Chapter 9: All In

Shaking her off, I went to my room and fired up a Zoom call.

The familiar chime brought relief. I kicked off my shoes, sinking into my desk chair as my screen lit up.

The baby-faced boy explained the design concept while I scrolled through the drafts.

He gestured wildly, his dorm room a mess of sketches and Red Bull cans. I made notes, eyes sharp.

At the end, he grinned: “So, did your beauty trap work on the Whitmore CEO?”

He waggled his brows. I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t help a laugh.

“Marrying him isn’t the problem,” I said. “Getting his help might be.”

I tapped my pen on the desk, weighing my next move. The stakes were higher than he realized.

“You’re still marrying him?” Eli’s tone shifted. “That wasn’t the plan.”

He leaned in, concern creasing his boyish face. I smiled, reassuring him.

“Plans change. If I don’t marry, I’m just a partner. If I do, I’m Mrs. Whitmore.”

I shrugged, letting the words hang. Power was a game, and I intended to win.

“But—”

He hesitated, worry etched in his features. I met his gaze, steady.

“I’m an adult,” I smiled slowly. “I want both—the man and the power.”

I leaned back, folding my arms. The world was finally opening up, and I was ready to grab it.

Eli fell silent, then asked, “What about your unforgettable first love? Aren’t you going to find him?”

His voice was gentle, probing. I let my smile soften, memories flickering behind my eyes.

I smiled, not answering.

Some things were better left unsaid. I closed the laptop, the glow fading to black.

No need to look. I’ve already found him.

I traced the outline of my grandmother’s handkerchief, tucked safe in my drawer, letting the secret warm me from the inside out.

The yacht party drew out most of Maple Heights’ second-generation elite.

The marina was packed with Teslas and Range Rovers, the air thick with laughter and expensive cologne. Champagne glasses clinked, and Lake Michigan sparkled under a cloudless sky.

Harper wore a blazing red backless dress, desperate for attention.