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2024-11-01 21:05:16Related chapters
Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 9
"Are you completely insane?" Evelyn's voice shook as she stared at Ethan in the parked car. "You couldn't have warned me about this earlier?" Ethan's jaw tightened. "If I had, you would have spent hours overthinking it. This way is better." "Better? I'm about to meet your entire family without any preparation!" Her hands trembled slightly as she smoothed down her dress. "I don't know anything about them, or what to say, or—" "Then listen carefully," Ethan cut in. "My father, Harrison, runs everything. He'll be watching your every move, so keep your answers simple. My stepmother Regina will try to catch you off guard - don't let her. Just smile and be charming." Evelyn took a deep breath, fighting back the panic building up. "Anything else I should know before walking into this nightmare?" “Yes. Our make-believe story.” His eyes locked with hers. “We met at a charity gala three months ago. Keep it simple - the less you say, the less chance you'll slip up." They walked up the drive
Last Updated : 2024-11-02Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 10
“I believe we've already—"Lucas started."—heard so much about each other," Evelyn cut in quickly, her heart pounding. "Ethan's told me wonderful things about his family."Lucas raised an eyebrow but shrugged it off. "Has he? How... thorough of him."Harrison clapped his hands together. "Shall we move to the dining room? I'm sure we all have much to discuss."The dining room took Evelyn's breath away. Crystal glasses lined the table , and what looked like real gold glided the ceiling. The table seemed to stretch for miles, set with more forks and spoons than she'd ever seen in her life.Regina's fingers wrapped around her wine glass as she studied Evelyn. "So dear, tell us about your background. Your family must be so proud of this... match."Evelyn's hand trembled as she reached for what she hoped was the right fork. Her mind raced, trying to remember which one was for salad. Before she could make the wrong choice, Ethan smoothly switched their place settings while pretending to reac
Last Updated : 2024-11-02Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 11
The Maverick Foundation headquarters was surrounded with a lot of reporters, their cameras flashing everywhere in the press room. The place was so crowded you could barely move. Evelyn stood quietly in one corner and watched everything going on. She was dressed in a designer outfit that had arrived this morning which is a cream colored Chanel suit. She kept looking at all the exits, feeling trapped. "Stop fidgeting," someone murmured beside her. She looked back to find Ethan watching her closely. "You look like you're about to run." "Maybe because I am," she whispered back and fought hard not to dash for the nearest door. Her eyes scanned the huge crowd of journalists - they were everywhere with their cameras and recorders. "There must be at least fifty reporters out there." "78 actually," Ethan said as he straightened his own tie. He wasn't nervous at all since he was used to crowds like this. It was just another day for him. "The Maverick heir announcing his engagement is big ne
Last Updated : 2024-11-03Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 12
The moment they reached the ground floor, Evelyn mumbled something about needing air and slipped away before Ethan could protest. Her heels clicked against the marble as she rushed through the lobby, ignoring David's calls behind her. She needed to see Jake - needed to know that all of this wasn't for nothing.Twenty minutes later, she stood outside Jake's hospital room, her hand trembling on the doorknob. The pristine hallways of St. Mary's private wing were a far cry from the crowded corridors she'd known before. Through the window, she could see Jake lying in bed, his attention fixed on the flat-screen TV mounted on the wall.Her heart stopped when she realized what he was watching."...the surprise engagement of Maverick Foundation heir Ethan Maverick to Evelyn Martin..." the reporter's voice drifted through the door.Jake's face was streaked with tears, his hands clenched in the expensive sheets that had replaced the threadbare hospital linens he'd had before. Evelyn pushed the d
Last Updated : 2024-11-03Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 13
The grand dining room of the Maverick mansion felt cavernous and intimidating in the soft glow of the evening. Evelyn stared down at the elaborate place setting in front of her, the china and silverware glinting under the chandelier's light. She barely recognized the woman staring back at her from the highly polished flatware - this poised, elegant figure was a far cry from the bartender she had been just yesterday.The silence between her and Ethan was deafening as they ate, the only sounds the occasional clink of a fork against a plate or the subtle rustle of napkins. Evelyn kept her eyes downcast, unsure of what to say to this man she had so hastily agreed to marry. Just this morning, they had stood before family, friends, and reporters, pledging their lives to one another. Yet here they were, strangers sharing a meal in uncomfortable silence.Finally, Ethan cleared his throat. "How is the food?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral.Evelyn glanced up, meeting his cool gaze. "It's
Last Updated : 2024-11-04Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 14
Chapter 14Ethan couldn't help but stare as Evelyn stood before him in the kitchen, her delicate features flushed with surprise. He had only meant to check on her after seeing the maid rush away, but now he found himself captivated by the sight of her. The soft glow of the kitchen lights illuminated her porcelain skin, casting gentle shadows that highlighted the elegant curves of her face. Her eyes, wide and expressive, were a mesmerizing shade of green that seemed to draw him in. And her lips - full and slightly parted - beckoned to him, tempting him to lean in and-Ethan caught himself, pushing those dangerous thoughts aside. This woman was his wife, yes, but only in name. She was a means to an end, a necessary arrangement to appease his family and protect his position. He couldn't afford to be distracted by her beauty or let himself be drawn in by her doe-eyed innocence.Forcing himself to take a step back, Ethan released his grip on Evelyn's waist. "You should be more careful," h
