y

ally wanted to say. My eyes danced with amusement; I didn't even bother to hide it. She was

I wanted it back. I own this hotel, after all. Nothing goes missing here; no one has ever complained that they forgot something her

asn't abou

essure. Pushing buttons, her pride, her fear, her limits. Maybe that make

now, I'm the o

need a

a

y company to a whole new level. But along with that opportunity

, dragged through the mud, and for a while, it felt like the entire business world had turned its back on me. By the time I discovered it was all orchestrated by a

stuck: the image. The playboy reputation. The rumors, the women, the nightlife. They've clung to m

he numbers, but boardrooms are full of traditionalists, people who still believe that a ma

siness is on the line. This contract could change eve

A well-timed, well-behaved, perfectly ordinary wife. Someone who looks t

standing between me and everyt

et it o

attan's most beautiful women, socialites, influencers, models, and heiresses. I've slept wit

exactly t

rand emotional payoff. I'm not interested in any of that. Never have been. Love? It's a nice word people use to mask need, obsession,

ced I felt the same, just because I know how to touch a woman like she matters. I appreciate the female bo

ngs me ba

e. It's control. Agre

per and money, not promises and emotion. Someone who won't

she might

t meant to eavesdrop, but her voice carried, and I'm always listening. Some

ing by, they all need money. But this

can use to corner her: desperati

what y

ays get w

yes moments before now completely gone. Her tone had shifted, calmer and more reserved. There was a quiet dignity in her

rf

as about

, watching her every reaction. "You need money, and I'm in a position to help.

ly, her brows knitting, b

ed with quiet firmness, no hint of f

ne of the many I kept for moments

I said smoothly. "Regardl

er eyes. "What

one handed out help without a reason. Nothing is ever t

lly. "A marriage of convenience. No strings. Just

, not quite surprised

eally looked at h

emand attention but held it anyway. Her skin was smooth and warm-toned, glowing even beneath the harsh yellow lighting of th

th a stillness that felt unnatural for someone so young. She didn't blink ofte

her look unintentionally elegant. There was no trace of luxury on her, no jewelry, no perfume, no ma

hat much was clear. And

rf

s if trying to decide whether I

rely above a whisper. The word hung in t

t her fingers tightened slightly around the hem of her apron. She was thinki

said finally, though her vo

eplied smoothly. "Just your signatur

t silence. Her eyes flicked away, toward the floor, then the ceiling, then the w

herself. "He needs surgery. They said, if

t need to. The silence

ying to gather a fraction of what we need. And it's still not enough." She swallowed, her

he world this is real, short enough not to trap either of us. You'll play the role of the loving, devoted wife in publi

usly. Not just a one-time fee. You'll receive a full settlement once the agreement is fulfilled, and

le closer, watch

creating. You do you; I do me. We live under the same roof, but we're not expected t

eadable, but I could tell she wa

e him to a private, state-of-the-art hospital. Get him the best surgeon available. After that, I'll arrange for a prop

ducation, if you want it. You'll live life with freedom, but a curated kind of freedom. I won't control you, but you will

fairy tale. It's a transaction. But it's a transaction tha

appy laugh; it was short, brit

red. "From cleaning your sh

gain, and this time, they we

t thinking. You think because I wear this uniform, yo

iet, lettin

ged. The fire dimmed,

," she whispered.

ands, pale against the d

s in the