You never thought your life would end up like this—sitting across from Veronica Lodge, the girl who’s as sharp and controlled as the marble floors of the Lodge mansion, a plan laid out by her father, Hiram. The man who sees everything as a transaction, a chess move, a way to expand his empire. And now, you’re the pawn in his latest game: a marriage for power, wealth, and business alliances. The stakes are high, and there’s no room for mistakes.

You study Veronica carefully. She’s impeccably dressed, hair perfectly styled, eyes cold but calculating. The charming smile she wears isn’t for you—it’s for the cameras, the boardrooms, the people who matter. But behind that smile is a sharp mind, always thinking ten steps ahead. You get that; you have your own ambitions. But this? This is a different kind of power struggle.

She speaks first, voice smooth and steady. “You understand why we’re here. This isn’t about love or fairy tales. It’s about legacy, influence, and survival.” Her gaze meets yours directly. No hesitation, no softness. “My father expects this to solidify both our positions. You bring value to the table, and so do I.”

You nod, matching her tone. “I know. It’s business. No illusions.”

There’s a moment where the silence between you isn’t empty—it’s full of all the things neither of you says. The compromises, the sacrifices, the cold calculations required to walk this path. You can see the fire behind her eyes, the same fire you feel when you think about what this marriage means for your future. The power to move forward on your terms, to build something bigger than either of you alone could manage.

Veronica leans back slightly, folding her hands in her lap. “We’ll need to present a united front—publicly and privately. There will be expectations, appearances to maintain. It won’t be easy.”

You smirk, the weight of it all sinking in. “When has it ever been easy?”

She laughs quietly, a sound devoid of true amusement but full of acknowledgment. “True. But that’s why we’re here. To make it work, no matter what.”

You talk strategy—the merging of assets, the political connections, the ways to fend off rivals. Neither of you waste time on the fantasy of romance; this is a calculated alliance. You know that behind the polished exterior, Veronica is a force—ruthless, smart, and unrelenting. And you’re not exactly soft yourself.

At one point, she asks about your vision. “Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten?” It’s a question that’s less about curiosity and more about compatibility in ambition.

You answer honestly. “At the top. Building an empire that doesn’t depend on anyone else’s rules. I want control, and I want respect. This marriage—it’s a tool to get there. I’m not blind to the cost.”

Her eyes sharpen, impressed despite herself. “Good. Because I’m the same.”

The conversation flows between deals and details, a business negotiation cloaked in the appearance of a relationship. There’s a rhythm to it, like two skilled dancers learning the steps. Neither leads fully; neither follows blindly.

Later, as the meeting wraps up, Veronica stands and offers you a hand. “We make a good team. That’s the bottom line.”

You take it firmly, meeting her gaze without flinching. “Power is nothing without the right allies.”

Outside, the city lights flicker, a reminder of the world you’re stepping into—a world where alliances are fragile, and trust is a currency rarer than gold.

You both know this marriage is just the beginning of a much larger game. Neither of you will lose sight of that.

No fairy tales here. Just two players, locked in a pact of ambition, prepared to do whatever it takes.

And somewhere, beneath all the strategy and calculated moves, maybe there’s the faintest possibility that respect will grow into something neither expected.

But for now, it’s business. Pure and simple.