From Abandoned Puppet to the Tycoon's Contract Wife

"Push the price up by another twenty percent and tell them we walk if they do not agree."

Gabrielle Webb kept her eyes glued to the glowing screen of her phone as she spoke into the Bluetooth earpiece. She sat in the back of the town car, the heavy black frames of her glasses sliding down the bridge of her nose. She pushed them back up with her index finger, a habit she had perfected over the last five years.

"Got it, Gabby," Keira said through the earpiece. Her assistant sounded breathless. "But are you seriously not looking out the window right now? The entire street is stopped."

Gabrielle did not look up. She was too busy scrolling through Johan's schedule for the next week.

"I am looking at a spreadsheet, Keira. Just handle the paparazzi issue. I do not want any photos of Johan leaving that club last night leaking before his birthday party."

"But Colvin Sykes is on the screen," Keira insisted. "The big screen in Times Square. He is actually doing an interview. The whole financial district is losing its mind."

Gabrielle let out a soft hum of acknowledgment, her brain barely registering the name. She tapped her finger against the leather armrest.

"Make sure the caterers know about the peanut allergy for the director," Gabrielle said.

Outside the tinted windows of her car, the giant digital billboard illuminated the night sky. On the screen, Audra Jennings leaned forward in her chair.

"Mr. Sykes, what made you decide to move Sykes Capital back to New York after dominating London for so long?"

The camera cut to Colvin Sykes. He wore a custom Tom Ford suit that looked like armor. His blue eyes stared directly into the lens. The chaotic noise of Times Square seemed to mute itself.

"For a woman," Colvin said. His voice was a low, steady rumble that vibrated through the speakers. "A woman who once rejected me."

The internet exploded in real time.

Inside the car, Gabrielle's phone vibrated with a screenshot from Keira. The hashtag about Colvin Sykes was already trending. Gabrielle swiped the notification away without opening it.

Her screen lit up again with a text from an unknown number.

"I have exclusive footage of Johan. It will cost you."

Gabrielle let out a tired breath. She typed a reply with rapid, mechanical precision.

"Send it to my biggest competitor and see what they pay you."

She locked her phone and tossed it into her bag. She pinched the bridge of her nose, a wave of sheer exhaustion washing over her. She was used to cleaning up his messes, used to intercepting these low-level models trying to get a payout because Johan bought them a drink. But the constant vigilance was draining her soul. She took a slow, deep breath, forcing the frustration down. Hopefully, tonight's birthday gift would finally make him settle down. Tonight was about him.

She reached into her oversized tote bag and pulled out a sleek wooden box.