Melanie’s POV
If I ever met Philip, I would ruin him.
My apartment looked depressing, I never really went out, I spent most of my time staring at the board containing everything about the incident. I never stopped investigating but sometimes I forget that I have a job outside this.
I had photographs, newspapers and handwritten notes and it was all connected with strings and pins.
I moved closer then I saw those gut wrenching words: FIRE RULED ACCIDENTAL.
A fire said to have spread too quickly was suddenly ruled an accident. I knew there was more to it.
I have spent time imagining how I would watch his empire collapse once I expose him. I was trying to finish one of my recent crime stories as a Crime Blogger when I realized I was late for my coffee date with my aunt, so I quickly got dressed and rushed out.
But before that, I kept my notebook that my dad gave me, I kept notes in it. That was one of the few things I still had from them. It was very important to me, but I never really understood the contents.
I arrived at the cafe and waited for her. I zoned out looking at my cup of coffee then lightning struck and snapped me out of my thoughts.
New York was the same despite the weather and cars moving through the streets, people
hurriedly walking to their houses. A typical evening.
I noticed a newspaper across from me.
The headline: HARRINGTON CORPORATION ANNOUNCES EXPANSION DEAL WORTH
£300 MILLION
And beneath it, there he was with that smug face. Philip Harrington. He had features that could deceive any lady he approached.
Not me though.
“Mel, you are staring again.”
My aunty Liv finally arrived and she stared at me with worry.
She took off her gloves, sat down and grabbed my hand.
“One day you’re going to burn a hole through that paper you know.”
“He deserves way worse.”
Aunty Liv’s expression eased a bit “I know dear. Still, doing this won’t help anyone,especially you.”
“It’s so unfair,
” I said. My voice breaking “Why do people like him get away with things.”
“Oh honey, I wish I knew. But people like Philip Harrington only care about one thing.
Their reputation and money.”
Six years later and I still had the same reaction whenever his name was mentioned anywhere. The anger never changed. If anything, it had progressed into something more.
“You can’t keep living like this,” she said gently.
I laughed quietly, although there was no humor tied to it.
“Easy for you to say.”
“Mel-” my aunt’s voice mellowed.
“You don’t know what it’s like, he ruined everything. My family, my future, my life!”
I drew the attention of several people in the cafe. I lowered my head out of embarrassment.
I covered my face with my palms.
She tapped me gently.
“We still don’t know what really happened that day.”
“But I know who benefited most from it.”
Silence hit.
The one response that always ended conversations. Because even aunty Liv could never explain it.
Years ago, my parents had died in what the police termed a “tragic accident” connected to a fire that erupted at one of the Harrington Corporation’s older facilities.
But the information given about that incident never made sense. No witnesses. Evidence obtained suddenly vanished. Statements gone.
And within that chaos the Harrington family emerged richer and more powerful than ever.
I had spent 6 years out of my 24 years of life trying to put the pieces together on my own.
And every trail led back to his family. To him.
My phone suddenly rang.
Unknown caller.
I picked it up from inside my handbag.
“Hello?”
A male voice responded.
“Miss Smith?”
“Yeah, who is this?”
“This is Cory & Brooks legal services, we represent Harrington Corps. My name is Miles
Baker. We've been trying to contact you regarding your parents’ estate.”
“My parents’ estate?”
“Yes ma’am. We have some documents here that require your immediate presence
today.”
I felt knots in my stomach.
“Why now?”
“I’m afraid we can’t discuss further details on the phone till you come in, Thank you.”
The line ended.
My aunt noticed my mood change immediately.
“Who was that Mel?”
I couldn’t form the words at that moment so I grabbed my jacket.
“I have to go somewhere, we will catch up some other time Aunt Liv.”
Two hours later, I was standing inside one of the tallest buildings in all of New York.
Glass walls, marble floors and the employees in expensive looking suits.
Harrington Corporation. I was unimpressed.
A receptionist approached me with a practiced smile.
“Miss Smith?”
“Yeah, I was told to be here?”
“Yes, they are all waiting for you upstairs, if you could come with me.” I nodded, of course they were.
By the time we got to the top floor, I felt my anxiety kick in. The lady observed me still
maintaining her smile.
Then another woman led me through the hallway lined with beautiful artwork and
floor-to-ceiling windows that had a great view of the city.
Then we stopped before dark double doors.
She knocked.
“She’s here, sir,” she said firmly.
I knew who was at the other side before it was even opened. And somehow, that made it
worse.
“Come in,” a male voice said.
I gulped in hard before going in. The office was spacious with a cold aesthetic and dark
furniture.
Facing the windows was Philip Harrington himself. I couldn’t help but scan him from up
to down. The photos never captured him properly.
He was taller than I had imagined. He had muscles, his hair neatly slicked back and
sleeves rolled slightly under his vest.
He turned slowly towards the sound of the doors opening.
And his dark eyes landed directly on mine. I felt hatred crawling towards my chest. I
clenched my fists to remain calm.
“Miss Smith,” he said. His voice was deep.
He was oddly calm for someone whose family ruined the life of an innocent person.
I folded my arms tightly.
“What do you want from me? I don’t h-”
“Sit down, we don’t have time to waste.”
The command in his tone triggered me instantly,
responded sharply.
“I’m not here to take orders from you.”
“Well, unfortunately,” he continued “you’re here simply because you have no choice.”
Something about that statement sent chills down my body. I remained standing.
Miles who was sitting nearby cleared his throat to break the silence.
“So, shall we begin?”
“Miss Smith, after reviewing your parents’ remaining estate holdings, we discovered
several unresolved contractual agreements tied to Harrington corps.”
“And so? I don’t care.”
“You should.”
Philip said arrogantly.
I turned my eyes to him stunned by his audacity. For a moment there was a deafening
silence.
The lawyer slid the documents across the desk. I looked down with no regard. I choked
on my spit.
A marriage contract.
“This had to be some sick joke”
The lawyer shifted uncomfortably but Philip remained confident.
“A solution.” He said.
I laughed in disbelief “You have lost your mind.”
“No.”
Philip walked towards the table.
“Your parents left behind things they didn’t understand the danger of which has drawn
the attention of some very dangerous people.”
“I can’t believe a word that comes out of that mouth of yours.”
“You don’t have to,” he was looking at me dead in the eye.
He stood close to me, I felt nervous. I noticed the faint scar near his collarbone and
smelled his perfume.
Philip’s voice remained steady.
“Hate me or not, marrying me is currently the safest option”
“Safe from who?” His eyes softened, he could see how clueless I was.
“Answer me.”
“You’re asking questions your parents died asking.” The room went silent. I felt the air
get too heavy to breathe.
“You don’t get to talk about them like that.” I snapped
I pushed the papers aggressively back across the desk.
“I would rather die than marry you.”
He shrugged his shoulders, what I said got to him but it was just for a second, his cold
expression returned.
“You may not have a choice.”
Before I could say more, the office doors suddenly burst open. It was one of Philip’s
security men came in.
“Sir.”
We all turned.
“What? Why did you barge in like that?” Philip asked.
The guard was clearly nervous.
“There’s been a breach at Miss Smith’s residence.”
That statement caught me off guard.
“What’s he saying?”
“Sir, It seems that someone broke into her home and they must have been searching for
something specific because valuables were untouched.”
“Someone better explain what the heck is going on here”I asked.
I finally realized what Philip may have been trying to tell me. Still it seemed like a stretch.
But that feeling didn’t shake off that I could be much closer to danger than I imagined.