Evelyn sat at the dining table with the Hartley family, her expression calm and composed despite the storm brewing in her mind. She calmly sipped down her tea and elegantly crossed her legs. This is one of the rare moment she meets her biological parents who seems busy coddling their beloved daughter-not her.
The conversation had taken an unexpected turn when her so-called parents talked about the subject of an arranged marriage—one that would bind her to a man she'd never met but whose reputation preceded him. Yet during this situation she only focused on one thing, she will no longer be a Hartley. She will be free and perhaps this marriage is just another way to get out of this suffocating household.
"The Whittakers have proposed an alliance," her father said, his voice tinged with a mixture of resignation and something akin to happiness. Evelyn has dealt with politicians before, as she aware of that face of joy. A good marriage means an equal increase in influence.
Maybe they are related because she too has no intention of playing house with these people. "They want to marry you to one of their own, Evelyn. It's a powerful family, and this marriage could secure our future."
Evelyn listened, her face betraying none of the turmoil inside. She had no real attachment to the Hartleys, even though they were supposedly her biological family. Her life had been shaped by battlefields, not familial bonds, and the idea of being used as a pawn in a marriage didn't sit well with her. The Whittaker name carried weight, and an alliance with them could be both a boon and a curse.
But before she could speak, Sophia, the golden child of the Hartley family, interjected. "I don't want to marry some ruthless man! I love someone else!" Sophia's voice wavered, her eyes brimming with tears as she played the part of the innocent victim.
Evelyn's gaze shifted to her supposed sister, and a flicker of understanding passed between them. Sophia was clearly in love with someone—probably Daniel if the way they'd been carrying on behind Evelyn's back was any indication. Evelyn felt a surge of annoyance, but she quickly suppressed it. This wasn't the time to let her emotions get the better of her.
"I'll do it," Evelyn said, her voice steady and resolute. The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at her in shock. "I'll marry this ruthless Whittaker—on one condition."
Her father's brow furrowed. "And what condition is that?"
"I want to be separated from this family and given the freedom to live my life as I see fit," Evelyn replied, her tone leaving no room for argument. "No more obligations, no more ties. I'll fulfill this duty, and then I'm gone."
Sophia's eyes widened, and for a moment, Evelyn thought she saw a flicker of mockery in them. But it was quickly replaced by sadness when their father nodded. "If that's what you want, Evelyn, we'll agree to it. But this is a serious commitment. You understand that, right?"
Evelyn nodded. "I understand."
Sophia's tears started flowing freely, and Evelyn couldn't help but feel a twinge of bitterness. Despite her sister's tears, she knew that this was exactly what Sophia wanted—to be free to pursue her desires without being tied down by family expectations. In the end, Evelyn was just a convenient solution to her sister's problem.
As the details were discussed and finalized, Evelyn's mind thought of the man she would soon be married to. She had heard the whispers about him—Daniel's uncle, a man reputed to be ruthless and unyielding, a figure shrouded in mystery and fear. She imagined him as some middle-aged tyrant, the kind of man who would relish in controlling his new wife.
But Evelyn wasn't afraid. She had faced down enemies far more dangerous than some perverted old man. If he tried anything, she was confident she could take him down quietly and efficiently.
When the meeting concluded, Evelyn rose from the table. If this marriage was the price of her freedom, then so be it.
For some ungodly reason, as she stepped up the stairs, the image of Alexander Arcene flashed in her mind. The familiarity of the name, the way he had unnerved her with just a few words—could it be that the man she was about to marry was none other than him? The thought made her shiver. She quickly dismissed it. It was too much of a coincidence. The world was full of Alexander, and not all of them could be tied to the underworld.
*****
Alexander Whittaker sat at the head of the long, polished oak table, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. The Whittaker family elders had gathered for a rare meeting, their faces lined with a mix of respect and fear as they looked at the man who had become the undisputed ruler of the underworld. Despite the age difference, none dared to meet his gaze directly—except for one man.
His father, Gregory Whittaker, sat at the opposite end of the table, his posture relaxed, his eyes sharp and unyielding. Gregory was the only person in the family who could look Alexander in the eye without a trace of fear.
