Cherry stood at the edge of the balcony, staring at the sprawling city below. The skyline shimmered under the moonlight, a constant reminder of the empire Alexander was set to inherit.
But soon, she would have her own empire.
A glass of wine rested in her hand as she watched Alexander from the reflection in the glass doors. He was seated in the lounge, his fingers lightly drumming against the armrest, deep in thought.
"You're too quiet," he said suddenly, his voice cutting through the stillness.
Cherry turned to him with a small smile. "Just thinking."
Alexander chuckled, rising to his feet. "That's dangerous, coming from you." He approached her, standing close—too close. "You impressed my father today."
"I know."
He reached for her glass and took a sip, his eyes never leaving hers. "You impressed me too."
Cherry tilted her head and smirked . "I've always been impressive, Alexander. You just never paid attention."
Something flickered in his gaze—something dark and knowing. "And now I am."
Cherry took back her wine and stepped away. "Good. That means we're finally speaking the same language."
As she prepared to retire back home for the day , Alex couldn't help being utterly stunned by Cherry's new found courage and he wondered where she found the guts to be so outspoken recently. He observed her closely.
Cherry had played her cards carefully, securing that small, insignificant company stake without either of them realizing how valuable it would become.
But Alexander wasn't a fool. He sensed something and that made this game more dangerous.
Later that night as Cherry walked through the corridors of the Rich Enterprise, her heels clicking softly against the marble floors. She was on her wayback to her office when a voice stopped her.
"You should be careful."
Cherry turned to find Vanessa Rich leaning against the doorway of one of the offices.
They weren't friends. They weren't enemies either. Vanessa had never been openly hostile, but she had never warmed up to Cherry either.
Cherry met her gaze evenly. "I get it. Don't get turned into your mother right?"
Vanessa sighed, stepping closer. "Of becoming too important to my brother."
Cherry raised a brow. "Is that a warning?"
"It's advice." Vanessa studied her carefully. "You think you're in control, but Alex is… complicated. He learned from the best."
Cherry's lips curled into a small smirk. "You mean your father?"
Vanessa's expression darkened. "Yes. And look where that got my mother."
There it was, Alexander had been raised by a manipulator. He had been groomed to control. Vanessa's jaw tightened. "You're smart, Cherry. I'll give you that. But don't let him pull you in so deep that you forget who you are."
Cherry's smile was slow and deliberate. "That's the difference between me and your mother, Vanessa." She turned toward her door, glancing over her shoulder. "I don't plan on losing myself to Alexander Rich. He's the one who's going to lose himself to me."
And with that, she stepped inside, leaving Vanessa watching her with something close to respect—and fear.
The next morning, Cherry arrived at the office, only to find Alexander waiting for her in the boardroom.
She expected him to gloat about last night, but instead, his face was unreadable.
"My father wants to meet you privately," he said.
Cherry's brow furrowed. "Why?"
Alexander hesitated. "He has a proposal."
Something cold ran through her veins.
"A proposal?"
Cherry knew that Jonathan Rich never proposed anything, he commanded.
Alexander leaned forward.
"You don't have to say yes. But if you do…" His fingers tapped against the table. "It could change everything."
Cherry's heartbeat quickened.
Jonathan Rich was a kingmaker. If he wanted to meet her, it meant she was finally on his radar.
She had fought to stand in this world, to carve a path for herself. But now, she was entering a new battlefield—one where the stakes were higher, and the enemies far more dangerous.
She took a breath and met Alexander's gaze.
"Fine," she said. "Let's hear what your father has to say."
Alexander smirked. "Careful, Cherry." He stood up and walked past her, his voice low. "Once you step into my father's world, there's no turning back."
Cherry's fingers curled into a little fist.
"But I'm not here to turn back. I'm here to win."
With that she made her way to Jonathan Rich 's office , it was i a luxurious and sleek space, reflecting his wealth and success typically large, with high ceilings and expansive windows offering a stunning view of the city skyline. The walls are adorned with expensive artwork, and the floor covered with plush carpeting.
He sat behind a grand, mahogany masterpiece of a desk in a high-backed, leather executive chair while Cherry sat across She had never been inside his office before and it was just as impressive as she thought.
