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Todos os capítulos de The Ceo's Arranged Bride : Capítulo 1 - Capítulo 10

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Chapter 1

Mary Andison had barely stepped into her family mansion when she heard her name.“…Mary is finally back.”Her steps froze. The familiar scent of polish and old wealth wrapped around her, but a sharp awareness shot through her.“Is this really the right time?” her mother asked, hesitation threading her voice.Mary’s fingers curled around the strap of her bag, the leather biting lightly into her palm.“We don’t have time,” her father replied with a weary sigh. “Only she can save us now.”Save us? From what? Her forehead creased as a faint breeze rustled through the garden.“The Lipton family has agreed,” her grandfather said sharply. “A marriage alliance.”The word hit her like a blow.Marriage. So this was the plan. It was clear now.“If she marries into the Lipton family,” her father continued, “A&A Corporation survives.”She felt the ground shake beneath her feet. This is what I had come home for; it wasn't because of love or longing, but for a transaction.Eight years ago, she would

Chapter 2

Mary returned to the bar, her steps slower and heavier. The brief encounter outside lingered in her chest like an unfinished sentence. She could still feel the weight of his gaze, the calm authority in his voice, the unsettling certainty with which he had looked at her, as though she were something already decided.She shook her head lightly.Enough.Tonight wasn’t about strangers or sharp-eyed men in expensive suits. Tonight was about forgetting.The music wrapped around her as she stepped fully inside, the deep bass vibrating through her bones. Gold and crimson lights blurred together, dancing across the polished floor. The scent of alcohol and expensive perfume clung thickly to the air.She exhaled slowly. It wasn’t the drinks making her unsteady. It was her emotions.She bent down, picking up her handbag and phone from the table, fingers tightening around them as if grounding herself. All I needed was one night to forget, she muttered to herself. Just one.She turned to leave.“He

Chapter 3

“Oh my,” her father-in-law said, his lips curling into something that wasn’t quite a smile. Deep lines creased his face as his eyes glinted with cruel amusement.“Charles didn’t tell you?”Beatrice turned to him, confusion knitting her brows. A slow, cold unease crept into her chest, tightening around her ribs.“Tell me what?”“So you didn’t tell her,” he continued, now facing his son. “You didn’t tell her how you made her sign those papers, without her knowledge?”Charles stood frozen near the wall, head bowed, shoulders stiff, like a child caught in the act. His fingers curled slowly into fists, the knuckles whitening.Beatrice’s heart skipped painfully. A cold shiver crawled down her spine and settled at the base of her neck.“What is he talking about, Charles?” Her voice trembled despite her effort to steady it. “What papers did I sign without knowing?”Her father-in-law let out a low chuckle, dry and deliberate.“Will you tell her,” he said coldly, “or should I explain how you tr

Chapter 4

Mary & Ree“Mary!” Ree’s voice burst through the phone, loud with concern. “What’s wrong?”“Can we meet up?” Mary asked.“Sure. What time?”“Now.”There was a pause on the other end of the line. Not long, but long enough to make Mary’s chest tighten.“Okay…” Ree said carefully. “But is everything alright?”Mary tightened her grip on the phone, her fingers digging into her palm as if holding herself together by force. Her throat felt tight, clogged with words she didn’t know how to arrange.When she spoke, her voice came out thin, almost a whisper.“I… I honestly don’t know.”Her breath hitched.“I just… Ree, I need comfort right now.”The tears came before she could stop them, hot and relentless, blurring her vision.“Mary,” Ree said gently, her voice softening instantly, “tell me where you are. I’ll come to you.”“Let’s meet at Mia’s coffee shop.”“Okay. I’m on my way. Please, just… take care of yourself until I get there.”Mary didn’t answer right away. She only nodded, even though

Chapter 5

Mary froze.Instinctively, she covered her chest, eyes wide.“Wha…what are you doing here?”Alexander stood in the doorway, staring at her. His gaze darkened as they traveled over her flushed skin.The air between them suddenly felt heavier, charged with something unspoken.He wondered how her skin would feel beneath him. His thoughts began to run wild. His breath hitched, as his body reacted instantly.Mary panicked when she saw his reaction. She rushed into the bathroom and leaned against the door, breathing hard. Her heart was pounding so loud, she thought it might give her away."What was that?" she thought. "I need to be careful."She filled the tub and soaked in the warm water, trying to calm down.In the bedroom, Alexander stood frozen. Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair. "Get yourself together, Alex," he muttered. "She's not her. Just a substitute, nothing but a look-alike.”He walked to the balcony and pulled out a photo he always carried with him. “Maya,” he whisper

