The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride

She stood up, adjusting her jacket. This wasn’t just about clearing her name, it was about finding out who was trying to destroy her and why. And when she did, they would regret ever thinking they could outsmart Elara Hart.As she walked out of her office, heading toward Charles’ door, one thought echoed in her mind: This was war.Her high heels made a sharp clicking sound on the polished marble floor as she walked towards Charles Montgomery’s office, the managing partner.The hallway was quiet, amplifying the mix of emotions she was feeling. By the time she reached the heavy oak door of the managing partner’s office, she had hidden her panic behind a facade of determined bravery.She paused, drew in a steadying breath, then knocked.“Come in,” Charles’s voice called out, calm and steady, giving no hint of the turmoil that awaited her inside.Elara pushed the door open, stepping into the room with her head held high.The managing partner’s office was exactly what you’d expect from some

From his penthouse office, Damian Blackwood gazed out at the city below. His eyes were fixed on the bustling streets and towering skyscrapers that stretched out before him. The view was magnificent, a testament to his success and the vast empire his family had built over generations. But today, it offered no comfort. The pressure of the looming deadline pressed heavily on him, overshadowing the satisfaction he usually felt when surveying his domain.Behind him, his family’s lawyers shivering nervously, awaiting his response to the grim news they had delivered. Damian had always known this day would come, but he hadn’t expected it to arrive so soon, or under such dire circumstances.“Thirty days,” he murmured, more to himself than to the men in the room. “You’re telling me I have just thirty days to find a wife, or everything my family has built will be stripped away?”Mr. Jennings, the head lawyer, cleared his throat. “Yes, Mr. Blackwood. Your grandfather’s will stipulates that if you

Her thoughts were a jumbled mess as she replayed the events of Damian’s proposition. It had been as audacious as it was unexpected. Marrying Damian Blackwood, even temporarily, was a move that could either save her career or ruin her completely, so she intended not to accept his offer.She strode through the glass doors of the Marshall & Hewitt Firm, her heels clicking on the polished marble floor with a confident rhythm, ignoring the whispers among her colleagues. It had been like this ever since her name hit the media. None of them offered to help her, and the firm had suddenly withdrawn their resources.The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the modern decor in a golden light. For a brief moment, she savored the familiar scent of leather and the gentle hum of morning activity in the office. This was her domain, a world she had painstakingly built through years of hard work, late nights, and unwavering determination.As she approached her office, her

Elara had called her mother the day before her wedding, feeling the heaviness in her heart for the conversation she knew she had to have. “Hello, Mom,” she said, trying to keep her voice light. “How are you?” “I’m fine, Elara. How are you?” her mother asked. Elara could sense the unease in her voice. “Is something wrong, Mother?” she asked, her concern growing. “Nothing,” her mother replied quickly, though Elara could tell she was holding something back. “Is James there with you?” Elara inquired, thinking she could ask her brother what was wrong with their mother. “No, he’s out with his friends,” her mother answered. James was the social one, always surrounded by friends, unlike Elara, who preferred the company of a single close friend. “Why did you call? Do you have news for me?” “Yes, Mother,” Elara began, her heart racing. “I’m getting married.” There was a stunned silence on the other end of the line. Then her mother’s voice, sharp and incredulous, broke the silence. “What!

Elara had never felt more out of place in her life.The sprawling Blackwood mansion, with its towering ceilings and lavish decor, was a far cry from the modest apartment she had called home for years. As she stood in the grand lobby, taking in the marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and priceless art adorning the walls, she couldn’t help but feel like an intruder in someone else’s world.“This way, Mrs. Blackwood,” a stern-faced butler uttered, motioning for her to follow him up the sweeping staircase.Mrs. Blackwood. The title still felt foreign, like a role she was playing in someone else’s life. She wondered how long it would take before the name stopped sounding so strange.The butler led her to a suite of rooms at the far end of the second floor. “This will be your private space,” he explained as he opened the double doors, revealing a luxurious sitting room connected to a spacious bedroom. “If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask.”“Thank you,” Elara replied, trying