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CHAPTER 16
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The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 17
The dinner party was in full swing, with laughter and chatter filling the air.As Lucas interacted with the other businessmen who came up to him, Emily stood by his side silent, her smile fixed, her eyes scanned the room, taking in the sea of unfamiliar faces.She excused herself, her voice barely audible.“Excuse me, I’ll be right back.”Lucas nodded casually, returning his attention to the conversation he was having.Emily approached the table with drinks and picked up a glass of wine, taking a small sip. She started to crave her solitude, but that seemed like a distant dream in the midst of this crowd. Emily took a seat beside the table, her eyes fixed on Lucas. She hadn’t paid so much attention before, but she had to admit he was so good-looking in that tailored black tuxedo that properly accentuated his chiseled features.She had noticed several women casting admiring glances at him, for a moment she felt a surge of pride as his wife.Minutes passed, Emily began to feel like so
The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 18
Emily collapsed onto her bed, her body and mind completely drained from the events of the night. The confrontation with her family, Lucas’s unexpected protectiveness, and the lingering whispers from the dinner party all swirled in her thoughts. She tried to process it all, but exhaustion claimed her, pulling her into a deep, dreamless sleep.While Emily rested, Lucas stood outside on his balcony, staring into the night sky, a wine glass loosely gripped in his hand. Sleep, as usual, was far from him. His mind wouldn’t let him rest, especially not tonight.Thoughts of Emily kept surfacing, no matter how hard he tried to push them away. The way she had handled her father and stepmother, the cold confidence she had shown, and the vulnerability she only allowed him to see. He was beginning to realize there was so much more to her than he initially thought. But that realization came with a dangerous thought which was the clause in their contract. ‘No emotional attachment.’He had written t
The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 19
The morning chaos of the media frenzy still lingered in Emily's mind as she sat alone in the living room, the quiet unsettling after the storm of the headlines. The newspapers lay scattered across the coffee table, their relentless questions and theories swirling around her. ‘The stray daughter becomes a billionaire’s wife.’That line had been burned into her thoughts ever since she read it. The media had pieced together her connection to Joel Vincent. Every painful detail of her past, from the fallout with her father to now being tied to Lucas, was out there for the world to scrutinize. Her phone buzzed incessantly with messages and calls, some from people she had not heard from in years, others from strangers. Everyone suddenly wanted to know her side of the story, but she couldn’t bring herself to answer any of them.She had tried to focus on anything but the media circus, but her mind kept circling back to one thought and that was her mother. The one person who had always been h
The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 20
Meanwhile, at Lucas’s office, he was occupied with work activities and also working on the media uproar.A few minutes later, Lucas stared at his phone, his chest tightening as Dr. Maxwell’s words echoed in his mind. Emily’s mother was gone. The news had hit him like a blow, one he hadn’t been prepared for. He had been expecting an update about the surgery, some hopeful progress, but instead, he was left with the weight of the devastating truth. "She passed away this afternoon, Mr. Cole," Dr. Maxwell had said, his tone solemn. "I tried reaching out to Emily, but I thought you should know first, given the situation."“She couldn't fight further… The surgery had a very slight chance of survival given her condition.”Lucas rubbed a hand over his face, standing by the large windows in his office. His mind raced, thoughts of Emily consuming him. How was he going to tell her? She had already been through so much, and now this?He didn't know how to break it to her, or worse, how to comfort
The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 21
She breathed deeply, trying to clear her mind. Her mother’s death had taken a huge toll on her. Emily's mind reeled as she thought about the contract. What would happen now? Would Lucas still want to marry her? Did she still want to marry him?As she stared back at Lucas, memories flooded her mind. Her mother's laughter, her smile, their countless conversations. Emily's eyes welled up with tears.Suddenly, she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder. Lucas stood in front of her, his eyes filled with compassion."It’s okay to cry, Emily. Let it all out.” He coaxedEmily nodded, her voice caught in her throat. Lucas wrapped his arms around her, holding her close."You don't have to be strong all the time, Emily," he whispered. “I’ll be here for you."In that moment, Emily felt a sense of surrender. She allowed herself to lean into Lucas, to let go of her grief, even if it was only for a moment.Her entire body shook with uncontrollable sobs, losing her mother felt like losing a part of hers
The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 22
Emily breathed deeply, trying to clear her mind. The shock of believing her mother was dead had taken an immense toll on her, but now the revelation that it had all been a mistake was almost too much to process. Lily was alive and recovering in India after a mix-up with her medical records. It felt like a surreal dream, like she was on an emotional rollercoaster that wouldn’t stop.She had been preparing for the worst, mourning her mother’s death in her heart, only to have the ground shift beneath her with the news that Lily was still fighting, still holding on. Relief and disbelief washed over her in alternating waves, but beneath that, a creeping dread lingered.Lucas had been there for her through it all. His presence had been steady, his support unwavering, and now, as the weight of the news settled, she found herself relying on him more than she ever expected. She felt closer to him than ever, but her mind was a whirlwind of emotions.Sitting down in front of the dressing mirror,
The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 23
Emily tries to focus on her mother's recovery and upcoming return to Canada. However, she can't shake off the feeling of unease since Lucas's departure. She starts receiving updates from Lucas, but they're brief and lack the emotional intimacy they shared before his trip.Emily's phone buzzed as she stepped out, heading to the garden for some fresh air. She hesitated, wondering if she should answer, but the name on the screen caught her attention."Hey, Kayla. What's up?" Emily asked, trying to sound cheerful despite her lingering worries about Lucas's trip."Hey, girl! I was invited for a charity gala. I thought you might want to attend," Kayla said, her voice bubbly in an attempt to take Emily out of her depressed state.Emily hesitated, unsure if she was in the mood for a fancy event, but Kayla's enthusiasm was contagious.As she contemplated, deciding that it was better to go out than remain cooped up in this mansion all by herself. “I’ll go with you,” she said to Kayla.“Great!!
