Scarlet hid behind the cafe window, her eyes locked on the man in the ridiculous red suit with the slicked-back hair and a flower in his lapel. Across the glass, he sat with a blonde woman who laughed far too loudly. That was proof enough. This was Mark, her best friend Lisa’s fiancé, cheating in broad daylight at the same cafe where he’d had brunch with Lisa just a week earlier.
“Jerk. Low-life coward,” she whispered, marching toward the entrance. Scarlet wasn’t the type to watch injustice in silence. If Lisa didn’t have the courage to confront a cheater, Scarlet had three times that much.
Today was about justice—or at the very least, a serious scene. She walked in with purpose, her heels echoing on the marble floor. A waiter tried to stop her, but she dodged him like a missile. There he was: red suit, slick hair, sitting at the table with an elegant gray-haired woman who carried herself like royalty.
Scarlet stopped right in front of the table, took a deep breath, and shouted, “Mark, you rotten, shameless cucumber. You cheap traitor. ”
Heads turned. The waiter froze.
Somewhere in the back, a fork hit the floor. “As if cheating on Lisa wasn’t enough, now you dress like this? A red suit? Who do you think you are, the Santa Claus of betrayal?
” She turned to the woman. “And you, ma’am, no offense. You’re elegant, refined, and your hair shines like something out of a shampoo commercial. But don’t you think you’re a little too old for him?
My friend is young. Truly young. No Botox. She doesn’t look like a retired Chanel executive.
”
The man blinked, confused. The woman choked on her tea. “Excuse me, who are you? ” the man asked.
Scarlet didn’t flinch. “Don’t pretend you don’t know me, Mark. I’m Scarlet, Lisa’s friend. The one you swore to love, respect, and take to Paris—but you never did.
”
The woman chuckled. “Scarlet, is it? My dear, you just yelled at the wrong man. And what a delightful mix-up.
You’ve just gone up in my estimation. ”
Scarlet blinked. “What? ”
“This is my son, Grant Costa.
We don’t know any Lisa. He’s not engaged to anyone. He’s single. Very much single, if I may say so.
”
Scarlet’s eyes widened. The color drained from her face. She looked again. The man in the red suit had green eyes—definitely not Mark’s—and a narrower nose.
Darker hair. Oh no. She slowly turned her head. Two tables back, the real Mark, also in a red suit, was laughing with a blonde woman.
When he saw her, he slipped away quietly. She had made a scene at the wrong table. “Oh,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “Well, that’s kind of embarrassing.
”
“Kind of? ” Grant muttered, trying to hide a smile. Before Scarlet could run out the door or disappear into the floor, the older woman stood up with a gleam in her eyes. “What’s your full name, dear?
”
“Scarlet Miller. ”
The woman took her hand firmly and announced loud enough for everyone to hear: “Scarlet Miller. A star’s name. A storm of a personality.
You’re perfect. ”
“Perfect for what? ” Scarlet asked, still in full panic mode. “To set my son straight.
”
“What? ”
“That’s right. I’m Elena Costa, mother of the rotten cucumber—I mean, Grant. And my dear, if anyone on this earth can straighten this boy out, it’s you.
”
“Mom, please,” Grant coughed. “No, Grant. I mean it. You surround yourself with fake socialites and yes-men in suits.
Today, for the first time in years, someone told you the plain truth. I loved it. ”
Scarlet blinked three times. Is this really happening?
“Yes,” Elena said, as if reading her mind. “And tell me, are you single? ”
“Yes, but what—”
“Perfect. Scarlet Miller, you’re going to marry my son.
”
The entire cafe choked. Grant choked. Scarlet choked so hard she coughed. “Is this some kind of prank?
” she asked, looking around for a hidden camera crew. “Not at all. I’m completely serious. You’re exactly the kind of woman my son needs.
Spontaneous, honest, hilarious, and bold enough to yell in a crowded cafe. You’re practically a modern miracle. ”
Grant, now as red as his suit, tried to protest. “Mom, this is insane.
You don’t even know her. ”
“We know enough. Grant, if you don’t marry her, I’ll disown you. And Scarlet, if you don’t accept, I’ll sue you for defamation and perjury for calling my son a rotten cucumber in front of 36 witnesses.
”
“What? That’s insane. ”
“Maybe. But this is my family.
Welcome, dear. ”
“Fine, I accept,” Scarlet said, resigned, still not quite believing what was happening. Elena Costa clapped her hands enthusiastically while Grant rubbed his face, clearly questioning his life choices. “Excellent,” Elena exclaimed.
