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Chapter 4
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The Fiance Trade-off Chapter 7
With my side of the mess wrapped up, it was time for Julian to clean house on his end.Ever since our marriage, opportunists had started crawling out of the shadows, eager to strike before Julian could fully settle into his position.In his office, he slammed a stack of documents onto the desk in front of me. His finger tapped the top report: an internal audit."My uncle embezzled twenty million last month. He really thinks I’m just a seat warmer."I flipped it open. Everything was there: transactions, bank trails, even hotel receipts with his mistress.I shut the folder. "What’s your next move?"Julian stood, the lines of his black tailored suit razor-sharp. "Tomorrow’s board meeting. I’m making them cough it all up."The next day in the Executive Boardroom at Grant Corp headquarters, Julian sat at the head of the long mahogany table. His uncle, Richard Grant, was already pounding the desk."Julian! Who gave you the right to freeze my accounts? I’m your elder!"Julian didn’t
The Fiance Trade-off Chapter 6
After spending a few days with Julian, I realized he was nothing like what the gossip claimed.Everyone in our circle said he was a spoiled rich kid with zero brains, just a party boy blowing through his inheritance.But the truth? He saw through things with startling clarity. His takes on the economy were sharp, insightful, even ruthless. He was no airhead. He just wore the mask so well, people stopped asking questions.Over lunch one day, I found myself watching him speak, fascinated by how easily he tore down a market report. He caught my stare and leaned back in his chair, suddenly aware he might be saying too much."You wanna ask," he said, grinning, "why someone who’s not a total loser lets the world think he is?"I nodded. "Kind of. Though I’m guessing that whole reputation was built by you on purpose, right?"Julian’s eyes lit up. "You’re sharper than the others. Most just swallow what they’re fed."He stretched his arms out. "The Grant family’s empire is huge. Everyone
The Fiance Trade-off Chapter 5
Ryan’s gaudy wedding convoy tailed us all the way to our venue. I glanced at his twisted expression through the car window and sighed with irritation.Julian, unfazed, gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "What’s wrong? Getting cold feet?""Cold feet?" I scoffed. "Please. I’m just worried he’ll pull something and screw up our timing."Julian raised a brow, then leaned in to whisper, "Then, don’t stop me later."Before I could ask what he meant, the door swung open. Ryan had already charged at us. He aimed for my arm.Julian slapped his hand away like it was nothing."Touching someone else’s wife comes with a price," he said smoothly.That one word, "wife", made Ryan go pale."Who the hell do you think you are?" he barked. "Claire and I have twenty years of history. Who are you to talk?"I opened my mouth to respond, but Julian was already standing between us. "Twenty years and nothing came of it? Seems like fate made the right call."Ryan’s fist shot up, but Julian caught his wrist
The Fiance Trade-off Chapter 4
Ryan eventually stormed off, apparently after getting a call from his family. Whatever they said made him leave in a hurry, but not before shooting me one last dirty look."Claire, just wait!"Wait? As if. No one had time for his tantrums.Thankfully, he and Amber didn’t cause any more drama in the days that followed.And just like that, it was wedding day.To avoid any traffic delays, Julian and I decided to head out early. Unfortunately, because the universe just loves irony, I ran into Ryan and Amber when I was waiting for Julian at the entrance of the villa.Ryan passed by me, caught a glimpse of me in full bridal attire with a caravan of vehicles trailing behind, and his face instantly soured."Claire, what the hell is this? Trying to upstage Amber? I told you, we can still be together, but the wedding is only for her. What are you trying to pull by wearing that dress?"I didn’t even respond.Our family butler leaned in, cheerful and composed, handing them a pair of gift
The Fiance Trade-off Chapter 3
Our wedding was set for the tenth of the following month.Julian and I were both swamped with work, so we agreed that he’d just swing by and pick me up on the day of our wedding.As I scrolled through the checklist that the wedding planner sent over, the whole thing felt surreal. Not long ago, I thought I was done with marriage altogether after Ryan bailed on me.Now I was actually getting married.My mom was worried I was rushing it out of heartbreak. She tried her best to talk me down.I shut the book I’d been reading. For some reason, a memory flashed across my mind—Julian swaggering outside my office, smiling with those dimples."Don’t worry, Mom. Julian’s a good guy. And besides, marriage is the same with anyone, right? You and Dad taught me to look past emotion and focus on the benefits."She was speechless for a second, then sighed and hung up.I tilted my head up, staring at the stars, wondering when I’d become like this—someone whose whole world revolved around "value"
The Fiance Trade-off Chapter 2
Julian didn’t forget our deal.The very next morning, he invited me to meet at a private restaurant.I barely recognized him. His fire-engine red hair was dyed black, and all his bold jewelry and studded outfits were gone. He only wore a plain white shirt and jeans.I glanced at his eyebrow, and he smiled like he knew what I was thinking."It was just glued on. For fun. What? Don’t recognize me?"I chuckled. "Not quite."Everything went smoothly. We booked the most exclusive venue and agreed on the scale of the event. Decorations and attire? All Julian’s call. We split costs down the middle.He leaned on one hand, cheeks puffed with churros, looking like a cartoon hamster. "All up to me? Don’t you care? It’s your wedding too."I shrugged. "They say compliant wives bring fortune. I’m just trying to boost your luck."Julian laughed so loud that the waiter turned around. That’s when I noticed that his eyes were sharp, and when he smiled, two little dimples danced on his cheeks. H
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