The CEO's Contract Bride

Chapter Two: The CEO's Request

Morning sunlight streamed through the large glass windows of St. Matthew Medical Center, filling the hospital with a warm golden glow. After nearly fifteen hours on duty, Olivia Carter could barely keep her eyes open.

She walked toward the staff lounge, her white nursing shoes squeaking softly against the polished floor. Every muscle in her body ached.

"Olivia!"

Mia Sullivan rushed toward her carrying two breakfast sandwiches, "You haven't eaten all night." Olivia smiled weakly, "I wasn't hungry." "You always say that."

Mia placed the sandwich into her hand. "You can't save lives if you don't take care of your own." Olivia laughed softly, "You sound like my grandmother." "I'll take that as a compliment."

Before Olivia could take another bite, the hospital director suddenly entered the lounge. His usually calm face looked unusually tense. "Nurse Carter." Olivia immediately stood. "Yes, Director?" "I need you in my office." "Now."

The director's office...

Olivia sat quietly while the director paced back and forth. After several moments of silence, he finally spoke, "Do you know who you saved yesterday?" She nodded. "Mr. Adrian Kingsley." "The CEO of Kingsley Group."

The director adjusted his glasses. "Do you know what Kingsley Group is worth?" She shook her head. "No." "Nearly forty billion dollars." Olivia blinked. Forty Billion?

She had never even imagined such an amount. The director sighed. "This morning, the Kingsley family contacted the hospital." "They've made a special request." "What request?" "They want you." Olivia frowned. "Me?"

"They're asking you to become Mr. Kingsley's private nurse until he fully recovers." Silence filled the room. Olivia finally smiled politely. "I'm honored, but I have patients here." The director nodded. "I already told them." "And?" "They doubled the offer." Olivia looked confused, "What offer?" "They're willing to pay you one hundred thousand dollars...per month."

Her eyes widened, She thought she had heard wrong. "One... hundred thousand?" The director nodded. "Tax-free." Olivia's heart raced. That amount could pay for her grandmother's surgery, It could clear every debt she had, It could change her life. Yet something didn't feel right. "I don't think I can accept." The director looked surprised. "May I ask why?"

Olivia answered honestly, "I became a nurse to care for everyone." "Not just one wealthy patient." The director smiled proudly, "I knew you'd say that." Just then...Someone knocked on the office door. "Come in."

The door slowly opened. A tall man in a perfectly tailored black suit entered. Olivia immediately recognized him, He was the man who had bowed to her yesterday. He smiled respectfully.

"Good morning, Miss Carter." "My name is Daniel Brooks, "I'm Mr. Kingsley's personal assistant." He placed a black folder on the desk. "Mr. Kingsley anticipated that you might refuse." Olivia frowned. "You've already discussed it with him?"

Daniel smiled. "He woke up an hour ago, Her eyes widened. "He's awake?" "Yes." "And his first question wasn't about his injuries, "It wasn't about his company, "It wasn't even about the accident, Olivia looked curious, "What did he ask?" Daniel met her eyes.

"He asked, Who was the nurse that refused to let me die?'" Olivia felt strangely embarrassed. "I only did my job." Daniel chuckled. "That's exactly what everyone keeps telling him." He slid the folder toward her.

"Inside is the employment contract." She didn't even open it. "I'm sorry, "My answer is still no."

Daniel wasn't offended. Instead, he reached into his pocket and handed her a small photograph. Olivia looked down, Her face turned pale. It was a picture of her grandmother leaving the cardiology department yesterday. Daniel spoke gently, "Mr. Kingsley knows about your grandmother." Olivia's heart skipped a beat. "How...?"

"We made inquiries, "He also knows she needs heart surgery." She clenched the photograph. "What are you trying to say?" Daniel's voice became serious. "If you become Mr. Kingsley's private nurse..." "...Kingsley Medical Foundation will pay for your grandmother's surgery."

The room fell silent. Olivia couldn't speak. For months...She had begged charities, Applied for financial aid, Worked endless overtime, Nothing had been enough.

Now…One decision could save her grandmother. Daniel stood. "You don't need to answer today, He placed a business card on the desk. "But Mr. Kingsley asked me to tell you one thing." "What?"

Daniel smiled. "He said...""'Tell Nurse Carter that I always repay my debts.'" With that, he left.

Olivia remained frozen in her chair. The director looked at her kindly, "What are you thinking?" She stared at the contract, "I don't know."

Outside the hospital...

Inside a luxurious black limousine...

Adrian Kingsley sat in the back seat despite the bandages wrapped around his head. He stared out the window at the hospital. Daniel returned and entered the car.

"She refused." Adrian wasn't surprised, "I expected that." "Should I make a better offer?"

A faint smile appeared on Adrian's lips. "No." Daniel looked confused, "Then what do we do?"

Adrian's gray eyes remained fixed on the hospital entrance. "She'll come." Daniel frowned, "How can you be so sure?" Adrian answered calmly. "Because Olivia Carter...""...would do anything for the people she loves."

At that exact moment...Olivia walked out of the hospital holding the contract tightly against her chest. She looked toward the black limousine parked across the street.

For the first time...Their eyes met. Neither of them looked away. Little did Olivia know...Accepting Adrian's offer wouldn't just change her career. It would change her destiny.