“Tomorrow at 2:00 at the Madison Avenue Registry Office. Nothing fancy, just the necessary paperwork. Grant, you bring the witnesses. ”
“Mom, this is crazy,” Grant muttered.
“Crazy is you being 32 and not having one decent girlfriend. Scarlet’s going to be the best thing that’s ever happened to you. You’ll see. ”
Scarlet left the cafe in shock, walking through Manhattan as if she were in a dream.
The cold wind hit her face, bringing her back to reality. She had just agreed to marry a complete stranger. Twenty minutes later, she was at the door of the apartment she shared with Lisa. Her friend was on the couch watching Netflix and eating popcorn.
“Lisa, you won’t believe what happened,” Scarlet said, tossing her purse on the floor. “Let me guess, you got yourself into some kind of trouble,” Lisa paused the show. “Worse. Much worse.
I made a scene, but with the wrong man. ”
Scarlet flopped onto the couch and told the whole story—from seeing Mark with another woman, to the cafe incident, to Elena Costa’s crazy proposal. With every detail, Lisa’s eyes grew wider. “Wait, wait,” Lisa grabbed her friend’s hand.
“You’re telling me that Mark was cheating on me and some rich lady decided you were perfect for her son just because you yelled at him in public? ”
“Basically, yes. ”
“And you agreed to marry him? ”
“She threatened to sue me.
What was I supposed to do? ”
Lisa stayed silent for a few seconds, processing it all. Then she started laughing. First quietly, then louder and louder until she was laughing uncontrollably.
“Lisa, this isn’t funny. ”
“No, no, sorry,” she said, wiping tears from her eyes. “It’s just—only you, Scarlet. Only you could turn revenge on a cheater into an arranged marriage.
”
Lisa grabbed her phone and dialed a number. “What are you doing, calling that jerk Mark? ”
“If I’m going to be maid of honor at a whirlwind wedding, I might as well get rid of my own problem first. ”
The call connected and Lisa put it on speaker.
“Hi, honey,” Mark’s voice came from the other end. “Mark, we need to talk,” Lisa said firmly. “What’s up? ”
“I’m breaking up with you.
”
“What? ”
“You heard me. I’m ending our relationship right now over the phone. ”
“Lisa, you’re crazy.
We were doing fine. ”
“Were we? Because you were at the Park Avenue Cafe with some blonde. Care to explain?
”
“I—how did you find out? ”
“Does it matter how? What matters is you’re a cheater. Goodbye, Mark.
”
Lisa hung up and turned to Scarlet with a satisfied smile. “There. Now I can fully focus on your marriage drama. ”
The next day, Scarlet stood in front of the registry office, wearing the only decent dress she owned—a simple navy blue one she used for job interviews.
Grant arrived right at 2:00, accompanied by a middle-aged man who introduced himself as James, his personal lawyer. “Well, let’s get this over with,” Grant said, shaking her hand formally. “Where’s the romance? ” Lisa muttered.
The ceremony lasted exactly fifteen minutes. They signed papers, exchanged a few required words with the officer, and that was it. They were officially married. They didn’t even exchange rings.
Two hours later, Scarlet was standing at the door of an apartment in Carnegie Hill, holding two suitcases and questioning every decision that had brought her there. “Welcome to your new temporary home,” Grant said, opening the door. The apartment was stunning. High ceilings, huge windows with a view of Central Park, modern and expensive decor.
It was three times the size of the place she shared with Lisa. “The guest room is down the hall to the right. It has its own bathroom. Feel free to decorate it however you like.
”
“Guest room. You didn’t think we’d be sharing a bedroom, did you? ”
“This is a marriage of convenience, not a honeymoon. ”
“Of course.
”
In the following days, an odd routine began. Grant left early for work, came home late, and they barely saw each other. But when they did, it was always a comedy of small misunderstandings. On the first morning, Scarlet decided to make breakfast.
She found a kitchen so high-tech she almost set the apartment on fire trying to turn off the fancy stove. Grant came running down in his pajamas, thinking it was a real fire. “What are you doing? ” he shouted.
“Turning off the fire alarm. How was I supposed to know this stove has more buttons than an airplane? ”
“That’s a $15,000 professional stove. ”
“$15,000 for a stove?
You could have bought a car. ”
“I have three cars. ”
“Of course you do. ”
On the second day, Scarlet rearranged the living room because it “had no life.
” Grant came home to find all the furniture in different spots. “You moved everything around. ”
“I made it better. Before it looked like a home decor magazine.
