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Chapter 14
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CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 15
It was a rare sunny afternoon in Chicago when Izzy received the invitation. A sleek black envelope, delivered directly to her desk at Stone Enterprises, bearing her name in elegant, looping script. Inside was a beautifully embossed card inviting Mrs. Isabella Stone to a charity luncheon hosted by the West Foundation—a name Izzy knew all too well from her occasional gossip tabloid readings. Sabrina West was a prominent socialite, the kind who seemed to exist only in the pages of high-society magazines and whispered stories of scandal and intrigue.Izzy knew Sabrina was part of Liam's past, a woman who had once stood beside him at countless events, always elegantly draped on his arm. The media had fawned over their relationship, and there had been endless speculation about their future together. Sabrina West was Liam’s longest and most serious relationship—until it ended abruptly. Izzy didn’t know the details, and she hadn’t asked, but she had sensed that whatever had happened between t
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 16
Izzy’s mind was still buzzing from her encounter with Sabrina. The woman had a way of getting under her skin, her words lingering long after their conversation had ended. The whole night, Sabrina’s thinly veiled insinuations echoed in Izzy’s thoughts, casting shadows over her confidence. Sabrina seemed so sure of herself, so certain of her claim on Liam, that it left Izzy with an unsettling question: Did Liam still care for her?The thought felt ridiculous, but Sabrina had planted it expertly, like a seed taking root. It didn’t help that Liam had been more distant than usual since that night. He had promised to talk to Sabrina, but he hadn’t mentioned it again, and Izzy had no idea if he’d actually followed through.It was the beginning of a shift she could feel—a shift Sabrina was clearly determined to nurture.The next few days, Sabrina’s presence seemed to be everywhere.Izzy was in her office at Stone Enterprises, going over designs for a new project, when the receptionist knocked
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 17
It was early in the morning, and Izzy was nursing a cup of coffee in the penthouse kitchen when Liam walked in, already dressed in a sharp gray suit and looking like he was ready to conquer the day. He moved with the same calm confidence he always did, yet today, there was an edge of urgency in his eyes.“Izzy,” he said, breaking her morning reverie. She looked up, meeting his gaze, trying to hide her surprise. Mornings weren’t usually a time for conversation between them; they kept to their own routines and left each other in peace. So his direct, focused attention now caught her off guard.“Yes?” she replied, setting her mug down and giving him her full attention.“I need you to accompany me out of the city for a conference,” he said, leaning against the kitchen counter, his gaze unwavering. “It’s a two-day event, and it would look better if we attended as a couple.”Izzy’s eyebrows shot up, both surprised and hesitant. “A conference? Do you really need me there? I thought… you usua
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 18
The next morning, the air in the suite felt thick and tense, as though last night’s unresolved emotions had settled into the walls, waiting to be confronted. Izzy woke early, alone in the bed, a dull ache in her chest as she remembered Liam leaving the room after their passionate but unfinished night. She lay there for a few moments, staring up at the ceiling, trying to sort through her feelings.She wanted him—she wanted him in a way that went beyond their contract, beyond the careful boundaries they’d set up between themselves. But Liam had made it clear that he wasn’t ready to let down his walls, and that stung. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep herself in this strange limbo, hovering between reality and pretense.With a sigh, she finally forced herself out of bed, pulling on a robe and heading into the main living area. To her surprise, she found Liam already awake, standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out at the ocean. He was dressed in a white dress shi
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 19
Returning to Chicago from the conference felt like coming down from a dream. The sunny coastal air and the charged intimacy of the resort had been replaced by the gray, towering buildings and chilly winds of the city. But more than the scenery, it was the shift in Liam’s behavior that made Izzy feel like something important had been left behind on that beach.Liam had barely spoken to her on the flight home. He’d buried himself in his laptop, responding to emails and drafting plans for upcoming projects, his focus entirely elsewhere. Any attempt she’d made to start a conversation had been met with curt, polite responses that quickly fizzled into silence. He seemed wrapped in a protective shell, one she hadn’t seen in him before, and it left her feeling strangely abandoned, like a part of their connection had been severed.When they finally returned to the penthouse, he mumbled something about heading to the office and disappeared almost immediately, leaving her standing alone in the g
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 20
Liam’s life had always been about control. Control over his business, over his emotions, over the delicate threads that held his world together. But lately, everything seemed to be slipping through his fingers. The day he returned from the conference with Izzy, he could feel the balance of his world shifting, tipping dangerously between his responsibilities to the company and the feelings he’d promised himself he wouldn’t let develop.But he didn’t have the luxury of time to sort through his emotions. Trouble was brewing within Stone Enterprises, and he could feel it—like a storm gathering on the horizon. His uncle, Victor, had been circling for months, dropping subtle hints about “business stability” and the importance of a “strong, single leader” at the helm. And now, with the board becoming restless and Liam’s own focus splintered, Victor seemed poised to strike.It all came to a head during a high-stakes board meeting a week after they returned from the conference. Liam sat at the
