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Branden’s smile softened, but there was still a subtle intensity in his eyes as he glanced at Catherine through the rearview mirror. His fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly, his voice low and measured when he finally spoke.
“You’re clever, Catherine. I’m sure you’ve already figured out what I want in exchange for the chip from Hacker Alliance.” He glanced at her again, as though gauging her reaction. “But there’s one thing you’ve overlooked.”
Catherine raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but maintaining her cool composure. “Oh? And what’s that?”
Branden’s expression darkened, and his smile faded into a more serious, yet still calculating look. “You’re still my fiancée. That means, despite your little stunts, you owe me your loyalty. If you want anything from me or my company, you’ll have to uphold that.”
Catherine’s eyes narrowed as she processed his words. The tension in the car was palpable, but her expression remained unreadable. She didn’t answer immediately, instead letting the silence linger between them.
Branden, sensing her thoughts, added, “You’ve been playing your games, but you haven’t considered that I’m not just anyone. There are things I could offer you—resources, power, connections—but I need your full cooperation.”
Catherine finally spoke, her voice cold and even. “You’re mistaken if you think I’ll just accept your terms without a fight. You may have power, Branden, but so do I.” She leaned forward slightly, her gaze unwavering. “And I’m not here to be your pawn.”
Branden’s lips curled into a half-smile again, as if he had been expecting this response. “I don’t want you to be my pawn, Catherine. But you need to understand one thing: there’s no escaping the game now. Whether you like it or not, you’re already involved. The question is, will you work with me, or against me?”
Catherine’s gaze didn’t waver as she stared him down, her mind racing with possibilities. She knew this was no ordinary deal. Branden wasn’t just offering a partnership—he was asserting control, laying down terms that would bind her even more tightly into his world.
“And what if I choose to work against you?” she asked quietly, almost as if testing the waters.
Branden’s eyes glinted with amusement, but there was something colder behind them. “Then, I suppose we’ll see who comes out on top. But let’s be clear—I won’t lose. Not this time.”
The weight of his words settled in the car, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. Catherine’s mind was running through the consequences of every move she could make. She could feel the pull of their dangerous dance, each word, each action, drawing them deeper into a web of manipulation and strategy.
Finally, Branden spoke again, his voice softer now, but no less determined. “You’re not as invincible as you think, Catherine. If you want to keep winning, you’ll need more than just brains and ambition. You’ll need to trust the right people. And that’s where I come in.”
Catherine didn’t respond right away. Instead, she sat back in her seat, staring out the window as the city lights flashed by, lost in thought.
Branden’s presence in the car was undeniable, but she wasn’t about to let herself be swayed by his charm or authority. He might be a formidable force, but she knew that no one was invulnerable.
As the car drove on, the tension between them remained thick. Neither of them had yet given ground, and both were still calculating their next move in a game that was far from over. The stakes were high, and every decision, every word, could tip the scales in either direction.