Author: [writers hub]
The air in the private meeting room was thick with unspoken tension, far heavier than the opulent silence of the ballroom outside. Zara's heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drum against her silken gown. Mina Song, the woman who had delivered venomous threats and reveled in Zara's humiliation, stood by the panoramic window, her back to them, her silhouette a picture of elegant composure. Her presence here, after Ragnar's decimation of the Kim Conglomerate, was an icy paradox.
Ragnar's hand, still on Zara's lower back, subtly tightened. He didn't acknowledge Mina immediately. Instead, he simply led Zara further into the room, past the polished conference table, positioning himself strategically, as always.
Mina slowly turned, her face a mask of serene beauty. Her eyes, however, held a cold, sharp intelligence that belied her calm demeanor. They swept over Zara, a flicker of surprise—or perhaps, grudging acknowledgment—at Zara's continued presence and composure. Then, her gaze settled on Ragnar.
"Ragnar," Mina greeted, her voice a low, melodious purr, completely devoid of the sharp edge she'd used on Zara moments before. "Thank you for seeing me so... promptly."
Ragnar offered no smile, no pleasantries. "Mina. Your family is in a precarious position. I doubt you're here to offer congratulations." His tone was flat, direct, cutting through any pretense.
Mina's lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smirk. "Ever the strategist, aren't you, my dear Ragnar? You've cut off my connections, isolated my family, left me with... limited options." Her eyes, however, held no fear, only a chilling calculation. "But even a cornered animal can still bite. Or, perhaps, offer a surprising alliance."
Zara felt a shiver run down her spine. An alliance? Mina Song, allied with Ragnar? The thought was unsettling.
"An alliance?" Ragnar echoed, his voice devoid of interest. "What could you possibly offer me now, Mina? Your family's influence is eroding daily. Your father's reputation is in tatters."
Mina's gaze darted to Zara, a brief, sharp assessment, before returning to Ragnar. "My family's disgrace is temporary. We have deep roots, Ragnar. But more importantly, I have information. Information you will find... highly valuable." Her voice dropped, becoming a low, conspiratorial whisper. "Information about the trueorchestrators of the attack on Project Ares. Bondi was merely a pawn, a useful idiot. There are others. Higher up. And they are still moving against you."
Ragnar's eyes, which had been impassive, narrowed instantly. His attention, Zara noted, was now fully on Mina. The mention of "true orchestrators" had clearly struck a nerve.
"Who?" Ragnar demanded, his voice dropping, dangerous.
Mina's smile returned, triumphant. "Ah, but that is the price of my alliance, isn't it? A partnership. My family's resources, our remaining influence, and my... unique access to certain circles. In exchange for your protection, Ragnar. And a clear path to reclaiming our standing. Perhaps even... a place beside you." Her gaze flickered to Zara, a direct challenge in their depths. The "place beside you" was clearly meant for his wife's position.
Zara felt a surge of cold dread. Mina was trying to leverage information to not only save her family but also to undermine Zara's position. She was a dangerous rival, far more cunning than Bondi.
Ragnar was silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed on Mina, assessing, calculating. He knew she was a viper, but the lure of intelligence on deeper enemies was clearly compelling.
"And Zara?" he finally asked, his voice flat. "Where does she fit into this... alliance?"
Mina's eyes, cold and dismissive, swept over Zara again. "Zara? She is... your temporary convenience, isn't she? A means to an end. Once her purpose is served, she can return to her designs. My understanding is she has no desire for the complexities of the Botermet legacy anyway." The implication was clear: Zara was disposable.
Zara clenched her fists, but before she could speak, Ragnar's grip on her back tightened, a silent warning to stay quiet.
"Zara is my wife, Mina," Ragnar stated, his voice calm, but with an underlying steel that brooked no argument. "And as such, she is privy to all discussions regarding Botermet interests. If you wish to propose an alliance, you do so with her presence. And her acceptance."
Mina's perfect composure finally fractured. Her eyes widened, a flicker of genuine shock. She hadn't expected Ragnar to defend Zara, let alone involve her in such high-stakes negotiations. Her gaze, now filled with a furious, seething resentment, locked onto Zara. "Her acceptance?" she scoffed, a venomous edge entering her voice. "What could she possibly contribute?"
"Her perspective," Ragnar interjected, his voice chillingly precise, "and her loyalty. Which, unlike some, has been proven in battle." His words were a direct, public dismissal of Mina's trustworthiness and a shocking endorsement of Zara.
Mina Song's face flushed, her emerald dress suddenly seeming to radiate cold fury. She had come to negotiate, to regain power, and Ragnar had just publicly demoted her beneath the "unwilling bride" she so despised. The air crackled with their unspoken war. The battle was no longer just for status or for business; it was personal, and Zara, the unwilling bride, was now irrevocably at its bitter center, a target for Mina's unleashed vengeance, and the unwitting pawn in Ragnar's dangerous new game to uncover his true, hidden enemies.