The kiss ended only when Helena couldn't breathe. Authur pulled back, his chest heaving. He wiped his mouth as if he had kissed poison.
"You little fox," he whispered.
"Husband," she replied, wiping a smudge of lipstick from her chin.
The reception was a blur. Helena was paraded around as the "Hero Doctor." Authur was shunned, people whispering about the video.
An hour later, Charles appeared at their side. "The study. Now."
The Alexander estate's library was a room designed to intimidate. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, dark wood, and a desk that looked like a fortress.
Grandfather Alexander sat behind the desk. He looked frail but furious.
"You are a disgrace," the old man spat at Authur. He threw a stack of papers onto the desk. "This is a motion to remove you from the board. Effective immediately."
Authur flinched. This was the only thing he cared about. Not the money-the power. The power to protect his sister, Angel, who was hidden away in a Swiss clinic. Without the board seat, he couldn't control her trust fund. He couldn't keep her safe.
"Grandfather, wait," Authur said, his voice losing its arrogance. "The video... it was old."
"It was dated yesterday!" Grandfather shouted. "Stock is down 3% since the ceremony ended. You are a liability."
Authur's hands curled into fists. He looked defeated.
Helena stood by the door. She watched Authur. She saw the desperation in his posture. If he lost power, he was useless to her. She needed a powerful husband, not a disinherited playboy.
She stepped forward. She placed her hand on Grandfather's trembling fist.
"Grandfather, please," she said softly.
Authur looked at her, confused.
"Don't blame Authur," Helena said. "It was... a strategy."
"A strategy?" The old man frowned.
"We released the video," Helena lied. "And the 'accident' story. It's a PR narrative. The 'Bad Boy' and the 'Savior'. It creates conflict. Engagement. Look."
She pulled out her phone. She showed him Twitter. AuthurAndHelena was trending 1 worldwide.
"People are obsessed," Helena said. "They want to see if the Saint can tame the Sinner. If you fire him, the story ends. If you keep him, eyes are on the company like never before."
Grandfather squinted at the screen. He understood numbers. He understood attention.
He sat back, sighing. He picked up the motion papers and tore them in half.
"One chance," he growled at Authur. "You listen to your wife. She has more brains in her little finger than you have in your whole body."
Authur stared at Helena. He looked stunned.
They walked out of the study. The corridor was empty.
Authur slammed Helena against the wall. His forearm pressed against her collarbone, pinning her.
"Why?" he demanded. "You leaked the video. Then you saved me. What game are you playing?"
"I'm playing the long game, Authur," Helena said, looking up at him. "I need you on that board. And you need me to clean up your messes."
Authur stared at her mouth. The hatred was still there, but it was mixed with something else now. Curiosity.
