Outwardly a perfect match, but the story of Mary and William is not as sweet as their relationship seems. Their marriage starts off as nothing more than a contract – her bond in marriage to him, in exchange for her mother's medical expenses. And yet, things take a dramatic turn. Neither knows who crossed the line first, and neither knows who initiated this game of love. But it is on! Discover this plot exclusively on Marriage Contract: Love Game With CEO.
"Don't be so stiff. Lean in closer!" the photographer ordered as he held his camera in his hand.
Mary Lu leaned against the man uneasily.
"Smile." The photographer frowned. He waved his arms around exasperatedly, not satisfied with all the photos that he had taken. "Wedding photos are supposed to be happy and sweet. Relax!"
Well, this wedding was anything but... She didn't even know what the man next to her looked like now. He probably had an indifferent face.
Mary Lu forced a smile into her face as she stared directly at the camera. Soon, the photos were finally taken. The three of them sighed in relief.
When she walked out, Mary Lu could hear the photographer complaining to himself, "I've never seen such a strange couple. They may look like a match, but they act as if they'd just met!"
Mary Lu sighed and shook her head. She really wanted to act natural, but was there really anything natural about the situation that she had just gotten herself into?
Was this marriage anything to be proud of? The only reason she was getting married in the first place was all because of a contract!
It turned out a marriage certificate was also very cheap. In fact, it only cost them nine dollars.
It was drizzling when they got out. Unfortunately, the two of them didn't bring umbrellas.
"Where are you going?" William Lan asked. He was now Mary Lu's husband, especially since they already got their marriage certificate all sorted out.
"Let's go home first." Mary Lu stared at the grey sky. Droplets of rain slid down her cheeks. "I can go back myself."
"What about your mother? Should we go and see her?"
She slowly shook her head. "She's still in a coma. You can go ahead with your work," she said almost bitterly, but he didn't really mind.
"Okay. I'll go back to the company first." Without another word, William Lan strode towards the luxury car across the road. Although Mary Lu didn't know how much it cost, she could tell it was extremely expensive from other people's envious gaze.
Without looking back, he slipped inside the car.
Mary Lu was still in a daze as she watched his retreating figure.
She remembered the first day she met him.
That day, Mary Lu was called into the CEO's office. She was just an assistant manager of the Public Relations Department. Why did the CEO suddenly want to see her? Had she done something wrong?
Filled with anxiety, she entered his office. It was the first time she came to meet her boss, William Lan. At a closer look, he looked like a man without flaws.
He was incredibly tall with a well-defined jaw line. He pursed his thin lips. There was something about his eyes that drew her in. After looking into them for a long time, she felt as if she was falling into an abyss. He was wearing a black suit which highlighted his built figure, but she thought that he would look more suitable in blue.
"Are you Mary Lu? The assistant manager of the Public Relations Department?" William Lan said calmly, holding a document in his hand. He stood up and walked to her side. "It's stated that two years ago, your mother had been diagnosed with cancer. Your father has even abandoned both of you. Are you experiencing a hard time?"
What did he just say? Mary's jaw dropped as she stared at the man standing before her.
'How could a CEO be so concerned over a lowly employee? Did he perform an investigation about me?'
"Thank you for your concern, Sir. I'll be fine," Mary said calmly, trying not to be affected by his words.
"Are you sure?" William leaned against the corner of his table. "What about the treatment fees that you owe to the hospital? Even with your part-time jobs, I don't think that's enough for you to pay them back. At least not until a few more years."
Mary blinked, stumbling backwards. "How did you know all of this?" she demanded. "Are you investigating me? What the hell are you up to?"
William wasn't affected by her demanding questions as he fixated his sharp eyes onto her. "Yes. There was an investigation," he openly admitted. "I want to make a deal with you."
"A deal? What deal?"
"Marry me, and I'll pay all your mother's medical expenses." William didn't even pause.
