His Strategic Bride

“As Ainsworth Global's heir, my father demanded I marry and secure our legacy. He'd handpicked three women-Chloe, Maya, and Ava-groomed to become my wife and a firm co-leader. This was the "Ainsworth Imperative." But their smiles masked disdain. They saw me as a weak, bookish placeholder, easily swayed by Julian Vance, our estate manager's charming, opportunistic son. Then, the truth shattered everything: I overheard Chloe tell Jules, "Marrying Ethan is just business. Once I have the Ainsworth heir... we'll push him out." My infatuation curdled into profound disgust. They consistently sided with Jules, letting him make me look foolish publicly. My passion project, a tech incubator, was secretly gutted-its funds diverted to Jules's dubious 'charities' under Chloe's deceptive management. They dismissed my accusations as mere jealousy. Their blatant betrayal and willful ignorance were sickening. I was a pawn, expected to be a stepping stone for their ambition. Their "loyalty" was a cruel joke. Trapped by my father's expectations, I felt my entire life being stolen, molded by their greedy hands. But I refused to be their fool. Days before the high-profile Ainsworth Foundation Gala, I announced my engagement. Not to one of them, but to Sophia Valeriano-the West Coast tech heiress, rumored to be crippled and infertile. It was my strategic strike, poised to upend their carefully laid plans.”