THE WRONG HEIR'S BRIDE

Amelia barely slept. By the time dawn broke over the city skyline, the previous night's events still felt unreal. She sat alone in her bedroom, staring at the morning headlines displayed across her tablet. KINGSTON DYNASTY SHOCKS NATION GOLDEN HEIR REPLACED AT ENGAGEMENT CEREMONY WHO IS ADRIAN KINGSTON Every major media outlet carried the same story. Photographs of Adrian leaving the ballroom dominated the news. The public had become obsessed overnight. A soft knock interrupted her thoughts. "Come in." Victoria Hart entered carrying a tray with coffee. Her mother looked exhausted. Dark circles lingered beneath her eyes. Neither woman mentioned the headlines. There was no need. "The board called this morning," Victoria said quietly. Amelia looked up. "And?" "They want reassurance that the Kingston alliance remains intact." Amelia lowered the tablet. "So we have already reached that point." Victoria sat opposite her. "We were at that point long before yesterday." The honesty stung. Amelia knew the truth. The Hart family company was surviving on reputation alone. One wrong move would destroy everything. "Mother, if I refuse this marriage, how long before we collapse?" Victoria remained silent. That silence was answer enough. "Three months?" Amelia pressed. "Perhaps less." Amelia looked away. For years, she had carried resentment toward her family for arranging her future. Now she understood the desperation behind their choices. "We will survive this," she said. Victoria reached across the table. "I know this is unfair." "No," Amelia replied softly. "It is reality." Her mother hesitated. "Do you know anything about Adrian?" Amelia shook her head. "Only rumors." "People say he is ruthless." "So does everyone about the Kingstons." Victoria smiled faintly. "True." Before either woman could continue, Amelia's phone rang. The caller identification surprised her. Sebastian Kingston. She stared at the screen for several seconds before answering. "Good morning." "Can we meet?" His voice sounded strained. "Why?" "Because I owe you an explanation." Amelia considered refusing. Instead, she said, "One hour. The Meridian Cafe." "I'll be there." The line disconnected. The Meridian Cafe occupied the top floor of an exclusive private club overlooking the river. Sebastian was already waiting when Amelia arrived. He stood immediately. "Thank you for coming." Amelia sat across from him. "You said you wanted to explain." Sebastian nodded. "I learned about Grandfather's decision yesterday morning." "And you simply accepted it." His expression hardened. "You think I had a choice." "I think you could have warned me." A waiter appeared. Neither ordered. After the waiter left, Sebastian sighed. "You don't understand my grandfather." "Then explain him to me." Sebastian leaned back. "Three months ago, Grandfather announced he was reconsidering succession." Amelia frowned. "Why?" "Because Adrian returned." The name immediately caught her attention. "Returned?" "Not officially. But he has been quietly acquiring shares in companies connected to Kingston Holdings." Amelia remained silent. "Grandfather believes Adrian intends to reclaim his place within the family." "Does he?" Sebastian gave a humorless laugh. "No one knows what Adrian wants." "Then why force this marriage?" Sebastian looked directly at her. "Because Grandfather believes you are the only person capable of keeping Adrian inside the family." Amelia stared. "That makes no sense." "It doesn't have to. Grandfather rarely explains himself." She studied Sebastian carefully. "Are you angry?" "About losing my fiancée?" "Yes." Sebastian remained quiet for several moments. "I am angry about many things," he finally admitted. "But not because of you." Before Amelia could ask another question, Sebastian's phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen and immediately stood. "I have to go." "So suddenly?" "There has been an emergency at Kingston Holdings." He hesitated. "Be careful around Adrian." "Why?" Sebastian's expression became unreadable. "Because people underestimate him." Without another word, he left. Amelia watched him disappear. Something about the conversation disturbed her. Sebastian had seemed worried. Not jealous. Not resentful. Worried. Her phone rang again. Unknown number. "Miss Hart." A deep male voice. Amelia instantly recognized it. "Mr. Kingston." "Adrian." His tone remained calm. "Our lawyers have prepared the marriage contract." "Already?" "Efficiency saves time." She almost smiled. "You expect me to sign immediately?" "No." A brief pause followed. "I expect you to read it