"Well, I'm not interested." Mary was about to turn around and walk away.
"Are you sure?" She froze.
There was something in his question
that made her hesitate. Her marriage had always been something that her mother was worrying about.
Mary winced at the thought of her mother on the hospital bed. The doctor had told her that her mother could only last a few more months. If she faked her own marriage, then she might be able to fulfill her mother's dying wish.
Mary's nails dug into her palm. "What should I do?"
"I have a contract right here. You can have a look." When she turned, he handed her a few papers. "Everything's clearly written. In fact, you don't even have to do anything. You're my wife by name only. Everything you do should be coordinated with me, obviously, in case if we share any sparring viewpoints."
Mary looked over at the contract uncertainly.
Seeing as she still had doubts, William waved his hand. "You can think it over and give me your answer tomorrow. If you don't have anything else you want to say, then you can go."
"Wait. Why do you want to do this? What benefits will you get from this?" she demanded.
He shrugged. "You don't have to know that. All you need to do is consider what's best for you."
That ass! 'He thinks he can rule the world!' she thought.
Without another word, she turned on her heel and left. When Mary returned to her desk, she opened the contract. It was indeed short and concise.
The marriage would only be for one year. Although they were required to live together, sexual intercourse was prohibited. The man would be responsible for all living expenses and her mother's treatment. He would also compensate her with a monthly salary of a hundred thousand dollars. The marriage would be public, and the woman would be asked to cooperate with him in important events.
Gazing at the contract, Mary was completely dumbfounded. With so much money, all the problems in her life would simply disappear. Not only would her mother receive better treatment, but she also didn't have to work until midnight. It wouldn't even harm her, but was it really just that simple? As she was hesitating, her phone rang. It was from the hospital. She gritted her teeth and answered, "Hello?"
"Is this Mary? Your mother is in bad condition. She has been sent to the emergency room. Come prepared."
"What?" she shrieked. "I'll be right there. Doctor Cao, please do whatever you can to save my mother."
"We'll do our best."
Mary rushed to the hospital that day. Fortunately, when she arrived, the doctors had informed her that her mother was already stable. Her shoulders sagged in relief. She gazed at her mother's limp body through the glass window as a surge of warmth soared through her system.
"Miss Lu," the doctor beside her uttered, and she turned around.
"Dr. Cao, I can't thank you enough."
"There's no need. This is what we do." He smiled. "But there is a problem with your mother's medical fees. I don't want to urge you about this given your mother's state, but..."
"Dr. Cao, I understand. I'll pay the fees in three days," Mary said firmly, already making the decision in her heart.
After walking out of the hospital, Mary took out her phone and dialed William's number. "I promise to sign the papers. I just need the money first..." There was a pause before Mary nodded. "Thank you."
Mary had just sold herself to the devil.
She stopped, shaking her head at the memory. As soon as she looked up, she could see that William was still looking at her in his car.
Although he was already thirty, he was still pretty fit. In fact, he had assets worth around a hundred million dollars and he was also extremely handsome. Why would such a golden bachelor ask her to fake a marriage with him?
Seeing as he had already left, Mary pursed her lips and shook her head. There was no use to think about such details. She should just mind her own business.
The hospital was the last place she wanted to go to, but she arrived there again in hopes that her mother's condition had gotten better. She was hoping that her mother would wake up and see that her daughter had completed her dying wish.
Legally, she had been his wife for three years, but their marriage was kept as a secret in public. He spent money on her lavishly and she lived a luxurious life. Things changed when a super male model showed interest in her. And that's when her first boyfriend returned. Her husband said that she could find a boyfriend, which didn't really surprise her. After all, there would be nothing between them after the divorce. However, going against his words, he showed up around everywhere, every time, and tried every means to prevent her from finding a boyfriend. She was totally confused! What was wrong with him? What on earth did this man want from her?
