Catherine Blackwood did not do "third wheel."

And she certainly didn't accept second place.

Not in business.

Not in competition.

And sure as hell not in this.

The water lapped at her thighs as she stood there, watching Victoria press herself against Alex with that easy, natural possessiveness that spoke of ownership, of history, of being first.

And the worst part?

Catherine could outlast Victoria.

Physically, at least.

She was an enhanced being... modifications coursing through her veins that made her stronger, faster, more resilient than any baseline human had a right to be.

Her stamina wasn't just superior; it was supernatural.

She could fight Alex to the very end, match his inhuman endurance with her own enhanced physiology, take everything he could give and beg for more while Victoria collapsed from exhaustion.

Could be the one woman who truly matched him in raw physical capability.

But what did any of that matter if Alex still looked at Victoria with that possessive hunger?

If he still considered Victoria his real partner while Catherine was just... the exciting novelty?

She desperately needed some leverage.

Something that would shift the entire dynamic of what was forming between the three of them.

Something that would make Alex look at her not just with lust, but with awe.

With gratitude.

With the recognition that she was essential to his empire, not just a participant in it.

Catherine's mind raced, cycling through possibilities, discarding options as quickly as they formed.

Nothing felt right.

Nothing felt powerful enough to...

Then Alex's voice echoed in her mind.

His words from earlier, when he'd been buried inside her, when he'd painted that deliciously dark fantasy.

"What happens when your precious niece sees you like this? When she walks in and finds her dignified Aunt Catherine spread open for the man she discarded like trash?"

The memory sent electricity racing down Catherine's spine.

The way he'd said it.

The hunger in his voice.

The way those words had made her wetter than anything else, made her clench around him, made her come harder than she'd thought possible.

An evil smile began to curve at the corners of her mouth.

Because if Alex enjoyed the idea of fucking Catherine in front of Sophia so much...

If he got that hard, that intense, that feral at the thought of humiliating his ex-girlfriend...

She could give him that.

And what would he do if Catherine delivered something even better?

Not just her aunt being fucked.

But her aunt and her mother.

Both of them.

Together.

For the same man Sophia had discarded.

The thought crystallized with perfect, devastating clarity.

Catherine's gaze locked onto Victoria, still pressed against Alex, still claiming him with her body and her touch.

And Catherine's smile turned absolutely wicked.

Evil.

Calculating.

Because this wouldn't just be about giving Alex what he wanted.

This would make Catherine irreplaceable.

The image flooded Catherine's mind with intoxicating clarity.

Sophia arriving at the estate, looking for her aunt.

Finding both of them.

With Alex.

Watching as her dignified Aunt Catherine... the woman she admired, looked up to... was bent over and taken like an animal.

Watching as her elegant mother Victoria... always so composed, so perfect... screamed Alex's name while he fucked her into oblivion.

Both of them competing for him.

Both of them desperate for him.

Both of them proving that Sophia had made the worst mistake of her life.

The psychological devastation would be exquisite.

And Sophia...

Sophia would learn exactly what happened when you underestimated people.

Catherine's smile widened, sharp and predatory.

Let Victoria have her moment of easy intimacy with Alex.

Let them think Catherine was content being the exciting addition to their dynamic.

Because Catherine was playing a longer game now.

A smarter game.

She looked at Victoria... still wrapped around Alex, still claiming him... and felt no jealousy anymore.

Only cold, calculating satisfaction.

Because when Sophia walked through those doors...

Everything would change.

The power dynamic would shift.

And Catherine Blackwood would prove exactly why she'd dominated every boardroom, every negotiation, every competition she'd ever entered.

Victoria noticed immediately. "What?"

"Nothing," Catherine said, too quickly. "Just... thinking."

"About?"

"About how much fun this is going to be," Catherine replied, but there was something else in her voice now.

Something calculating.

Something dark.

She glanced at Alex, then back to Victoria, and made her decision.

"Actually, I need to step away for a moment. Make a quick call."

Victoria's eyes narrowed. "A call? Now?"

"Won't take long," Catherine assured, already moving toward the pool steps. "Just... something I need to arrange."

"And trust me," Catherine said, wrapping a towel around herself. "You're both going to thank me for this."

She walked inside without looking back, that wicked smile still playing at her lips.

***

The moment Catherine disappeared inside, Victoria turned to Alex.

Her expression shifted.

The playful seductress melted away, replaced by something more genuine.

More vulnerable.

"Alex."

