A Contract Marriage With My Boss!

In the hospital corridor, the atmosphere was like ice.

Serena felt her chest tighten and wondered how this sudden news would change her life.

"Are you deaf? I'm telling you again! THE WEDDING is in the THREE DAYS later!"

The women yelling angrily was Michelle, Serena's stepmother.

She stood there with distant and disgusted expression even on her exquisitely made-up face, her voice full of ruthlessness and mockery, looking very impatiently at the quiet and silent young woman in front of her.

Serena froze in place with her head down, the news like a pot of cold water suddenly poured over her head, catching her off guard.

She slowly looked up at the hideous woman in front of her and snapped softly,

"Me?"

Faced with Serena's insensitivity, Michelle couldn't hide her displeasure.

She scowled as if Serena was a lowly, insignificant person, her words filled with coldness and sarcasm,

"Don't you dare put on a pity face! Thank your good father for that! Otherwise you wouldn't have been able to marry Matthew Harrington, bitch!"

Harrington?

Serena knew that the Harrington family were the richest family in all of Hustleburg, if not the country, synonymous with wealth and power.

It sounded like the perfect marriage.

But it was Matthew.

Word on the street was that he suffered from a severe health condition and was on the brink of death.

It had been a long time since he'd been seen in public, and the rumors seemed to hold a grain of truth...

And the so-called 'good father' Michelle was talking about had no qualms about using her like a cheap commodity for a good cause.

Serena chuckled softly at the realization.

She had once believed that her father was deceived by her stepmother, and that he had distanced himself from her out of necessity.

But now, it was clear she had been overly naive.

Michelle noticed the change in her expression as she raised her hand to remove her sunglasses and looked at Serena with disdain,

"What, happy now? All right, it's as good as it gets for someone like you, a bitch."

Serena looked up with a mocking expression and retorted, "It's about time you fought for something good for your own daughter, isn't it?"

It was the first time Serena tried to fight back, she felt the fire burning inside her, but in the very next second...

SLAP--

A resounding slap struck Serena's face, causing her head to snap to the side and her cheek to burn for a brief moment.

Michelle didn't hesitate to raise her voice to threaten her, "Who the HELL do you think you are? The way you're talking to me RIGHT NOW, you should have been DEAD long ago!"

"I'm warning you. We've already promised them. When the time comes, even if we have to tie you up, we'll do that!"

Serena lowered her gaze, her hand gently caressing her numbing cheek, her courage and anger seemingly shattered by the blow.

Michelle, perhaps thinking that verbal threats were not enough, raised her chin slightly and swept her eyes in the direction of the hospital room,

"Bitch, I strongly advise you to be on time, and If you attempt to escape, I will have the dialysis tubes removed right now and then I will have Alex FUCK you!"

Alex, Michelle's son, had long lusted Serena's beauty.

If Michelle hadn't wanted her husband to get suspicious, she would have let Alex rape her!

Serena's fists clenched, a mix of anger and despair surging through her like a tidal wave, but with an underlying sense of powerlessness.

Michelle had a firm grip on Serena's vulnerability, and she couldn't fight back.

She needed their support to cover her grandmother's medical bills, which was the root cause of her inability to escape this hell.

Just yesterday, Serena had turned down the opportunity to pursue her J.D. to work and earn money more quickly.

But evidently, her grandmother couldn't wait any longer.

Serena gazed down at her shoes, took a deep breath, and finally gritted her teeth, accepting her fate. "I'll be there."

"Wouldn't it have been easier if you had been this reasonable from the start? That old woman in there might have suffered a little less, and it would have been easier for you," Michelle sneered, as if expecting Serena's capitulation, and she donned her sunglasses once more.

"After you get married, your punk husband will be responsible for the remaining medical bills."

With that, she turned and sauntered away, leaving behind an air of arrogance.

Only when Michelle's figure had completely vanished at the end of the corridor did Serena turn around.

Suddenly, her legs felt weak, and she bent over, leaning against the doorframe.

Through the window, she saw her grandmother on dialysis, barely clinging to life.

"Granny, I'm sorry."

She hadn't kept her promise, and yet she had given in...

***

Three days later, the wedding day finally arrived.

However, there was no wedding.

The Harrington family simply sent a chauffeur to pick up Serena.

There was no ceremony, no beautiful cake, no exquisite wedding dress, no well-wishing guests, and even the groom didn't show up.

But Serena didn't mind.

This marriage wasn't worth celebrating, and the fewer people who knew, the better.

It would make the impending divorce easier to handle.

The driver expertly stepped out of the car and took Serena's luggage from her hand.

He glanced behind Serena and asked, "Madam, is there any other..."

"No more luggage, that's all," Serena interrupted him matter-of-factly.

A hint of surprise flashed in the driver's eyes.

Even if Serena's family wasn't considered wealthy, they were still a business family.

How could she have only one suitcase?

Many girls would have 3-4 suitcases filled with luxury clothes for a trip, not to mention a situation like this...

Serena found it ironic to see the shock in the driver's eyes, as no one would believe the life she had endured all these years.

The driver sees Serena's indifferent expression and realizes that he's offended the new owner a bit, he quickly puts away his shocked expression and raises his hand,

"Madam, please"

Serena nodded gently and walked down the steps to get in, but that's when Michelle called Serena to a halt.

"Serena!" her tone was full of warning and threat, though she did her best to hide it.

She forced out a fake smile that looked like the driver's and said quietly,

"There's something I want to talk to her about."

The driver responded quickly, "Of course," picked up Serena's suitcase, approached the car, and promptly took his place in the driver's seat to avoid hearing any further exchange between them.

