Ugly Bride, Ruthless Groom: The Ultimate Power Couple

Inside the folder, Caitlin pieced together the Harris family tree. Shawn's grandfather, Harold Harris, had married twice.

His first wife died young, soon after giving birth to two sons. That same year, Harold remarried and later had a third son and a daughter with his second wife.

Tragedy struck fifteen years ago when the eldest son from the first marriage died during a risky business trip abroad. That eldest son was Shawn's father. The spotlight faded from Shawn after that. Sickly and disabled, people whispered that he wouldn't make it past twenty-eight. Within the family, he was all but written off.

The battle for inheritance had only grown uglier as each ambitious member tried to claim the top spot. From the reports, Harold's younger grandsons all seemed stronger contenders than Shawn.

Yet, the morning's ambush outside Aleginia proved Shawn was far tougher than anyone believed. He'd held his own—hardly the helpless invalid described in the file.

"Miss White." Aydan's assistant, Liam Davis, broke the silence. "Garrett Harris—Harold's third grandson—has supported White Group for years. We expect you to cooperate with him once you're part of the Harris family."

Caitlin snapped the file shut. "Everyone's already scrambling for alliances? Dad, maybe pick your side a little more carefully, or you'll wind up with nothing."

Aydan snapped, "Watch your mouth. I'm warning you—cross Garrett and you're finished."

Caitlin's smirk told him exactly how much that threat mattered.

He started to say more, but something in her steady look made him pause.

For just a moment, the daughter from nowhere had a presence that rattled even him.

Meanwhile, on the third floor of the Harris family residence...

"Mr. Harris, everyone who spotted you in the parking lot earlier has been dealt with. No one's going to blow your cover," Maverick Price said.

Shawn reclined in his wheelchair, dressed in black, looking far removed from the violence of the day. He toyed with a necklace—a hexagram ruby, flawlessly cut—that had belonged to the woman who saved him.

The ruby pendant had been shaped into a six-pointed star, the stone clear and bright, the work on it unlike anything he had seen.

Besides, after he took the pill she gave him, his health actually improved. The necklace and the pill—these two items made Shawn realize the woman was not ordinary.

"There are still witnesses in Aleginia," Shawn said quietly.

Maverick blinked, and then nodded. "I'll track down every last one, sir. Nothing will lead back to you."

Without a word, Shawn placed the necklace in Maverick's hand. "Find out who owned this."

"Yes, sir." Maverick hesitated. "If we track her down, do you want her gone? She's a loose end."

Shawn rolled the ring on his finger, replaying the image of the woman's teasing stare. His voice didn't waver. "Find her and bring her here. I'll handle the rest."

"Understood." Maverick then continued, "The White family should be arriving with your new bride any minute. What's the plan?"

Shawn shrugged. "Give her a once-over. Just make sure she survives her first day under my roof."

"Got it." Maverick nodded and left.

Meanwhile, outside the Harris family residence, the White family's car pulled up.

Aydan stepped out to a warm greeting from the butler. "Welcome, Mr. White. Ma'am, this way please."

Inside, Betsy Harris appeared, extending a hand in welcome. "Mr. White, it's nice to see you."

Aydan beamed, spotting Betsy. "Miss Harris, you didn't have to meet us at the door."

Betsy's eyes flicked over to Caitlin. So this was the White family's offering? Not what they'd expected. Clearly, the White family had sent a stand-in, but in Betsy's mind, someone like this unattractive woman was a perfect fit for her cousin Shawn.

Betsy's smile never faltered. "So this is Emma? She looks nothing like the photographs. Quite a surprise, isn't it?"

Aydan nudged Caitlin forward, voice booming. "This is my eldest, my pride and joy! As long as it's a White daughter, that's good enough for the marriage, right?"

How shameless. Betsy almost rolled her eyes at him. Even so, she had no intention of calling him out. "Of course, Mr. White. We'll look after her from here."

Aydan grinned in relief, and then shot Caitlin a sharp glance, murmuring through clenched teeth, "Do not screw this up. One mistake and you're finished."

Unbothered, Caitlin met his glare with a look of pure boredom before facing Betsy. "Which room is mine?"

"Show her to her quarters," Betsy instructed the butler.

As Caitlin and the butler made their way upstairs, Nikolas Harris stepped out, watching her leave. "Seriously? That's who the Whites sent over? I thought Shawn was getting someone stunning."

Betsy's lips curled in amusement. "Oh, Nik, don't be rude. She's just new here."

Nikolas sneered, "I can't wait to watch her make a fool of herself in front of everyone at the dinner tomorrow."