Alpha's Secret Bride

Back home, she had imagined an automobile company as a noisy warehouse filled with grease and tools.

This felt nothing like that.

It felt like stepping into the future.

For the first time since arriving in Dublin, she could picture herself working somewhere she would actually enjoy.

Then she remembered why she had left everything behind.

She hadn’t come to Dublin to chase another glamorous life. She had come to disappear, to heal, and to live quietly.

Over the next week, Gregory brought up the same conversation every chance he got.

"I still think you’re the right person for the job."

He looked at her for a moment before asking, "So... what’s your decision?"

"I already told you no."

"Then I’ll ask again tomorrow."

"You never give up, do you?"

He smiled. "Not when I know I’m right."

By the end of the week, Scarlet finally gave in.

"Fine," she said with a small sigh. "I’ll accept the position."

"I knew you would."

"But don’t misunderstand me." She looked him in the eye. "This is just a job."

Gregory nodded. "That’s exactly what I’m offering."

Scarlet believed him.

She knew where the line was, and she had no intention of crossing it. After everything that had happened to her family, she couldn’t imagine opening her heart to another man, no matter how kind he was.

She also needed the job.

The rent on her apartment wasn’t going to wait, and neither were her bills. Gregory’s offer was better than anything else she had been given, and turning it down no longer made sense.

She called Gregory and told him she had decided to accept the job.

"Talk to the house administrator," he said. "He’ll handle everything."

He gave her the administrator’s contact information. She scheduled an appointment and drove to Gregory’s residence.

It was Friday at noon.

Gregory was still at work when she arrived. One of the security guards greeted her at the gate and escorted her to the administrative chamber in the basement.

The chamber looked more like a security control center than an administrative one. Computers lined the walls, their screens glowing with camera feeds and security reports. Communication devices and monitoring equipment filled every available space.

The administrator pointed to a chair.

"Please, have a seat."

She sat down.

"I’m Joe," he said, offering a polite smile before opening a file. "I’ll be handling your employment paperwork."

He asked her one question after another, and she answered each one calmly. She submitted her CV along with her medical test results, including an HIV test, genotype, and blood group as requested.

A sharp knock suddenly echoed through the chamber.

Scarlet froze.

Joe frowned and looked toward the door.

"Come in," he called.

The door swung open, and Eira walked in. Without sparing Scarlet a glance, she set a device on Joe’s desk.

"I was told you needed this."

Joe thanked her, but she had already turned and walked out.

She watched the door close behind her.

She didn’t have to hear Eira say a word to know she wasn’t happy. Tightening her fingers in her lap, She silently promised herself that, somehow, she would make Eira see the truth. She wasn’t after Gregory, and she never would be.

Joe picked up the device, checked a message that had just come in from Gregory, then set it aside.

He slid a contract across the desk.

"Take your time," he said. "Read everything first. When you’re satisfied, sign where I’ve marked."

Scarlet read every page without rushing. When she reached the last page, she picked up the pen and signed each line Joe had indicated.

"When I say seven, I mean seven sharp. You’re free to leave whenever your work is done, as long as it’s afternoon," Joe said.

"Thank you."

"Wait in the living chamber for now. Eira will show you around."

The moment he mentioned Eira’s name, Scarlet’s heart gave a small jolt. She pushed the feeling aside. She wasn’t here to chase Gregory or compete with anyone. A woman with a past like hers wasn’t the type a man like Gregory would ever look at that way.

"Excuse me, sir... is there another person who can show me around?" she asked.

Joe looked up at her.

"Eira is the interior administrator. Showing new staff around is part of her job."

"All right."

Scarlet stepped outside and quietly closed the door behind her. She rested one hand on the doorknob and stood there for a moment, gathering herself.

Then she let out a slow breath, straightened her shoulders, and stepped into the hallway. Without thinking, she wandered through the mansion until she reached the main cookhouse. She wasn’t even sure how she’d gotten there.

The sound of running water filled the chamber.

Eira stood at a large sink, washing a stack of plates. She looked up the moment Scarlet walked in. Their eyes met for a second before Eira went back to scrubbing.

