Chapter 4 CONTRACT SIGNED

♣ CHAPTER 4: ♣

Kate's stomach crossed. "Or what?"

His eyes darkened. "Or you lose everything."

----

The following day, The whole family was seated, acting like everything was normal, like they weren't plotting against her.

She slammed her hands on the table. "How could you?"

Everyone froze. Mr. Carlos took a slow sip of his wine before looking at her. "Kate, lower your voice."

"Lower my voice?" she scoffed. "You want to sell me off like property, and I should be quiet?"

"Kate, this isn't personal. It's business." Her aunt, a thin woman with sharp eyes, sighed dramatically.

"Business? My life isn't a business deal! Ah–ah." Kate let out a bitter laugh.

"Your parents would have wanted this," Mr. Carlos said.

"Don't you dare talk about my parents! They would never agree to this!" Kate's fingers fold into fists.

"Then let the company collapse. Let your parents' legacy burn to the ground and See if we care." Her cousin, Daniel, leaned back in his chair.

"You don't care at all, do you?" She asked and no one answered.

Her gaze look around the table. These people were her relatives, people who were supposed to love her and protect her. But all they saw was a way to secure their wealth.

"You're threatening me." She swallowed.

Mr. Carlos wiped his mouth with a napkin. "No, Kate. We're giving you a choice."

"A choice? Marry William Dray or lose everything?" She let out a shaky breath.

"Exactly," he said without hesitation.

"You disgust me." Kate screamed.

"Feel however you want," he said, standing up. "But tomorrow, you'll say yes."

"And if I don't?"

"Then don't expect this family to protect you."

Kate paced in her room, her thoughts racing,She had to leave,she had to get out of this house and away from her family.

She grabbed her bag, stuffing it with clothes. She didn't know where she would go, but anywhere was better than her home.

As she reached for the door, it swung open.

Her cousin Daniel stood there, smirking. "Going somewhere?"

Kate's stomach sanked.

"Running away? That's cute." He leaned against the doorframe.

"Move." She clenched her fists.

"And let you ruin everything? That's not happening." He chuckled.

"You can't keep me here."

"Who's going to stop us? You have no money, no power, and no one on your side." Daniel's eyes gleamed with amusement.

"I'll find a way."

He tilted his head. "Good luck with that."

With that, he stepped back and slammed the door shut, locking it from the outside.

Kate ran to the door, hitting her fists against it.

"Daniel! Open this door!"

She hit her forehead against the door, with frustration burning through her body.

The next morning, Kate sat by the window, staring at the garden.No one was coming to help her.

A knock on the door made her tense.

It opened, and Mr. Carlos stepped inside, a satisfied smile on his face. "Have you come to your senses?"

She didn't answer.

"Kate, stop being stubborn. This marriage benefits everyone, including you." He sighed.

"And if I refuse?" She turned to face him.

"You won't." He chuckled

"I want my parents' company back." Kate held her ground.

Mr. Carlos raised a brow. "Then marry William Dray."

She exhaled sharply. "And if I do, you'll give me back everything?"

"Of course," he said smoothly.

She studied his face, looking for any sign of lie. But deep down, she knew the truth,her uncle was a snake.

"Fine." She lifted her chin.

"Good girl." Mr. Carlos smirked.

"This isn't over." Kate clenched her fists. "I might be walking into their trap, but I would find a way to take back what's mine,No matter what it takes."

~THE DRAY'S MANSION~

Kate sat in the grand living room of the Dray mansion, her hands folded on her lap. The walls were lined with gold-framed paintings, the furniture looked like it belonged to a museum, and the air smelled of money and power.

Across her, William Dray sat like a king on his throne, his expression unreadable. He was taller than she expected, his tailored black suit fits him perfectly.

His green eyes were sharp, calculating like he was already possessing her weaknesses.

Mr. Carlos sat beside her, his expression plain.

"William, this is Kate."

"I know." William spared her a glance.

His voice was deep and cold. It sent a shiver down Kate's spine.

"And I know who you are." She straightened her shoulders. One of his eyebrows lifted slightly, but he said nothing.

"Kate is willing to do her part to make this arrangement work." Mr. Carlos chuckled.

Kate wanted to slap the confidence off his face.

"You agreed to this marriage?" William asked finally looking at her, his eyes scanning her like she was nothing more than an property.

"Did I really have a choice?" She blurted out.

Something flashed in his eyes–amusement and Annoyance? She couldn't tell.

"You don't," he said simply.

"Then why ask?"

A small smirk appeared on his lips, but it disappeared immediately. "Because I like to know how much my wife resents me before the wedding."William leaned back, his expression unreadable again. "The wedding is in three days. Don't embarrass me."

"Three days?" Kate eyes widen.

"Well, I think that settles it." Mr. Carlos stood, clapping his hands.

Kate remained seated, her mind spinning. William didn't care about her. He wasn't even trying to pretend this was a real marriage.

She had just met her future husband, and she hated him already.

The next morning, Kate sat at the long marble dining table in the Dray mansion. A mean contract is laid in front of her.

The lawyer adjusted his glasses. "This contract states the terms of your marriage to Mr. Dray. You are required to fulfill all obligations as his wife-"

"Obligations?" Kate's grip on the pen tightened.

William, who sat at the head of the table, sipped his coffee. "It's a simple arrangement."

She turned to him, her eyes gleamed with hatred. "A simple arrangement where you control everything?"

"Yes." He put his cup down

Kate felt trapped. Her name was already printed on the contract, waiting for her signature.

She scanned the paper. Every detail was cold and business-like.

- She would live in the Dray mansion.

- She would attend business functions as William's wife.

- She would not interfere in his personal life.

- She would never ask for love.

Her stomach churned.

"Do I get a say in anything?" she asked.

William exhaled. "No."

Kate's throat tightened. "Then why even bother with a contract?"

"Because I don't like messy situations. And I don't trust people easily." He leaned forward slightly.

"I'm your wife, not your employee." She scoffed.

"You're whatever I need you to be." His gaze hardened.

Kate surrendered,her hands trembled as she signed her name at the bottom of the contract.

It was done.She had sold herself to the cold billionaire