Oops! The CEO's Ex is a Secret Genius

"What did you give me?" Briella choked, clutching her throat.

She knew something was wrong. Her fingers twitched around the cup, her stomach twisting.

Then the world tilted.

She reached for the edge of the marble table, but her hands were numb, sluggish, like they were sinking through water.

Across from her, Penny Sawyer smiled-too sweetly.

"You should lie down," Penny said, standing gracefully. "You look pale."

There was no concern in her voice. Only amusement.

Briella's knees buckled before she could speak. The cup shattered as it slipped from her hand. She collapsed onto the cold floor, breath caught in her throat as her vision swam.

The last thing she saw was Paige-standing in the doorway with her arms crossed, lips curved in cruel satisfaction.

Darkness closed in.

...

Clang! Clang!

She didn't know how long it had been.

When Briella opened her eyes, the air was stale. Damp. Cold.

Chains rattled as she tried to move.

Her wrists were shackled-actual iron chains, biting into her skin. She panicked, instinctively pulling, only to cry out from the burning pain tearing through her wrists and ankles.

Red marks. Bruised skin. Blood.

She was trapped.

In a cage.

She scrambled backward, pressing herself against the bars, heart pounding like a war drum.

Then she heard the voice.

"Well, well..."

It was Paige.

Smug. Unbothered. Dressed in silk and cruelty.

She knelt just outside the bars, resting her chin in her palm, as if admiring a painting.

"I must say, chains really do suit you, Briella. They highlight your helplessness beautifully."

Briella glared at her, teeth clenched despite the pain radiating from her wrists. "You... Paige, let me out!"

But Paige only smiled.

"Oh, I don't think you're in any position to make demands." She stood slowly, brushing invisible dust from her sleeve. "Let me be clear-this isn't just about you anymore."

Her voice dropped, colder than iron.

"Marry Diego Elsher." The words sliced through the air like a knife.

She continued, her tone mocking. "You've heard of him, haven't you?"

Briella blinked, unsure she'd heard correctly.

Paige's eyes sparkled with sadistic delight. "Yes. You're going to be his lovely, obedient wife."

"You're insane," Briella rasped. "Why would he ever-?"

"Oh, don't worry," Paige cut in. "We've already made sure you match his taste."

Her smile widened.

"You've changed quite a bit since that tea, haven't you?"

Briella's blood ran cold.

Her hands trembled, not from the chains-but from the dawning horror.

"What... did you do to me?"

Paige leaned closer to the bars, voice dropping to a whisper.

"Gave you a face someone powerful won't be able to resist."

Then her tone sharpened like a dagger.

"But if you don't play along, well... accidents happen."

She pulled out a photograph.

It was grainy. Slightly blurred.

But the boy in it-tied to a chair, bruised and bloodied-was unmistakable.

Kai.

Briella's little brother.

Her world.

"No..." Her voice cracked. "No, no-why me-?"

Paige shrugged, tucking the photo back into her coat.

"Because you