The Cold Heir's Contract Wife

007

It was no wonder Harper was shocked, for Darian did not hesitate to bestow upon her a wealth of assets, despite it being merely a contract marriage.

A luxury house in an exclusive neighborhood. A significant amount of shares in her own name within a Vane subsidiary. Several other property assets, and a sum of cash with a number of digits she had never dared to imagine in her entire life.

Harper lifted her head, staring at the man sitting before her with a gaze that demanded an explanation. "Are you serious about all of this?"

"Yes," Darian answered shortly, without hesitation.

"I don't need all this wealth, Darian. I didn't ask for this."

Darian looked at her with a calm expression, yet one heavy with firmness. "But you deserve it for what you are about to sacrifice."

Harper bit her lower lip hard.

A brief silence enveloped the room. She felt neither tempted nor pleased by the luxury presented to her. On the contrary, her heart throbbed with bitterness. She knew perfectly well the meaning behind these fantastic gifts. Darian was giving her all of this because he realized that the life Harper would face after carrying the Vane name would never be easy.

Rosalie. The other members of the Vane family. The influential Averil family, and everyone out there who would surely oppose and condemn this sudden marriage. The money and assets were both a shield and payment for the storm she had to endure.

Harper slowly closed the document and looked at Darian with eyes radiating resolve. "If that is the case, I have conditions that must be included in this contract."

Darian gave a small nod, signaling with his hand. "Speak."

"I do not want to be turned into a trophy doll that you can manipulate as you please," Harper’s gaze turned fiercely firm, asserting that she possessed a dignity that could not be bought. "I do not want to be belittled by anyone in the Vane family. And most importantly..." She took a deep breath, "I will not let anyone, under any circumstances, hurt Jesslyn."

Darian answered instantly, even before Harper had finished drawing her breath. "I agree."

Harper was slightly taken aback. She blinked a few times, not expecting her negotiation to go this easily with a man as hard-headed as Darian.

"I will guarantee your safety and security personally," Darian added, his voice sounding heavy and convincing. "Especially for Jesslyn. No one will be able to touch her."

Marcus chimed in to soothe Harper's unease. "Furthermore, the contents and existence of this marriage contract are known only to Mr. Darian, Miss Harper, and myself legally. We have ensured its privacy."

"That means the rest of the Vane family does not know this is a contract marriage?" Harper asked to confirm.

"No. They do not know," Marcus replied.

Darian crossed his arms over his chest. "In front of the public and others, we are a normal couple who married because we wanted each other. We only need to act and behave like a husband and wife in general."

Harper fell silent for a moment, weighing all the consequences, before finally giving a slow nod. She reached for the pen Marcus had provided, then etched her signature onto the white paper.

One year. A contract marriage that would bind her for exactly one year.

After the document was tidied away by Marcus, Darian reached into his jacket pocket. He took out an elegant, shimmering black card and placed it on the table, right in front of Harper. "Use this."

Harper furrowed her brows. "What is this now?"

"My supplementary credit card. The limit has been adjusted."

"I cannot accept this, Darian. This is too much."

"You can and you must accept it," Darian cut in, rising from the sofa and adjusting the buttons on his suit jacket. "Go out today. Buy whatever you and Jesslyn need to move in here."

Harper stared at the black card for a long time before finally grasping it reluctantly. Her logic validated Darian’s words; there were indeed so many urgent items they needed to buy. After all, when they were cast out of the Collins residence the other day, they had left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.