The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 24
Emily felt a sense of anticipation as she watched Julian from across the room. Kayla’s words lingered in her mind, warning her to be cautious, but Julian’s warmth and charm had drawn her in like a magnet. She was intrigued, maybe a bit too intrigued, by this enigmatic man who, apparently, was as powerful as Lucas. As the gala continued, Emily found herself mingling with various guests, though her gaze occasionally drifted back to Julian. She didn’t want to admit it, but something about him was both thrilling and unsettling. Her unease grew when she noticed how easily he navigated the room, conversing with influential people as if he owned the place.Just as she was about to step away for some air, she felt a hand gently rest on her shoulder. She turned, and there was Julian, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief."Care for a dance, Emily?” His voice was low and inviting, and she felt her pulse quicken.She hesitated. “I’m not much of a dancer…”“Nonsense.” Julian’s smile was rea
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The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 39
Emily sat at her study desk, lost in thought. Despite having her life under control, a nagging feeling persisted. She couldn't quite put her finger on what was missing. Frustrated and exhausted, she dropped onto her bed, sighing deeply.Just as sleep beckoned, her phone beeped with an incoming message. "Hey, Em! I hope you're doing okay." Emily's gaze drifted to the screen, not so interested until she saw the sender's name: Kayla.She shot up from the bed, screaming, "OH MY GOD, KAYLA!!!" Grabbing her phone, she dialed Kayla's number. After several rings, the call connected.Emily felt a surge of guilt. She had neglected her best friend for far too long. Her voice softened as she whispered, "Hey, Kayla...""How are you, Emily?" Kayla's voice carried a hint of hurt, despite her attempts to hide it.Emily's words caught in her throat. She had no idea where to begin. "I'm so sorry, Kayla. Really, I am." The line hung with uncomfortable silence.Kayla's response came slowly, "It's been su
The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 38
The campus of Lumina Arts and Fashion was a hive of creativity, filled with students rushing around with fabric swatches, sketchbooks, and mannequins. Emily adjusted her bag strap as she stepped into the main building, marveling at the energy in the air. It was worlds apart from the chaos of her past life. Here, she felt a spark of hope, an opportunity to redefine herself. She entered her fashion illustration class, choosing a seat near the back. A girl with dark curls and warm brown eyes slid into the seat beside her, offering a friendly smile. “Hi, I’m Kathrine,” she said, extending her hand. Emily smiled back and shook it. “Hi, I’m Emily. Nice to meet you.” The two quickly fell into an easy rhythm. Katherine's bubbly nature helped ease Emily’s nerves, and by the end of class, they were chatting about their shared interest in sustainable fashion. During a break, Katherine leaned closer, her voice dropping. “So, Emily, you’re new here, right? What’s your story?” Emily he
The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 37
Joel's eyes lingered on the door, his mind swirling with doubts. Could she be right? Was someone close to him betraying him? He shook his head, refocusing on the task at hand.The next morning, Lucas received an update on Vincent Media's financial status. The embezzlement allegations had sparked a frenzy among investors, and Joel's company was on the brink of collapse."Sir, it's getting ugly," his assistant, Leo reported. "Vincent Media's stock has plummeted, and there are rumors of a takeover."Lucas's expression turned thoughtful. This could be the opportunity he had been waiting for. He had watched how Emily was treated in that family and had vowed to return the favor, without Emily’s knowledge of course."Prepare a team to review Vincent Media's financials," Lucas instructed. "I want to know exactly what's going on and who is responsible.”Meanwhile, Emily's mother was making steady progress in her recovery. That evening, Emily finally got the call she had been waiting for. Emil
The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 36
Emily couldn’t sleep after hearing the news. Her mother was awake. It was a miracle she had barely dared to hope for, and now, it was her reality. Every few minutes, she found herself looking at her phone, as if the call had been a dream. She would wait for that video call, but she already felt lighter, as if a weight she’d carried for years was finally lifting.Lucas noticed her restless energy as he came home that night. He set down his briefcase, watching her pace by the window, her eyes distant.“Emily?” he called softly, and she turned to him, her face alight with emotion.“Lucas… my mom’s awake,” she whispered, her voice trembling with joy.A smile spread across his face as he walked over, pulling her into a tight embrace. “Emily, that’s incredible news. She’s really okay?”“She’s recovering. Dr. Maxwell said she’s still weak, but… she’s awake.” Tears brimmed in her eyes, and Lucas gently brushed them away.“Then we’ll go see her as soon as she’s ready. I’ll arrange everything,”
