CEO's Contract Wife のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 21 - チャプター 30

The days following the board meeting were tense and complicated. Izzy found herself in a state of emotional turmoil, caught between the attraction that had been simmering between her and Liam and the painful reminder that their marriage was, ultimately, just a business arrangement.She had stood beside him in that boardroom, defended him in front of his uncle and the entire board, and had felt more like his true partner in that moment than she’d ever felt before. For a few minutes, it was as if they were fighting for something together, something real. But then, later, when they were alone, his distance returned, reminding her that maybe she was just a convenient pawn in this complicated game he was playing with his family.Each time she saw him around the penthouse, his focus buried in work or his mind somewhere she couldn’t follow, the sting of their limitations pressed deeper. He was charming, confident, strong—everything she could’ve wanted in a partner. But she couldn’t ignore th

Liam was in his office at Stone Enterprises, seated behind his large mahogany desk, his fingers steepled as he stared at a pile of documents. The board meeting earlier that morning had been tense, with whispers of uncertainty about his leadership and veiled suggestions that he might consider bringing in "additional support." He knew it was his uncle Victor’s doing, stirring up doubt and unease within the board, but he hadn’t expected his uncle to be quite this relentless.With a sigh, he leaned back, rubbing a hand over his face. He couldn’t afford any distractions—not now, when the company was at a critical juncture and he was juggling so many pieces at once. And yet, even as he tried to focus on the business, his mind kept drifting back to Izzy. The night they’d shared had left him feeling raw, open, and deeply unsettled, but in a way that was also thrilling. For the first time in his life, he felt like he’d truly let someone in, let them see him without the armor he’d always worn.

It was late in the evening, and the elegant, dimly lit lounge buzzed with quiet chatter and the clinking of glasses. Sabrina West sat in a corner booth, her back straight, perfectly manicured fingers wrapped around a glass of red wine. Her expression was one of cool confidence, her eyes scanning the room as she waited for her latest guest to arrive.She didn’t have to wait long. The doors to the lounge swung open, and in walked Noah Stone, wearing his usual half-smirk, a sharp navy suit that looked tailored to perfection, and an air of careless charm that he wielded as effectively as a weapon. He spotted Sabrina immediately, his gaze glinting with a hint of amusement as he approached her table.“Sabrina,” he greeted smoothly, sliding into the seat across from her. “It’s been too long.”She lifted her glass in a mock toast, her lips curving into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Indeed, Noah. Though I must say, I’m surprised you actually came.”“Why wouldn’t I?” he replied, his tone

The days following her intimate night with Liam passed in a blur. Despite the warmth they had shared, Izzy could still feel the shadows lurking at the edges of their lives—the secrets, the dangers, the relentless manipulations of Victor and Noah. Liam tried to stay close, tried to protect her from the swirling storm of family betrayals, but she could tell he was weighed down by everything he was hiding. And she wanted to help him, to carry some of that burden herself.One evening, when Liam was called away to an emergency board meeting—likely another scheme orchestrated by his uncle—Izzy found herself alone in the penthouse, feeling restless. Her mind wandered to the mysteries surrounding the Stone family, particularly the whispers she had overheard between Liam and Noah about their father, Maxwell Stone.Liam had been so hesitant to open up about his father, always brushing off questions with vague answers, and she had respected his need for privacy. But Sabrina’s taunting words cont

Izzy lay awake in bed, the weight of the secret she carried pressing down on her like a lead blanket. The penthouse was quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the city outside. She could feel Liam’s warmth beside her, his hand resting gently on her waist, his breathing deep and steady. He was fast asleep, his face softened in the darkness, free of the usual tension that seemed to define him.And yet, despite his closeness, Izzy felt like she was miles away.She turned onto her side, careful not to disturb him, and stared at the shadows dancing across the ceiling. Ever since she had discovered the file, her mind had been racing with questions, suspicions that gnawed at her heart and refused to let her rest. The more she thought about it, the more uncertain she felt about everything—her marriage, her growing feelings for Liam, and the twisted legacy of the Stone family.The police report, the notes scrawled in the margins, the whispers of “vehicle tampering” and “financial dispute”—it al