I Married My Archenemy to Burn Them All Down

Elsie's mind was a storm of memories—Fabian Cooper conspiring with Liana Roberts to drive her father to despair, to his tragic fall, and then forcing her and her mother out of their home. Fabian's arrogant, ruthless nature was burned into her very soul.

Her clenched fists betrayed the turmoil inside her. Her nails dug into her palms, yet she felt nothing.

"Uncle, I need to—" Fabian's voice faltered when he spotted Elsie. "Elsie? What are you doing here?"

The cold anger wrapped around Elsie melted away. Her face turned innocent, untouched by any hint of malice. Her presence made Fabian uneasy.

"So you know Miss Gomez, Fabian?" Kingsley's voice cut into Fabian's thoughts.

No. He couldn't let his uncle uncover his dealings with Liana.

"Of course I know her. She's the Gomez heiress, isn't she? Uncle, you may not keep up with society gossip, but she's notorious. Word is she's arrogant, self-centered, thinks she's above everyone else, and she's about as cunning as they come."

Kingsley nodded, as if agreeing with that last part. Elsie didn't so much as flinch. She knew those labels had been crafted by Fabian and Liana.

"What are you doing here?" Fabian demanded.

Elsie's lips curved into a faint smile. "I'm Mr. Reynolds's personal assistant now."

"What?" Fabian's disbelief was almost comical. "Uncle, is this true? How could you let a manipulative woman like her be your assistant?"

"Are you questioning my judgment?" Kingsley's tone went ice-cold. Fabian's mouth snapped shut.

"Fabian, you said you only knew of her. So why do you sound so familiar with her?" Kingsley pressed.

"I—" Fabian stammered, scrambling for words.

Elsie glanced at Kingsley. She knew he wasn't defending her. Kingsley had always played by his own rules. Even when he was wrong, he'd never admit it—especially not to someone beneath him. He was just reminding Fabian who held the power.

"What did you come to see me about?" Kingsley asked.

"I—" Fabian hesitated, his gaze sliding to Elsie.

Taking the hint, Elsie cut in. "Mr. Reynolds, I'll step out now."

She left, closing the door softly behind her.

...

Fabian was waiting for Elsie when she came out of the restroom. She'd expected this. Almost wanted it.

"Elsie, why are you cozying up to my uncle? What's your angle?" Fabian demanded, anger sharpening every word.

Elsie smiled sweetly, light and breezy as a spring morning. "Obviously, to get back at you."

The word revenge rolled off her tongue as casually as if she were discussing dinner plans. It caught Fabian off guard, though he recovered quickly.

With a derisive snort, he retorted, "Cozying up to my uncle to get back at me? Have you lost your mind? He's my uncle. What do you think you'll gain from that?"

His words only widened Elsie's smile. Slowly, she undid the top button of her shirt.

"Elsie, what are you doing? Trying to set me up? There are cameras here," Fabian warned, suspicion creeping into his voice.

Elsie calmly angled her neck, revealing the love bites there. "See these? Your uncle left them yesterday."

Fabian's eyes went wide.

Impossible.

"Who would've guessed?" Elsie chuckled, sarcasm dripping from every word. "Your uncle may seem passive, but behind closed doors? He's anything but."

In that moment, there was nothing innocent about her. Her face and her spirit seemed like two different people—as if something else had taken hold of her.

"Shut up," Fabian snapped, his anger spiking.

"Want me to show you the video? Think you can handle watching it?" Elsie taunted, stepping closer.

Fabian instinctively stepped back, as if her presence alone was suffocating him.

"And a word of advice—disrespect your elders, and trouble has a way of finding you."

With that, Elsie walked away.

"Elsie, what do you mean? Explain yourself!" Fabian's furious voice echoed behind her. She didn't bother looking back.

She wanted to provoke him. Anger made people reckless—made them sloppy. That was exactly what she needed.

Still, she wondered why Fabian had come to J.C. International today. He'd grown up under the Reynolds family's roof, always trailing after Kingsley, yet he'd never been trusted with any real responsibility at the company. Not even a junior position. His own small business was floundering, and it had recently merged with the Gomez Group, which he now co-managed with Liana.

So his visit today probably wasn't just about seeing Kingsley.

"Come in."

The deep voice cut through Elsie's thoughts. Only then did she realize she'd been standing at the elevator for who knew how long.

"Come in. I won't say it again," Kingsley's voice commanded.

Elsie turned toward the private elevator and stepped inside. When the boss called, you answered.

As the doors slid shut, Kingsley moved closer. In the cramped space, there was nowhere to retreat—not that Elsie wanted to.

"Are you in such a hurry, darling?" Elsie teased, placing a hand on Kingsley's shoulder and leaning in. Her smile was playful, flirtatious.

Kingsley caught her hand in a tight grip and pressed her back against the elevator wall. "I seem incapable, do I?"

Elsie wasn't surprised he knew about that. A company his size? There were cameras everywhere. Letting her into J.C. International was probably just his way of keeping a close eye on her.

"I said it seems that way. I never said you were incapable."

He couldn't argue with that.

Kingsley leaned in closer. "Have you forgotten our agreement?"

"I only said we've been together. I never said we got hitched. So technically, I haven't broken any promises." Her expression was innocent, though she avoided meeting his gaze directly. Kingsley's presence was overwhelming, and truth be told, he intimidated her. But her hunger for revenge burned hotter than any fear.

"Darling..." Elsie's voice softened to almost a whisper, laced with a seductive charm that caught Kingsley off guard for half a second. In that split second, Elsie leaned in and captured his lips with hers.