Chapter 2 - The Missing Fiancée
Sophie sank back into her chair, her knees suddenly weak beneath the weight of his words.
The restaurant noise faded into a dull, rhythmic hum, leaving only the sound of her own racing heart.
"That doesn't make any sense," Sophie whispered, clutching her leather purse like a shield.
"Why would a woman who is about to marry a billionaire tell him to replace her with a random waitress?"
Alexander kept his eyes locked on hers, his expression dark and unreadable.
"I don't know," he replied quietly.
"That is why I tracked you down."
"Tracked me down implies you've been watching me for a while," Sophie accused, her defensive instincts flaring up.
"Since the day she vanished," Alexander admitted without hesitation.
"Her name was Victoria Vance."
Sophie flinched as if struck.
The name hit her with a strange, invisible force, though she had never heard it before in her life.
Or had she?
Her brow furrowed as she searched her memory, coming up entirely blank.
"Victoria Vance," Sophie repeated, testing the syllables on her tongue.
"Never heard of her."
"She was a high-society art curator, heavily involved in Manhattan charity galas," Alexander explained, leaning forward and resting his forearms on the table.
"Three weeks ago, her apartment was locked from the inside, her phone was left on the kitchen counter, and her passport was gone."
"And the police?" Sophie asked.
"The police ruled it a voluntary disappearance, citing stress and pressure," Alexander said with a bitter laugh.
"They are fools."
"Why?"
"Because Victoria didn't leave voluntarily."
Alexander reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a heavy, cream-colored envelope sealed with dark red wax.
He pushed it across the white tablecloth toward Sophie.
"Open it."
Sophie hesitated, her fingers hovering inches from the thick paper.
"What is inside?"
"The last thing she wrote before she vanished."
Slowly, Sophie broke the wax seal and slid out a heavy piece of cardstock.
Her eyes scanned the handwritten ink.
If anything happens to me, look for the girl with the silver scar on her collarbone who works at the downtown café. Her name is Sophie Reed. She is the only key.
Sophie dropped the letter as if it were burning hot.
Her hand instinctively flew to her left collarbone, pressing against the thin, silvery line hidden beneath the fabric of her blouse.
A scar she had carried since a childhood car accident.
A scar no stranger could possibly know about unless they had studied her up close.
"How..." Sophie choked out, her breath catching in her throat.
"How could she possibly know about this?"
"That is the exact question I intend to find out," Alexander said coldly.
"And the only way to investigate her disappearance without triggering my father's corporate hostile takeover is to present a united front at the upcoming Grant Industries gala next month."
"You want me to act as your decoy while you look for a missing woman?" Sophie demanded, incredulity lacing every word.
"I want you to save my company, and in exchange, I will help you uncover why my missing fiancée was obsessed with you," Alexander countered smoothly.
"One million dollars is just the retainer, Sophie. If we find out who took Victoria, I will double it."
Sophie stared at the billionaire, realizing with sudden, terrifying clarity that she had already stepped onto a moving train with no brakes.
Her mother's medical bills were paid.
Her apartment lease was ending.
And a ghost from high society had left her name behind like a loaded gun.
"Fine," Sophie whispered, the word tasting like ash in her mouth.
"I'll sign your damn contract."
Alexander did not smile.
May you like
He simply pulled a gold fountain pen from his pocket and slid the document forward.
"Welcome to the Grant family, Sophie."