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 21
The days following the board meeting were tense and complicated. Izzy found herself in a state of emotional turmoil, caught between the attraction that had been simmering between her and Liam and the painful reminder that their marriage was, ultimately, just a business arrangement.She had stood beside him in that boardroom, defended him in front of his uncle and the entire board, and had felt more like his true partner in that moment than she’d ever felt before. For a few minutes, it was as if they were fighting for something together, something real. But then, later, when they were alone, his distance returned, reminding her that maybe she was just a convenient pawn in this complicated game he was playing with his family.Each time she saw him around the penthouse, his focus buried in work or his mind somewhere she couldn’t follow, the sting of their limitations pressed deeper. He was charming, confident, strong—everything she could’ve wanted in a partner. But she couldn’t ignore th
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 22
Izzy lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. Her thoughts were a tangled mess of emotions, memories, and unanswered questions, all centering around one person. Every time she closed her eyes, all she could see was Liam—his intense gaze, his lingering touch, his presence that filled the room even when he wasn’t there. It was as if he had taken root in her heart, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t shake him loose.She heard a soft knock on her bedroom door, pulling her from her thoughts. Her heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat as she realized who it must be."Liam?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.The door opened, and he stepped into the room, his face shadowed in the dim light. His gaze met hers, dark and intense, and for a moment, they simply stared at each other, the silence between them thick with everything they hadn’t said."Izzy," he murmured, his voice rough with emotion. "I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep pretending that
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CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 43
The day began like any other, with the Chicago skyline glowing in the early morning sun and the penthouse bathed in warm light. Izzy was in the kitchen making coffee, trying to find a moment of calm amidst the storm. Liam had left for the office earlier than usual, leaving her alone to collect her thoughts after the tense and emotional conversations they’d had the night before.Despite the promise they had made to be honest with each other, Izzy couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding that clung to her like a shadow. Noah and Sabrina weren’t finished, and Maxwell… Maxwell was still lurking somewhere in the background, pulling strings she couldn’t yet see.She couldn’t have known how quickly her world was about to unravel.It started with a phone call. Izzy’s phone buzzed insistently on the counter, the vibration pulling her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the screen to see Sarah’s name flashing—her coworker and one of her closest friends.“Sarah?” Izzy said as she answered, immedia
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 42
The tension in the penthouse had grown to an unbearable level, thick and oppressive like a storm waiting to break. Izzy stood at the kitchen counter, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup, but she wasn’t drinking. Her thoughts were far away, tangled in the confrontation with Maxwell and the damning truths she had uncovered.The problem was, Liam had no idea.He had come home the night before late again, the stress of the day written all over his face. She had stayed quiet, not trusting herself to speak. How could she tell him that she’d gone to Maxwell? That she was keeping secrets, even after they had promised to trust one another fully?Izzy stared at her reflection in the glass window. The person looking back at her didn’t feel like herself anymore. She felt trapped between two worlds—one defined by loyalty to Liam, and the other by her quest for justice for her parents. The two seemed irreconcilable.Liam entered the room, his presence as commanding as always, though his f
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 41
The tension in the air was electric as Izzy sat in the back of the sleek black car Liam had arranged for her earlier that morning. She hadn’t told him where she was going, and guilt tugged at her heart for keeping yet another secret from him. But this was something she needed to do alone, something she couldn’t wait for the right moment to address. Maxwell Stone was at the center of the web of lies and betrayals that had consumed her life, and Izzy was tired of hiding in the shadows.The car slowed to a stop outside the sprawling, modern estate on the outskirts of Chicago. Maxwell’s estate was as intimidating as the man himself—pristine, imposing, and cold. Izzy stepped out of the car, her heart pounding as she stared at the towering gates before her.She didn’t hesitate. Squaring her shoulders, she walked up to the intercom system and pressed the button.“Yes?” came a disinterested voice.“This is Isabella Lakewood,” Izzy said, her voice firm despite the tremor in her chest. “I’m her
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 40
