Uninvited Ties… 2.5

[KnightTech – The Next Morning]

Selena didn’t sleep much. The guest suite was more comfortable than it had any right to be, but her mind refused to rest. Sharing a roof with a man who made her skin crawl—and not just from irritation—wasn’t ideal.

She stepped into the kitchen in a silk blouse and wide-leg trousers, only to find Leonard already there, sipping black coffee and reviewing documents.

“Do you sleep in a suit?” she asked, heading straight for the espresso machine.

“I’m efficient,” he replied. “Try it sometime.”

Before she could shoot back, a knock echoed from the front door.

Leonard frowned. “I’m not expecting anyone.”

Selena raised an eyebrow. “Maybe your robot assistant malfunctioned.”

When he opened the door, a tall woman in a sleek red dress strode in like she owned the place. Platinum blonde hair, designer heels, and a smirk that could slice glass.

“Hello, Leo,” she purred.

Selena blinked. Leo?

“Cassandra,” Leonard said, tone flat.

Selena leaned against the counter, watching the scene unfold. “Ex-girlfriend?” she guessed aloud.

Cassandra smiled brightly. “Ex-fiancée, actually.”

Of course.

“What do you want?” Leonard asked.

“I saw the headlines. Leonard Knight—married?” She gave a fake gasp. “I just had to see it to believe it.”

Her eyes slid over to Selena, appraising her like competition.

“So… you’re the lucky woman?”

Selena smiled sweetly. “Depends who you ask.”

Leonard stepped in. “You’re not welcome here, Cass. We have nothing to talk about.”

“Oh, I disagree,” Cassandra said, pulling out a white envelope from her purse. “KnightTech’s board will be very interested in this.”

She handed him the envelope, then turned to Selena. “Good luck, darling. He hates mess, but he always leaves a trail.”

With that, she waltzed out, the sound of her heels echoing through the penthouse like a warning bell.

Selena looked at Leonard. “Do I want to know what’s in that envelope?”

He didn’t answer.

Instead, he opened it slowly. His jaw tightened.

Selena crossed her arms. “Let me guess. Blackmail? Scandal? Secret baby?”

Leonard shot her a sharp look. “It’s none of your business.”

She smirked. “Correction—it is now. We’re married, remember? Publicly. Anything that ruins your image… ruins mine.”

He stared at her for a long moment.

And for the first time, Selena saw something flicker behind his calm exterior. Not fear.

Anger.

But not the loud, shouting kind. The dangerous, quiet kind.

“This changes nothing,” he said finally.

“Then you’d better fix it,” she replied. “Because I’m not going down with you.”

As she turned to walk away, Leonard looked down at the letter again.

Cassandra’s game had just begun.

And now, Selena Carter was caught in the crossfire.

[Luxury Lounge – Evening]

Cassandra leaned back in a velvet armchair, legs crossed, wine glass dangling from her fingers. The city glittered behind her like diamonds, but her focus was on the man across from her.

“You saw his face?” she asked, smiling lazily.

The man across from her—well-dressed, anonymous, and smug—nodded. “He didn’t expect you. That was good.”

“I know Leonard. Better than he thinks,” she said, swirling her wine. “He likes control. But he’s not as untouchable as he pretends to be.”

“And the wife?”

Cassandra laughed. “Pretty. Smart. But new to the game. She’ll crack.”

She stood, walking to the window, her reflection shining back at her. A beautiful mask, hiding sharper things underneath.

“I don’t want him back,” she said. “I want him ruined.”

The man stood, slipping her another file. “Then keep playing. The board meets in a month. And if he falls… you rise.”

Cassandra smirked.

“Let the married couple play house. I’ll be right here—tearing it apart, piece by piece.”

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