Emily’s POV

I had just finished a late evening meeting with my financial team. During the ride home, my mind was unsettled, occupied with numbers, and ways to be between Oxford and solidify Davis Enterprises As I walked through the door, I barely had time to put my briefcase down before I heard his voice.

"Emily!" He shouted as he came down the stairs.

"What now" I asked, my voice firm, with every part of me preparing for another argument with Oxford.

I knew this argument was inevitable. It had been building for days. The tension between I and Oxford was becoming more with each passing moment. And of course, it had to happen when I least expected it.

"You were snooping in my office last night again weren't you?" His face was stern, and the tension in his eyes sent a chill down my spine. His voice portrayed anger, yet his face was calm. He had become so good at hiding his emotions, something he couldn't do in his school.

"I don't owe you an explanation," I said in defense. "It's my right to know what you're up to."

He faked a smile. " Is that so? I didn't realize you were so desperate to uncover my secrets".

"Desperate?" I said, my voice filled with disdain.

"I'm not the one who's been trying to make sure I fail at every turn since we were kids" I stepped closer.

"Stop bringing back when we were kids Emily. Maybe you're just not as good as you think you are" he said, taking a step closer to me. His eyes looking into mine.

We were too close, and it gave me chills. But I wouldn't show it. Not now.

"You think I'm a failure?" I said, trying to remain calm. "You have no idea who you're dealing with. I will outsmart you every step of the way."

"From what I can remember in high school, yes you are "He laughed slightly, " You think you can outsmart me, well we'll just have to see about that."

I clenched my fists, but I couldn't hold it anymore.

"You think you know everything Oxford, and you've always thought that way since high school, but you don't. I'm not going to let you take this from me. You'd never have Davis Enterprises, no matter how many deals to break or how many tactics you use."

"You're just like your father, " he whispered.

That was where I drew the line. No one gets to talk to my father like that.

"Don't you dare talk about my father" I shouted. My heart was pounding. "You have no idea what it's like to have him constantly tell you you're not enough, to constantly tell you you'd never be good enough. You don't know anything about me."

He looked at me, his expression showed pity. It was brief, but it was there and it caught me off guard. For the first time since I knew Oxford, I saw a crack in the armor he wore so well. But before I could process it, he turned it into his usual show of arrogance.

"I know exactly what it's like to be constantly compared to someone you can never measure up to," he said, his voice cold. "But you wouldn't understand that, would you?"

I paused, amused at his words. I tried to say something, but I couldn't. For a moment, I just stood there, unsure of how to respond or react.

"What happened to your mother, Oxford?" I asked, my voice softer. Oxford’s expression softened for a brief moment, at the mention of her and immediately went firm. I regretted it. I know we were rivals, but it wasn't my place to bring up personal matters.

But instead of getting angry, Oxford just looked away.

"I don't want to talk about it. Never ask about it ever again, it's not in your place" he said. "Never bring it up again. "

His words caused a moment of silence between us. But I had a feeling I had uncovered something, something beneath the strong appearance he had carefully built over the years.

For a moment, the battle between us felt smaller, more personal. There was more to Oxford Williams than the tough guy everyone knew, and that was something I had just realized.

*********

Later that night, we attended yet another Gala, another social event where we had to play the role of the perfect couple like nothing had changed. The hall had light everywhere, some even reflecting off my gown and I felt like I wasn't supposed to be there. Besides me, Oxford moved like the man he was. As arrogant as ever.

We were expected to smile, pose for pictures and play our roles to perfection, but all I could think about was the argument we had earlier. I couldn't believe that there was more to him than just the ruthless business, there was more to the man I had spent my entire life fighting against. My heart raced, replaying our words over again. What did he mean when he compared me to my father? What was he trying to say?

As we mingled with other elites in the room, I could feel Oxford's eyes on me. It was obvious there was a reason, it was brief, but it was there. I couldn't help but wonder if he watched me differently than how he'd looked at me in high school.

I couldn't let myself get distracted. Not now when the stakes are so high.

But despite my efforts to ignore it, I still couldn't help but wonder.

**********

The night continued, conversations filled the air with empty pleasantries feeling more like a performance than a celebration. Oxford and I spoke only when necessary, exchanging polite words. But as the night drew closer, something unexpected happened.

We were walking toward the exit when I felt my phone buzz. I looked at the screen and saw a text from an unknown number.

"If you want to beat Oxford, meet me tomorrow. I have information that could change everything."

I paused, my heart skipped a beat. Who was this? What did they know?

Oxford already stepped out, but I couldn't. The words of the text echoed in my head.

Could this be the break I was waiting for? A way to finally get ahead of Oxford, to turn the tables on him for once?

Oxford might think he had the upper hand, but I wasn't about to let him just keep it.

I would play his game, but I would play on my terms.

And for the first time since we signed this ridiculous contract, I wasn't sure if I was winning or losing anymore.

But I would find out soon enough.