Chapter 31: The Fire They Can’t Ignore

Chapter 31: The Fire They Can't Ignore

Jason regretted the kiss the moment it ended—but not enough to stop wanting more. He had acted on impulse, frustration overriding reason, but the taste of her lingered, a reminder that restraint was slipping through his fingers.

Elena had pulled away like she'd been burned, her eyes flashing with something between fury and disbelief. But Jason had seen the flicker of hesitation before she stepped back, the moment her breath had caught. And that—more than anything—unsettled him.

Now, as he sat in his office, his fingers drumming against the mahogany desk, he forced his mind back to the more immediate threat. The media storm was growing, fueled by speculation that their marriage wasn't just a whirlwind romance—but a calculated arrangement. And worse, someone was feeding the flames.

A knock at his office door barely registered before Christian Whitmore stepped inside—calm, precise, and already two steps ahead. If Jason was the empire, Christian was the shadow ensuring it never fell.

"We have a problem," Christian said, tossing a printed document onto Jason's desk. His voice was steady, but Jason caught the underlying bite of urgency. "I intercepted this before it could fully circulate, but it's already in three media outlets' hands

Jason's gaze dropped to the paper—and his blood ran cold.

A Contract of Transaction

Elena Vasquez agrees to enter a marriage with Jason Sinclair under the following conditions...

Jason's jaw tightened. This wasn't just an attack on Elena—it was a calculated strike aimed at both of them.

Christian exhaled. "Leaked to three different media outlets this morning. They're hesitating to publish without verification, but someone wanted this to spread."

Jason scanned the document, noting how precise yet utterly false it was. His first instinct was to suspect Philip—his father had never hesitated to use pressure tactics before. But this? This felt different. Philip was calculated, always controlling the board from behind the scenes, never resorting to something so crude and public. No, this wasn't his style. This was someone else entirely. This wasn't just an attack on Elena—it was a calculated move to weaken him. If this spread, Elena wouldn't just be the subject of rumors; she'd be painted as a woman who had been bought, and Jason as a man desperate enough to purchase a wife.

His grip on the paper tightened. Only a select few had enough influence to manufacture something like this.

Philip.

Jason's phone buzzed before he could voice the thought. A message from a longtime business associate—one who had no ties to Philip but understood the undercurrents of corporate warfare.

You're losing control. Someone is making moves. Be careful.

Jason's fingers curled into a fist. His father had always thrived on control, always found ways to manipulate without getting his hands dirty. This had Philip's precision, but the execution felt reckless. If his father was involved, Jason needed to be certain—before bringing Elena into it. This wasn't a direct attack—it was a test. A calculated push to see if Jason could handle the pressure.

Elena.

He needed to find her before she saw this.

Elena's Fury

Elena wasn't avoiding Jason. Not intentionally. But after last night—the kiss—she needed space. She needed clarity. And most of all, she needed to remind herself that none of this was real.

So when Jason found her in the penthouse library, his expression set in a familiar stormy glare, she knew that luxury was over.

"Elena." His voice was sharp, edged with something unspoken. "We need to talk. Now."

She folded her arms, spine straight, but inside, her thoughts tangled. How was she supposed to keep pretending when every interaction blurred the lines further?

"About what?"

Jason's jaw ticked, but he held up the paper in his hand. "This."

She took it, scanning the words quickly—then again, slower. Her stomach twisted, rage bubbling up. "What the hell is this?"

"A forged contract," Jason said tightly. "Leaked this morning."

Elena let out a sharp breath. "And let me guess—you think this was orchestrated by someone close to us?"

Jason's expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of calculation behind his gaze.

"I don't know yet," he admitted. "But someone with power and influence wanted this out there—Victoria is the obvious choice, but I won't rule out other players just yet."

Elena didn't need to ask. Victoria.

Her grip on the paper tightened. "So what now? Damage control?"

Jason stepped closer, his presence demanding. "For starters, we make sure you're seen with me. If they doubt our marriage, we remove the doubt."

Elena shook her head, stepping back. "I'm not parading around like some accessory in your PR strategy. My reputation is at stake just as much as yours."

Jason's gaze darkened. "You knew what you signed up for. The contract gives me the right to demand we look like a real couple—and right now, that's exactly what we're going to do."

Something snapped in her at those words. "I always have a choice, Jason. But I know the contract gives you the right to demand we look like a real couple—nothing more."

For a moment, he didn't answer. Just stared at her with that unreadable intensity that made her feel like she was teetering on the edge of something dangerous.

Then, finally, he spoke. "We'll see about that."

With the forged contract hanging over them, Jason and Elena are forced to present a united front—but at what cost?