He turned to face her fully.

Victoria moved closer, until she was right in front of him, and her hand came up to cup his face.

"Congratulations," she said softly.

Alex blinked. "For what?"

"Your first conquest." Victoria's smile was warm now, proud. "Your first step toward building something real."

Understanding dawned.

"I was so anxious," Victoria admitted, and Alex could hear the truth of it in her voice. "All this time, wondering if this would work. If Catherine would refuse, if she'd be disgusted, if we'd miscalculated..."

She let out a breath.

"But you did it. You didn't just seduce her... you made her yours. In one meeting."

Her eyes searched his face.

"And from the way she's acting? This definitely isn't a one-time thing. She's hooked."

Alex felt something warm spread through his chest at Victoria's words.

Pride.

Accomplishment.

But also something deeper... gratitude that Victoria understood what this meant, what they were building together.

"I couldn't have done it without you," Alex said honestly. "You set everything up perfectly. Made her jealous, made her competitive..."

"We make a good team," Victoria agreed.

Then she leaned in and kissed him.

Not the performative kiss from earlier, meant to make Catherine jealous.

This was different.

Deep.

Real.

Her tongue slid against his, possessive and claiming, and her hands tangled in his wet hair.

When she pulled back, both were breathing harder.

"No matter how many others join us, no matter who else you claim... you're still mine first."

"Always," Alex confirmed.

Victoria's smile was radiant.

Then she glanced toward the house where Catherine had disappeared.

"Although... I am curious what she's planning."

"Should we be worried?"

"No," Victoria said calmly. "I know her far better than you realize. She's just a little irritated right now."

A faint smile touched her lips.

"But whatever she's planning…"

Her eyes glinted.

"It's going to be interesting."

She turned back to him, and her expression shifted again.

Became hungry.

"But that's for later. Right now..."

Her hand trailed down his chest, lower, wrapping around him despite his earlier exhaustion.

"Right now, I want to celebrate your victory properly."

Alex groaned as she stroked him, feeling himself respond despite everything.

***

Inside the estate, Catherine moved through the silent house with purpose, her wet footsteps leaving trails on the marble floor.

She stepped inside the pool house, closed the door, and pulled out her phone.

Her reflection in the mirror caught her eye... hair disheveled, lips swollen, a faint mark on her neck.

She looked thoroughly ravaged.

Perfect.

Catherine scrolled through her contacts, her finger hovering over one name.

Sophia.

The girl had been trying to reach her for days now. Calling repeatedly, leaving increasingly frustrated messages, always being intercepted by Amanda with the same polite deflection: 'Ms. Blackwood is unavailable. Perhaps try again later.'

Catherine had been avoiding her deliberately.

Not because she didn't want to talk to Sophia... she adored her niece, truly... but because she'd been too busy with her own life, her own ambitions, her own... distractions.

But now?

Now Catherine really needed her sweet niece's help.

More than Sophia could possibly know.

She took a breath, composed her expression even though Sophia couldn't see her, and pressed call.

It rang once.

Twice.

Then a bright, excited voice answered... almost breathless with relief.

"Aunt Catherine! Oh my God, finally!"

Catherine's entire demeanor shifted instantly.

The cold strategist melted away, replaced by the warm, loving aunt Sophia knew and adored.

"Sophia, sweetheart!" Catherine's voice was pure sunshine, genuine affection threading through every word. "I'm so sorry I haven't been able to get back to you. It's been absolutely crazy with work."

"Your assistant!" Sophia huffed, and Catherine could practically see her niece pouting. "I've been trying to reach you for days, and Amanda keeps giving me the 'Ms. Blackwood is in meetings' routine. I was starting to think you were avoiding me!"

Catherine laughed, warm and indulgent. "Oh, darling, never. she is just being overprotective of my schedule. You know how she is."

"Too protective," Sophia grumbled. "I'm your niece, not some random business contact."

"You're absolutely right, and I'll talk to her about that." Catherine's smile was genuine even as her mind calculated three moves ahead. "But you have me now. What's going on, sweetheart? What's so urgent?"

"Well..." Sophia's voice took on that particular tone... the one that meant she was about to complain about Victoria. "I actually wanted to talk to you about Mom."

Of course you did.

Catherine kept her voice light, curious. "Your mother? What about her?"

"I'm actually on my way to your manor right now," Sophia said, and Catherine could hear traffic in the background.

"I need to talk to you in person. It's... it's kind of important."

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