Chapter 4
As Riley returned home from the club that evening, she opened her laptop to find a flurry of emails from Norton Industries. She scrolled through the messages, learning that Miss Sue – her alias – had been invited to a meeting with the company the following day.
Riley's impressive credentials made her a sought-after designer. As the top graduate from a prestigious overseas college, she had received numerous job offers. Her designs had gained international recognition, catapulting her to fame as a jewelry designer. Within a year, she had amassed a fortune, becoming a millionaire before the age of 24.
Her previous collaboration with Reed Industries, Norton's rival, had significantly boosted their market standing, positioning them as a strong second to Norton Industries.
A partnership with Norton Industries would further solidify their position as industry leaders, widening the gap between them and Reed Industries, their closest competitor.
Riley's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the invitation. Collaborating with Northdesh's most esteemed jewelry company had long been one of her dreams. This opportunity felt like a golden ticket, laid out before her, waiting to be seized. It would not only be a career-defining moment but also catapult her designs to even greater heights.
With a thrilled smile, Riley eagerly accepted the invitation, her heart racing with excitement at the prospect of working with the industry's best.
Atlas received the news that night from his secretary, Jacklyn Shaw. "Miss Sue has accepted our meeting invitation for tomorrow at noon," she said.
Atlas's expression remained neutral, his voice devoid of emotion. "Very well."
Since Hunter's comment about Riley, Atlas had been plagued by restless thoughts. Was she truly a prostitute? He couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't. Her innocence had been tangible that night. But what if she was just new to the business? The possibility gnawed at him.
As morning dawned, Riley's quiet morning routine was disrupted by the ringing of her phone. She had been lost in thought, replaying the events of the previous day. The sudden noise made her heart skip a beat. It was Hazel, her voice laced with urgency. "Riley, we need to meet. Now." Riley's concern grew as she rushed to the bar. Hazel waited at the entrance, her face lighting up upon seeing Riley.
Riley's concern grew as she rushed to the bar. Hazel waited at the entrance, her face lighting up upon seeing Riley.
"What's wrong?" Riley asked, her voice tinged with worry.
Hazel led her into the bar, nodding towards a familiar figure. Caden Reed, CEO of Reed Industries, caught Riley's eye. He strode toward them, his gaze fixed intently on Riley.
"Hazel, this is the friend you were telling me about?" Caden asked, his voice smooth.
Riley's eyes widened in surprise as she discovered Hazel's connection to Caden, a friendship that dated back to their college days.
Caden's reputation as a playboy preceded him, but Riley had worked with Reed Industries before he took the reins. He didn't recognize her, and she could sense his interest.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Reed," Riley said, her voice firm but polite. "I'm already married." The words seemed to hang in the air, and for a moment, Caden's expression was frozen in surprise, then apologetic.
"I apologize for not knowing." As Caden speaks, his eyes lingered on Riley's face, his gaze intense and unsettling. "It was nice meeting you, Riley." He turned to Hazel. "I have an urgent matter to attend to. Excuse me."
With that, Caden Reed departed, leaving Riley and Hazel alone.
Hazel's eyes narrowed, her voice tinged with hurt and accusation. "You got married without even telling me? What's going on Riley?"
Riley hesitated, unsure how to explain the situation. "I got married yesterday."
Hazel's expression transformed from shock to confusion. "Who did you marry?"
Riley's response would only add to the astonishment. "Atlas Norton."
Hazel's eyes went wide. "What?!"
Meanwhile, from a distant corner of the bar, Atlas and Hunter observed the gathering. Caden Reed's gaze lingered on Riley, sparking a mixture of emotions within Atlas.
"Caden's got a new conquest, huh?" Hunter said with a smirk, his tone dripping with amusement.
Atlas shot him a glare, but Hunter misinterpreted it as disinterest. In reality, Atlas's anger simmered just below the surface. The thought of Riley being a prostitute infuriated him, and the idea of her with Caden Reed was unbearable.
Hunter continued, oblivious to Atlas's growing ire. "Did you pay her for her hard work? I'm sure you almost killed her the other night." Remembering the crying moans and pleading he heard coming from Atlas's room through his open window. His words were equally laced with sarcasm.
Atlas's anger boiled over. "Why are you so concerned?" he retorted, his voice low and menacing.
Atlas couldn't quite grasp the emotions simmering beneath his surface. Yet, every time Hunter referred to Riley with such cavalier disrespect, a spark of anger flared within him.
Hunter smirked. "You seem to always forget about it."
Atlas's gaze narrowed, his fury intensifying just below the surface. But before he could respond, Hunter's attention shifted, diverting the conversation. "Isn't that Hazel Stewart? What business does she have with that woman?"
Atlas glanced over again, his eyes locking onto Hazel. But he quickly feigned indifference, focusing on his phone. The turmoil brewing inside him threatened to erupt, but he maintained a calm exterior.
With a hasty goodbye to Hazel, Riley rushed out of the bar, her mind already shifting to her upcoming meeting with the Norton Industries.
In a club, as Riley rushed towards the elevator to the private room, she swiftly stopped the doors from closing, earning the attention of Hunter and Jaxon. The two men were taken aback by her striking beauty, momentarily captivated by her sparkling eyes.
Riley, however, didn't acknowledge their presence, her mind preoccupied with the upcoming meeting. Hunter wondered if this woman was somehow connected to Atlas, perhaps after his wealth.
The elevator doors opened, and Riley, in her haste, collided with a broad chest. Her nose crunched in pain, and she looked up to see Atlas staring down at her, his expression unreadable.
Riley's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Damn my bad luck!" she exclaimed inwardly.
Atlas's question caught her off guard. "Are you really that desperate for your money?" The two men behind her exchanged confused glances.
Riley's eyes narrowed. "Money?" And then it dawned on her – Atlas thought she was a prostitute.
Before she could respond, Atlas thrust a wad of cash into her hand, leaving her stunned. Riley's words caught in her throat, and by the time she regained her composure, Atlas had already departed.
Her face burned with indignation, her anger and humiliation simmering within. She seethed with fury. "That arrogant fool!" she yelled, hurling the cash into a nearby trash can.
Atlas, on the other hand, seethed with fury, his mind consumed by the image of Riley with Caden. A strange, unsettling feeling stirred within him, accompanied by a wave of regret. He stormed back to the floor, determined to find her. But when he arrived, she was nowhere to be found.
Scanning the area, his gaze landed on the trash can, where he spotted the crumpled cash he had given Riley. He recognized the bills and realized she had discarded them. A spark of curiosity ignited within him. Was this her way of provoking him, of luring him into a chase?
Atlas's instincts screamed warning. Women like Riley—beautiful, charming, and calculating—had burned him before. His ex-girlfriend, Grace, had expertly manipulated him with her allure and vulnerability. And now, his new wife, Riley, had cleverly leveraged her role in saving his grandfather's life to secure their marriage. Atlas couldn't shake the feeling that Riley was hiding something, that her innocence was just a facade.
He retrieved the money, intending to return it to her later. After all, it was payment for her services.
Meanwhile, Riley sat across from Jaxon and Hunter, who couldn't help but steal glances at her. Their strange, bewildered expressions left her perplexed.
Jaxon and Hunter exchanged confused whispers. What was this woman doing in their private meeting room? Before they could ask, Riley introduced herself.
"I'm Miss Sue. Your company invited me for a meeting."
Hunter nearly choked on his drink, while Jaxon's eyes widened in shock. Riley's puzzlement deepened, unsure what had caused their reactions. Concerned, she rose to rub Hunter's back.
Just then, the door swung open, and Atlas strode in, his presence commanding their attention.