CHAPTER SIXTEEN

A Deal with the Devil

Clara Chem stared at the message on her phone, her grip tightening as she read it again.

"If you want Tyler, meet me at Nickolas College. We need to talk."

Her pulse quickened. After the humiliation she had suffered at the ball, she was desperate for a way to regain control. Tyler had shut her out completely, and Nicole—cold, untouchable, ruthless—had left her looking like a fool. Clara had always been the center of attention, the elegant A-list actress with the world at her feet. But last night, all eyes had been on Nicole.

And Tyler had only ever looked at Nicole.

Clenching her jaw, Clara made up her mind. She had nothing to lose.

The Meeting at Nickolas College

The private lounge of the university was eerily empty when Clara arrived. The dim lighting cast long shadows against the polished wooden floors, and a single figure stood by the window, his back to her.

Andrew Bond.

Clara stiffened. "You?"

Andrew turned, a smirk curling his lips. "Expecting someone else?" His piercing gaze studied her, amusement dancing in his dark eyes.

"I thought this was about Tyler," Clara said, crossing her arms.

Andrew chuckled. "Tyler Winslow is predictable. He's not your concern." He stepped closer, his smirk fading. "Nicole Melbourne is."

Clara flinched at the mention of Nicole's name, memories of the ball flashing through her mind. "She humiliated me."

Andrew tilted his head, amused. "No, Clara. She simply existed, and that was enough to make you look foolish."

Clara's hands curled into fists. "Then why did you call me here?"

Andrew's gaze darkened. "Because we have a common enemy."

Clara scoffed. "Nicole isn't your enemy. You love her."

Something flickered in Andrew's eyes—something raw, something dangerous. "I did love her. Maybe I still do." His voice was low, bitter. "But she's no longer the woman I once knew."

Clara frowned. "Then why betray her?"

Andrew's expression tightened. He turned away, staring out the window. "Because I had to protect her. But Nicole hates betrayals. She will never understand my reasons."

Clara studied him, realization dawning. "You never stopped loving her."

Andrew's jaw clenched. "Nicole Melbourne is my world." He turned back to Clara, his voice sharp. "But if you think for a second that you can harm her, you're dead wrong."

Clara's breath hitched.

Andrew stepped closer, lowering his voice to a deadly whisper. "If you ever try to hurt her, I will destroy you. Your career. Your father's legacy. Everything. And trust me—I will get to you before Nicole and Tyler do."

Clara swallowed hard. This man was dangerous in a way she hadn't expected.

Andrew leaned back, his smirk returning. "But if you're smart, you'll listen to me."

Clara hesitated. "What do you want me to do?"

Andrew's eyes gleamed. "Tyler's mother. Eleanor Winslow. She's not easy to fool, but if you want to get close to Tyler, you'll have to impress her."

Clara frowned. "You want me to approach her?"

Andrew nodded. "Cross paths with her at the mall. Try to win her over." He smirked. "It'll be amusing to watch."

Clara hesitated, but she had no choice. If Andrew could give her a way back in, she would take it.

"Fine," she said. "I'll do it."

Andrew smiled. "Good girl."

A Sudden Encounter: Merissa Bond

The next morning, Nicole Melbourne stepped out of her car, her heels clicking against the pavement. She had barely taken a few steps when a commotion caught her attention.

A woman was struggling with a man who had snatched her purse.

Nicole's eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, she strode forward, her commanding presence alone making the thief pause.

"Drop it," she said coolly.

The thief hesitated, then bolted. Nicole moved swiftly, catching him off guard with a sharp kick to his shin. The man stumbled, dropping the purse. Security rushed in, seizing him.

The woman gasped, catching her breath. "You—You saved me!"

Nicole handed her the purse, studying her. She was young, probably in her early twenties, with striking blue eyes and an air of mischief about her.

"Be more careful next time," Nicole said.

The woman grinned. "I think I like you already."

Nicole raised an eyebrow. "I don't do friendships."

The woman smirked. "Then I'll settle for being your problem."

Nicole sighed. "Who are you?"

"Merissa Bond."

Nicole stiffened slightly at the name.

Merissa noticed and laughed. "Yes, that Bond. Andrew's adopted sister." She leaned closer. "Don't worry, I'm the fun Bond."

Nicole narrowed her eyes. "What do you want?"

Merissa pouted. "Right now? Breakfast." She clutched Nicole's arm shamelessly. "And since you saved my life, you have to take responsibility."

Nicole sighed, already regretting her decision to intervene.

Two Years Later: A Strategic Engagement

Two years had passed.

Under Nicole and Tyler's collaboration, Melbourne Enterprises had soared to new heights, solidifying its dominance. Their partnership had been powerful, their strategies aligned perfectly.

And through it all, Tyler had pursued Nicole relentlessly.

He had become a constant presence—at meetings, at events, even in her rare moments of free time. They had developed an undeniable rhythm, a sharp yet effortless banter that kept others at a distance.

But despite his efforts, Nicole remained unchanged. She admired him, respected him, but love? That was something she refused to entertain.

Until the night everything changed.

It was New Year's Eve. A grand gala, filled with the most powerful figures in the industry. Nicole had been moving through the crowd effortlessly when she found herself standing under a mistletoe.

She barely had time to react before Tyler stepped in front of her.

"You're trapped, Melbourne," he murmured, his voice teasing.

Nicole arched an eyebrow. "You wouldn't dare."

Tyler smirked. "Wouldn't I?"

And then, in front of hundreds of flashing cameras, he kissed her.

It was firm, confident—undeniably his.

Nicole didn't pull away, though every part of her told her she should. The world around them seemed to hold its breath.

When he finally pulled back, his smirk deepened at the stunned expression she quickly masked.

"Happy New Year, Melbourne," he whispered.

The next morning, the headlines exploded.

"Tyler Winslow and Nicole Melbourne: Love or Power Play?"

Their families wasted no time. By the end of the week, their legal engagement had been finalized.

Nicole didn't protest. It was business, after all.

But Tyler?

He had other plans.

And this time, he wasn't letting her go.