Married to the Scheming CEO: A Contract Gone Crazy

Chapter 2 I am ready

Ethan Clark was determined to marry Emma Thomas, and he wasn’t going to let anyone change his mind. The late-afternoon sun bathed the towering office building in a warm glow, but the atmosphere inside Samuel Clark’s executive suite was far from serene. Behind a polished mahogany desk, a middle-aged man with graying hair and sharp glasses sat reviewing documents with a serious expression. His assistant, a tall and lanky man named Matthew Lin, approached with a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

"Here’s your coffee, Mr. Clark," Matthew said, setting the cup down carefully.

Samuel sighed, rubbing his temples. "Where’s Ethan now?" he asked, his voice carrying a mix of authority and concern.

"He’s on his way up, sir," Matthew reassured him, adjusting his tie. "He should be here any moment."

Almost on cue, a knock sounded at the door, firm and confident. Without waiting for a reply, Ethan Clark stepped inside, his commanding presence filling the room. At 6'4" with broad shoulders and an impeccably tailored black suit, Ethan exuded an air of control. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his piercing eyes suggested a man who was used to getting his way.

"You wanted to see me, Dad?" Ethan asked, closing the door behind him.

Samuel gestured toward the leather sofa in the center of the room. "Sit down. We need to talk."

Ethan complied, though his demeanor remained relaxed. As he settled into the sofa, he reached for a water bottle from a nearby cabinet, twisting the cap off with practiced ease. Samuel watched him for a moment, then leaned back in his chair, hands clasped together.

"I hear you’re planning to marry Oliver Thomas’s daughter," Samuel said, wasting no time.

Ethan had anticipated this conversation. "That’s right. I was going to tell you about it soon. I’ve met her—she’s beautiful, kind, and gentle." He paused to take a sip of water. "The Thomas Group is already one of our business partners, and with their recent financial troubles, this marriage could solidify our alliance. You’ve always told me to strengthen our ties where possible."

Samuel’s eyes narrowed slightly. "So this is purely a strategic move?" he asked, his tone skeptical.

"It’s more than that," Ethan replied, leaning forward. "You’ve made it clear you want me to take over the company. The board is watching every move I make, and aligning with the Thomas Group will help us expand into Woodsville more effectively. It’s a win-win for everyone involved."

Samuel regarded his son carefully, weighing his words. "You seem to have thought this through," he admitted, nodding. "But are you really sure about marrying someone you’ve only met briefly?"

Ethan offered a confident smile. "I’ll be visiting Oliver Thomas this weekend to meet her properly. It’ll be fine."

Before Samuel could respond, the door burst open, and a tall woman in an elegant blue dress strode in. Grace Clark, Ethan’s mother, had a commanding presence of her own, and her expression was anything but pleased.

"I don’t agree with this!" Grace announced, her voice firm.

"Mom," Ethan said, rising to his feet. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard my son is planning to marry someone from the Thomas family without consulting his parents!" Grace exclaimed, her hands on her hips.

Ethan sighed inwardly. He knew this was coming. Grace had always hoped he would marry Lily Jones, the daughter of a close family friend. But aligning with the Thomas Group made far more sense than preserving a decades-old family friendship.

"Grace, let’s not make this more difficult," Samuel interjected, his voice calm but firm. "We’ve met Oliver Thomas’s daughter before, remember? She was a lovely child."

Grace shook her head, her frustration evident. "I don’t care how lovely she was as a child. Lily is perfect for Ethan! She’s known him since they were kids, and she’s always adored him."

Ethan turned to his mother, his expression softening. "Mom, I know you have high hopes for Lily, but I’ve never had feelings for her beyond friendship. Forcing this would only make us both unhappy. I want her to find someone who truly loves her."

Grace’s eyes filled with unshed tears as she studied her son’s determined face. "You grew up together," she said quietly. "You mean so much to her."

"And that’s exactly why I want her to have the chance to find her own happiness," Ethan replied gently.

Samuel placed a hand on Grace’s shoulder. "He’s made up his mind, Grace. Let’s respect his decision."

After a long pause, Grace exhaled deeply. "Fine. But Ethan," she said, fixing her son with a steady gaze, "if you go through with this, make sure you treat her well. Marriage isn’t just a business deal—it’s a partnership. You’ll need to work at it."

"I understand," Ethan said, his tone sincere.

With that, Grace left the room, and Samuel followed, leaving Ethan alone. The weight of his responsibilities pressed heavily on his shoulders, but his resolve remained firm. He was determined to prove himself—not just to his parents, but to the entire board of directors watching his every move.

After sitting in contemplation for a moment, Ethan checked his watch and stood. His assistant, Daniel Johnson, was waiting by the car when Ethan stepped outside.

"Where to next, Ethan?" Daniel asked as he opened the car door.

"Back to the apartment," Ethan replied. The ride was quiet, giving him time to reflect. At his apartment, Ethan picked up a carefully chosen gift box and a scroll painting—thoughtful presents for his visit to Oliver Thomas. After a quick wardrobe change into more casual attire, he headed back to the car.

"Let’s head to the Woodsville Hotel," Ethan directed.

"Are you taking over the meeting with the Thomases now?" Daniel asked, his tone light.

"Just drive," Ethan replied, his voice tinged with finality.

They arrived at the hotel a few hours later. While Daniel checked them in, Ethan scrolled through emails on his phone, replying to urgent messages. Once everything was set, Daniel handed him the room key.

"I’ll take you up," Daniel offered.

"No need. I’ve got it," Ethan said, taking his luggage and heading toward the elevator.

Inside his room, Ethan took a long shower, letting the hot water wash away the day’s tension. Feeling refreshed, he changed into a button-down shirt and jeans. For a moment, he felt lighter, almost like the college student he used to be—before the weight of the family business fell squarely on his shoulders.

After a quick glance at his phone, Ethan decided to step out for a bite to eat. As he walked through the bustling streets of Woodsville, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he was ready to face them head-on.