When pride meets pragmatism, sparks are inevitable. Sophia Langston, an heiress with a reputation for arrogance, has never let anyone dictate her life. But when a business deal forces her into an arranged marriage with the infuriatingly stoic billionaire Ethan Cross, her carefully curated world is thrown into chaos. Ethan detests everything Sophia stands for-her vanity, her bravado-but beneath her icy exterior, he glimpses a woman who has been hurt and guarded her heart fiercely. As their marriage of convenience unfolds, public pretenses give way to private passions. But when secrets come to light and trust is shattered, will their fragile bond survive? Arrogant Bride is a tale of enemies-to-lovers, sizzling chemistry, and the redemptive power of love.
Chapter 1 The Proposal
The door to the Langston estate study slammed open, the sound reverberating like a gunshot.
Sophia Langston strode inside, her designer heels clicking against the marble floor with all the grace and authority of a queen entering her throne room. Her emerald-green dress clung to her frame, a picture of elegance and defiance. But the fire in her eyes was anything but refined.
At the center of the room stood Ethan Cross, the man she'd heard so much about but never cared to meet. He was leaning casually against the grand mahogany desk, one hand tucked into the pocket of his tailored black trousers. His dark eyes met hers, calm and unyielding, as if he'd been expecting this exact storm.
"You're kidding me," Sophia snapped, throwing the folded contract onto the desk. The papers fanned out, bold black letters spelling out marital agreement. "This has to be a joke."
Ethan didn't flinch. He straightened, his broad shoulders towering over her. "Good evening to you too, Miss Langston."
"Don't start with me," she shot back, pointing a manicured finger at him. "You think you can just waltz in here and dictate my life? Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?"
"I believe I do," Ethan said smoothly. His voice was calm, even as hers rose. "Sophia Langston, heir to Langston Global, celebrated for her beauty, sharp tongue, and... arrogance."
Sophia narrowed her eyes. "Careful. I'm not in the mood for flattery."
"Good," Ethan replied, his gaze steady. "Because I'm not here to flatter you. I'm here to make sure your family's company doesn't crumble under the weight of bad decisions."
Her lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "And I suppose marrying you is the only solution to that?"
"It's the best solution," he said without hesitation. "This arrangement benefits both of us. You get to save your family's legacy, and I get-"
"A trophy wife?" she interrupted, her voice dripping with disdain. "Let me guess, you'll parade me around at business dinners to show off your newest acquisition?"
Ethan's jaw tightened, the first crack in his stoic demeanor. "This isn't about vanity. It's about strategy.
Your father needs my resources, and I need the Langston name to cement this partnership. It's a practical solution."
"Practical?" Sophia laughed, the sound sharp and bitter. "You're asking me to sacrifice my life for your convenience. Forgive me if I don't find that particularly appealing."
"Then don't think of it as a sacrifice," Ethan said, stepping closer. His presence filled the space between them, magnetic and overwhelming. "Think of it as a business deal. You're a smart woman, Miss Langston.
Surely you can see the opportunity here."
Sophia's heart pounded, though she refused to let it show. She hated how calm he was, how he spoke to her as though this was just another transaction. But more than that, she hated the part of her that couldn't look away from him-the sharp lines of his face, the confidence in his stance.
"I don't care how you dress it up," she said, her voice low. "This deal is a prison sentence."
Ethan tilted his head, studying her. "A prison? Hardly. You'll keep your freedom, your lifestyle, and your name. All I'm asking is for you to wear a ring and smile when the cameras are on."
Sophia crossed her arms, glaring at him. "And what do you get out of this?"
"Control," Ethan admitted, his honesty catching her off guard. "And trust me, I don't take commitments lightly. If we're going to do this, Miss Langston, we'll both have to play our parts."
Sophia's father, Charles Langston, chose that moment to step into the room. His face was lined with worry, though his voice carried the authority she knew too well. "Sophia, this isn't up for debate. The papers have been drafted, and the wedding date is set."
She whirled on him. "You can't be serious."
"I am," Charles said. "This is bigger than you, Sophia. Langston Global is on the brink, and Ethan's investment is the only thing keeping us afloat. You have a responsibility to this family."
Sophia felt the walls closing in. She turned back to Ethan, her gaze burning with defiance. "Fine," she said through gritted teeth. "I'll marry you. But don't think for a second that this means you've won."
Ethan's lips curved into a faint smile, one that made her blood boil. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of underestimating you."
The tension in the room was palpable as she spun on her heel and stormed out, leaving Ethan and her father in her wake. But even as she walked away, her heart pounded with the realization that this was only the beginning.
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