No soul. ”
“I liked it the way it was. ”
“Grant, you had the books organized by color. Who does that?
”
“Organized people. ”
“People with no imagination. Now they’re sorted by topic. Much more useful.
”
“You’re going to drive me crazy. ”
“Probably. But at least you won’t die of boredom. ”
On the third day, Grant tried to get back at her by organizing her closet.
Scarlet found all her clothes rearranged by type and color. “Seriously? You organized my clothes. ”
“Thought you’d like it,” he replied from the living room, trying not to laugh.
“Grant, I had a system. Work clothes separate from weekend clothes, separate from gym clothes. Now they’re organized logically. ”
“Logically for who?
A robot? ”
But every time Grant tried to get under her skin, Scarlet responded with good humor. When he hid the TV remote, she figured out she could control everything from her phone. When he swapped the sugar with salt, she made salty lemonade and called it a new southern recipe.
Meanwhile, Elena Costa was busy with her own plans. In her elegant Manhattan office, she signed important documents. “Are you sure about this, Mrs. Costa?
” her lawyer Richard asked. “Absolutely. I want 20% of Costa Tech shares transferred to Scarlet Miller Costa today. ”
“She doesn’t even know your son is the president of the company, does she?
”
“She’ll find out at the right time. And when she does, I want her to have real power. ”
“You’re playing a dangerous game. ”
“Dear Richard, I don’t play games.
I orchestrate destinies. ”
Back at the apartment, Scarlet and Grant were in the kitchen trying to decide what to order for dinner. “Pizza,” Scarlet said. “Sushi,” Grant said at the same time.
They looked at each other, and for the first time since the wedding, they laughed together. “Pizza with sushi for dessert,” she suggested. “You’re insane,” he said, but he was smiling. “And you’re starting to like it,” she replied.
Grant didn’t know what to say because maybe, just maybe, she was right. The following Monday, Scarlet returned to work at the Meridian Hotel. Even though she’d gotten married just a week earlier, her professional routine hadn’t changed. What she didn’t expect was to find a familiar figure standing at the main reception desk, wearing a flawless black suit and a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“Malfada Winters,” Scarlet murmured, stopping abruptly in the hallway. Her college classmate—a declared rival since day one—was now apparently her new boss. “Scarlet Miller,” Malfada exclaimed, walking toward her with careful steps. “What a wonderful surprise to find you here.
Still working as an event coordinator, I assume? ”
“Hello, Malfada. I didn’t know you were in New York. ”
“Oh dear.
A lot has changed since college. I was promoted to general manager of this hotel two weeks ago. Which means,” she paused dramatically, “I’m now your boss. ”
Malfada’s smile was full of satisfaction.
“And speaking of changes, I’ve heard some interesting rumors about you. Word is you got married recently. What was his name again? Grant something?
”
“Grant Costa,” Scarlet answered cautiously. “Oh, right. Costa. Interesting name.
And what does he do? ”
“He works in tech. ”
“How vague. Well, regardless, I hope your personal life won’t interfere with your professional performance.
We have very high standards here. ”
Before Scarlet could answer, a familiar male voice spoke behind her. “Malfada, I don’t believe it. ”
Scarlet turned around and saw Mark, Lisa’s ex-boyfriend, walking over with a broad smile.
“Mark? ” Malfada opened her arms dramatically. “What a wonderful coincidence. ”
“What are you doing here?
” he asked. “I’m the new general manager. And you? ”
“I was just hired as the hotel’s financial consultant.
I’ll be handling all the audits. ”
Scarlet watched the exchange and felt something was off. The coincidence was too big. Over the following weeks, it became clear that Malfada and Mark had teamed up with one goal: to make Scarlet’s life miserable.
They changed her shifts, assigned her impossible events, and questioned her decisions in front of other employees. During a major corporate event, they pulled off their most humiliating stunt. Malfada told Scarlet the event would start at 7 p. m.
, when it was actually scheduled for 6. When Scarlet arrived an hour late, she found angry clients and chaos everywhere. “Scarlet? ” Malfa shouted theatrically.
“Where were you? The event started an hour ago. ”
“You told me it was at 7,” Scarlet said, confused. “6:00, dear.
It’s always been 6:00. ”
Mark appeared holding a tablet. “I can confirm that. Here’s the original schedule.
It’s always been 6. ”
Scarlet looked at the document. It did say 6:00. She was sure Malfada had said 7, but she had no way to prove it.
“This is unacceptable,” Malfada went on, raising her voice so everyone could hear. “Our clients can’t be affected by professional negligence. ”
“I wasn’t negligent. There was a misunderstanding.
