The contract heiress

Episode5: secrets and threats

Signing the Contract

Olivia stared at the pen in her hand, her mind racing with Marcus’s cryptic text still fresh in her thoughts. But time was running out—Sophia’s surgery couldn’t wait any longer. With a deep breath, she pushed aside her doubts and signed the contract marriage agreement.

Aiden watched silently as she placed the pen down, his expression unreadable. Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and made a quick call. Moments later, Olivia received a notification—a million dollars had been transferred into her account.

“The remaining balance will be paid after the contract ends,” Aiden said curtly, slipping the signed document back into the folder. “Your sister’s surgery fee has already been covered. It’s scheduled for tonight.”

Relief washed over Olivia, though it was tinged with unease. She nodded stiffly, avoiding his gaze. “Thank you.”

“There’s no need for gratitude,” Aiden replied coldly. “Consider it part of our arrangement.”

As they left the penthouse, Olivia couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d just sold her soul to the devil. Still, Sophia’s smile when she heard the news about the surgery brought a flicker of hope. For now, that was enough.

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Preparing for the Wedding

The next morning, Olivia sat by Sophia’s bedside, watching her sleep peacefully after the successful surgery. Guilt gnawed at her—Sophia didn’t know the full truth about the contract marriage or Aiden’s true intentions. All she knew was that Olivia had somehow managed to secure the funds needed to save her life.

But there was no time to dwell on those thoughts. Aiden’s personal butler arrived promptly at noon, escorting Olivia to a luxurious salon where stylists fussed over her hair, makeup, and gown. By the time they were done, she barely recognized herself in the mirror. The elegant white dress clung to her figure perfectly, and her hair cascaded in soft waves around her face.

Despite the outward glamour, Olivia felt like an imposter. This wasn’t a real wedding—it was a performance meant to deceive everyone, including Aiden’s parents. Yet here she was, playing along because she had no other choice.

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The Wedding Ceremony

The venue was breathtaking—a grand ballroom filled with opulent decor and surrounded by cameras from various news outlets. Aiden stood at the altar, looking every bit the powerful billionaire he was. His parents sat in the front row, their expressions approving but distant.

As Olivia walked down the aisle, escorted by one of Aiden’s associates, she forced herself to keep her chin up. Every step felt heavier than the last, but she reminded herself why she was doing this—for Sophia.

The ceremony itself was brief and formal. They exchanged vows written by Aiden’s lawyers, each word hollow and devoid of emotion. When the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, Aiden turned to Olivia, his piercing gray eyes locking onto hers.

“For show,” he murmured under his breath before leaning in to kiss her lightly on the lips. Cameras flashed wildly, capturing the moment for headlines across the city.

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The Reception – A Shocking Encounter

The reception was a lavish affair, complete with champagne towers, live music, and guests mingling freely. Olivia tried to blend into the crowd, hoping to avoid drawing too much attention. But fate had other plans.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted him—her ex-boyfriend, Ethan. Her heart skipped a beat as memories flooded back: the betrayal, the humiliation, the pain. He caught her gaze and smirked, making his way toward her.

“Long time no see,” Ethan said smoothly, wrapping an arm around her shoulders as if they were old friends. To anyone watching, it looked casual—but Olivia could feel the tension radiating off him.

“What are you doing here?” she hissed, pulling away slightly.

Ethan leaned closer, pretending to whisper conspiratorially. “Let’s talk somewhere private.”

They stepped onto a secluded balcony, away from prying eyes. As soon as they were alone, Ethan’s demeanor shifted. His charming facade melted away, replaced by something darker.

“I’m back, Olivia,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “And I’ve got something you’ll want to keep hidden.”

Olivia’s blood ran cold. “What are you talking about?”

He smirked, pulling out his phone. On the screen was a video—a recording of her years ago, taken without her knowledge during their relationship. She remembered that night vividly; she’d trusted him completely, only to find out later that he’d cheated on her repeatedly.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Olivia whispered, her voice trembling.

“Oh, I would,” Ethan countered, his tone icy. “Unless you pay me half a million dollars within two hours, I’ll send this straight to your precious new husband. Imagine how impressed he’ll be.”

Olivia’s knees buckled beneath her. Half a million dollars. She had only $350,000 left after paying her rent and setting aside money for Sophia’s future education. Even if she drained her entire savings, it wouldn’t be enough.

“What do you want from me?” she pleaded, tears welling in her eyes.

“It’s simple,” Ethan said, crossing his arms smugly. “Make the transfer—or watch everything you’ve worked for crumble.”

Olivia returned to the reception hall, her mind reeling. How could she possibly come up with $500,000 in such a short amount of time? And even if she did, what would stop Ethan from coming back for more?

Her phone buzzed again, snapping her out of her thoughts. It was another message from Marcus:

“Still interested in my offer? Time’s running out.”

Desperation clawed at her chest as she realized she might have no other options. Could she trust Marcus—or was he just another predator waiting to strike?

With only two hours left to decide, Olivia knew one thing for certain: whichever path she chose, nothing would ever be the same again.