MARRIED TO A STRANGER : THE BILLIONAIRE'S BRIDE

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ost of Europe too. Why not just hire an actress?""Because they act," he said bluntly. "They lie. You don't. You're heartbreakingly honest. Even when you're trying to hide it."She didn't know if that was a compliment or an insult."What do you get out of this, really?" she asked. "And don't give me some cryptic billionaire answer. I want the truth."Daniel nodded slowly, as if weighing how much to tell her. Then he said, "My company's legacy is being contested. There are investors and board members who don't trust a single man with no roots. No emotional anchor. Marriage changes that perception. It stabilizes my image,and in return, I'll stabilize your world too."Gold stared at him. "You want me to become your emotional anchor.""No. I want you to pretend to be," he corrected. "There's a difference."She sat back, her heart still pounding. This wasn't a man with sweet promises or rehearsed lines. This was a strategist. A chess player. Calculating every move."And if I say yes," she asked cautiously, "what happens next?""A legally binding marriage contract for one year. You'll move into my penthouse. Attend public events by my side. We maintain the illusion of a real couple. In exchange, you'll receive full financial support, a monthly allowance, and a lump sum when the contract ends."Gold's mind spun. It was crazy. It was cold. It was,"Tempting," she murmured.Daniel's lips quirked. "I thought it might be.""But I need time," she said. "To think. To breathe. To wrap my head around the fact that I might go from heartbreak hotel to Park Avenue bride overnight.""Take all the time you need." He slid a sleek black card across the table. "When you're ready, call that number. Ask for Andrew. He'll handle everything."Gold picked up the card like it might burn her. "You've done this before, haven't you?""No," he said simply. "But I've thought about it for a long time. You just happened to walk into my