THE VOSS DEAL

CHAPTER FIVE: THE HEADLINES

CHAPTER FIVE: THE HEADLINES*

LIM POV

I don’t make mistakes.

That’s why I have lawyers, NDAs, and PR teams that cost more than most houses.

And last night I made two.

*Mistake 1:* I kissed my fake wife.

*Mistake 2:* I f*****g liked it.

I woke up to my phone vibrating itself off the desk. 50 notifications.

Board members. Investors. My mother. My ex.

And one picture.

Me. Amara. Our lips locked. Her hands in my hair. My hand on her throat like I owned her.

*HEADLINE: BILLIONAIRE LIM VOSS SETTLES DOWN WITH MYSTERY WIFE.*

Perfect. And a disaster.

The contract was very clear.

*Section 4, Clause 2:* No kissing.

*Section 4, Clause 5:* No emotional displays.

We broke both within 24 hours.

But the merger numbers just jumped 12%.

The board email said: _“The public loves the love story. Keep it up.”_

So now we have to sell the lie harder.

I found her in the kitchen. Hair in a messy bun. Oversized sweater. Scrolling through the comments with wide eyes.

She looked... adorable like that.

She jumped when she saw me. “Did you see it?”

“Everyone saw it,” I said, keeping my voice cold. “My ex saw it.”

Her face fell. “I’m sorry, I didn’t plan—”

“Good,” I cut her off. “It was good for business.”

I lied.

It was good for me.

For three seconds I forgot it was a contract.

Forgot she was hired.

She’s looking at me like I’m the villain. Maybe I am.

I walked to the table and dropped the newspaper.

“Addendum.”

She picked it up and read out loud:

_Public affection: three times per week._

_Joint interview._

_No falling in love. Violation = contract void._

She looked up at me. “No falling in love?”

“Standard clause.”

“Right. Standard clause.” Her voice was small.

I should’ve felt nothing.

But when she frowned, I wanted to tell her everything was okay. That I wouldn’t hurt her.

My phone buzzed. Unknown number:

_“Saw the pictures. Cute. I’m coming to meet your wife. Landing 8pm. -E”_

Eleanor.

My ex. And the board’s favorite.

I looked at Amara. She had no idea what was coming.

“We have a problem,” I said.