She was hopeful that her life would change. There would be a new start after she graduated from high school. She was ready to fly in the sky, and rise towards her dream. Little did she know that her life would turn upside down on returning home. The biggest life-changing event was waiting for her. She was hardly aware that the bracelet she had been wearing since her birth was a token. The token of her marriage to a man she had never met. She could do nothing but follow the arrangement, for life wasn't willing to spare her. Her helplessness left her no choice. Finally, she decided to give up everything and run away! And again, destiny made fun of her. Unexpected and unknowingly, he stepped into her life again. What was in store for her in the future and where was life leading her?
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
Elodie took a deep breath and knocked, the sound echoing in the quiet corridor. A moment of silence passed, broken only by the pounding of her heart. Finally, the door snicked open, revealing a surprised Dashiell. 'Can't you see the Do Not Disturb sign? We don't want-' His initial frown quickly morphed into confusion at the sight of his wife. 'What are you doing here?' he demanded. 'Your girlfriend invited me,' Elodie replied, her voice laced with icy calm. She tried to peer past him, but his broad frame blocked the view. A saccharine voice chimed in from within the room. 'Elodie? Oh dear, we didn't mean for you to find out this way. It's just that-' Elodie cut her short. 'Oh please, Selene. Spare me the fake apologies. You wouldn't have sent me all those texts if you didn't want me to know.' Dashiell shifted uncomfortably, his face a mask of annoyance. 'What texts?' Elodie stepped past him, taking in the luxurious suite with a sardonic smile. The king-sized bed, the scattered rose petals, the lingering scent of sex – it all painted a vivid picture of their betrayal. She looked up at Dashiell, her gaze unwavering. 'I want a divorce.' ****** Dashiell lived a life of luxury, surrounded by the best things money could buy. But when a car accident left him vulnerable, he met Elodie, a seemingly ordinary woman who nursed him back to health. Mistaking her for just another employee, Dashiell entered into a loveless marriage with her solely for convenience. However, fate had a different script in store. Elodie, the 'ordinary nurse,' held a secret more precious than any diamond: she was the sole heiress to Northstar, a vast and powerful enterprise. Unaware of her true identity, Dashiell cast her aside when his ex-girlfriend returned, leaving Elodie humiliated. But Elodie was not one to be easily broken. She shed the facade of the meek nurse, reclaiming her rightful inheritance and stepping into the role of Northstar's CEO. Now, the woman Dashiell discarded was the one holding the reins of power. As Elodie thrives in her new role, Dashiell is consumed by regret. He finally sees Elodie for the extraordinary woman she truly is, realising the depth of his mistake. But will his remorse be enough to win back the heart he so carelessly discarded?
"Miss Brown, I am the butler here at your service," the butler replied. "My master wants to buy the baby in your belly." "What?!" Does that mean the abortion didn't take place? Did they kidnap her from the operating table just to buy the baby? But why her? "You..." Alice was about to ask a question, but the man in front of her calmly continued, as if he had expected her question, "You're pregnant with his child, and he needs a child. That's all I can tell you." Alice was forced to sign a surrogacy contract and eight months later gave birth to two healthy babies. Fortunately, the man was unaware of her daughter's existence. It wasn't until five years later that fate brought them together again...
"I stood at the edge of my heart and watched him choose her. In the end, I was not the one he needed. I was simply the one he settled for." - Noelle ~~~~~~~ I thought I was the one he loved. But a few days before our wedding, I saw him in a way I never had before. His eyes softened as he spoke to her. His first love, and the very woman who had left him in pieces. Heartbreak was something I knew too well. And as I watched the love he still held for her in his eyes, I realized what I had to do. I couldn't marry a man who wasn't truly mine. With no means to cancel the wedding and lacking the courage to confront him, I made a desperate choice to leave. I painfully gave his first love my treasured engagement ring thinking it was for the best and the only way to free myself. But when he saw that ring on her finger, the fragile world I had tried to escape began to shatter. His obsession to find me and bring me back ignited a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!