Todos os capítulos de The Contracted CEO: A Marriage of Convenience: Capítulo 41 - Capítulo 49

Cass followed Marcus into the dimly lit study, her eyes adjusting to the soft glow of lamps that illuminated the room. Her gaze fell upon a new and neatly arranged desk, chair, and drawer filled with files that had been set up in the study for her with her nameplate on the desk."Consider this your new office away from the office," Marcus said with a warm smile, his hands on his waist, his deep voice showing how proud he was of his efforts. "I wanted you to feel comfortable working with me here at home.""Thank you, Marcus." Cass's voice was a mixture of appreciation and surprise. "Wow, I wasn't expecting this" her voice choked up as she walked to and sat on the chair.She let out a startled scream when she saw him bent so close to her, his face just a few inches from hers."I just wanted to show you a file on your computer, What did you think I was going to do? Kiss you? I do deserve a kiss though, for my efforts" Marcus said with a mischievous glint in his eyesCass blushed and hit

Marcus clenched his jaw as the chauffeur brought the sleek black car to a halt in front of Judge Richards's imposing two-story home. The anger coursed through him like molten lava, threatening to spill over at any moment.Cass glanced at him, her eyes wide with confusion and curiosity, Where are we? What is going on? were the thoughts that passed through her mind.All she wanted to do today was read a book and lounge in the house in preparation for work tomorrow but Marcus had barged in and asked her to get dressed without any explanation as to their destination."Where are we?" She asked but Marcus didn't have the patience to explain."Come on," he growled, practically dragging her out of the vehicle. His long strides carried them quickly up the cobblestone path as Cass struggled to match his steps, past immaculately trimmed hedges and fragrant rose bushes.The heavy oak doors swung open, revealing the anxious face of Judge Richards, whose grey eyes darted between Marcus and Cass lik

Cass was lying next to him.Not on another couch. Not across the room. Next to him. On his bed.His pulse spiked so hard it hurt.No. No, no—please tell me I didn’t—He pushed a hand into his hair, heart hammering against his ribs. Memories slammed into him in blurry fragments:Amber. The pregnancy. His anger. His heartbreak. His drinking—God, so much drinking. Cass’s voice somewhere in the fog. Warm hands helping him. His own voice cracking—too raw, too emotional. “Don’t leave me… please, Cass…”He winced. Actually winced.He didn’t remember falling asleep. And he DEFINITELY didn’t remember Cass getting in bed beside him.She shifted slightly, her lashes fluttering open. Her eyes widened the second she realized how close they were.“Oh—” Cass scrambled back like she’d touched fire. “Oh, my God—I swear it’s not what it looks like!”Marcus swallowed, throat dry. “Did I… do something?”“No!” Cass said instantly, shaking her head so fast her hair flew. “Nothing happened. You w

Cass stayed in the study long after the door had closed behind her. Sunlight pooled across the polished desk, warming her skin, but her insides resisted the calm. Relief and disbelief tangled tightly together, and beneath both lingered something she wasn’t ready to examine — something unsteady, almost dangerous.She traced the timestamp on the access logs again. Jake had been there. He had physically walked into the archive room the night before her evidence disappeared.Proof. Real proof. Finally.She breathed out slowly, pressing her palm against the page like she needed to anchor herself to the reality of it.A soft knock sounded.Cass closed her eyes. She should have known he’d come. Marcus Wells didn’t walk away from problems. He cornered them.“Come in.”The door opened.Marcus stepped inside, his movements careful, almost hesitant, as if he wasn’t sure how close he was allowed to get. He shut the door behind him but didn’t break her gaze.“Cass.”She turned, trying to keep her

Cass didn’t remember the drive back to the Wells estate.Her mind was too loud.Too fast.Too focused on the email burning in her pocket like a live wire.You’re next.The words looped in her head the entire ride, even as Caleb’s car cut smoothly through traffic. She kept glancing out the window — scanning faces on sidewalks, cars behind them, the shadows between buildings.Every movement felt like it meant something.Every silence felt like a warning.Caleb parked near one of the side entrances and stepped out immediately. “Let’s get inside. We’ll sweep your devices in the office.”Cass nodded, still clutching her phone like it might detonate.Inside the mansion, the warm lighting and quiet hallways did little to steady her. Her pulse was a drum under her skin, loud and insistent.Caleb led her to Marcus’s home office and locked the door behind them.“Let me see the phone again,” he said.Cass handed it over. Caleb connected it to a secure cable, his face illuminated by the blue glow