Love by Contract with the CEO

Chapter 4: A Reunion

The night is bitterly cold, and the streets are damp, but that doesn’t stop Faith. She’s determined to reach the club and see Lucas Dubois, her company's former partner and lawyer.

Upon arrival, she encounters numerous security guards at the entrance. This place is incredibly exclusive, and entry is by invitation only, with attendees dressed in extravagant outfits worth millions. Everyone entering gives her curious glances. Faith is well-known here, often referred to as the Muse of France, the most coveted woman in the country for her unparalleled beauty.

She tries to enter, but the guards stop her—something that’s never happened before.

"You need an invitation to enter," one of them sneers.

People around her started whispering.

"She’s lost her mind. Her child has just died, her father’s on the brink in a clinic, and she’s trying to get in here dressed like that?"

Faith ignores their comments. She’s focused on getting inside; she believes her salvation lies within.

"Let her in; she’s with me. Here’s my invitation," says Julieth, flashing a smile.

Julieth, a supermodel and the second most beautiful woman in the country, has always envied Faith. Despite Faith’s disheveled appearance and recent childbirth, she still radiates enviable beauty. Julieth’s goal is to humiliate her and take her place as the new Muse of France.

Faith thanks Julieth and enters, enduring the whispered insults and the cruel gossip about her child’s death, her father’s ruin, and Andrew’s new woman. She tunes out the nasty comments and searches for Lucas Dubois. Not finding him, she continues through the room until she spots Andrew laughing with Jenna.

She couldn’t contain herself. She confronts Andrew, accusing him of ruining her father to exact a revenge she didn’t deserve.

Andrew’s response was cold, filled with hatred.

"You’re just as guilty as your father. Frankly, I didn’t do enough for you both. You deserve worse, and I promise your life will be miserable. As for your father, it's Jair and Walter who want him in jail, not me."

Faith begs Andrew to intercede on her father’s behalf, but he refuses, declaring that he won’t lift a finger to help. He adds that their marriage isn’t valid because it was never consummated, a statement he whispers spitefully in her ear. Jenna, furious at seeing them talk, storms off, with Andrew chasing after her, leaving Faith alone.

She watches him dote on Jenna, remembering how he used to treat her the same way. She can't fathom how he erased their four years together so easily. The man she once thought loved her deeply is now her worst enemy, the one who humiliated her publicly and nearly killed her father.

She fights back tears, determined not to give her detractors the satisfaction of seeing her break.

Lucas notices her and approaches her.

"Miss Miller, I’m aware of what’s happening to your father. I want you to know I had no part in it."

"I know. That’s why I’m here. I need your help. You’re the best criminal lawyer in the country."

Lucas explains that the only way to save her father from prison is to get Jair and Walter to drop the charges, which likely means she’d have to do something distasteful to convince them.

"I can’t do that. Is there another way? I’ll do anything but that," she pleads.

"The only person who might help is Mr. Joshua Moore. And look, he’s just arriving."

Faith watches as Joshua Moore enters, flanked by bodyguards, exuding power and elegance. All the women are captivated, including Julieth, who has always dreamed of becoming Joshua's wife. Despite her stunning looks, Joshua has never shown her any interest, leading some to speculate he might not even like women.

Julieth approaches him.

"Mr. Moore, it’s a pleasure to see you. May I accompany you tonight?" she flirts, but he walks past her without a glance, drawing murmurs and laughter from the crowd. For women in this social sphere, Joshua is unattainable.

Faith pays no mind to the scene. She rushes toward him, desperate.

"Joshua, I’ll marry you! I accept! I accept being your wife!"

The crowd is stunned. They whisper among themselves, questioning what she means and how she dares to call him by his first name. Everyone else refers to him as Mr. Moore, as he insists on that formality. The last person who didn’t vanish mysteriously.

"Sorry, Miller, your time has passed," he responded coldly, continuing on his way. She chases after him, begging and kneeling at his feet.

"Please accept me. I need your help. I’m begging you," she pleads, clutching his pant leg, tears streaming down her face.