Last Updated : 2024-11-04Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 15
Evelyn was restlessly wandering through the lavish mansion, unable to settle. As she mindlessly trailed her fingers along an intricate vase, a sudden knock at the door made her jump. She knew exactly who it was before even looking. Quickly, she hurried to the entrance and swung it open, revealing her best friend Mia standing there with the biggest smile."Evie!" Mia squealed, immediately pulling Evelyn into a tight hug. Evelyn hugged her back just as fiercely, all the tension leaving her body. It felt so good to see a familiar face in this strange new world."I've missed you so much!" Evelyn said, ushering Mia inside. The heiress looked around the foyer, her eyes wide with wonder."Wow, this place is incredible!" Mia gasped, spinning around slowly. "I knew Ethan Maverick was loaded, but this is next level." She reached out to touch an ornate vase, then glanced at Evelyn with a sheepish grin. "I'm not going to break anything, I promise."Evelyn chuckled. "It's not like this is new to
Last Updated : 2024-11-05Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 16
"Ah, I see we have a visitor," Ethan drawled, his gaze sweeping over Mia with a hint of disdain. "And who might you be?"Evelyn cleared her throat, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. "Ethan, this is Mia. My best friend."Mia sprang to her feet, a bright smile on her face as she extended her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Maverick. I've heard a lot about you."Ethan's lips curled into a faint sneer, and he made no move to accept her handshake. "I'm afraid I can't say the same." His cold, grey eyes shifted to Evelyn. "And what, is the meaning of this unexpected visit?"Evelyn felt a twinge of annoyance at his brusque tone, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Mia's just here to see me, Ethan. We're friends, and she wanted to check in." She glanced at Mia, silently pleading with her to play along.Mia, ever the perceptive one, seemed to sense the unspoken tension between the two. Her smile faltered slightly, and she slowly lowered her hand, tucking it
Last Updated : 2024-11-05
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Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 20
Ethan stared down at the papers scattered across his desk, his mind consumed by the events of the previous night. Try as he might, he couldn't seem to focus on the task at hand, his thoughts constantly drifting back to his dinner with Evelyn.He let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair in frustration. It had been a mistake, he knew that now. Opening up to Evelyn, even just a little, had left him feeling raw and exposed, vulnerabilities he had worked so hard to bury now laid bare.Ethan's gaze drifted to the half-empty bottle of whiskey tucked into the corner of his desk, the amber liquid calling to him like a siren's song. With a grimace, he reached for the glass, the familiar burn as the alcohol slid down his throat doing little to dull the ache that had taken root in his chest.It was all coming back to him now, the memories he had tried so desperately to suppress. The day Sofia had broken his heart, shattering the future they had so carefully built together. The pain o
Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 19
Evelyn's fingers flew across the keyboard, her eyes narrowed in concentration as she scrolled through page after page of search results. Beside her, Mia leaned in, her brow furrowed with equal determination."Okay, so far all I'm finding are the basics – Ethan's company, his reputation as a shrewd businessman, that kind of thing," Evelyn said, her voice tinged with frustration. "Nothing about his personal life."Mia chewed on her lower lip, her gaze darting to the screen. "Hmm, let's try a different approach. What about his name – any mention of that in the news or social media?"Nodding, Evelyn quickly typed Ethan's name into the search bar, her heart pounding as the results began to load. At first, it was more of the same – articles about his professional accomplishments, a few brief mentions in business magazines. But then, something caught her eye."Wait, look at this," she breathed, her fingers tapping the screen. "An engagement announcement from a few years ago – Ethan Maverick
Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 18
Shaking her head, Evelyn forced herself to focus. She needed to find Mia, to check on her friend and ensure that Ethan's harsh words hadn't cut her too deeply. Grabbing her phone, Evelyn quickly fired off a text, her brow furrowed with concern._'Mia, are you okay? I'm so sorry about what happened earlier. Please, let me know you're alright.'_Evelyn paced the room as she waited for a response, her fingers drumming anxiously against her thigh. Mia was her rock, her confidante – she couldn't bear the thought of her best friend being upset, especially because of Evelyn's own tangled circumstances.Finally, her phone chimed, and Evelyn snatched it up, her eyes scanning Mia's reply._'Don't worry, Evie. I'm fine. Just a little shaken, that's all. Are you okay? That man of yours can be quite... intense.'_Evelyn couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "That man of yours," indeed. She quickly typed out a response._'I'm alright, I think. Ethan actually came to apologize, woul
Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 17
