Clara Martin, a quiet and debt-ridden secretary, unexpectedly accepts a daring proposition: to become the contract bride of Victor Rossi, a billionaire mafioso as handsome as he is ruthless. This marriage, designed to protect Victor's reputation and strengthen a crucial business deal, seems simple at first. But behind Victor's cold smile lies a troubled past, ruthless enemies, and secrets capable of destroying everything. As Clara struggles to navigate this world of luxury and manipulation, threats emerge from all sides, and Victor's true intentions become increasingly obscure. Why did he choose her, a mere secretary? And how far will Clara go to unravel the mystery surrounding their union?
Chapter 1 Chapitre 1
An unforgettable encounter, that was what this unusual summons was. Clara Martin would never have imagined that this simple call would change her life forever. It had all started with an ordinary day in the gray and soulless offices of the company where she had worked for three years. As an administrative assistant, her daily life was punctuated by endless phone calls, emails to process, and colleagues who considered her invisible. But this time, a small mistake had attracted attention: a confidential document sent to the wrong recipient. Nothing serious, she had thought.
But the icy tone of her superior when he had summoned her to his office had sown doubt.
Clara's heart was pounding as she waited for the man who had demanded to meet her. This was not her usual superior. No, this one, from what she understood, belonged to a much higher sphere, almost inaccessible. An "important client," they said in whispers in the corridors. The kind of client who is never contradicted, even when they are capricious or unreasonable.
As she entered the luxuriously appointed conference room-a far cry from her modest office-she immediately sensed something was wrong. The air was heavy, saturated with a tension she couldn't explain. The blinds were drawn, filtering the sunlight in a soft halo that gave the room an almost theatrical feel.
"Sit down, Miss Martin."
That deep, calm voice seemed to envelop the room. Clara looked up and saw him for the first time. Victor Rossi. Impeccably dressed in a dark, tailored suit, he exuded an aura of raw power. His face, all sharp angles and almost unreal perfection, seemed to have been sculpted to inspire both fascination and fear. His eyes, a piercing gray, stared at her with an intensity that made her unable to look away.
"Do you know why you're here?" he asked, his voice calm but authoritative.
Clara swallowed, shaking her head slightly.
"Not... exactly."
A faint smile played across Victor's lips. It wasn't a warm smile. It was more like that of a predator sizing up its prey.
"A mistake. Nothing dramatic, per se. But enough to get my attention."
She felt a shiver run down her spine.
"I... I'm sorry if I caused trouble. I didn't mean to–"
He interrupted her with a gesture of his hand, elegant but firm.
"Spare me the excuses. That's not what I'm interested in."
Clara stood there, trying to figure out what he was getting at. Her gaze involuntarily slid over the smallest details: his fingers pressed against the table, the fine gold cuffs that shone subtly in the dim light, and that aura of absolute control he gave off.
"You're in financial trouble, aren't you?"
Her question cracked through the air like a whip. Clara felt the blood drain from her face.
"How... how do you know that?" she whispered.
Victor leaned forward slightly, crossing his hands in front of him.
"I know everything I need to know. Your debts, your precarious situation. A bright young woman but overwhelmed by life. That's you, isn't it?"
Clara opened her mouth, but no words came out. He was right, of course. Her student debt, the overdue bills, the nights spent desperately searching for a solution... It was all a weight she carried in silence. But how could he know?
"What I am offering you, Miss Martin, is an opportunity. A chance to transform your life."
His tone had changed. It was softer, almost seductive. But Clara remained on her guard.
"What opportunity?" she asked suspiciously.
He stared at her for a long time, as if he were measuring his words carefully.
"I want you to become my bride."
The words fell, heavy and incomprehensible. Clara blinked, certain she hadn't heard correctly.
"Your... what?"
Victor gave a slight smile, this time tinged with genuine amusement.
"You heard right. A contract bride. A purely professional relationship, of course."
Clara felt dizzy. It was absurd. Surreal.
"Why me?" she asked, her voice shaking.
Victor stood up, stepping around the table to stand a few feet away from her. His tall figure seemed to dominate the entire room.
"Because you're exactly what I'm looking for. An ordinary woman, with no strings attached, no scandals. Someone discreet enough not to attract attention, but intelligent enough to understand what's at stake."
"And what are these... stakes?"
He let a silence hang, as if to weigh the importance of what he was going to say.
"My reputation, Miss Martin. And a crucial business deal that depends on the image I project. An image you're going to help me perfect."
Clara felt her breath catch. It felt like a bad dream.
"I don't understand. Why pretend? Why not just... find someone who would actually want to be with you?"
Victor's face darkened slightly, as if she had hit a sore spot.
"Because, Miss Martin, in my world, real relationships don't exist. It's all about power, manipulation. I don't trust those around me. You, on the other hand, are a blank slate. A stranger. That's what makes you the perfect choice."
Clara shook her head, standing up abruptly.
"This is insane. I can't do this. I don't want to–"
"You should think about it." His voice was calm, but his tone suggested that he wasn't taking no for an answer. "Your current salary will never be enough to cover your debts. You're about to lose your apartment. I can take care of all that. In exchange, you play this role for a few months. It's that simple."
The silence that followed was stifling. Clara felt trapped, caught in a web she didn't yet fully understand.
"What if I refuse?" she finally asked, her voice barely audible.
Victor smiled, but there was a shadow of menace in that smile.
"You are free to refuse. But know that opportunities like this only come once. And the consequences of your choices can be... unpredictable."
Clara felt a mixture of anger and panic rising inside her. This man thought he could do whatever he wanted. But a small voice, sneaky and insistent, whispered to her that he was right. She was on the edge of the abyss.
"How much time would I have to think?" she finally asked.
"Thirty-six hours. No more, no less."
He turned to the window, staring into the distance as if the conversation no longer interested him.
"A car will pick you up tomorrow evening, at the same time, if you agree."
Clara hesitated, then slowly stood up.
"Very well. I will... think about it."
She was about to leave, but Victor's voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Miss Martin."
She turned around.
"Don't wait too long to make your decision. Every minute counts."
Clara left the room, her heart pounding. She felt like a puppet in a game she didn't yet understand.
In the elevator, she met her reflection in the mirror. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with disbelief and fear. This was no ordinary encounter. And she knew, deep down, that her life would never be the same again.
Chapter 1 Chapitre 1
29/01/2025
Chapter 2 Chapitre 2
29/01/2025
Chapter 3 Chapitre 3
29/01/2025
Chapter 4 Chapitre 4
29/01/2025
Chapter 5 Chapitre 5
29/01/2025
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