Chapter 160

Charles stepped into Liam's study. The heavy oak door shut behind him with a dull thud. "Mr. Hart, please, have a seat," Liam said, perched behind an oversized mahogany desk, sporting a sharp smirk no businessman ever left home without. Charles didn't move. He stood squarely in the middle of the room, his gaze cold and direct. "Mr. Carter, I think we need to revisit the terms." Liam's brow arched slightly. "Oh? Something wrong?" "Grace told Stella we're getting engaged." His voice was ice. "That was never part of the deal." Liam let out a chuckle, then walked to the liquor cabinet, unhurriedly pouring two glasses of whiskey. "Don't get so worked up, young man. Grace's just overly enthusiastic about our partnership." "This is purely business," Charles replied, ignoring the offered drink. "I made it clear—I'll never marry into the Carter family, not even as a front." "A pretend engagement works better for the plan," Liam sipped his drink, his tone sharper now. "You know as well as I do,