Contract Marriage To The Cold Billionaire

2. Debts

It's your marriage, Astrid" she said.

What?!" I snapped standing immediately

Just what was she saying?!

This is outrageous!

This is impossible, what kind of a sick joke is this?

" What on earth are you saying? I agreed to work for the company, that was our deal, not this!" I shouted, my voice filled with anger

Calmly, she maintained her composure and responded, "Marrying Damien Waynley is your way of working for the company, Astrid."

The name echoed in my mind, and I could hardly believe my ears. Damien Waynley? the renowned figure in the business world? He was the supposed investor? It seemed unfathomable, it was absurd, almost laughable.

Damien Waynley, he was an enigmatic figure who commanded power and influence, his presence felt throughout Norway. Half the buildings in the country seemed to bear his name. That Damien, the ruthless, meticulous, and powerful man who had clawed his way to the top. My grandmother's calm response confirmed my disbelief. "Yes, Damien Waynley. I believe you're familiar with him."

How could I not be familiar with him? His reputation preceded him. The business magnate who had started with nothing and built an empire, leaving a trail of defeated rivals in his wake. Waynley's story was a constant source of fascination and fear, the stuff of legend. He was the subject of countless tabloid articles, his cutthroat acquisitions and strategic maneuvers dissected by business analysts. His rise to prominence was nothing short of remarkable, yet his true appearance remained a mystery. Speculation swirled about his physical features, people guessed what he looked like with conflicting accounts ranging from ugliness to irresistibly charming

And now, this man was in need of an arranged marriage? With me? The very notion seemed absurd. Laughter bubbled up from within me, and I couldn't contain it. "Felicia, what kind of joke is this?" I managed to choke out amid my laughter. But she met my incredulous gaze with unwavering seriousness. I was being arranged to marry Damien Waynley. Questions raced through my mind. What was his motive? What did he gain from this union? And most importantly, why me?

"We are on the verge of bankruptcy. This agreement with Waynley of Tescon Empire is our only chance to get back on track. It comes with an eighty percent increase in..." Felicia began to explain, but I cut her off, not wanting to hear the details. "Spare me the details," I snapped, feeling a sense of resignation creeping in. The agreement I had made with her had left me with no choice but to comply.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, realizing that this woman, my own grandmother, harbored such disdain for me and my late mother. She had previously orchestrated an arranged marriage for my mother, only to have her plans thwarted when my parents fell in love and defied her wishes. Instead, they married and started a family, something my grandmother held against them. She resented my father, a man she despised, and sought to control our lives.

Oh, Papa, how I missed him. His presence, his guidance, his love. Everything he had built, the empire he had created, had been snatched away, leaving me with nothing but unanswered questions. I suspected foul play, a web of deceit woven by his so-called business associates who had left me penniless after his untimely demise. Now, his once-thriving company was a mere memory, reduced to ruins. There was nothing left but shattered dreams and a void that could never be filled.

If only he were alive, I wouldn't be trapped in this suffocating web of familial obligations. Mum, Dad, I silently lamented, tears streaming down my face as I mourned their absence.

"That will be all," Felicia declared coldly, pushing a thick document toward me. "Take the contract, read it. You may leave now. I am done with you," she declared with an air of finality. Frustration welled up within me, but I knew resistance was futile. Quietly, I gathered the contract, my heart heavy with a sense of resignation, and exited the office.

I stood in front of Emerald.co, struggling to hold back the tears threatening to escape. The death of my parents had delivered a devastating blow, transforming me from the cherished daughter and princess of Nipcon Ltd to a mere nobody drowning in a sea of debts. I had once lived a life of comfort, surrounded by abundance and possessing everything I desired, even things I didn't. My father's construction company had stood as a prominent force within the city, while my mother flourished as a renowned interior designer.

However, my perfect existence shattered into countless fragments when I lost them both seven years ago in a tragic car accident. In the aftermath, a deluge of allegations and corruption charges emerged, leaving nothing but chaos in their wake. All that we had built, amassed, and treasured was snatched away, leaving me with nothing but a mountain of debts and shattered dreams.

The memory of that fateful day still lingered in my mind as if it were yesterday. The media had seized upon the news, with reporters swarming our once-happy home. Shocking revelations emerged, implicating my father in illicit activities. Those whom I had believed to be my father's loyal friends and trusted family acquaintances had turned their backs on me, leaving me vulnerable and exposed. The shares that had once held immense value now plummeted, decimating any semblance of security I had left. Creditors materialized out of thin air, voraciously claiming and seizing every last possession we owned.

In that dark and desperate moment, my only solace was found in the presence of my grandmother. The burden I bore became insurmountable, and the dreams of pursuing my education at my dream college were cruelly snatched away. I desperately wanted to leave, I wanted a fresh start. I grabbed unto the last thread of hope clutching tigtly and refusing to let go. But now, Standing here, I yearned for the ability to turn back time, to attend that ill-fated dinner with my parents, and meet the same tragic fate. Yet, a resolute voice within me chastised such thoughts. My mother had instilled in me a resilience that ran deep, and I knew I was stronger than the urge to succumb to despair. Life continues, whether it be through arranged marriages. I am a survivor, unyielding in the face of any problems

First I had to meet with Damien, a man who had some explaining to do, although I wasn't sure who he really was. At that moment, exhaustion overwhelmed me, leaving me feeling drained. Finally succumbing to weariness, I allowed sleep to consume me. However, if Damien believed he could gain control over me like a personal servant, he had another thing coming. Tomorrow, when I paid him a visit, it would be on my terms. With these thoughts in mind, I settled into a restless sleep.

******

The following morning, I found myself sitting in the car that Grandmother had arranged for me, engrossed in reading more about the man who was destined to be my husband. Surprisingly, there was a lack of personal information about him, not even a photograph. I wondered how he had managed to run such a prominent company without revealing his face to the world. The only details I could find were an extensive list of companies he had acquired and the names of influential individuals he had seemingly trampled upon. A pounding headache began to form as I struggled to uncover more information about this man. An unsettling fear crept into my mind—what if he was repulsive or disabled? He could be elderly and physically impaired for all I knew. As long as Felicia's company was saved, none of that seemed to matter.

We arrived in front of an impressive building. It was the Tescon Empire, currently one of the tallest buildings in all of the city. This was no ordinary structure. Approaching the reception area, my eye for design couldn't help but appreciate the breathtaking interior. The furnishings were extraordinary, exuding opulence and extravagance. I made my way to the counter, where a wide-eyed woman of petite stature stood.

"I am here to meet with Mr. Waynley," I stated to her.

"Do you have an appointment, miss?" she inquired.

"No, I do not," I replied, my tone sullen.

"In that case, I'm afraid I must ask you to leave," she sternly informed me.