”
“A misunderstanding? ” Mark shook his head. “Scarlet, this is irresponsibility. ”
Scarlet felt her face burn with humiliation and anger.
She knew it had been a setup, but she couldn’t prove it. She managed to save the event, but the damage was done. The next day, Malfada called her into her office. “Scarlet, we need to talk about your performance.
”
“My performance has been excellent given the circumstances. ”
“Dear, you showed up an hour late to an important corporate event. That’s unforgivable. ”
“You told me it was at 7:00.
”
“Are you suggesting I lied? ”
Mark walked in at that exact moment. “Sorry to interrupt, but I just got a formal complaint from yesterday’s clients. They’re considering cancelling future events at the hotel.
”
“See,” Malfada said. “Your actions have consequences. I’m considering firing you. ”
“You can’t fire me over a misunderstanding.
”
“We can, and we will,” Mark replied. “Unless you have some influence we don’t know about. ”
At that exact moment, the office door opened and Elena Costa walked in like an elegant hurricane, wearing a pink Chanel suit. “Excuse me,” she said with that refined accent.
“I’m looking for my daughter-in-law, Scarlet Costa. ”
The office fell completely silent. Malfa and Mark froze. “Mrs.
Costa,” Scarlet said, surprised. “What are you doing here? ”
“I came to see how you’re adjusting to work, dear. And from what I heard in the hallway, not very well.
” Elena turned to Malfada with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You must be the manager. I’m Elena Costa, chairwoman of the Costa Group, owner of this hotel. ”
Malfada turned pale.
“Mrs. Costa, it’s an honor. ”
“Is it? Because from what I just heard, you’re threatening to fire my daughter-in-law over a misunderstanding about the schedule.
”
“No, ma’am. It’s just that Mark—”
“Isn’t it? ” Elena turned to him. “Scarlet’s best friend’s ex-boyfriend.
What an interesting coincidence that you work here now. ”
Mark swallowed hard. “Ma’am, I—”
“Quiet. ” Elena raised her hand.
“Scarlet, dear, do you like working here? ”
“I do, Mrs. Costa, but it’s been challenging. ”
“I can imagine.
Well, I have a solution. ” Elena pulled a folder from her purse. “I just signed your promotion to vice president of hotel operations, effective immediately. ”
“What?
” Malfa and Mark exclaimed together. “Vice President,” Elena repeated calmly. “That means Scarlet is now your superior, Malfada. And Mark, your services as a consultant are no longer needed.
You’re fired. ”
“That’s impossible,” Malfada protested. “She doesn’t have the qualifications to be vice president. ”
“She does now,” Elena smiled.
“And if you have a problem with that, you can hand in your resignation letter as well. ”
Mark made one last attempt. “Ma’am, with all due respect, this looks like nepotism. ”
Elena stared at him with icy calm.
“Young man, my family built this empire when you were still in diapers. Don’t tell me how to run my business. ” She turned to Scarlet. “Dear, your new office is on the 12th floor.
I think you’ll have a lot of work reorganizing things around here. ”
Malfada was white as a sheet. “Mrs. Costa, I apologize if there was any misunderstanding.
”
“There was no misunderstanding. There was an attempt to sabotage my daughter-in-law. You have one week to prove you deserve to keep working under Scarlet’s supervision. ”
Elena kissed Scarlet on the cheek and whispered, “Welcome to leadership, dear.
Use it wisely. ”
Three weeks later, the Meridian Hotel was hosting the most important event of the quarter—the Hamilton Foundation Charity Gala. Scarlet was personally overseeing every detail when she heard raised voices coming from the service hallway. She recognized Sophia Ramirez, one of the hotel’s most dedicated waitresses, in tears.
Robert Chen, the food and beverage supervisor, stood with his arms crossed. Malfada watched with barely hidden interest. “That’s not true,” Sophia said, her voice shaking. “I would never do something like that.
”
“The evidence is clear,” Robert replied. “Two bottles of Dom Perignon champagne are missing from the stock room, and you were the last one to access it last night. ”
“Mr. Chen,” Sophia said in a broken voice.
“I swear on my children’s lives I didn’t take anything. You’ve known me for 3 years. I would never steal from this hotel. ”
“Feelings don’t change facts.
The inventory was complete when you left. ”
Malfada stepped in with a fake concerned smile. “Sophia, dear, I know your financial situation has been tough. Two small kids, late rent.
Maybe you thought selling the bottles could help fix a few problems. ”
“How do you know about my financial situation? ”
“I’m the manager, Sophia. It’s my job to know my staff.
