THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET CONTRACT BRIDE

Chapter 2: The contract

The black car stopped in front of the biggest mansion Elena had ever seen in her entire life.

It was not an ordinary house. It was a palace, well crafted.

The driver opened the door. "Mr. Knight is waiting inside."

Elena's legs were shaking as she walked in. Her old dress was wet from the rain. Her shoes were broken.

Inside, a man stood near the window. He was tall, handsome, but his face was like ice. This was Adrian Knight. The billionaire CEO.

He turned and looked at her. His eyes were cold and gray.

"So you are Elena Jones," he said. His voice was deep and cold. "23 years old. No family except a sick mother. Fired yesterday. Bank account: $12. You need $50,000."

Elena was shocked. "How do you know all that about me?"

"I know everything about people I do business with," he said, walking closer. "I have a proposal for you."

He threw a thick file on the table.

"This is a contract. A marriage contract. For 90 days."

Elena's eyes widened. "Marriage?"

"My grandfather will take away my company if I don't get married before my 30th birthday," Adrian explained. "My birthday is in 90 days. I need a wife. A fake wife."

He looked at her up and down. "You are perfect. No one will believe a poor girl like you could marry me for love. So when we divorce after 90 days, no one will question it."

Elena felt insulted but she needed the money. "And what do I get?"

"$50,000 now for your mother's surgery. And another $50,000 after the 90 days. $100,000 total. Plus you will live here in this mansion."

Elena's heart stopped. $100,000. Her mother would live. She would be safe.

"Are there rules?" she asked softly.

Adrian smirked. "Three rules. One: No one must know our marriage is fake. Two: You must do everything I say in public. Three..." He came very close to her, his cold breath on her face. "Don't fall in love with me. I will never love you."

Elena looked at the contract, then at his cold eyes.

If she said no, her mother would die.

If she said yes, she would be married to a man who hated her.

She picked up the pen with a shaking hand.

"Where do I sign?"

Adrian smiled for the first time. But it was not a kind smile. It was dangerous.

"Welcome to my world, Mrs. Knight.