Izzy paced the penthouse, her phone gripped tightly in her hand, her thoughts racing. Liam was at the office, likely locked in another exhausting battle with Noah over control of Stone Enterprises, and she was left alone to sift through the growing mountain of suspicions that weighed heavily on her mind. Everything felt like it was spiraling, a tangle of threats and secrets that she couldn’t seem to unravel fast enough.She glanced down at her phone, at the text message that had shaken her to her core earlier that day. It was from Detective Grayson, and its contents had stopped her cold.“Found something big. Meet me tonight at 7. My office. Don’t tell anyone—not even Liam.”Izzy had stared at the message for several long minutes, her stomach twisting with unease. The fact that Grayson had told her not to involve Liam made her skin crawl. What could he have uncovered that was so important—and so dangerous—that it had to remain a secret?Her mind immediately went to Noah and Sabrina. O
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 39
The morning sun streamed through the penthouse windows, casting golden light over the living room. Izzy sat curled up on the couch, a steaming cup of tea in her hands, staring absently at the cityscape outside. Despite the peace and quiet of the space, her mind was anything but calm.The previous night with Liam had been nothing short of transformative. For the first time in what felt like forever, she had let her guard down completely, letting herself be vulnerable in his arms. He had been everything she needed—comforting, loving, and steadfast. But as dawn broke and the day’s worries crept back in, Izzy was reminded of the storms still brewing around them.Ethan’s health was worsening. Noah and Sabrina’s schemes were escalating. And Maxwell’s shadow hung over everything like a dark cloud. It felt as though the weight of their worlds was pressing down on her, growing heavier with each passing moment.She heard the soft sound of Liam’s footsteps behind her, pulling her from her though
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 38
The penthouse was unusually quiet that night, the only sound coming from the soft hum of the city outside. The dim lighting cast long shadows across the living room, creating an atmosphere that felt both calming and heavy. Izzy stood by the window, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she stared out at the sprawling Chicago skyline. Her mind was still with Ethan, replaying every word the doctor had said, every strained breath her brother had taken.She didn’t hear Liam approach until his hand gently rested on her shoulder.“Izzy,” he said softly, his voice filled with concern.She turned to look at him, and the tears she had been holding back all day finally spilled over. “I’m trying to stay strong, Liam,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “But I feel like I’m breaking.”Liam stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her. She collapsed against his chest, her head resting on his shoulder as he held her tightly. His warmth surrounded her, grounding her in a way she desperately ne
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 37
Izzy sat in the waiting room of Chicago Memorial Hospital, her knee bouncing anxiously as she gripped her phone in her lap. The sterile smell of antiseptic clung to the air, and the low hum of medical equipment buzzed faintly in the background. The room was quiet, save for the occasional shuffle of feet or murmured conversation, but inside her head, it was chaos.She hadn’t expected this call. She had just been finishing her coffee that morning, trying to focus on anything but the constant storm of tensions with Liam, when her phone had rung. It was Ethan’s doctor, his voice grave, telling her that Ethan’s condition had worsened overnight and that she needed to come to the hospital immediately.Her stomach twisted with guilt as she sat there, waiting for the doctor to give her an update. She had been so consumed with Liam—his family, their complicated relationship, and the battle for Stone Enterprises—that she hadn’t noticed how fragile Ethan had been during her recent visits. His leu
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 36
The tension in the penthouse was palpable, a suffocating heaviness that neither Izzy nor Liam seemed able to escape. It had been days since Maxwell’s sudden reappearance, and his presence loomed over their lives like an unshakable shadow. As if that wasn’t enough, Noah and Sabrina’s machinations had grown more aggressive, their attacks on both Liam’s professional and personal life becoming relentless.Izzy could see it in Liam’s eyes, the way his shoulders seemed perpetually tense, the way his jaw was constantly clenched. She could feel it in herself too—the growing doubts, the weight of secrets she hadn’t yet told him, and the rising fear that they were standing on the edge of a precipice.For days, they had barely spoken. Their conversations had been limited to quick exchanges about work or the basics of their routine, each too consumed by their own worries to reach out to the other. But beneath the silence, Izzy could feel the strain pulling them further apart, testing the fragile c
CEO's Contract Wife Chapter 35
Chapter 35: Noah and Sabrina’s Plan IntensifiesIn the shadows of a high-end lounge in downtown Chicago, Noah Stone sat at a secluded table, casually nursing a glass of whiskey. The dim lighting reflected off his sharp, angular features, his smirk as smooth and calculating as ever. Across from him, Sabrina West swirled her martini, her green eyes glinting with satisfaction as she leaned in closer.“Liam’s unraveling,” Sabrina said, her voice smooth and confident. “Maxwell’s return has shaken him. And with everything else going on, it’s only a matter of time before he starts making mistakes.”Noah leaned back in his chair, the smirk widening. “Good. Let him fall apart. The more distracted he is, the easier it’ll be to push him out of the company. And once he’s gone, Stone Enterprises will be ripe for the taking.”Sabrina raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a sly smile. “Let’s not forget our other goal, Noah. Liam may be your brother, but for me, this is personal. I want to see his
