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Sophia Carter had always believed that love was supposed to be the one thing in life that could never be bought.

She was wrong.

The rain poured heavily over the city as she stood outside the luxurious Blackwood Tower, staring at the building that seemed to touch the clouds.

For ordinary people, this place represented success.

For Sophia, it represented the end of her old life.

She tightened her grip on the small handbag in her hand and looked at the message on her phone again.

"Come to Blackwood Tower at 8 PM. We need to discuss your father's debt."

No name.

No explanation.

Only one thing was certain.

The person who sent it knew about her family's problems.

Sophia's father had spent his entire life building Carter Fashion House, a small but respected clothing company. It wasn't a huge empire, but it was their family's pride.

Until six months ago.

A business partner betrayed them.

The company collapsed.

Her father's health got worse.

And now, millions in debt were hanging over their heads.

Sophia had tried everything.

She sold her jewelry.

She worked extra jobs.

She even accepted small fashion projects that barely paid anything.

But the debt was too large.

She walked into the building.

The security guards immediately recognized her name.

"Miss Carter?"

Sophia looked surprised.

"Yes."

"The CEO is expecting you. Take the elevator to the top floor."

The CEO.

Those words made her nervous.

She knew only one person powerful enough to summon someone like her.

Alexander Black.

The youngest billionaire in the country.

The ruthless CEO of Blackwood International.

People said he was brilliant.

People said he was dangerous.

And people said he had never cared about anyone except himself.

Sophia entered the elevator.

As the numbers climbed higher, her heartbeat became louder.

When the doors opened, she stepped into a world completely different from hers.

Everything was perfect.

Silent.

Expensive.

A woman approached her.

"Miss Carter, Mr. Black is waiting."

Sophia followed her into the office.

The first thing she noticed was the man standing near the window.

Alexander Black.

He was taller than she expected.

His black suit looked perfectly fitted, and his expression was cold enough to make the room feel colder.

He didn't turn around immediately.

"You came."

Sophia frowned.

"Yes. You asked me to."

Alexander finally faced her.

His eyes studied her carefully.

Not like someone looking at a stranger.

Like someone who already knew something about her.

"Sit down."

Sophia sat across from him.

"What is this about?"

Alexander placed a file on the table.

Sophia opened it.

Her eyes widened.

It contained information about her father's company.

Debt records.

Legal documents.

Everything.

"How did you get this?"

"I have my ways."

She closed the file.

"If this is about buying my father's company, the answer is no."

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

"You think I want to buy it?"

"Most powerful businessmen do not help people without wanting something in return."

For the first time, a small expression appeared on Alexander's face.

Almost like amusement.

"You are more intelligent than I expected."

Sophia didn't smile.

"Then tell me why I am here."

Alexander walked to his desk and picked up another document.

He placed it in front of her.

Sophia looked down.

Her eyes froze.

A marriage contract.

She looked at him slowly.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"You want me to marry you?"

"For one year."

Sophia almost laughed.

"This is a joke."

"It isn't."

She pushed the contract back.

"Why would a billionaire need a fake wife?"

Alexander's expression changed slightly.

"My grandfather left a condition in his will. To keep control of Blackwood International, I must be married before my thirty-second birthday."

"And you chose me?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Silence filled the room.

Then Alexander said:

"Because you are the only woman who can help me."

Sophia stared at him.

"That makes no sense."

"It will."

She stood up.

"I don't know what game you are playing, Mr. Black, but I am not interested."

She turned toward the door.

Then Alexander spoke.

"Your father's debt will be cleared."

Sophia stopped.

Slowly, she turned around.

"What?"

"I will pay everything."

Her hands tightened.

"You think you can buy me?"

"No."

Alexander looked directly into her eyes.

"I think I can give you a choice."

Sophia hated that he was right.

A part of her wanted to refuse.

But another part remembered her father lying in a hospital bed.

Remembered the people threatening to take their home.

She looked at the contract again.

"One year?"

"One year."

"No feelings?"

"No feelings."

"No controlling my life?"

"No."

Sophia picked up the pen.

But before she signed, she asked:

"Why do I feel like there is something you are not telling me?"

Alexander's expression became unreadable.

Because there was.

A secret he had hidden for years.

A secret connected to Sophia Carter.

But before he could answer, his phone rang.

He looked at the screen.

His face changed.

Sophia noticed.

"What happened?"

Alexander slowly looked back at her.

"The person who tried to destroy your father's company..."

He paused.

"...is someone inside my family."

Sophia froze.

The contract suddenly felt heavier in her hand.

This was not just a marriage.

It was the beginning of a war.

And she had just signed her name.