”
Scarlet felt her blood boil. She had known Sophia for two years. The woman was as honest as they came. “Excuse me,” Scarlet said, stepping in.
“What’s going on here? ”
“Vice President Costa,” Robert said, quickly changing his tone. “We’re dealing with a theft. Sophia Ramirez stole two bottles of Dom Perignon from our stock.
”
“Circumstantial evidence? ” Scarlet repeated. “Robert, show me exactly where these bottles were stored. ”
They walked to the climate-controlled stock room.
Scarlet examined the area carefully. “Sophia, tell me exactly what you did here last night. ”
“I came to get the crystal glasses for today’s event. They’re kept in that cabinet over there.
I took six boxes, locked the storage room, and left. ”
“What time was that? ”
“10:30 at night. The night shift didn’t start until 11:00.
”
“Robert, who has access to the storage room besides authorized staff? ”
“Only management and supervisors—and the cleaning crew, of course. ”
“Cleaning crew? What hours do they work?
”
“From 11 at night to 6:00 in the morning. ”
“And did you check with them? ”
Robert hesitated. “Well, we didn’t think it was necessary.
”
“Bring me a full list of everyone who entered the storage room in the last 48 hours. ”
Twenty minutes later, Robert returned with a printed report. Scarlet examined it carefully. “Interesting,” Scarlet murmured.
“Sophia went in at 10:30 and left at 10:45. But look here—James Mitchell from the cleaning crew entered at 11:15, and there’s no record of him leaving. ”
“Must be a system error,” Robert said quickly. “Then let’s speak to James.
”
Fifteen minutes later, everyone was gathered in Scarlet’s office. James Mitchell was a nervous man in his 50s, sweating heavily despite the air conditioning. “James,” Scarlet said calmly. “Were you working in the storage room last night?
”
“Yes, ma’am. Just the usual cleaning routine. ”
“And do you remember seeing anything unusual? ”
“No, ma’am.
Everything seemed normal. ”
“Are you sure? Because your badge didn’t record your exit. ”
“I—I forgot to clock out.
”
“James, how long have you worked here? ”
“7 years, ma’am. ”
“And in seven years, how often have you forgotten to clock out? ”
James swallowed hard.
“Rarely, ma’am. ”
Scarlet thought for a moment. “James, where do you live? ”
“The Bronx, ma’am.
”
“And how do you get home after your shift? ”
“By subway, ma’am. ”
“The subway at 6:00 in the morning must be packed. Hard to carry extra items, right?
” James began to sweat even more. “That’s why you left the champagne bottles in your locker here at the hotel, isn’t it? So you could come back for them later. ”
Silence fell over the room.
James looked down, defeated. “How did you figure it out? ” he whispered. “Simple logic.
Sophia doesn’t drink. She has two young children and an impeccable reputation. You, on the other hand, have unrestricted access to the storage room during the night. ”
“Where are the bottles?
” Scarlet asked, not without compassion. “In my locker in the staff room. ”
Scarlet turned to Sophia, who was crying with relief. “Sophia, you are completely cleared of any accusation.
I’m promoting you to supervisor of the special events team. ”
“Thank you, ma’am. Thank you for believing in me. ”
“Robert,” Scarlet said, turning to the supervisor.
“James will be transferred to another department with reduced pay, but he won’t be fired. We’re going to help him find resources to take care of his sick wife. As for you, I hope this teaches you to investigate properly before making accusations. ”
“Yes, ma’am.
I apologize for the mistake. ”
“Leave us, Malfada,” Scarlet said. Once everyone had left, she faced her subordinate. “You knew it wasn’t Sophia, didn’t you?
”
“I—what do you mean? ”
“You know every employee’s financial situation. I bet you knew James was desperate for money. You let Sophia be accused unfairly, hoping I would fire her.
Why? Because she’s competent and well-liked. ”
“Scarlet, you’re being paranoid. ”
“No, Malfa, I’m being observant.
This is your last chance to prove you can work as part of a team. The next time you try to sabotage an innocent colleague, you’ll be looking for a job somewhere else. ”
At that moment, the office door opened and Elena Costa walked in. “My dear daughter-in-law,” she said, kissing Scarlet on the cheek.
“I just spoke with Sophia in the hallway. She told me everything. ”
“Mrs. Costa, what are you doing here?
”
“I came for tonight’s gala, of course. And good thing I did. I just witnessed a brilliant example of leadership and fairness. ”
Elena opened her Hermes purse and pulled out a sealed envelope.