Evelyn's brow furrowed as she paced the length of her lavish bedroom, the opulent surroundings doing little to ease the turmoil swirling within. Her mind was consumed by the turbulent encounter with Ethan, the man she had reluctantly agreed to marry – a man who seemed to view every woman as a liability or inferior. "What could have possibly happened to make him so jaded, so distrustful of the world?" Evelyn muttered, pausing by the window to gaze out at the meticulously manicured grounds of the Maverick estate. Ethan's icy dismissal of her best friend, Mia, still stung. "Does he really think the world revolves around him?"Crossing the room, Evelyn flopped down onto the plush bed, burying her face in the soft, downy comforter. The familiar scent of lavender did little to calm her frayed nerves. Mia had been her rock, her constant companion through the darkest moments of Evelyn's life. How dare Ethan write her off as a liability, simply because of her family's wealth and influence?Si
Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 16
"Ah, I see we have a visitor," Ethan drawled, his gaze sweeping over Mia with a hint of disdain. "And who might you be?"Evelyn cleared her throat, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. "Ethan, this is Mia. My best friend."Mia sprang to her feet, a bright smile on her face as she extended her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Maverick. I've heard a lot about you."Ethan's lips curled into a faint sneer, and he made no move to accept her handshake. "I'm afraid I can't say the same." His cold, grey eyes shifted to Evelyn. "And what, is the meaning of this unexpected visit?"Evelyn felt a twinge of annoyance at his brusque tone, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Mia's just here to see me, Ethan. We're friends, and she wanted to check in." She glanced at Mia, silently pleading with her to play along.Mia, ever the perceptive one, seemed to sense the unspoken tension between the two. Her smile faltered slightly, and she slowly lowered her hand, tucking it
Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 15
Evelyn was restlessly wandering through the lavish mansion, unable to settle. As she mindlessly trailed her fingers along an intricate vase, a sudden knock at the door made her jump. She knew exactly who it was before even looking. Quickly, she hurried to the entrance and swung it open, revealing her best friend Mia standing there with the biggest smile."Evie!" Mia squealed, immediately pulling Evelyn into a tight hug. Evelyn hugged her back just as fiercely, all the tension leaving her body. It felt so good to see a familiar face in this strange new world."I've missed you so much!" Evelyn said, ushering Mia inside. The heiress looked around the foyer, her eyes wide with wonder."Wow, this place is incredible!" Mia gasped, spinning around slowly. "I knew Ethan Maverick was loaded, but this is next level." She reached out to touch an ornate vase, then glanced at Evelyn with a sheepish grin. "I'm not going to break anything, I promise."Evelyn chuckled. "It's not like this is new to
Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 14
Chapter 14Ethan couldn't help but stare as Evelyn stood before him in the kitchen, her delicate features flushed with surprise. He had only meant to check on her after seeing the maid rush away, but now he found himself captivated by the sight of her. The soft glow of the kitchen lights illuminated her porcelain skin, casting gentle shadows that highlighted the elegant curves of her face. Her eyes, wide and expressive, were a mesmerizing shade of green that seemed to draw him in. And her lips - full and slightly parted - beckoned to him, tempting him to lean in and-Ethan caught himself, pushing those dangerous thoughts aside. This woman was his wife, yes, but only in name. She was a means to an end, a necessary arrangement to appease his family and protect his position. He couldn't afford to be distracted by her beauty or let himself be drawn in by her doe-eyed innocence.Forcing himself to take a step back, Ethan released his grip on Evelyn's waist. "You should be more careful," h
Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 13
The grand dining room of the Maverick mansion felt cavernous and intimidating in the soft glow of the evening. Evelyn stared down at the elaborate place setting in front of her, the china and silverware glinting under the chandelier's light. She barely recognized the woman staring back at her from the highly polished flatware - this poised, elegant figure was a far cry from the bartender she had been just yesterday.The silence between her and Ethan was deafening as they ate, the only sounds the occasional clink of a fork against a plate or the subtle rustle of napkins. Evelyn kept her eyes downcast, unsure of what to say to this man she had so hastily agreed to marry. Just this morning, they had stood before family, friends, and reporters, pledging their lives to one another. Yet here they were, strangers sharing a meal in uncomfortable silence.Finally, Ethan cleared his throat. "How is the food?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral.Evelyn glanced up, meeting his cool gaze. "It's
Contract Marriage With The Cold Hearted Billionaire Chapter 12
The moment they reached the ground floor, Evelyn mumbled something about needing air and slipped away before Ethan could protest. Her heels clicked against the marble as she rushed through the lobby, ignoring David's calls behind her. She needed to see Jake - needed to know that all of this wasn't for nothing.Twenty minutes later, she stood outside Jake's hospital room, her hand trembling on the doorknob. The pristine hallways of St. Mary's private wing were a far cry from the crowded corridors she'd known before. Through the window, she could see Jake lying in bed, his attention fixed on the flat-screen TV mounted on the wall.Her heart stopped when she realized what he was watching."...the surprise engagement of Maverick Foundation heir Ethan Maverick to Evelyn Martin..." the reporter's voice drifted through the door.Jake's face was streaked with tears, his hands clenched in the expensive sheets that had replaced the threadbare hospital linens he'd had before. Evelyn pushed the d
