Chapter 6 - THE ROMANCE BUILT LIKE A CONTRACT.
Adrian believed he met Elena by chance at a Miami charity conference.
Arthur revealed that Victoria’s office selected Elena months earlier.
The family knew she was investigating hurricane-relief fraud. Rather than fire her and create suspicion, they placed her near Adrian.
If she fell in love with him, she might soften.
If she married him, a prenuptial clause would bury her evidence inside confidential marital property.
Adrian looked sick.
“You used me to contain her.”
Victoria’s reply was brutal.
“You were useful for once.”
Elena turned toward Adrian.
“Did you know?”
“No.”
“That does not erase what I lost.”
He did not ask for comfort.
The relationship had been real to him, but Elena now had to question every invitation, every introduction, and every coincidence.
Victoria claimed Elena had also benefited.
“She moved from a rented apartment into a waterfront estate. Let us not pretend she received nothing.”
Elena’s voice sharpened.
“You invited me into a beautiful cage and called the view compensation.”
The arranged-romance files named the person who introduced them: Adrian’s college friend, Lucas Dane, current chief operating officer of Vale Coastal.
Lucas had approved the fake security footage and pool-system changes.
Then Arthur opened a video call.
Lucas appeared from the foundation’s private jet.
He was leaving the country with the original hurricane-relief ledger.
Beside him sat a woman with wet blonde hair.
She had worn Elena’s swimsuit and operated the second remote.
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When she turned toward the camera, Adrian froze.
She was his supposedly deceased sister, Caroline.