“This is for you. A small token of appreciation for your outstanding work. ”
Scarlet opened it and found a legal document. “Mrs.
Costa, this is a performance bonus equal to 20% of the shares you already own in the company? ”
Elena said casually. “Now you have even more stake in the family business. ”
Malfada turned pale.
“Shares? What shares? ”
Elena smiled mysteriously. “Ah, dear Malfada, there’s so much you don’t know about our Scarlet.
She’s not just the vice president of this hotel. She’s a co-owner of the entire Costa Group. ”
“How is that possible? ” Malfada stammered.
“It’s possible when you marry my son and prove day after day that you deserve to be part of this family. ”
That night, the charity gala was an absolute success. Afterward, Grant appeared at Scarlet’s office door. “Good morning, wife,” he said with an ironic smile.
“Grant, what are you doing here? ”
“Business. Actually, I came to invite you to something. My company is holding an accountability meeting this afternoon, and I’d like you to attend.
We’re analyzing investments in the hospitality industry, and your perspective would be valuable. ”
“Grant, you work in technology, not hotels. ”
“Technology applied to many sectors, including hospitality. Do you trust me?
”
Scarlet studied him for a moment. “All right, what time? ”
“3:00. I’ll pick you up here.
”
At exactly 3:00, Grant appeared in the hotel lobby. They rode to Costa Tower in the Financial District, and in the elevator, Grant pressed the button for the 40th floor. When the doors opened, Scarlet found a sleek hallway with a large conference room. At least twenty people were seated around a table the size of a small apartment.
“Grant,” she whispered. “This doesn’t look like a casual investment meeting. ”
“Mr. Costa, everyone is waiting,” a receptionist said.
Scarlet stopped in her tracks. “Mr. Costa? Grant, what’s going on here?
”
“I’ll explain later. Just trust me for now. ”
The meeting began with formal introductions. Everything seemed routine until the CFO, a bald man named Richardson, announced, “We have some concerns about the Meridian Hotel’s performance last quarter.
”
Scarlet straightened in her seat. This was her area. “According to the documents we received,” Richardson continued, “there was a 15% drop in customer satisfaction, a 20% rise in operating costs, and at least three serious misconduct incidents by management. ”
Scarlet felt the blood drain from her face.
“May I see those documents? ”
She quickly scanned the pages and felt anger rising. The data had been deliberately manipulated. Numbers changed, dates altered, entire reports fabricated.
“These documents are false,” she said calmly. “Miss Costa, that’s a very serious accusation. ”
“Yes, it is. And I can prove it.
” She walked to the whiteboard and picked up a marker. “Our satisfaction score rose to 93% this quarter. Operating costs increased by only 5% due to investments in upgrades. And there were no reported misconduct incidents last quarter.
”
She presented real data, countering each false claim. Her presentation was clear, logical, and impossible to dispute. “Now, I’d really like to know who provided these false documents and why. ”
Richardson looked uncomfortable.
“I received those reports from an external source who identified herself as the hotel manager. ”
“Name? ”
“Malfada Winters. ”
Grant stood up slowly.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to clarify a few things. First, Scarlet Costa is not just a consultant. She is vice president of the Meridian Hotel and my wife. ” Murmurs filled the room.
“Second, anyone who tries to sabotage her reputation or question her competence will be dealing directly with me. ”
After the meeting, in the elevator going down, Scarlet finally turned to Grant. “All right, now you’re going to explain what that was all about. ”
“That was you proving how brilliant you are.
”
“Grant, they called you Mr. Costa. This is Costa Tech, isn’t it? ”
“It is.
”
“And you’re—”
“I’m the president of the company. ”
Scarlet leaned against the wall, trying to process. “You’re the president of the company that owns the hotel I work for. ”
“Technically, my mother is chair of the board.
I just handle day-to-day operations. ”
“Grant, why didn’t you tell me? ”
“Because I wanted you to shine on your own. Which you did today.
”
That evening, Grant invited Scarlet to dinner at a small Italian restaurant in the Village. Jeppe, the waiter, decided what they would eat based on their faces, served linguine with clams, and played the accordion. Grant tried to eat pasta with a knife and fork, failed spectacularly, and ended up with half the plate on his chin while Scarlet laughed so hard she nearly spilled her wine. After dinner, they walked through the village streets.
Grant took off his coat and placed it over her shoulders. They stopped in front of a small square with a lit fountain. “Scarlet,” Grant said. “I need to tell you something.
