CHAPTER 100: NASTY TRICKS

Riya lingered by the polished black Rolls-Royce, her fingers twitching with hesitation. She wasn’t sure if she should get in, but Zachary didn’t utter a single word. He merely cast her a sidelong glance. That sharp, cold gaze was enough to slice through steel. That look alone made her move.

She quickly climbed into the backseat. The moment she settled in, the car began to move. The silence inside was heavy, suffocating. Zachary’s icy presence intimidated her. Yet, Riya forced a smile and tried to make conversation to ease the tension.

"You came to the event for me? That’s sweet of you."

"I didn’t come for the event," he said flatly. "I had a meeting with a client."

Her smile faltered, lips twitching as she turned her head to the window, hiding her frustration. ’Can’t he just lie to make me feel better?’

Then his voice came again, deeper this time. "If I hadn’t shown up tonight, I wouldn’t have learned what you were really up to."

A chill ran down Riya’s spine. She stiffened in her seat, dread slowly rising through her. ’He knows something.’

"That nasty tricks you pulled up," he added, "do you think you can escape?"

Panic clawed at her chest. Her eyes darted to his face, trying to read him. ’Does he know about the men I sent them after Zara?’

Her skin turned cold at the possibility, but she composed herself and feigned confusion.

"What do you mean? What nasty tricks?"

Zachary finally turned his gaze to her fully. "Don’t act clueless. Do you even understand the magnitude of what you have done? You tried to hurt Nathaniel’s wife. Did you really think you’d get away with it?" His voice dropped lower. "It won’t take Nathaniel long to hunt down those men. And once he does, your name will come up."

Riya’s blood drained from her face. Her lips parted to protest, but the thought of Nathaniel learning about the truth crushed any defense she might have mustered.

Fear slithered down her spine like ice. She knew Nathaniel wouldn’t stop until he uncovered everything.

’No... he can’t find out,’ she whispered to herself.

Desperation took over. She reached out, grabbing Zachary’s hand. "Please... help me. You can talk to him. He might listen to you."

But Zachary yanked his hand away as if disgusted by her touch. "Why should I? You brought this on yourself. Clean up your own mess."

Her heart plummeted in dread. She knew what Nathaniel was capable of. If he found out she was behind the attack on Zara, he wouldn’t show mercy. She hadn’t forgotten how he had done to Isaac and his family.

The Moore family had crumbled overnight. The businesses were seized, and the property was taken away. Isaac was thrown behind bars, his wife exiled and living who knows where. And Jaxon had vanished without a trace. No one knew if he was dead or alive.

If Nathaniel could destroy his father-in-law’s family, what would he do to her?

’No... I can’t let that happen.’

Panic rising, Riya leaned in. "I know I messed up. But it’s her—Zara. She always insults me, humiliates me. She pushed me too far. I just... I wanted to teach her a lesson."

She tugged at his sleeve, her eyes pleading. "I’m your woman now. You should protect me."

Zachary’s gaze dropped to her hand gripping his sleeve. In a flash, his expression changed.

"Keep your hands off me," he hissed, baring his teeth.

Riya snatched her hand back like she had been scorched. Zachary’s ice-cold voice and the steely gleam in his eyes sent a ripple of fear through her. He had taken her as his secret lover, forced her into a contract she never wanted. Yet, he hated her touch as if she repulsed him.

She felt both angry and scared. If he couldn’t even stand her touch, why had he taken her in the first place? What was his purpose? Was it just to demean her? To punish her for something she didn’t understand?

She didn’t know what he truly wanted from her, and that scared her more than anything.

Was she just a plaything to him? Or did he want something else from her?

Whatever his reasons, she needed him. Only Zachary had the power to cover up what she had done, to keep Nathaniel from uncovering the truth.

"I’ll do anything you say," she said desperately. "Please... help me. I swear I’ll be more careful..."

But before she could finish, Zachary lunged forward and pinned her to the seat, his body looming over hers.

"Why did you want to hurt Zara?"

"I-I already told you," Riya stammered. Her wide eyes searched his, but there was only fury she could see in them.

"She insulted me... humiliated me... I wanted her to pay."

"Don’t lie to me," he snarled, and his hand clamped around her throat.

A strangled gasp escaped her lips, her heart hammering in her chest.

"I know everything," he hissed. "You still want Nathaniel. You see Zara as an obstacle in the way of the life you think you deserve. As long as she is with him, you can’t be his woman. And that makes you jealous, angry. You loathed her."

Riya struggled to breathe as his grip around her throat tightened. She tapped on his hand, urging him to release her. But he didn’t loosen his hold a bit.

"You don’t hate her because she insulted you," he added with a biting tone. "You hate her because she is Nathaniel’s wife. You want to chase her out of his life. You want to take her place."

Each word landed like a blow. It was as if he had peeled back every layer of her facade.

It was true. She had always harbored feelings for Nathaniel. For years, she had imagined a life by his side. However, their relationship was complicated by complexities that made it impossible for her ever to confess her feelings. She couldn’t become his woman.

Still, her heart craved him for his affection, his presence, and his undivided attention. The thought of him belonging to someone else he didn’t love made her blood boil.

"I—I know Nathaniel and I can’t be together," she said slowly, choosing her words with caution. "I’ve come to terms with it. He can only be my brother. Nothing more."

She leaned closer, wrapping her arms around Zachary’s neck, her tone turning seductive. "I’m yours. How could I possibly think of anyone else?"

Zachary saw through her lie, but he liked what she had said. His fingers relaxed around her throat.

"You said it," he murmured. "Don’t forget it. I don’t share what is mine."

He crushed his lips against hers, the kiss rough and punishing. She gasped, caught off guard, but couldn’t pull away.

After a long, breathless kiss, he finally drew back and adjusted his suit.

Riya sat frozen, her fingers brushing over her throbbing lips. The violent kiss made her feel like he would devour her whole. ’He is a monster,’ she thought.

His deep voice shattered her thoughts. "If you want my help, you’ll have to do something for me."

A spark of hope lit her eyes. "Yes," she said quickly. "Anything. Just tell me."

Zachary’s lips curved into a slow, dangerous smirk. He pulled out a cigar, lit it up, and inhaled deeply before letting the smoke curl lazily into the air.

"Nathaniel has recently signed a project with an overseas client. Get me every detail."