Emma sat stiffly in the luxurious office, her hands tightly clasped on her lap. The room was silent except for the faint ticking of a clock on the wall.
Across the desk, Alexander Knight looked completely calm, as if what he was about to propose was the most normal thing in the world.
Emma swallowed. "You asked to see me, sir?"
Alexander leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes studying her carefully.
"Yes," he said coldly. "I have a proposal for you."
Emma's heart beat faster. Something about his tone made her uneasy.
Alexander opened a folder on the table and slid a document toward her.
"Read it."
Confused, Emma picked up the paper. Her eyes scanned the bold title at the top.
Marriage Contract
Her breath caught in her throat.
"I'm sorry… what?" she whispered, looking up at him.
Alexander's expression didn't change.
"I need a wife," he said simply.
Emma blinked, certain she had heard him wrong.
"You need… what?"
"A wife," he repeated calmly. "And you are perfect for the role."
Emma almost laughed, but the seriousness in his face stopped her.
"Mr. Knight, this isn't funny."
"I'm not joking."
The silence that followed was heavy.
Emma shook her head. "Why me? Out of all the women in the world, why would you ask your employee?"
Alexander folded his hands.
"My grandfather insists I get married before the end of the year if I want to inherit the company."
Emma stared at him.
"And you think I'll just agree to marry you?"
"It will only be temporary," Alexander said. "A contract marriage. One year."
He pushed the document closer to her.
"You will be well compensated."
Emma's chest tightened as she looked at the number written on the page.
It was more money than she had ever seen in her life.
But this was insane.
"Why should I trust you?" she asked quietly.
Alexander's gaze darkened slightly.
"Because," he said, his voice low and firm,
"you don't really have another choice."
Emma frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Alexander opened another file and placed it in front of her.
Emma looked down—and her blood ran cold.
It was a report about her father's hospital bills.
Very expensive hospital bills.
Alexander watched her reaction carefully.
"I can make those disappear," he said calmly.
Emma slowly lifted her eyes to him.
Her cold-hearted boss had just made her an offer she might not be able to refuse.