The Hundred Million Dollar Contract Wife

cleared, but her limbs still felt heavy and weak,

lack coffee. She also brought an array of brand-new designer apparel-tailored jeans, soft cashmere swea

r sum she had left to her name after her family's downfall. A sharp, burning flush of shame washed over her. She offered Maria a quiet word of

sle," she said, her tone steady and resolute. "I'll lea

e understood the young lady's stubborn pride all too well, having

gilded luxury prison tailored to isolate her. It was almost as if he had completely forgotten her existence-just a stray, forgotten possession left idle in o

pared to take her leave, she paused, then pressed

a asked, brows furr

ou'll need it to start over," Maria said

ars. Hot tears pricked at the back of her eyes instantly. She hastily tried to push the envelope ba

years," Maria insisted, her grip gentle yet unyielding. "Pride won't p

ide. She accepted the envelope with trembling hands, her heart tangled in overwhelming gratitude for Maria and bitter self-loathing over h

to the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring blankly at the endless river of glowing headlights windi

n the spacious living room sofa, her nerves taut and restless. Sleep eventuall

ick of the front door lock sliced thr

mpened by the frigid night air and faint urban frost. His every movement was quiet, deliberate,

d with silent worry and wariness. She remained guarded, even i

by comparison. His gaze traced the soft pale curve of her cheek and the delicate dark sweep of her long lashes. A nearly o

ad before he forced himself to stop. He dared not risk waking her premat

oft carpet. "Sir," he murmured in a low, respectful whisper, "Maria gave

yes. He knew Elara's pride better than anyone. He knew exactly how humiliating a

p, quiet murmur. "Track the exact amount. After the wedding is finalized, return the sum to M

later with a thick, plush cashmere blanket. With meticulous gentleness, he draped the warm f

ut a single sound, he finally turned and stepped into his private study, closing the door softly behind him. He would not d