CHAPTER NINE

A Symbolic Rejection

The velvet box sat on Nicole's coffee table, untouched since its arrival the night before.

She had known the moment she saw the pristine packaging who it was from. Tyler Winslow.

Now, in the golden morning light of her penthouse, she stood over it, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

A diamond necklace.

Expensive. Beautiful. Predictable.

She picked it up and flipped the lid open, letting the stones catch the light. Pretty. But meaningless.

Tyler was too strategic for this to be just a gift. The contract had been signed. Melbourne Enterprises and Winslow Enterprises were officially partners. There was no longer a deal to negotiate, no leverage to offer.

So why did it feel like the game wasn't over?

Nicole exhaled slowly, shutting the box with a snap. Whatever Tyler's intention, she wasn't interested.

With a calculated motion, she slipped it into her handbag. She'd return it. She didn't play by anyone's rules but her own.

The ReturnThe moment Nicole stepped into her office, she pressed the intercom. "Emma, come in."

Seconds later, Emma walked in, her eyes flickering to the velvet box on Nicole's desk. "Yes?"

Nicole pushed the box toward her. "Return this to Tyler Winslow."

Emma raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You're rejecting a diamond necklace? With a message?"

Nicole's voice remained cool. "Yes, tell him I don't accept gifts. Our deal is already in place—this is unnecessary."

Emma smirked faintly. "You do know most women would kill to be gifted a Winslow diamond, right?"

Nicole arched a brow. "And that's exactly why I'm returning it."

Amusement danced in Emma's eyes, but she took the box without further comment. "Understood."

The moment the door closed, Nicole leaned back in her chair, exhaling lightly.

Would Tyler be surprised? Amused? Annoyed?

Not that it mattered. Tyler Winslow was persistent, but she was immovable.

The CallHours later, her phone buzzed. Tyler Winslow.

She considered ignoring it but decided otherwise.

"Tyler."

His voice came through smooth, measured. "Nicole. I got your message."

She remained silent, waiting.

"Just to clarify, it wasn't meant as a bribe. It was a thank-you gift."

Nicole let out a quiet breath. "Then consider my return of it a polite rejection. The deal is done. No need for extra gestures."

A pause.

Then a low chuckle. "You're ruthless, Nicole. I admire that."

She didn't respond. Admiration wasn't something she sought.

"But don't mistake a thank-you for an attempt at persuasion," Tyler continued, a faint edge to his tone. "I get what I want, with or without diamonds."

Nicole allowed herself a small, knowing smile. "Good. Then we understand each other."

Tyler hummed, his voice dipping lower. "For now."

The call ended, but his words lingered.

Nicole tapped a manicured nail against the desk, her expression unreadable.

Tyler Winslow wasn't the type to drop things easily. And for reasons she wasn't quite ready to dissect, she wasn't sure if she wanted him to.

A Father's SummonsThe day passed in a blur of meetings, negotiations, and reports.

Then came the knock on her door.

Emma stepped in, her usual professional mask in place—but something about the way she held herself made Nicole pause.

"Nicole, your father wants to see you."

Nicole's fingers stilled over her keyboard.

Edward Melbourne.

Her grip on her pen tightened slightly. Her father rarely summoned her without reason. And when he did, it was never trivial.

"Did he say what it was about?"

Emma hesitated. "No. But…" she trailed off, as if choosing her words carefully. "He sounded… expectant."

Nicole inhaled slowly, forcing her body to relax.

Of course he did.

Edward Melbourne didn't ask—he commanded. And his commands weren't requests.

She shut her laptop with deliberate calm and stood. "Very well. Let's not keep him waiting."

As she walked out of the office, a flicker of irritation simmered beneath her composed exterior.

Her father's summons always came when she was at the height of control—when she felt untouchable.

As if he needed to remind her who truly held the power.

But Nicole Melbourne wasn't a little girl seeking approval anymore.

Edward could call. He could demand.

But she would decide how this conversation ended.