Scarlet took a few steps inside and stopped.

"You’re in the wrong place," Eira said without looking at her. "This isn’t where you’re supposed to be."

She caught the edge in her voice but kept her smile.

"Would you mind if I gave you a hand?"

She reached for one of the plates beside the sink.

Eira didn’t answer.

Scarlet waited a moment. When no objection came, she picked up a sponge, turned on the faucet, and quietly began washing the dishes beside her. She wondered why Eira wasn’t using the dishwasher.

"You should’ve left when I told you to."

Before Scarlet could respond, Eira grabbed the front of her shirt and slapped her hard across the face.

The sharp sting spread through Scarlet’s cheek, but she didn’t raise a hand. She took one slow step forward instead and looked Eira in the eye.

"Why are you doing this?" her voice is quieter than before.

"I’m here to work, not to fight," she said.

For a moment, Eira just stared at her. She had expected Scarlet to slap her back or at least argue. The calm response caught her off guard.

Silence settled between them.

Scarlet glanced around the cookhouse, her eyes moving from the sink to the stacks of dishes. She blamed herself for not waiting in the living chamber as the administrator had instructed.

"Are you the only one doing all this?" she asked. "The last time I came here, I saw three other domestic workers. Where are they?"

Eira frowned but answered anyway.

"I’m the only full-time domestic worker," she replied. "The others leave after work." She narrowed her eyes. "Is that why you came back?"

"No."

"Then why are you here?"

"I wanted to apologize for not listening to you. I couldn’t find an apartment I could afford, so I had to go back to my old place."

"You really have to work here?"

"I need the money." Scarlet lowered her eyes for a moment before looking back at Eira. "I have to take care of myself and pay my rent every week. Gregory is the only one who offered me a job with decent pay. I know you’re unhappy about it, and I wanted to..."

The plate in Eira’s hand slipped into the sink with a loud clatter.

"Who said I’m unhappy?" she snapped, planting both hands on her hips.

Scarlet met her gaze without flinching.

"Some people know how to hide what they’re feeling." A faint smile touched her lips. "Trust me, Eira, you’re not one of them. It’s written all over your face. You don’t want me working here."

"You want to know why?"

Scarlet gave a small shake of her head.

"Greg is a good man," Eira said. "People who don’t know him think he’s arrogant, but they don’t know who he really is. He doesn’t need a woman like you around him."

Her voice tightened.

"I wish he’d look past that fake smile... that fake beauty... and..." She stopped, her words catching in her throat.

"Eira, we’re just moonallies."

Eira let out a bitter laugh.

"You’re a terrible liar. I know exactly what you’re doing, and it makes me sick. I wish Gregory would see through you." She folded her arms across her chest. "But I trust him. Sooner or later, he’ll see who you really are."

Scarlet held her gaze.

"Eira, he already knows who I am, and he doesn’t care because we’re not dating."

"Oh, I know your type." Eira took another step closer. "Plenty of women have tried the same thing. He gives them attention. He buys them gifts. He takes them on trips around the world." She paused, her lips curling into a smug smile. "But he never takes them to his bed. Not one of them has been worthy of that. But you’re exactly the type to seduce a man and lure him into your bed."

Scarlet didn’t argue.

"I’m waiting for you in the living chamber."

Eira frowned.

"Why?"

"I thought you were supposed to show me around."

Scarlet reached for the hand towel hanging neatly on the rack. She dried her hands, returned the towel to its place, and walked out of the cookhouse.

The moment she stepped into the living chamber, she stopped.

Gregory was already there.

He looked up from the couch and smiled.

"Come on. Let me show you around."

Scarlet had no idea when he got back.

She had barely taken a step when Gregory reached for her hand. His smile faded.

He gently turned her face toward the light.

"What happened to your face?" His brows drew together. "Did you get into a fight?"

Scarlet instinctively pulled back.

"It’s nothing. I... I..."

His eyes stayed on the red mark on her cheek.

"Did Eira do this to you?"

Scarlet parted her lips, but no words came out.

Gregory’s jaw tightened.

"Eira!"

His voice echoed through the mansion.

"Come here. Now."

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