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Vanessa Hughes, a resolute and self-supporting lady who is proud of her humble roots, is forced into an arranged marriage with Cathan Hartwell, a ruthless billionaire who makes it crystal clear that it isn't about love but about power. Cathan sees Vanessa as someone outspoken who is unimpressed by his wealth and refuses to let him control her. What starts as a tense, loveless marriage quickly grows more complicated as Cathan begins to see Vanessa's quiet strength and fierce loyalty crack his cold exterior, and Vanessa falls for him gradually. But Vanessa isn't willing to open her heart to a man who makes her feel inferior about herself. Will pride keep them apart, or will love bring them together to overcome their challenges?
Chapter 1 The Proposal That Was Not Her's
The atmosphere was thick with the scent of baked bread and the scent of rain as it had just rained. Vanessa washed her hands while taking tissue from her apron to wipe her hands as she stepped out of the bakery store where she worked part-time for her uncle.
Her phone had been buzzing, and it was buzzing again; she brought it out from her back pocket to see seven missed calls from her paternal uncle. She could feel her belly tightening as she saw the caller ID because calls from her uncle were rarely good news.
It wasn't up to twenty seconds after she had unlocked her phone when a black car pulled up at the front of the bakery where she stood. A man in a tuxedo stepped out, eyes hidden behind dark glasses with an earphone at the left side of his ear.
"Vanessa Hughes?"
She paused for some seconds before replying. "Yes?"
"I've been sent by Mr. Cathan Hartwell to pick you up because your presence is requested at the Hartwell's estate immediately."
Her heart sank.
Cathan Hartwell! The name alone made the hair on her body stand. The cold billionaire heir whose icy demeanor and dignified presence filled any room he walked into. She had met him once, at his mother's mansion, when she had gone to serve as a waitress for his mom's birthday party. He hadn't looked at her twice, except to give her a demeaning look for accidentally crashing into the coupe glasses that had been stacked up on each other.
And now he was summoning her, something just didn't feel right about it.
She shook her head as she said to the man, "Tell him I don't do deliveries anymore."
The man didn't bat an eye as he said, "This is not a request, it's an order."
Vanessa sat stiffly on the red cushion, her gaze darting around the grand hall of the Hartwell's estate. Tiled floors, glass doors, gold chandeliers., the walls lined with exquisite paintings worth more than her family's bakery. She felt like a misplaced silver coin amidst gold bars, but as she heard footsteps approaching, she sat upright to boost her confidence, as she didn't want to be looked down on by Cathan for the second time.
Then he entered.
Cathan Hartwell. Every fiber of his being him screamed power, poise, tailored tuxedo, and icy demeanor. He walked in like the room belonged to him. After all, it did belong to him.
He spared her a quick glance before turning to address her uncle.
"Let's make this quick," Cathan said, his voice like ice. "I have a flight in an hour."
Summoning boldness, Vanessa stood up. "What is this about?"
Her uncle smiled nervously. "Vanessa, sit. I have news for you."
She didn't sit.
Cathan finally looked at her as he said "We're getting married."
Silence.
Vanessa gasped. "What ?"
"The paperwork is being prepared," he continued flatly. "You'll be well compensated. It is a contract marriage. It will benefit both families."
She let out a dry laugh. "You're not being serious."
"I am always serious," Cathan replied.
Her voice rose. "Why choose me?"
He didn't hesitate. "Because your family owes my company, and because I don't see you as a threat. You won't interfere with my life or company. All I need is a name on a paper."
Vanessa's chest tightened. Her uncle reached for her hand, but she refused his hand and stepped back.
"You don't need a wife," she said. "You require a puppet."
Cathan's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing.
"You think I will agree to the marriage just because you are a billionaire?"
"No," he said simply. "I think you will agree because your family needs you to."
That statement stung her more than a bee's sting would. But deep down, she knew that he was right. Her family was drowning in debt since the bakery sales declined, and her younger brother's school fees were months behind. Truly her uncle's business was failing, and it was only a matter of time before the bakery would shut down.
She looked away, swallowing the spittle in her throat.
"I will think about it," she said, her voice low.
"You have twenty- four hours to think," Cathan replied, already turning to leave. "After that, the offer is gone."
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