first." Amelia frowned. "That sounds unusually considerate." "You assume I am inconsiderate." "You have not given me reason to think otherwise." Silence. Then unexpectedly, Adrian laughed. The sound surprised her. "Meet me at Kingston Tower in thirty minutes." "Why?" "So we can discuss the terms." "And if I refuse?" "You won't." "Very confident." "No," Adrian said. "Practical." The call ended. Amelia stared at her phone. The man was impossible. Kingston Tower dominated the financial district. The eighty-story skyscraper symbolized decades of power and influence. Employees openly stared as Amelia entered. News traveled quickly. Everyone already knew who she was. An assistant escorted her to the executive floor. The office at the end of the corridor exceeded every expectation. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city. Minimalist furnishings reflected understated luxury. Adrian stood beside the windows. He did not turn when she entered. "You are punctual." "I dislike wasting time." "So do I." Only then did he face her. In daylight, Adrian appeared even more intimidating. Tall. Composed. Controlled. His expression revealed nothing. "Please sit." Amelia accepted the chair opposite his desk. A thick document rested there. "The contract," Adrian said. She opened it. The first page immediately captured her attention. SEPARATE RESIDENCES MAY BE MAINTAINED UPON MUTUAL AGREEMENT. She looked up. "You are offering separate residences?" "If you prefer." "Why?" Adrian folded his hands. "Because this marriage is already difficult enough." Amelia continued reading. No restrictions regarding career. No unreasonable demands. No invasive clauses. The agreement seemed surprisingly fair. "This is not what I expected." "What did you expect?" "A list of rules." "There are rules." He slid another page toward her. Amelia read silently. Complete confidentiality. Public appearances as required. Absolute honesty regarding external threats. She stopped. "What does this mean?" Adrian's expression darkened. "It means someone attempted to kill me." "You truly believe it was intentional." "I know it was." Amelia studied him. "Who?" "If I knew, the problem would already be solved." "Do you suspect your family?" "Always." The answer came without hesitation. Amelia felt a chill. "You really trust no one." "No." "Not even Sebastian?" For the first time, Adrian's expression shifted. "Especially not Sebastian." Before Amelia could respond, the office door opened. A beautiful woman entered without knocking. She froze immediately upon seeing Amelia. "So the rumors are true." The woman's gaze moved critically over Amelia. "Interesting." Adrian's voice turned cold. "Victoria. Leave." The woman ignored him. "I disappear for two weeks, and suddenly you are engaged." She smiled at Amelia. "I am Victoria Sinclair." Amelia recognized the name instantly. Socialite. Businesswoman. Daughter of another influential dynasty. Rumors had once linked her romantically to Adrian. Victoria approached confidently. "You should know something, Miss Hart." "Victoria." Adrian's warning was unmistakable. She ignored it. "Men like Adrian don't marry for love." Amelia calmly met her gaze. "Neither do women like me." For a moment, Victoria seemed genuinely surprised. Then she smiled. "I think we are going to become very acquainted." She turned and left. Silence filled the office. "Your former girlfriend?" Amelia asked. "No." "Current girlfriend?" "No." "She seems attached." Adrian looked mildly irritated. "Victoria dislikes losing." Amelia closed the contract. "Does she consider me competition?" "Everyone in my world is competition." Amelia stood. "Then perhaps your world needs different rules." Adrian watched her carefully. "You are not afraid." "Should I be?" "You are marrying into the Kingston family." Amelia met his gaze steadily. "I think fear stopped helping me a long time ago." Something unreadable passed through Adrian's eyes. Respect. Perhaps. Before either could speak, Adrian's phone rang. He answered immediately. As he listened, his expression hardened. "When?" Silence. "I understand." He ended the call. "What happened?" Amelia asked. Adrian looked directly at her. "My private investigator is dead." The room fell silent. "He was investigating the brake failure." Amelia felt her heartbeat accelerate. "An accident?" "No." Adrian's gaze remained fixed on hers. "He was murdered this morning." Then he added the words that changed everything. "He called me an hour before he died." Amelia frowned. "What did he say?" Adrian's voice became dangerously quiet. "He said someone from the Hart family ordered my death."