Chapter 3 The pressure from home

Pressure from Home

Claire sat on her bed, gripping her phone tightly as her mother's voice filled her ear.

"So, how's the business going, sweetheart?"

Her stomach twisted. She forced a smile, even though her mother couldn't see her. "Oh, you know... busy as always."

"That's wonderful! You're finally making good sales?"

Claire hesitated. "Y-yeah. Slowly but surely."

Her mother hummed in approval. "That's good to hear. Your father will be so proud when he gets back."

Claire's grip on the phone tightened. "Dad's coming back?"

"Yes, in three months. He's expecting to see how far you've come. You know how he is, he'll want details. Real progress."

Claire's mouth went dry.

If her father found out she was drowning in debt, barely surviving, he would drag her back home and force her into the family business.

"Claire? Are you still there?"

She forced a laugh. "Yeah, yeah. That's great. I'll... I'll be ready."

"Good. I know you'll make us proud. Love you, sweetheart."

The call ended.

And Claire sat frozen.

Her father was coming. In three months.

She had no money. No business success. No backup plan.

She buried her face in her hands.

She was running out of time.

A bitter laugh slipped out as she flopped back onto her bed.

"Oh, right. The debt." She stared at the ceiling, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "They'll probably kill me before my dad even gets the chance to be disappointed."

Her chest rose and fell in quick, shallow breaths.

Should I just tell them?

But then she imagined her father's cold stare, the way he would say "I told you so" without actually saying it.

No.

Going back meant admitting she failed.

And failure wasn't an option.

Her phone buzzed.

She reached for it absentmindedly until she saw the message.

UNKNOWN NUMBER: You have 59 days left.

Claire shot up so fast her vision blurred.

They were counting down.

Her fingers trembled as she set the phone down.

She needed a way out. Fast.

Gordon's Office

Gordon sat at his desk, skimming through reports, when Ethan stepped in, clutching his tablet like a lifeline.

"S-Sir, we have an issue," Ethan stammered.

Gordon didn't look up. "You always have an issue, Ethan. Get to the point."

Ethan gulped. "The Winston deal. Dawson is making a move. He's offering them a better package. If we don't act fast, they'll sign with him."

Gordon finally glanced up, his cold gaze making Ethan shift uncomfortably.

"And why," he asked, voice dangerously calm, "am I just hearing about this now?"

Ethan hesitated. "We were trying to handle it, sir. But Dawson is"

Before he could finish, the office door swung open, and Ryan strolled in, hands in his pockets, completely unbothered.

"You should really stop scaring the kid, Gordon."

Ethan let out a breath like he'd just been rescued.

Gordon ignored Ryan. "What does Winston want?"

Olivia, who had been quietly standing by the door, finally spoke. "More influence. If we can offer him better industry connections, we might still have a chance."

Ryan smirked. "Or we could just find dirt on Dawson and ruin his plans entirely."

Gordon's lips curled slightly. "Tempting. But not yet."

He turned to Ethan. "Set up a meeting. I want to talk to Winston myself."

Ethan nodded so fast he nearly tripped over his feet rushing out.

Ryan shook his head. "You really enjoy making him sweat, don't you?"

Gordon leaned back. "Fear keeps people efficient."

Ryan snorted. "And yet, somehow, I'm still here."

Gordon smirked. "Because you're useful."

Ryan studied him. "So... about this contract marriage... You're really going through with it?"

Gordon's smirk widened. But his eyes remained cold.

"It's already decided." He glanced at his watch. "Claire just doesn't know it yet."

Few Hours Later

Claire sat across from Gordon in his massive office, gripping the strap of her worn-out handbag.

She had rehearsed this conversation a hundred times, but now that she was here, the words felt stuck in her throat.

Gordon, of course, looked completely at ease, leaning back in his chair with that damn unreadable smirk.

He had been waiting for this.

"I'll do it," she said. Her voice wasn't as confident as she wanted it to be.

Gordon raised an eyebrow. "Do what?"

She swallowed. "The marriage."

His smirk widened, but his eyes remained cold.

"I knew you would come around."

Her stomach twisted.

"But I have conditions," she said quickly.

That got his attention. He leaned forward, elbows resting on his desk. "Oh?"

Claire took a breath. "No sex. This is a contract marriage, nothing more. And you'll fund my business."

Gordon let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You really are bold."

Claire didn't flinch. "Those are my terms. Take it or leave it.come to think of it,what do you stand to gain from this marriage.''

Silence filled the room.

Ethan, who had been standing near the door, suddenly looked very interested in his tablet.

Then, to her surprise, Gordon stood up and walked around the desk until he was right beside her.

Claire forced herself not to shrink under his gaze.

"Fine," he said smoothly. "No sex.What I stand to gain?I want to trend,also want people to stop having the impression I can't get a woman, don't want to look stiff you know?

Is for the business Wife."

He said,trying to touch her face but missed because she dodged.

Relief flooded her chest until he added

"But I run it."

Claire blinked. "What? No! That's not part of the deal!"

Gordon smirked. "It is now. You want my money? Then you answer to me."

Claire's fists clenched.

This wasn't what she wanted.

But what choice did she have?

The debt, the looming threats, the shame of failing it was all too much.

She exhaled sharply. "Fine."

Gordon extended his hand. "Then we have a deal, Mrs. Hayes."

Claire hesitated before shaking it.

His grip was strong. And for a second, she swore she saw something flicker in his eyes.

Something dangerous.

She had just made a deal with the devil.

And there was no turning back.