4. The Grand Vault

Isabella's POV:

"I'm sorry, Miss Sinclair, but the instructions given by your parents before death are to grant you access to the Grand Vault after you get married and have your first child, and I know they have their reasons for making that mandatory," Barrister Carter said.

The Grand Vault is the Sinclair family's most coveted secret, containing every piece of information and power about the Sinclair family, top-secret details, and unimaginable wealth. Rumors suggested that its worth exceeded ten times the present Sinclair family's net worth, making it nearly impossible to fathom the extent of my parents' riches. We were one of the world's top five richest and most influential families. Both my dad and mom were equally powerful and wealthy. To add to the intrigue, my mom hailed from a royal family. But fate hadn't smiled upon my parents; they never had a male heir to carry on their legacy. My parents went to great lengths to secure a male heir but were left disappointed. Thus, I became the heiress to this immense power and wealth.

My late parents believed I couldn't run the family empire on my own or handle the tremendous power. As a result, they locked away most of it in the Grand Vault and entrusted Barrister Carter with the instruction. I was bound by their last wishes: I had to get married and have a child before I could access the Grand Vault. If, after five years from their demise, I remained unmarried, the Grand Vault would be handed over to my uncle.

"Mr. Carter, I understand your position, but look at me. I'm already running over ten companies on my own. Why do you think I can't handle the Grand Vault? Why must I depend on a man to access my parents' property? Please, make it make sense!" I implored, frustration lacing my voice. I had been in discussions with him for three years since my parents' passing, but he remained stubborn.

"I'm sorry, Miss Sinclair. You don't have a choice but to adhere to your deceased parents' instructions. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now," he declared, standing up and departing. I watched in annoyance as he took his leave.

I needed to find a solution to this predicament. I had no intention of getting married or having children. Submitting to a man was out of the question. Never!

As I hadn't had breakfast yet and my stomach was grumbling, I grabbed my purse and headed to my car.

I drove to a Chinese restaurant for breakfast, a cozy place adorned with red lanterns and ornate wooden furniture.

I took my seat, and a cheerful-looking Asian waitress approached my table. "Ma'am, may I take your order?" she asked politely.

"Yes, please. I'd like some congee and a bottle of water, thank you," I replied.

As I awaited my order, I couldn't help but notice a handsome man seated across from me. I flashed a charming smile at him, but he simply ignored me. How dare he!

I overheard his conversation on the phone. "Hello, Mabel, please stop bothering me, okay? If you want me to help you, do what I request. Be a surrogate mother for me and bear my children."

What! I couldn't believe it. How could he be so ruthless, forcing such a contract upon someone in need? The previous attraction I had felt for him faded, and immediately got replaced by disgust. I shot him an angry glare, and he quickly abandoned his meal and table.

The waitress returned with my order and placed the steaming bowl of congee before me. My mouth watered at the sight.

I hungrily devoured my meal, and as I ate, an idea began to form in my mind. If that guy could propose a surrogate contract, why couldn't I propose a fake marriage contract? But I wouldn't force anyone into it; they would do it of their own accord. It was the perfect solution. A smile of relief curled up on my lips as I had finally found a way to address my problem.

I should contact all the previous men I had hooked up with and ask them if they are interested. My thoughts drifted back to Liam, but I quickly brushed the idea aside. I didn't think he would agree to such a contract with me. He was different; my money didn't faze him. I should focus on those who were attracted to my wealth.

Zoe's POV:

I'm Zeo Lupine, a freshman student at Ryard University of San Diego. Short and robust with pretty face. I walked into the school's gigantic library for the first time and I was marveled by the sight the loomed before me. The library , a magnificent space with towering shelves of books, soft reading nooks, and large oak tables, bathed in the gentle glow of reading lamps that cast a warm, inviting atmosphere.

I took my seat in a secluded corner, surrounded by rows of ancient books, each whispering its own story. The library had always been a sanctuary for me, a place where I could lose myself in the world of words.

"Why is your life so boring? Can't you do something more interesting? Other girls from the Lupine pack have found their mates and they're having fun! All you do is read. Don't you get tired?" Storm, my wolf, complained annoyingly.

"Stop, please. I have to concentrate. This isn't the time to throw tantrums," I snapped at her. Storm had always been the opposite of me—she liked fun, but I wasn't interested in such matters. Even though she was right, I was supposed to have met my mate since I turned eighteen, but I didn't care about it. All I cared about was books.

"I smell him!" Storm suddenly screamed happily.

"Smell what? Food? Can you stop being annoyingly unserious?" I yelled at her, as she kept disturbing my reading.

"I'm serious! I smell our mate!" she exclaimed, this time with a sense of urgency.

Storm pressured me to walk towards the direction she indicated, and though I tried to resist, I eventually gave in and reluctantly left my table, walking towards her chosen path.

"He's over there!" she whispered.

My heart began to race, and I felt a wave of fear wash over me. I was scared—scared that I might not like him, scared that he might reject me. Perhaps that's why I had been so disinterested in finding my mate. I swallowed hard in fear as I peered slowly from behind a tall bookshelf.

"Come on, let's see who it is," Storm urged me.

Summoning every ounce of courage, I walked out of my hiding place and saw him. He was a blonde guy with long hair, incredibly handsome. The excitement welled up within me, and I knew it was Storm. She was ecstatic.

He stood by a shelf, intently reading a book. He was tall and slender, oozing charm. I couldn't tell whether my mate was also a werewolf or human, as werewolves are sometimes mated with humans.

"He's a werewolf, a beta! No, an alpha! No, omega! Wait, I think he's a Lycan!" Storm stammered in confusion.

"Why are you so confused? Is he a beta, omega, or Lycan?" I asked, equally bewildered.

"I don't know. I've never come across someone like this before. I can feel he's a beta, and at the same time, I can feel that he's a Lycan. He's just like a combination of all. I can't understand it. He's a mystery," Storm explained.

"Hello, beauty, please excuse me," my mate said, pulling me out of my thoughts. He was so cute, and his voice was deep and masculine. I was already crushing on him.

"Why are you staring at me? Are you obsessed with my beauty and can't get enough of it?" he said with a typical playboy smile. He walked closer, both hands in his pockets, while I moved further away until my back touched the bookshelf. My heart raced as he approached, his face getting closer.

"I know you like what you see, pretty," he whispered into my ear, making me blush. Storm was thrilled, reveling in the attention he was giving me.

"What's your name?" I managed to ask.

"I go by many names, but I think Rocky is better," he said, smirking naughtily.

"Your surname?" I inquired.

"Blackwood," he replied, his eyes dreamy and seductive. Footsteps approached, and in a moment of panic, I pushed him away and ran out of the library, my face crimson and my heart racing.