Chapter 6

“Alex!”Selene called out excitedly as she rushed toward him. “Thank God you’re finally here,” she said, tugging at his arm, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.“Can you believe this slut of a maid disrespected me? She even dared to call you by your name,” she complained bitterly, her voice dripping with outrage as she turned to him.A frown creased Alexander’s face as his gaze shifted to Mary, clearly displeased with the choice of words Selene had used to describe her.Mary, on the other hand, bowed her head in silence. Her fingers curled tightly into the fabric of her dress as she stood quietly, unsure of which side Alexander would take.“Alex, can you believe this slut had the audacity to say you two are married?” Selene laughed mockingly. “Of course I didn’t believe her. I put her in her place.”She continued rambling about how Mary had disrespected her.“Even Butler Brooks took her side. Can you imagine that, Alex? I don’t know who brought her here, but she has t

Chapter 7

Mary’s heart began pounding wildly, her eyes wide as she tried to process what had just happened. Alexander, realizing he had lost his cool, drew back abruptly and cleared his throat. He glanced at Mary, who remained seated, frozen in a daze. “Don’t think too much about it. I just needed to shut you up.” She still gave no reaction. His brows pulled together. “What, haven’t you been kissed before?” This time, Mary managed a small movement, which earned a scoff from him. “Who would have thought you kept your lips untouched all this while? Oh my… what a respectable wife you are,” he said in a low, mocking tone. Heat rushed to her cheeks. Embarrassed, she lowered her head. He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and thrust it toward her. “Tidy yourself up. You look a mess.” Mary nodded silently, her emotions tangled and chaotic. She did not know what to feel or what to say after that unexpected kiss. I just kissed her. Why is she acting like I did something unfor

Chapter 8

She slowly walked into the mansion, her thoughts occupied with Maya and the unanswered questions she had.Mary looked around the living room. No one was in sight, and the lights were dim.Her shoulders slumped in disappointment, because some part of her had hoped to see Alexander sitting in the living room, ready to answer the questions tormenting her mind.Sighing, she muttered to herself,"What were you thinking exactly, Mary?""Is he that mad that he went to sleep so early?"She looked around again, taking note of the strange silence that hung over the house.Where is everyone? she wondered."Did their master's bad mood affect them all?" Mary blurted out softly, shaking her head in confusion.Her heart felt restless, an uneasy weight settling inside her chest. She began walking upstairs, unable to push the thought of Maya out of her mind.Who is Maya to you, Alex? Was she your ex…Even your family knows her. She comes to your house and eats at the same table as you…Her thoughts sp

Chapter 9

She turned toward the door, her hands trembling as she stood frozen, caught red-handed."Y... you are here!""Surprised?" Alexander said in a low, intimidating tone.He walked slowly into the room. Without waiting for an explanation, he snatched the necklace and letter from Mary's hands."I... I was just checking it out," she tried to explain."I asked you to go to sleep, not to snoop."He turned to her, his eyes blazing."I am sorry.""Go to bed. It's getting late."Without waiting for an answer, he walked out of the room.The room fell silent after the door shut.Mary released the breath she had been holding,her chest rising and falling in a slow rhythm, and looked at her reflection in the mirror.This is my life now. I will not let the past dictate our future. I will make this marriage work, no matter what it takes."I know Maya is your past lover, but you are married now, Alex."Her fingers tightened against the edge of the dresser."I admit I don't have feelings for you, but you

Chapter 10

Mary sat inside the car with two packages of meals, heading to Lipton Corporation.The driver pulled the car to a stop in front of the company building. Mary stepped out, carrying the two flasks carefully in her hands.She looked up at the towering glass building and sighed softly."So this is your empire."Taking a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and walked into the company.Mary approached the receptionist desk with a polite smile."Hi, I am here to see your boss, Alexander Lipton. Could you please inform him that a guest is here to see him?"The receptionist looked Mary up and down. Seeing her simple outfit, she rejected the request immediately."I am sorry, but he is very busy right now and cannot meet with any guests."Mary tightened her grip on the flask."Could you please call him at least?" she insisted. "Let him know his wife is here. I am pretty sure he would let me in.""No, I can't. Who are you to tell me what to do?"The receptionist's voice rose sharply, attractin

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