บททั้งหมดของ The Billionaire's Hidden Bride : บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

There was an overwhelming quiet in the room. I tried to take in what I had just heard as I looked at him. What would you think about marrying me? Absurd and unreal, the words replayed in my mind like a nightmare I was unable to wake from. "Pardon me?" I succeeded, speaking hardly louder than a whisper. Leaning back in his chair, Williams Franklin's eyes were composed and strategic. "I think I was explicit. I'm proposing to you—under a contract, of course. A bitter, disbelieving laugh rose up in my throat. "Is this a joke of some sort?" His face remained unwavering. "Joke is a waste of time for me." As a reaction to protect myself from the situation's utter ridiculousness, I crossed my arms. "You're not even familiar with me. Why would you— "Are you not present here? at *Love Affair*. With an irksomely matter-of-fact tone, he said, "That tells me everything I need to know." My cheeks became heated. "You know absolutely nothing about me." "I know enough," he shot back. Y

The moment we stepped out of the car, it seemed as if a hundred eyes were watching me. Flashing cameras looked like fireworks, as the rapid shutter sounds merged into a unified, chaotic hum. As we ascended the marble steps of the Astoria Grand, Williams' fingers tightened slightly on my arm, a small but reassuring touch that I held onto. The smell of ambition and money filled the air within. A sea of expensive dresses and well-tailored suits was illuminated by the golden glow from the brilliant chandeliers. The gentle tones of a live orchestra blended with the sounds of conversation and laughter. Williams spoke softly as he leaned closer. "Remember that confidence is essential. Don't smile too much. Talk when someone is speaking to you, and please, don't drink too much champagne. I forced a practiced smile onto my lips and murmured, "Got it." He guided me through the throng, stopping occasionally to greet or shake hands with people whose names I couldn't possibly recall. I mad

The vastness and luxury of the Franklin estate were stunning, but they also came with a burden that made me feel like an outsider in someone else's world. The estate was bustling with activity this morning. While he didn't seem very excited about it, Williams had told me during breakfast that his family was getting together for a formal meal, which is reportedly a tradition. He stated plainly, "They'll ask questions," looking at me as if I were a conundrum he was unable to understand. "Avoid anything personal, be courteous, and remain ambiguous." Even though I felt uneasy, I answered, "Got it." Although I was able to tolerate intrusive questioning, the weight of what I had learnt about the Harringtons made me feel as though I were carrying a secret that might blow up at any time. The mood instantly changed as soon as we entered the opulent dining room. Already there were Marcel and Sophia, staring at me with piercing eyes as though I were an intruder. Other relatives joined

Early that morning, before the sun had fully risen, there was the first indication of disaster. Expecting a calendar reminder or a message from Williams, I weakly reached for my phone when its gentle ding roused me from a restless slumber. I was met with a deluge of messages, including missed calls, emails, and texts. Then came the press releases. ‘A scandalous arrangement or a socialite marriage? Freda Adams' Horrifying History Is Out!’The sheets coiled about me as I sat up quickly. As the data appeared in sharp, bold letters, my pulse raced as I looked across the screen. Marcel hadn't remained silent. He had somehow obtained my childhood documents, including the foster homes, the charge that I had stolen from one of my foster families (which was later shown to be untrue, but the harm persisted), and even a picture of me at sixteen, wearing a waitress costume at a seedy diner. An opportunistic woman with a bad history who is trying to move up the social scale was depicted in

When neither side feels secure in their stance, a certain calm falls over them. It's significant, nearly tangible, and might be cut with a knife. That was the kind of silence that had recently settled between Williams and me. It was a matter of something far more baffling than hostility. Whenever I looked at him, something made my heart quicken and my thoughts swirl. I couldn't exactly explain it, but the more time I spent with him, the more I began to doubt all of my preconceived notions about this marriage contract.Initially, it was simple. It had a certain clarity, a tidy little box that I could file away in my mind and declare, "This is what it is, no more, no less." A deal. A win-win situation. I was never meant to fall in love with the man beneath the aloof, businesslike exterior. His faint grins and the fleeting moments when his eyes softened as he regarded me across the room were never meant to matter to me.Nevertheless, I found myself looking at him more than I wanted to a