They were cut from the same cloth, after all. But even Gregory, with all his years of experience and wisdom, understood that his son had grown into something far more formidable than he could have ever imagined.
The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension as the elders exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to broach the subject they had been summoned to discuss. Finally, it was Gregory who broke the silence with his calm voice.
"Alexander," Gregory began, leaning forward slightly, "we've come to a decision that concerns the future of our family—and yours."
Alexander's expression remained impassive. He had expected this meeting to be about some mundane family business, but the weight in his father's voice suggested otherwise. "Go on," he said, his tone neutral.
Gregory nodded to one of the elders, who cleared his throat nervously before speaking. "The Whittaker family has always thrived on alliances, both in business and in, shall we say, other matters. We've secured another such alliance—through marriage."
Alexander's gaze sharpened, but he remained silent, allowing the elder to continue.
"You are to be married, Alexander," the elder said, his voice trembling slightly under the weight of his own words. "To a woman from a family that will strengthen our ties and secure our interests. The details have been arranged."
Alexander leaned back in his chair, considering the words carefully. Marriage was nothing more than a strategic move in the world he operated in—a way to consolidate power, secure alliances, and expand influence. He had expected as much, though he had hoped to avoid such entanglements. Still, he knew better than to oppose the will of the elders without good reason.
"Who is she?" Alexander asked, his voice calm as if talking about a third person, not himself.
The elder hesitated, glancing at Gregory. It was Gregory who spoke with a hidden tone resembling an absolute order- "Her name is not important, Alexander. What matters is that this marriage will bind our family in ways that will ensure our legacy for generations to come."
Alexander's eyes narrowed slightly. "You expect me to marry a woman whose name I don't even know?"
Gregory met his son's gaze evenly. The finality of the Order- "Yes. And you will not investigate her or the circumstances surrounding this arrangement. The details are irrelevant. You must marry her, and in return, you will no longer be closely tied to the Whittaker family. You'll be free to operate independently, as you've always wanted."
The room fell into a heavy silence as Alexander considered the offer. This marriage was a final act of loyalty, a bond that would tie him to the family one last time before he was released.
He knew the family's secrets, the dark truths that had shaped their rise to power. He had been a part of that world and had thrived in it, but he had always bounded under its restrictions. His father's words were law, and the promise of freedom was too tempting to resist.
"I accept," Alexander said finally, his voice unwavering. "But understand this—I will keep the family's secrets to the grave, as promised. However, once this marriage is done, I will no longer be bound by the Whittaker name. I will be my own man."
A murmur of approval rippled through the room, though the elders still looked uneasy. Gregory, however, nodded in satisfaction. "That's all we ask, Alexander. You've done more for this family than anyone could have expected. This is your last duty."
Alexander's gaze swept the room, his expression unreadable. "When is the wedding?"
"Soon," Gregory replied. "You'll receive the details in due time. Until then, continue with your work as usual. The less you know about her now, the better."
He understood the game well enough. This was about control, about ensuring that he remained loyal to the family until the very end. But he had plans of his own, and once the marriage was complete, he would be free to pursue them without interference.
As the meeting adjourned, the elders left the room one by one, still casting wary glances at the man they both respected and feared. Gregory remained seated, watching his son with a mixture of pride and something else—perhaps a hint of regret.
"Alexander," Gregory said as the room emptied, "I know you're not one for sentiment, but this marriage... it's more important than you realize."
Alexander's eyes flicked to his father, curiosity piqued by the uncharacteristic note of concern in Gregory's voice. "I've already agreed, haven't I?"
Gregory nodded slowly. "You have. Just... remember that not everything in this world can be controlled or predicted. Some things, some people, have a way of changing the game."
Alexander's lips quirked into a half-smile with mockery. "Are you worried I'll lose my edge, Father?"
Gregory chuckled, the sound low and rumbling. "No, Alexander. I'm worried that you'll find yourself in a situation even you can't control."
Alexander's smile faded slightly, but he didn't respond. Instead, he rose from his seat, nodding respectfully to his father before turning to leave the room.