The man who had bought and built an empire from nothing and turned it into one of the most powerful rising conglomerates in the country.
Unlike Alexander, who could be charming and seductive, Jonathan was cold and calculating. His sharp eyes, the same shade as his son's, studied her like she was an investment he was considering.
His personal assistant came in poured them whiskey, but Cherry didn't touch hers.
Jonathan took a sip before speaking.
"You impressed me, Cherry. Not many people have the intelligence to maneuver a situation like the one we were in."
Cherry smiled, tilting her head. "You mean the situation you put yourself in?"
Jonathan let out a low chuckle. "Sharp tongue."
She didn't flinch. "It's useful."
He set down his glass. "Tell meCherry. What do you want?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with meaning.
Cherry already had what she wanted—for now.
The small company stake she had secured would be the foundation of her future empire.
But she also knew men like Jonathan Rich never offered something for free.
"What are you really asking?" she countered.
Jonathan leaned forward, his expression unreadable yet precise
"I want to know how far you're willing to go."
She held his gaze. "As far as I need to."
A slow smirk formed on his lips. "Good. Then we understand each other."
Cherry remained silent as he continued.
"Alexander listens to you," Jonathan said. "More than I expected. And now, after what you've done for the company, my board of directors sees your value. That's power, Cherry. And power is dangerous when not properly controlled."
He paused. "I like my power controlled."
Cherry's pulse quickened. "Are you suggesting that I need to be controlled?"
Jonathan chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "I'm suggesting that you need a leash."
A sharp, quiet tension filled the room.
Cherry didn't break eye contact. She refused to be intimidated.
Jonathan continued,
"You want to build something of your own? Fine. I'll give you access to more resources. I'll even ensure that you and Alexander remain together—which, let's be honest, is what you want anyway."
Cherry clenched her jaw, hiding her reaction.
Jonathan's smirk deepened.
"But in return, I need loyalty. Not to Alexander. To me."
Cherry was Abit taken aback by his statements. Was this a test? A trap?
If she agreed, she would be bound to him—a pawn in his game, not hers.
If she refused, she might lose everything she had just fought for.
But Cherry had learned how to play this game.
She smiled. "Loyalty isn't given, Mr. Rich. It's earned."
Jonathan leaned back, amusement flashing in his eyes. "Well played."
He downed the rest of his drink and stood. "Think about my offer, Cherry. But don't take too long. Power is a fragile thing, and if you don't take control of it, someone else will."
With that, he left.
Cherry sat there, her heart pounding.
Jonathan Rich had just offered her a seat at his table.
But she wasn't here to be his pawn.
She was here to become the queen.
Back in her office, Cherry paced back and forth , her mind racing.
She needed to tread carefully. Jonathan was powerful, but he wasn't invincible.
She had to find his weaknesses.
Her thoughts were interrupted by footsteps behind her.
She turned, already knowing who it was.
Alexander stood there, watching her with a look she couldn't quite read.
"You met with my father," he said.
Cherry nodded. "I did."
Alexander stepped closer. "And?"
She met his gaze, searching for any sign of manipulation. But there was something else in his eyes tonight—something she hadn't seen before.
Worry.
"He wants my loyalty," Cherry said softly.
Alexander smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes.
"Of course, he does. My father doesn't like things he can't control."
Cherry hesitated. "And you?"
Alexander's expression darkened. "I don't like things that belong to me trying to leave."
Her breath caught.
He was staking his claim again. But this time, she saw it for what it was.
Control. Possession.
And she wouldn't be his to own.
She smiled, stepping closer until they were inches apart. "Then I guess it's a good thing I don't belong to you, Alexander."
His jaw tightened.
For the first time, she saw the flash of something unexpected in his eyes. Fear.
Fear that she was slipping away. Fear that he was losing control.
And for the first time, Cherry realized something else.
Alexander Rich was afraid of losing her.
Not because of love.
But because, for the first time in his life, he had met someone he couldn't fully control.
And that terrified him.
Cherry turned away, leaving him standing in the shadows.
Tonight, she had won.
But the real war was just beginning.