All Chapters of Reborn as the CEO’s Contract Wife: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Ava Reed had once believed that if she loved sincerely enough, the world would eventually treat her kindly. She believed that loyalty would be repaid with loyalty, that sacrifice would be met with gratitude, and that as long as she endured, happiness would someday arrive. That belief followed her from childhood into adulthood, shaping every decision she made, every compromise she accepted, and every wound she silently swallowed. It was that same belief that ultimately dragged her into hell.The courtroom was packed, yet the silence felt suffocating. The air was heavy, pressing down on Ava’s chest until breathing itself became difficult. She stood at the center of the room, wrists trembling, legs weak, eyes fixed on the two people seated opposite her. One was Mark Collins, the man she had loved for five years, the man she had planned to marry. The other was Lily Reed, her step-sister, the girl she had protected and indulged since childhood. They were sitting side by side, shoulders nea

Lucas Kane did not lead Ava toward a quiet corner of the banquet hall. Instead, he walked straight out through a side entrance, past two bodyguards who immediately fell into step behind him. Ava followed without hesitation, ignoring the curious glances from guests and the tightening expression on Mark’s face across the room.The hallway outside was silent.They entered a private lounge reserved for VIP guests.The door closed.The noise of the wedding vanished.Only the faint hum of the air conditioner remained.Lucas turned around slowly.“Sit.”Ava sat.Lucas did not.He leaned against the edge of the desk, arms crossed, eyes fixed on her as though she were an unfamiliar species.“Start from the beginning,” he said. “And choose your words carefully.”Ava took a slow breath.“In three months, I will be accused of embezzling Reed Holdings.”Lucas’s eyes flickered.“My fiancé, Mark Collins, will testify against me.”Lucas said nothing.“My step-sister, Lily Reed, will claim she witness

The car moved silently through the city streets, its windows tinted, its interior dimly lit. Ava sat upright in the back seat, hands folded neatly in her lap, her wedding gown pooled around her like a discarded illusion. Outside, neon lights slid past in blurred streaks, but she barely noticed them. Her mind was sharp, alert, cataloging every sensation, every possibility.Across from her sat Lucas Kane.He had removed his suit jacket, the sleeves of his crisp white shirt rolled slightly to his forearms. The faint glow from the dashboard lights cast shadows across his sharp features, making his already intimidating presence feel even heavier.Neither spoke.Silence was not awkward between them.It was calculated.Lucas was assessing her.Ava knew it.He was measuring her composure, her nerves, her sincerity.If she cracked now, everything would collapse.The car stopped in front of a massive black iron gate.

Mark Collins did not feel relieved after Ava left.He told himself that he was overthinking.He told himself that Ava had always been obedient, always soft, always dependent on him. A woman like her could not suddenly become dangerous.Yet unease lingered.Something about her eyes this morning bothered him.They had been too calm.Too empty.Not the eyes of a woman who had run away in fear.Not the eyes of a woman clinging desperately to her fiancé.They were the eyes of someone who had already made a decision.Mark stood alone in the bedroom, staring at the spot where Ava had been standing earlier.He moved toward the bathroom.Checked the cabinets.Nothing seemed out of place.He walked toward the wardrobe.Still normal.Then, almost unconsciously, he knelt near the wall.His fingers brushed the hidden panel.His heartbeat skipped.No.

Rumors did not explode.They seeped.Like poison through water.Slow.Invisible.Deadly.By mid-morning, Reed Holdings’ internal forums were buzzing.At first, it was vague.Did you hear about unusual transactions last year?Someone requested a special audit on the overseas accounts.Apparently a large amount of money was moved using shell companies.No names were mentioned.But everyone knew where to look.Mark Collins’ division handled overseas investments.Mark sat in his office staring at his computer screen.Three unread emails from compliance.Two missed calls from a junior director.A message from Lily:Something is wrong.Mark’s fingers tightened.He opened the compliance email.Subject: Request for clarification – Transfer Batch #7783His heart pounded.They were already digging into specific