Alle Kapitel von The Wedding Contract: Kapitel 1 – Kapitel 7

Alexander Vale did not raise his voice.He did not need to.Silence obeyed him faster than fear ever could.The conference room on the forty-second floor of Vale Tower had gone still, the kind of stillness that made people aware of every small movement: the nervous tapping of a pen, the shifting of expensive leather chairs, the quiet hum of the city beyond the glass walls.On the long marble table before him lay six folders, three fabric swatches, two floral proposals, and one wedding schedule that had failed to impress him.Alexander stared at the woman seated across from him.The wedding planner swallowed.“I assure you, Mr. Vale, the revised timeline is only a draft. We can adjust the floral installation window and move the orchestra rehearsal—”“You were asked to submit a final execution plan,” Alexander said.His voice was calm, but everyone in the room seemed to sit straighter.The planner opened her mouth, then closed it.Alexander leaned back in his chair. He was dressed in a

Ethan Vale entered rooms as though they had been waiting for him.Where Alexander brought silence, Ethan brought motion.He arrived at the wedding venue walk-through fifteen minutes late, wearing no tie, sunglasses tucked into the open collar of his shirt, and an apology charming enough to make two assistants forgive him before he finished giving it.“My fault,” he said, lifting both hands. “Entirely my fault. Blame traffic, poor discipline, and the tragic burden of being the better-looking brother.”Alexander did not look amused. “You were expected at ten.”“And now I’m here at ten-fifteen, giving everyone the gift of anticipation.”Celeste glanced up from her phone. “How generous.”Ethan pressed a hand to his chest. “I live to serve.”Lena watched the exchange from beside the aisle markers, clipboard in hand.This was Ethan Vale.Younger brother. Public favorite. Occasional scandal. The one tabloids described as charming, reckless, and impossible to dislike.He turned toward her sud

Lena left the yacht party before it returned to the marina.Or rather, she tried to.The problem with yachts was that dramatic exits required cooperation from the sea.She settled instead for retreating to the lower lounge, where the music was softer and the guests were fewer. The room was lined with cream leather seating and dark wood panels polished to a mirror shine. A bowl of untouched fruit sat on a glass table. Outside the narrow windows, the water looked black.Her hands were still shaking.She hated that.She hated Nicholas for causing it.She hated herself more for giving him the satisfaction.A server entered quietly. “Can I get you anything, miss?”“No, thank you.”The server hesitated. “Mr. Ethan asked that I check on you.”Of course he had.Lena softened. “I’m all right. Thank you.”The server left.Lena took out her phone.Three missed texts from Maya.You alive?Your location is moving, which is rude.If you’ve been kidnapped by wealthy people, send a punctuation mark.

The Vale estate stood beyond the city like a place that had refused to be touched by time.It was not a house.It was a declaration.Iron gates opened onto a long private drive bordered by ancient trees, their branches arching overhead like the ribs of a cathedral. Beyond them, the manor rose from manicured grounds in pale stone and dark glass, old-world architecture fused with modern severity. Warm lights glowed from tall windows. A fountain whispered somewhere beyond the circular drive.Lena sat in the back seat of the car and reminded herself to breathe.Maya had called twice before she left.The first call was practical.“Keep your phone charged. Send me the address. Don’t accept any drink you didn’t see poured.”The second call came fifteen minutes later and was less practical.“Also, don’t let Alexander Vale stare you into forgetting common sense.” Lena had nearly choked on her water.“He does not stare me into anything.”“Good. Repeat that until it becomes true.”Now, as the ca