Chapter 8
"I only hope you'll honor our bet. "
Avery was absolutely certain of one thing.
She would never fall for Matteo Ferrari. Not in a million years.
More importantly, this ridiculous wager had actually given her the perfect cover—a secretary position that would get her inside the Ferrari Group to obtain exactly what she needed.
The Hacker Network had been trying to infiltrate the Ferrari family's network for years with zero success. This opportunity was almost too perfect.
"Report to the Ferrari Group tomorrow morning," Matteo said, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
Avery dropped his hand like it burned. "Just so we're clear—my administrative skills are garbage."
With that parting shot, she turned and clicked away on her stilettos, feeling his eyes burning into her back the entire time.
Once safely downstairs, she finally allowed her shoulders to relax. She'd definitely gotten herself into a massive mess, but at least Matteo seemed slightly unhinged. Six months would fly by, and she had plenty of time to handle this situation while gathering the intel she needed.
Her phone chimed with a text from her roommate: "Girl, I've got plans tonight so I won't be home. Left you dinner in the microwave. Don't wait up! xo Lila"
"Thx," Avery typed back, rubbing her temple where a headache was forming. How had her life spiraled so completely out of control in just one evening?
As she exited the mansion's grand entrance, she spotted them immediately—Owen and Chloe, waiting by the circular driveway like vultures.
"I knew you were coming from Matteo's room," Owen spat, grabbing her wrist tight enough to bruise.
"Explain yourself. What exactly is going on between you two?"
Avery stared pointedly at his fingers around her wrist before yanking free. "None of your business. And keep your hands off me."
The handprint from the slap she'd given him earlier was still visible on his cheek. Good.
His expression darkened dangerously. "My hands are dirty? Then explain why Ferrari was so protective of you in there."
Avery glanced at Chloe hovering beside him and let out a cold laugh. "What right do you have to question me? Wasn't Mr. Ferrari just stating facts? Or are you two feeling guilty now?"
Instead of answering directly, which Owen took as confirmation, she watched his face contort with rage.
"When have I ever felt guilty?" he snapped. "You're the one who threw a tantrum, which is why I brought Chloe to the party."
His voice rose with each word. "Tell me when you started sleeping with him!"
Chloe's perfectly made-up face arranged itself into mock innocence. "Avery, now I understand where all your investment capital came from. Did Mr. Ferrari give it to you?" Her lips curled into a vicious smile. "Though I've heard Matteo never sleeps with the same woman twice. And why are you leaving so early? Did he kick you out already?"
Owen's face drained of color at the implication.
Avery's gaze cut to Chloe like a laser. "Clearly you didn't learn your lesson earlier. Need me to remind you?"
Chloe immediately shrank back, one hand unconsciously touching her cheek as she partially hid behind Owen.
"Avery's angry," she whimpered. "Did I say something wrong? But, Owen, Avery always hated fancy parties. Why would she suddenly show up today unless..."
Her words hung in the air, toxic and deliberate.
"Avery," Owen's voice dropped dangerously low. "I'm warning you—we are still legally married."
"Oh, so now you remember we're husband and wife?" Avery's laugh was bitter. All those wasted years with this man. Even the debt she owed him for once saving her had been repaid a thousand times over.
"I have nothing to explain. You've seen the divorce papers. Sign them. If you have issues, contact my lawyer."
From this moment on, she wouldn't waste another second on him.
As she moved to leave, Owen stared at her with genuine shock written across his face. This was the third time Avery had mentioned divorce, but the first time he actually believed she meant it.
"Avery, my patience has limits," he called after her. "You think I won't sign those papers?"
She glanced over her shoulder, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm just worried someone might be getting impatient enough to start plotting like a venomous snake."
Her eyes flicked deliberately to Chloe. "Better keep an eye on your little viper. If anything happens, I won't hold back."
Chloe sputtered in outrage, "You—!"
But she didn't dare confront Avery directly. Something fundamental had changed. The gentle, tolerant woman who'd endured years of disrespect was gone, replaced by someone with ice in her veins and steel in her spine.
Owen grabbed Chloe's hand, his knuckles white. "Fine! If you really want a divorce, don't come crawling back when you regret it!"
He was deliberately trying to provoke her—in the past, whenever he'd shown affection to other women in front of Avery, she'd crumbled, hurt and tearful. He couldn't believe she was maintaining this cold facade.
But Avery merely shrugged. "You'll find out how serious I am soon enough."
Perhaps she'd accumulated too much disappointment over the years. Whatever the reason, seeing them together now sparked nothing but indifference. She had no reason to be angry anymore.
It was time to move forward.
With that, she turned and walked away without a backward glance.
"I'm so sorry," Chloe whimpered, clutching his arm. "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have come with you tonight."
Normally when she used this helpless tone, Owen would rush to comfort her. This time, he not only dropped her hand but his expression turned frighteningly dark as he stared at Avery's retreating figure.
No way. Avery was definitely just throwing a tantrum. After all, without him, she had no job, no family. Where could she possibly go?
Chloe bit her lip, swallowing her frustration before plastering on a concerned expression. "Even if something is happening with Matteo, it might not be serious. And we still need that partnership contract with Ferrari Group."
She planned to create plenty of misunderstandings once Owen met with Matteo.
"Let's go back inside," she urged. "Once you two speak face to face, you can resolve everything."
Little did she know, someone was watching them from the second floor of the mansion.
---
Matteo's imposing silhouette was reflected in the floor-to-ceiling windows as he observed the scene below. From this vantage point, he had a perfect view of Avery's heated exchange with the couple.
"Avery truly is an interesting woman," he murmured.
A man with golden hair and piercing blue eyes joined him, his elegant navy suit perfectly tailored to his athletic frame. He followed Matteo's gaze to Avery's retreating figure.
"That's Ms. Vaughn, I presume? She's absolutely stunning."
Matteo's voice carried a clear warning. "She's my marked prey, Albert. Keep your eyes to yourself."
Albert looked genuinely surprised. "Did I hear that correctly? The infamous Matteo Ferrari, actually interested in a woman?"
His lips curved into an amused smile. "Now I'm truly curious. What kind of magic does Ms. Vaughn possess?"
Only after Avery disappeared from sight did Matteo turn away from the window.
"You want to know? Find yourself a girlfriend and figure it out."
Albert raised an eyebrow. "I've tried that. I'm not the one with issues."
As he spoke, his sharp gaze swept over Matteo's face, instantly noticing the mark on his lower lip.
"Wait—is that a bite mark? Don't tell me you did that to yourself!"
Albert's eyes widened as realization dawned. "Were you two... intimate in the study earlier?"
He answered his own question with a knowing chuckle. "No wonder her husband looked ready to commit murder."
Matteo's fingertips absently traced the corner of his mouth, remembering Avery's unexpected defiance.
"She's... different," he admitted, looking almost pleased.
Albert's jaw nearly dropped. "I thought you were joking about your interest in her, but you're actually serious!"
After all, for years he'd known about Matteo's condition—his complete lack of desire for anyone, male or female.
"You haven't actually fallen for her, have you?" he asked suspiciously.
Matteo's mouth curved into a mocking smirk. "Of course not."
Ever since his mother's suicide, he'd understood that love only turned smart people into fools.
He would never fall for anyone.