บททั้งหมดของ The Heiress Contract : บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

Sylvie didn’t stop speeding until the city lights drove into the familiar private district where her family’s mansion sat behind iron gates. Her fingers trembled on the steering wheel, her heart still punching against her ribs. The mysterious car had managed to throw the van off for good, but her nerves didn’t settle even for a second. By the time she reached the mansion’s driveway, her entire body felt like it was vibrating. The gates opened automatically, her father had security systems synced to her license plate. She drove in. The porch lights were on. Her stomach dropped. That meant he was awake, her father. She parked and stepped out on unsteady legs. Before she even reached the door, it swung open. Her father stood there. Cole Wilfred. Tonight, he looked worse than furious. He looked terrified. "Sylvie." Her name came out like a verdict. She swallowed. "Dad, I..." "Get inside." His voice left no room for choice. She walked past him into the living room. She cou

Two months. That was how long Sylvie had endured Ryan Finley shadowing her. Sixty one days of clipped and annoying commands. Eight whole weeks of his icy gray eyes evaluating her every move with. She felt like she was losing her mind. Ryan followed her everywhere she went. The café, boutique, every charity gala and corporate dinner, every walk to her car. He existed in silence, with his black clothes and unreadable expression and he never spoke unless it was about protocol. He never smiled too. Today was no different. Sylvie stepped out of a luxury boutique on Fifth Avenue, an oversized sunglasses perched on her head, shopping bags dangling from both hands. Ryan stood beside the entrance before she even noticed him move, his gaze sweeping the street. "That is not the exit I was supposed to come out from." Sylvie snapped. "That exit was too exposed." he replied simply. "This angle gives better visibility." "Visibility for who? You? Because I don’t recall asking for surveil

The Wilfred empire had seen powerful men walk through its doors, politicians, investors, industry giants but never anyone like Zade Russo. Sylvie didn’t know that yet. The rowdiness was much reduced compared to yesterday. But as she got to company, there were more guards than usual. The staff whispered in tight circles. The air itself felt heavier. She and Ryan stood by the lobby. "What’s going on?" she asked. Ryan didn’t answer right away. His jaw clenched, just once. "Your father is expecting a visitor." "Okay… and?" "And it’s someone important." The tone in his voice, flat but strained, made her stop. "Ryan," she pressed, "who exactly is coming?" Before Sylvie could ask more, the doors below opened. Two men in dark suits entered first, guards. Then he stepped inside. Zade Russo. Young, handsome. His dark hair slicked back with expensive precision. His suit was tailored so perfectly. Sylvie froze at the top of the stairs, her breath caught in her throat withou

Sylvie left her father’s office. One second she was staring at the contract papers that promised to steal two years of her life, and the next, her legs were moving on their own, carrying her out of the room, down the hallway, away from her father’s voice, away from Zade’s cold stare. Her vision blurred. Her chest felt tight and her breath came shallow. By the time she reached the elevator lobby, tears were already sliding down her cheeks, hot, angry and disbelieving tears. She pressed her palms against the nearest wall and bent her head, swallowing a sob. 'How could he do this to me? How could my own father decide my future like a transaction? How could he offer me up?' she thought to herself. But deep down she kind of understood what was on ground. The elevator dinged softly behind her. And then... "Miss Wilfred" It was Ryan His voice steady and controlled as always. She didn’t look at him. She didn’t want him to see her crying. But he saw. Of course he saw.

The engagement dinner was still roaring behind her, music, the chatters from the guests and the clinking glasses but she felt she couldn't breathe. Not with Zade hovering and her father watching her every expression. Not with the cameras capturing every fake smile on her face. She pushed past a pair of laughing guests and slipped through the tall glass doors that was leading to the balcony. The cold night air rushed over her skin. She gripped the railing and inhaled hard, trying to steady the shaking in her hands and also trying to convince herself that she's doing this for the future of the Wilfred empire and that it's just for two years. She had smiled so much her cheeks hurt. She had stood so close to Zade she could smell the expensive cologne clinging to him like armor. She had played the role perfectly. But no one asked if she wanted any of this. Then suddenly, behind her, soft footsteps approached. She didn’t turn because shealready knew who it was. "Ryan." she