maddox, Miss Rowan, our meeting here is to conclude the marriage plan which is to take place in a week time by signing these papers…...so I will love the both of you to be as matured and civil as possible” He finished with a slight bow.
“Matured and civil?” I scoff. “Did you even read the contract or did you even understand what it's all about? Does the whole situation look matured to you? Do I look like I'm interested in this? This is just complete hostage situation with catering.”
“Mr. Heney let’s get this over with. I’ve got stocks to trade and people to ignore.” Damien walked to the couch and sat like he owns the building.
I sat across from him, my arms crossed above my chest, He glared at me, I glared harder
“Do you always sit like the world owes you something?” I asked
“It usually does,” he replied
God, I hate him.
“Mr. Henry can you please excuse us for a second…” he turned to the lawyer who moved away from us.
“What now?’ I asked