Chapter 1: The Proposal
"Miss Li, my grandmother wants see you get married by to the end of this month."
Alexander Chen's voice was cold, his dark eyes fixed on me like a predator staring at its prey.
I gripped my coffee cup, forcing myself not to tremble under his gaze. This was ridiculous. Absolute ridiculous.
Three hours ago, I was sitting in my tiny apartment, stressed about rent. Now I was sitting in the most expensive restaurant in the city, being proposed to by the most powerful man in Asia.
"Mr. Chen," I said, keeping my voice steady. "I think there's been a misunderstanding. I'm not looking for—"
"Three million." He slid a black card across the table. "Per year. Plus a luxury apartment in the city center."
My heart stopped.
"Wh-what?"
"One year contract," he continued, as if he was discussing a business deal. "You play the role of my wife. I take care of your family's problems. End of contract, we part ways. You walk away with ten million."
Ten million.
My mind raced. My father's gambling debt. My stepmother's threats. My younger sister's tuition fees.
I should have said no. Any sensible woman would have said no.
But when Alexander Chen looked at me with those glacier-cold eyes, I heard myself say:
"...Fine."
Chapter 2: The Contract
The contract was thicker than my university thesis.
CLAUSE 1: The "wife" must live in Mr. Chen's private residence.
CLAUSE 2: The "wife" must attend family dinners when required.
CLAUSE 3: No physical intimacy unless both parties consent.
CLAUSE 4: The contract can be terminated by either party with 30 days notice.
CLAUSE 5: Upon completion, the "wife" receives ten million RMB.
I read through the entire document twice. Then a third time.
"There's nothing about love," I murmured.
Alexander Chen looked up from his laptop. "I don't do love."
"Right." I swallowed. "Business is business."
"Exactly."
He signed his name on the bottom line. The pen scratched against the paper—sharp, decisive, final.
I picked up the pen. My hand trembled slightly.
This was insane. I was signing my life away to a stranger. A stranger who happened to be the most terrifying man in the country.
But when I thought about my father's beaten face, my sister's tearful eyes, my stepmother's cruel smile...
I signed.
"Welcome to my world, Mrs. Chen."
Chapter 3: The First Night
The mansion was bigger than my entire apartment building.
Crystal chandeliers. Marble floors. A staircase that looked like it belonged in a palace.
"Your room is on the second floor," Alexander said, not even looking at me. "Second door on the left."
"And... and you?"
He paused. "I sleep in the master bedroom. We'll maintain separate spaces."
"Oh." I tried not to feel disappointed. What was I expecting? This was a contract, not a real marriage.
"There's one more thing." He turned to face me. In the dim light, his features looked almost... soft. Almost.
"Don't fall in love with me, Emma Li." His voice dropped. "I don't do emotions. And I definitely don't do love."
My heart hammered in my chest.
"Same here," I replied, lifting my chin. "Don't worry, Mr. Chen. This is just business."
For a moment, something flickered in his eyes. Surprise? Respect?
"Good." He turned away. "Dinner is at seven. My grandmother is visiting tomorrow. Try to act like you know how to be a wife."
The door closed behind him.
I stood alone in the massive room, looking at my reflection in the mirror.
This is just business, I told myself.
But as I unpacked my small suitcase, I couldn't shake the feeling that nothing would ever be the same again.