”
“What is it? ”
“When my mother suggested we get married, I thought she’d completely lost her mind. I thought it would be the worst decision of my life. ”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Scarlet said, but she was smiling.
“Let me finish. I was wrong. Completely wrong. These past few weeks, watching you work, seeing how you deal with people, how you stand up for those who need it—Scarlet, you made me realize I’d been living only half a life.
I fell in love with you. Truly. Not because of the arranged marriage, but because of who you really are. ”
Scarlet felt her heart race.
“Are you sure? ”
“Absolutely. The question is, do you feel anything for me other than pity for the guy who can’t eat spaghetti properly? ”
She laughed, though her eyes filled with tears.
“Grant, you’re annoying, obsessive, completely unspontaneous, and you organize books by color. ”
“That’s not sounding very hopeful. ”
“But you’re also kind, smart, you have a smile you hide too much, and you make me feel like I can take on the world. And that means I might have fallen for my crazy husband, too.
”
He leaned in to kiss her, but at the last second, he tripped on the edge of the fountain. Scarlet caught him before he fell into the water. “Perfect,” he said, laughing at himself. “Most romantic moment of my life, and I nearly fall into a fountain.
”
“Idiot,” she said affectionately, pulling him close. This time, when he kissed her, there were no stumbles. When they finally pulled apart, they were both out of breath. “Grant, what if we went home?
”
“Of course, it’s getting late anyway. ”
“No,” she said, looking into his eyes. “Home together? For real?
”
“Scarlet, are you sure? ”
“I’m sure. I want to find out what it’s really like to be married to you. ”
That night, their arranged marriage finally became something real.
Two weeks later, Scarlet was enjoying a quiet breakfast with Grant when the intercom rang insistently. It was her sister Rachel—with their parents, Robert and Margaret Miller, who Scarlet hadn’t spoken to in almost two years. “Why didn’t you tell us you got married? ” Rachel demanded.
“We came to meet the famous husband. ”
Grant handled the visit with grace, even when Robert gave him the overprotective father-in-law treatment. Then Rachel pulled Scarlet aside into the kitchen. “Scar, we didn’t just come to meet your husband.
Remember Mom and Dad’s antique shop? It’s thriving. Dad discovered he has a real talent for restoring furniture, and Mom started selling online. They have a two-month waiting list.
But they need capital to expand. ”
Grant heard the whole story and made an offer that left the room silent: $200,000 investment for 30% ownership, plus tech consulting. Robert was hesitant, but Grant proposed a six-month trial period. “If you’re not happy with the partnership,” Grant said, “we’ll buy back our share for the amount invested plus 10%.
”
Finally, Robert extended his hand. “Partner, you’ve got a deal. ”
Margaret walked over to Scarlet. “Honey, I want to apologize for how things were when you left home.
You were right to follow your own dreams. I’m proud of you. ”
Scarlet hugged her mother, feeling as if a weight she had carried for years had finally been lifted. Six weeks later, Scarlet was in her office when a sudden wave of nausea hit her.
It was the third time that week. Three weeks of morning sickness, unexplained fatigue, and her period was late. An hour later, she was staring at two pregnancy tests. Both positive.
“Grant, I’m pregnant. ”
The silence lasted exactly three seconds before Grant crossed the room, picked her up, and spun her around. “Really? We’re going to have a baby!
”
That week, Melissa Hawthorne entered their lives. An elegant blonde from a rival investment firm, she showed up at Grant’s office with a business proposal—and more. “Grant, we both know strategic marriages are common in our world. You and I together would be—”
“Melissa, I’m married.
Happily married. ”
“To that girl from the restaurant? Grant, be realistic. You need a wife who understands your world.
”
“If you can’t take no for an answer,” Grant said, “we may need to reconsider any professional ties between our companies. ”
“You’re going to regret this, Grant. When your little wife shows you who she really is, you’ll regret it. ”
That afternoon, Elena showed up at Grant’s office.
“I heard that snake Melissa Hawthorne came by to bother you today. She went straight to the club to tell her friends that you rejected her because of some gold digger who married you for your money. ”
“Mom, I know exactly who Scarlet is. ”
“I know you know.
But I want you to remember that whenever someone like Melissa questions your wife’s intentions, you have my full support. ”
The annual Manhattan Business Elite Gala was held at the Metropolitan Museum. Grant and Scarlet arrived together, she glowing in a navy blue dress that subtly hid the early signs of pregnancy. Scarlet finally met Grant’s father, Marcelo Costa—a tall, commanding man with a sterner look than his son.