The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 35
At Vincent’s media company Vincent sat in his office his eyes scanning documents, he was rarely at the office and had a lot to approve, especially after signing a new business deal.Ryan, Joel’s trusted assistant and the company’s finance officer knocked on the office door, his expression grim."Sir, there’s something you must know about"Joel looked up from his computer, his eyes searching Ryan’s worried face."What's wrong, Ryan?"Ryan hesitated. "I've noticed some unexplained financial activities. Transactions that don't add up, payments to unknown vendors... I think we might be having a serious problem."Joel's expression turned serious. “How’s that possible? And why am I only hearing about this now?” He bellowed, his tone laced with undeniable anger."Get the board together. We’re having a meeting. Now!”The conference room filled with worried faces. Joel Vincent, stood at the head of the table, pacing to and fro every now and then."Gentlemen, ladies, It has been brought to my
The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 34
Emily couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this nervous. Standing in the middle of campus, surrounded by students hurrying between buildings, she clutched her new books against her chest, inhaling deeply. The familiar scent of paper and ink filled the air, mingling with the crisp autumn breeze. She’d dreamed about this moment for so long, but now that she was finally here, it felt surreal.Her phone buzzed in her bag, and she fished it out to find a message from Lucas:“How’s it going, college girl?” She smiled, feeling her nerves ease a bit as she typed a reply. “Overwhelming, but good. Thanks to you, Mr. Cole.”“I’m proud of you, and I’ll see you later. You’ve got this.” He messaged back.Slipping her phone back into her bag, Emily took a steadying breath. She knew she still had a lot to learn, not just academically but about how to fit into this new world. But she reminded herself she had fought for this opportunity, and now it was hers.Back at Colecrest, Lucas prepared h
The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 33
Emily's thoughts swirled as she lay in bed, Lucas's words echoing in her mind. College? Could she really do it? The excitement of possibility warred with doubts and fears.The next morning, Emily found Lucas in the study, sipping coffee and scanning documents. "Hey," he said, looking up."Hey," Emily replied, sitting beside him. "I've been thinking... about college."Lucas lifted his face. "And?""I want to do it," Emily said, her voice firm. "But I’m not sure, I’m scared. I don't want to fail."Lucas set his coffee down. "You won't fail, Emily. You're talented and smart. I'll support you every step of the way, I promise."Emily's heart swelled. "Thank you, Lucas. That means a whole lot."“Is there any specific one in mind?” Lucas asked her.“No, not exactly. I’ll just make some research.” Emily responded, thoughtful.Lucas nodded, his eyes gentle. “I’ll be here if you need anything.”Emily returned to her room, researching prestigious fashion design schools, exploring her options and
The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 32
The faint morning light seeped into the mansion, casting a cool glow through the large windows. Emily sat at the breakfast table, her eyes fixed on her phone as she scrolled through messages. She hadn’t heard back from Lucas since last night, and his absence felt like an ache she couldn’t quite ignore. Though she understood his dedication to his work, she longed for a moment to talk to him, to share her thoughts and plans.A soft knock pulled her from her thoughts, and Janet entered, setting down a freshly brewed pot of coffee. “Good morning, Mrs. Cole,” Janet greeted with a gentle smile.Emily returned the smile, grateful for the familiar comfort of Janet’s presence. “Good morning, Janet Ma.”“Did Mr. Lucas return late last night?” Janet asked, a touch of concern in her voice.Emily shook her head. “I don’t think he came home at all. He must have stayed at the office.”Janet’s brow furrowed. “He’s been putting in such long hours lately. This transition has been tough on him, especial
The Billionaire’s Contracted Wife CHAPTER 31
The Landry ResidenceThe night lights cast long shadows across the opulent living room as the Landry family returned home after the tense dinner meeting with Grandma Margaret.Claire slammed the door shut, her face twisted in anger. "That your mother, she has lost her mind. Handing everything to Lucas?"Landry's eyes blazed with resentment as he poured himself a whiskey. "She's always favored him, Claire. But this is a betrayal, I’m clearly the one who inherits the company yet she handed the business over to her grandson?"Claire paced across the opulent living room, her heels clicking on the marble floor. Landry sat on the couch, his expression nothing close to calm, his eyes burning with resentment."How could she do this to us?" Claire demanded, her voice laced with frustration. "Handing the entire empire to Lucas, without even considering our family's interests?"Landry's gaze never wavered. "It's not just about us, Claire. It's about the company's future. She believes Lucas is th
