Bryan's POV
I closed the conference room door and walked straight to my office. My phone was already ringing again. Of course, my father never gives up.
I sat at my desk and answered.
"What is it?"
"Don't use that tone with me," my father said as soon as I asked him.
"I've arranged three dinners for you this week. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, respectively. The people involved are all daughters of very successful families, and you have to attend. You must."
I rubbed my temple as I replied.
"I'm busy."
"You're always busy," he said.
"That's not an excuse anymore. You have three months, Bryan. Three months to find a wife, or you lose the company. I'm not negotiating." He added.
"I know the terms."
"Then act like it," he snapped. "The first dinner is on Monday at seven. I'll send you the details."
He hung up before I could respond. I threw my phone on the desk and leaned back in my chair. My father was back at it. Why would I have dinner and pick a wife from people I barely know anything about?
I looked at the conference room door, and Alice was still in there, waiting, and then it hit me.
Alice needed protection, and I needed a wife. She had evidence against Sterling & Cross, and I needed that evidence to destroy them. Everything was perfect, and I have a very great reason to be with her.
We could have a contract marriage, as it will be beneficial for both of us.
I stood up and walked back to the conference room. She was sitting exactly where I left her, and I could see that her hands were folded on the table, which totally showed her nervousness.
"Sorry about that," I said as I closed the door behind me.
"It's fine," she said quietly. "Can I go now?"
"Not yet," I said as I sat down across from her.
"I told you I have a proposition."
She looked at me. "I'm listening."
I leaned forward. "My father is forcing me to get married, and I have three months to find a wife, or I lose control of this company."
Her eyes widened slightly. "That's… harsh."
"That's my father. But here's the thing: I don't want to marry some random woman who only cares about my money. And you, you need protection from Sterling & Cross."
She frowned. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying we can help each other. We could have a contract marriage for six months where you get legal protection as my wife, and I get to satisfy my father's demands."
She stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
"You want me to marry you?"
"On paper, yes. It would be a business arrangement and nothing more."
"That's insane," she said as she stood up quickly. "I'm not marrying you. I don't even know you."
"You know enough," I said calmly.
"You know I can protect you, and you know Sterling & Cross won't touch you if you're my wife. And you know you need help."
She shook her head.
"There has to be another way."
"There isn't," I said. "Not one that guarantees your safety."
She walked to the window, looking out at the city below.
"What would you want in return?"
"The evidence. Everything you have on Sterling & Cross. I want to destroy them, and you want the same thing."
She turned to look at me. "And after six months?"
"We get divorced quietly. You walk away with enough money to start over anywhere you want, and I get my company."
She crossed her arms. "This is crazy."
"Maybe," I said. "But it's also your best option."
She was quiet for a long time, and I could see her mind working. After what seemed like an eternity, when I had even thought her answer would be positive, she said, "I need time to think."
"You have forty-eight hours. After that, the offer expires."
She nodded slowly. "Fine."
"Good." I stood up and walked to the door. "Oh, and Alice?"
She looked at me.
"You're hired officially. You start on Monday as my executive assistant. Whether you accept the marriage proposal or not."
Her mouth opened slightly. "You're serious?"
"I don't joke about business. See you Monday, Miss Reynolds." I said and left the room before she could respond.
Back in my office, I sat down and pulled out my phone to text Antonio.
"Need to see you. Now."
He showed up ten minutes later. He closed the door behind him and sat down.
"What's going on?" He asked.
"I offered Alice a job."
He raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"
"No, I also offered her a contract marriage."
Antonio's eyes went wide. "You what?"
"You heard me."
"Are you out of your mind?" he said. He stood up, pacing. "Bryan, you don't even know this woman. She could be working for Sterling & Cross. She could be setting you up."
"She's not."
"How do you know?" he demanded.
"Because I've seen her. She's scared and really desperate, and that's not someone working for them."
Antonio stopped pacing. He looked at me.
"This is about revenge, isn't it? You want her evidence so you can take down Sterling & Cross."
"Yes." And what's wrong with that?"
"What's wrong is you're using her," Antonio said. "You're manipulating a vulnerable woman for your own gain."
"I'm helping her," I said, but my voice was cold. "She gets protection, money, and security. In exchange, she helps me. It's fair."
Antonio shook his head.
"You're lying to yourself if you think this is just business."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"It means you slept with her, Bryan," he said.
"You can't separate that from this. Whether you admit it or not, there's something between you two."
"There's nothing. It was one night and a mistake."
"Keep telling yourself that," Antonio said, and he walked to the door. "But when this blows up in your face, don't say I didn't warn you."
I sat there alone, staring at the closed door, and later picked up my phone to call my assistant. "Clear my schedule for Monday evening. I have a dinner to cancel."
"Yes, sir," she said.
I hung up and looked at the contract I'd drafted earlier, and all I needed now was for Alice to sign it.
I had a feeling she would, because people like Alice, people who were desperate and scared, always chose survival. That was what I was offering, and I just hoped she was smart enough to take it.