Chapter Four: A Bride the World Never Expected

The Billionaire's Contract Bride

Chapter Four: A Bride the World Never Expected (1)

The morning sun cast its golden rays across the towering skyline of Los Angeles, but inside Blackwood Global Holdings, the atmosphere was anything but calm.

At exactly eight o'clock, Martin Blackwood strode into the executive boardroom wearing his signature black three-piece suit. His polished shoes echoed against the marble floor as every executive rose to their feet.

"Good morning, Mr. Blackwood."

He acknowledged them with a slight nod before taking his seat at the head of the long conference table.

His assistant, Ethan Cole, placed a folder before him.

"The contracts for the Tokyo merger have been finalized, sir."

Martin flipped through the documents without much interest.

"What about the Singapore investment?"

"Approved."

"The New York acquisition?"

"The legal department completed the transfer this morning."

Martin signed the last page and pushed the documents aside.

"There is one more announcement."

The executives exchanged puzzled glances.

Martin rarely made personal announcements.

He stood slowly.

"I'm getting married."

The room froze.

One executive nearly dropped his pen.

Another removed his glasses, convinced he had misheard.

For years, the media had called Martin Blackwood "America's Most Eligible Bachelor."

Business magazines had tried to uncover the identity of the woman who would eventually capture his heart.

None succeeded.

Yet this morning...

He announced his marriage as casually as approving a business proposal.

"When is the wedding, sir?" one director finally asked.

"This weekend."

A wave of whispers swept across the room.

Martin raised one hand.

"The discussion ends here."

Silence immediately returned.

"As from today, Miss Claire Jacobs will be treated with the same respect you give me."

Every executive nodded.

"Yes, Mr. Blackwood."

Martin left the boardroom without another word.

---

Less than an hour later...

The internet exploded.

BLACKWOOD GLOBAL CEO TO MARRY IN PRIVATE CEREMONY.

Financial blogs, entertainment websites, television stations, and social media pages all carried the same headline.

No one knew who the bride was.

Speculation spread across the country.

Some believed she was a European princess.

Others insisted she was the daughter of a billionaire.

A few even claimed Martin had secretly been married for years.

Meanwhile...

Claire sat quietly in the Jacobs mansion, staring at her phone.

The headline filled every news platform.

Her heart pounded.

"So... it's real."

She wasn't dreaming.

In less than a week...

She would become Mrs. Claire Blackwood.

The thought still felt unreal.

Her mother entered the room carrying a cup of tea.

"I saw the news."

Claire forced a smile.

"So did the rest of America."

Evelyn placed the tea on the table.

"Are you frightened?"

Claire remained silent for several seconds.

"Yes."

"Do you regret signing?"

Claire slowly shook her head.

"No."

"What I regret..."

She looked around the once-grand living room.

"...is that life gave me no better choice."

Her mother gently held her hand.

"My daughter..."

"I don't know whether this marriage will bring happiness or heartbreak."

Claire leaned her head on her mother's shoulder.

"Neither do I."

---

At Blackwood Tower...

Martin stood alone in his private office.

Ethan entered quietly.

"The media is asking for interviews."

"No."

"The shareholders?"

"No."

"The wedding planners?"

"They may proceed."

Ethan nodded before placing another file on the desk.

"The investigation continues."

Martin opened it.

Photographs.

Financial records.

Old contracts.

Bank transfers.

One name had been circled repeatedly.

Victor Harrington.

Martin's expression darkened.

"So..."

"He finally resurfaced."

Ethan lowered his voice.

"Our investigators believe Victor wasn't acting alone."

Martin closed the file.

"I know."

"There was someone inside the Jacobs company."

Someone they trusted.

Someone who leaked confidential documents.

Martin looked toward the city through the glass wall.

"The question is..."

"Does Claire know who betrayed her family..."

"...or is she another victim?"

---

Elsewhere...

A black luxury car stopped outside an expensive restaurant.

A woman wearing oversized sunglasses stepped out.

It was Ivy.

Martin's former fiancée.

She entered a private room where a man was already waiting.

Without greeting him, she threw a newspaper onto the table.

"You've seen this?"

The man smiled.

"So..."

"The ice king is finally getting married."

Ivy's beautiful face twisted with anger.

"I won't let that nobody become Mrs. Blackwood."

The man leaned back.

"What exactly do you want from me?"

She smiled—a slow, dangerous smile.

"I want Claire Jacobs to disappear..."

"...before she reaches the altar."

The man's smile faded.

"Ivy..."

"That's dangerous."

She leaned forward.

"So am I."

Outside the restaurant...

A pair of unseen eyes watched everything.

A camera shutter clicked.

Someone had secretly photographed the meeting.

And whoever that mysterious person was...

...had just uncovered the first piece of a conspiracy that could destroy them all.