BOUND TO THE BILLIONAIRE BY CONTRACT

AN IMPOSSIBLE CONDITION

Chapter 2 – An Impossible Condition

Ethan Carter stared at the photograph lying on the polished wooden table before sliding it back toward his grandfather. The young woman in the picture had kind eyes and a warm smile but she meant nothing to him. He had built Carter Group through discipline and relentless work not emotions. Marriage had never been part of his plans. He rose from his seat and adjusted the sleeve of his tailored suit. "If this is why you called me here then we're done." He turned to leave but his grandfather's voice stopped him. "The board meeting is in three weeks. If you are still unmarried by then I will step down as chairman and transfer my voting shares to someone else." Ethan slowly turned around. "You wouldn't." "Try me." The room fell silent. Ethan knew his grandfather better than anyone. Once the old man made a decision he never changed it. "Why are you doing this" Ethan asked. His grandfather sighed. "Because I built this company for my family not for a lonely man who spends every waking hour behind a desk. You've shut everyone out of your life since your engagement ended. Money has become your only companion." Ethan's jaw tightened. "My personal life has nothing to do with the company." "It has everything to do with it. A leader who trusts no one eventually stands alone." Ethan looked away. He hated talking about the past. Three years earlier the woman he planned to marry had left him for his business rival after secretly stealing confidential company information. Since then he had promised himself never to let anyone get close again. Love was expensive and betrayal cost even more.

"I won't marry for appearances." "Then marry for a reason." His grandfather slid another file across the table. Inside were legal documents. "A contract marriage." Ethan frowned as he read the first page. "One year." "Yes." "Public appearances together." "Correct." "After one year both parties are free to divorce." The old man nodded. "No one gets hurt. You satisfy the board and I finally get to see you settle down." Ethan closed the file. "And if I refuse." "Then next month Carter Group belongs to someone else." Ethan knew it wasn't an empty threat. His grandfather still controlled enough shares to change the future of the company. Losing Carter Group wasn't an option. It represented decades of sacrifice by his family and thousands of employees who depended on it. He inhaled slowly. "Who is the woman."

The old man smiled for the first time that evening. "Olivia Reed." Ethan glanced again at the photograph. "She doesn't even know me." "Not yet."

Across town Olivia unlocked the door to the tiny apartment she shared with Mason. The smell of instant noodles filled the room. Mason ran toward her with a wide grin. "You actually bought them." Olivia laughed softly and rubbed his hair. "I always keep my promises." They ate dinner together while talking about his school and the football match he had watched on television. Olivia smiled through the conversation hiding the fear she carried inside. Later that night after Mason had fallen asleep she sat alone at the small kitchen table surrounded by unpaid bills. She counted the money in her purse twice even though she already knew the answer. It wasn't enough for rent let alone surgery. Her phone buzzed with an unknown number.

"Miss Olivia Reed." "Speaking." "My name is Daniel. I work for Mr Carter. Chairman William Carter would like to meet with you tomorrow morning." Olivia frowned. "Chairman Carter." "The gentleman whose life you saved today." She relaxed slightly. "Oh." "A car will pick you up at nine." "Is something wrong." "No Miss Reed. The chairman simply wishes to thank you personally." Before she could ask another question the call ended.

Olivia spent most of the night wondering why one of the richest men in the country wanted to see her again.

The following morning a sleek black luxury car stopped outside her apartment building. Curious neighbors peeked through their windows as Daniel stepped out and politely opened the rear door. Olivia climbed inside feeling completely out of place. During the drive she watched the city change from crowded streets to quiet neighborhoods lined with enormous mansions hidden behind elegant gates. When the car finally stopped she stared at the grand estate before her. It looked more like a palace than a home.

Inside the mansion William Carter welcomed her warmly. "Miss Reed thank you for coming." "Thank you for inviting me sir." He gestured for her to sit before studying her face carefully. Kindness still shone in her eyes despite the exhaustion she tried to hide. "Tell me about yourself." Olivia hesitated but answered honestly. She spoke about losing her parents raising Mason alone searching endlessly for work and struggling to pay hospital bills. William listened without interrupting.

When she finished he folded his hands together. "Miss Reed I have a proposal." Olivia looked up nervously. "A proposal." "Yes." He smiled gently. "I want you to marry my grandson."

The words hit her like thunder.

"I'm sorry..." she whispered. "Did I hear you correctly."

"You did."

Olivia stared at him unable to believe what she had just heard. She had expected a thank-you gift perhaps even a job offer. Marriage to a billionaire was the last thing she could have imagined.

Before she could find her voice the library doors opened.

A tall man in a black suit walked in without looking at her.

His cold eyes finally met hers.

Neither of them spoke.

For a long moment the room was completely silent.