When introduced to Scarlet, he said, “Wife? Grant, what are you talking about? This seriously complicates the plans we had for you. ”
Melissa stepped forward with a sly smile.
“Mr. Costa, maybe I can clarify things. Grant and I have been talking about a strategic partnership between our companies, which would also include a personal union. ”
“Exactly,” Marcelo said.
“Melissa, darling, you’d be perfect for Grant. ”
“Dad, I’m already married to Scarlet, and I’m not interested in Melissa or any business merger. ”
“Grant, be reasonable. You can’t let teenage feelings get in the way of smart business decisions.
”
Scarlet felt her blood boil. “Excuse me, Mr. Costa, but your son isn’t a teenager. He’s a grown man who can make his own decisions.
”
“Young lady, you clearly don’t understand how business works in our family. ”
“Actually,” said a firm, elegant voice behind them, “the one who doesn’t understand how business works in our family is you, Marcelo. ”
Elena Costa walked forward with confident steps. “Grant’s future is already decided.
He’s married to Scarlet. They’re expecting my first grandchild, and they’re perfectly happy. ”
Melissa went pale. “Grandchild?
”
“That’s right, dear. Scarlet is pregnant. Your attempts to seduce my son are not only inappropriate but completely useless. ”
Marcelo tried to regain control.
“Elena, regardless of the fact that Grant is temporarily married—”
“Temporarily? ” Elena raised an eyebrow. “This isn’t a temporary marriage. It’s a real marriage built on real love.
”
“Elena, you’re being dramatic. ”
“Marcelo, you want to talk about drama? ” Elena opened her purse and pulled out a thick envelope. “Here’s your drama, dear.
” She handed it to him. “Signed, stamped, and ready to be filed. Marcelo, after 35 years of marriage, I’m divorcing you. ”
The entire ballroom went silent.
“Elena, have you lost your mind? ” Marcelo stammered. “On the contrary, I’ve finally come to my senses. For years, I’ve watched you try to control our son’s life as if he were a chess piece in your business games.
But when you disrespected my daughter-in-law and tried to break up a happy marriage—that was the last straw. ”
Elena turned to Scarlet and Grant. “My dears, I have a belated wedding gift for you. ” She pulled out another document.
“I’m transferring all my Costa Tech shares to Scarlet. She now controls 55% of the company. ”
Grant was speechless. “Elena, you can’t do that,” Marcelo said.
“I can, and I already did. Scarlet, my dear, you are now the majority owner of Costa. Congratulations. ”
As they walked out of the gala together, Scarlet thought that Elena Costa was definitely the most spectacular mother-in-law anyone could ever have.
Six months later, Scarlet was in her office at Costa Tower reviewing quarterly reports when Grant appeared at the door with a bouquet of red roses. “I came to kidnap my wife for a very important appointment,” he said. “What appointment? ”
“Just trust me.
”
They rode the elevator to the rooftop, which had been transformed into a magical garden. Golden lights hung between potted trees, rose petals scattered on the floor, and a breathtaking view of Manhattan at sunset. “Grant, what is all this? ”
“Scarlet,” he said, turning to face her.
“Eight months ago, we got married because my mom forced us. Today, I want to marry you again—but this time out of love, by choice. ” He got down on one knee and pulled out a diamond ring. “Scarlet Miller Costa, will you marry me for real this time?
”
Scarlet was crying and laughing at the same time. “Grant, we’re already married. ”
“Technically, yes. But romantically, I want to do it right.
So, will you? ”
“Yes,” she said, throwing her arms around him. “Of course, I will. ”
Three weeks later, Central Park was decorated like a fairy tale.
The ceremony was outdoors near the lake with two hundred guests. Scarlet wore an exclusive ivory silk dress that fit her eight-month pregnant belly perfectly. When they kissed as husband and wife for the second time—but the first for true love—the entire audience burst into applause. Elena Costa was in the front row crying openly and whispering to Margaret Miller.
“My plan worked perfectly. I knew they were meant for each other from day one. ”
At the reception, Grant and Scarlet shared their first dance. “A few months ago, I was a lonely workaholic who organized books by color,” Grant murmured.
“Today, I’m a married man with an amazing woman expecting our first child and sharing control of a company with the smartest person I know. I’m more than happy. I’m complete. ”
That night, Scarlet and Grant fell asleep in each other’s arms, knowing they had found something rare and precious—a love born out of chaos, strengthened through adversity, and blossomed through mutual understanding.
And somewhere in the city, Elena Costa smiled in her apartment, content in knowing that sometimes, just sometimes, interfering in your children’s lives can lead to something wonderful.