Michelle wiped away her false smile and spoke vindictively to Serena, "Do as you're told, or I can't guarantee your grandma's well-being!"

Serena stared coldly at the loathsome woman in front of her, her thoughts drifting to her cold and heartless father.

She knew exactly what they expected from her, but Serena had made up her mind.

She was leaving this place, and someone would take care of her grandmother's medical bills.

There was no reason to comply with their demands.

Thinking of her granny, Serena recalled something crucial.

With a spring in her step, she inquired, "Where's my mother's bracelet?"

Her granny had mentioned that her mother always wore a bracelet, a significant and cherished possession for Serena.

The bracelet held substantial value, but her mother had sold it to support her father Stephen when he was starting his business.

When her father's business had prospered, he had repurchased the bracelet.

It wasn't just a piece of jewelry.

It symbolized a significant part of Stephen's business belonging to Serena's mother, and one day she intended to reclaim it.

Serena had asked her father for it countless times, and he had promised to give it to her on her wedding day.

Now the day had come.

Michelle regarded Serena with disdain and callously replied, "The bracelet is missing.!"

"Missing?" Serena narrowed her eyes inquisitively.

Michelle remained unfazed by Serena's probing and continued to issue orders, "That's irrelevant. You..."

Recognizing Michelle's obstinate attitude, Serena realized that trying to obtain the bracelet today would be futile, and she didn't want to engage in a fruitless argument.

Without waiting for Michelle to finish her sentence, Serena rolled her eyes and briskly entered the black Spyker, commanding, "Just go."

The car quickly started, pulling away, and Serena observed Michelle's frozen expression in the rearview mirror, a small smirk playing at the corner of her mouth.

She is not going to be manipulated again, NEVER!

The car navigated through half of the city and soon arrived at the Harrington family's residence, known as the Harrington Grand Estate.

The gates swung open, and the grand mansion loomed majestically within, serving as the abode of some of the most influential figures in Hustleburg.

It was a place of opulence and excitement, held in high esteem, yet also renowned for its cold and unforgiving ambiance.

For Serena, it was akin to moving from one kind of torment to another.

As she drove around the expansive garden, she noticed a sleek black Bentley parked not far away.

The occupant of the Bentley remained still, but the driver promptly exited and approached it with an air of respect.

Serena couldn't help but cast a curious glance at the slowly lowering car window, revealing the man's side profile.

His presence exuded a regal aura, his impeccably tailored suit lacking even the slightest wrinkle. His handsome and aloof side profile appeared sharply defined amid the interplay of light and shadow. He maintained an aura of stern composure.

Perhaps sensing her gaze, the man slowly raised his eyes, their detached pupils resembling a star on a winter's night.

Serena inadvertently caught her breath at the sight. In terms of looks, the man was nothing short of perfection.

Within a moment, the man withdrew his gaze, as though Serena was no more than a passing breeze. It was as if a second look would be entirely unnecessary.

***

"Sir, will you be having your meal at here today? It's..." the driver began, but before he could finish his sentence, he heard Matthew's curt response, "No."

His voice was icy, carrying an unwavering determination.

There was no room for hesitation, indicating that he had made up his mind well in advance.

The driver respectfully nodded, understanding that there were to be no further inquiries.

As he watched the Bentley gradually depart, he remained in silence for a moment before recollecting Serena in the car behind him. He promptly opened the door.

"Madam, please exit the vehicle. Mrs. Tara is waiting."

Serena acknowledged with a nod and ceased her contemplation, following the driver as they made their way to the entrance of the grand main building.

The maid welcomed her inside.

A girl in her mid-twenties gracefully descended the ornate handrail staircase, and a flicker of disdain crossed her eyes as she laid them upon Serena.

Serena immediately recognized the young woman.

Anyone living here must be the youngest daughter of the Harrington family, Nina Harrington.

Nina had stylish, curly brown hair, donned a casual dress, and stopped her strappy heels to regard Serena with an air of haughty indifference.

Nina casually confronted Serena, "That's quite rude of you. You've just been married, how can you keep us waiting like this?"

For a moment, Serena was taken aback.

She had arrived here according to her family's schedule, so how could she possibly be late?

It was evident that Nina was deliberately making things difficult for her, displaying her impatience and disgust.

In a place like this, even if her husband was suffering from a serious illness, others would merely perceive her as being haughty.

There was no one here she could confront.

Serena narrowed her eyes and offered a patient smile as she explained,

"Good evening, Miss Nina. I believe I may have been a little slow as I crossed the main city center. I apologize for keeping you waiting."

Nina wrinkled her nose and, without a word, made her way to the main hall.

Serena thanked the maid who guided her and followed Nina's lead, heading for the elegantly dressed noblewoman seated on the couch.

This was her mother-in-law, Tara Winters Harrington.

Serena approached and offered a slight bow, saying, "Good evening, madam."

Tara, upon hearing the address, remained unmoved.

She scanned Serena from head to toe with a critical eye and frowned.

Nina, red-faced, crossed her arms over her chest and protested,

"Mom, I just don't understand. How could Grandpa allow a woman like her marry to my brother? For a man like him, there are countless women who would love to marry him! And they would be so much better than her!"

Tara pursed her lips. She couldn't fathom Mr. Richard's intentions.

Given their family's status in the country, even if Matthew had those rumors swirling around him, there were plenty of women who would want to be with their family.

So why had her father-in-law chosen Serena?

While Tara had seen that Serena was indeed beautiful and well-educated, her humble background concerned her.

What made her qualified to be Matthew's wife?

He's the family heir!

Tara's face took on an icy demeanor, and the more she thought about it, the more vexed she became.

She felt an urge to confront Mr. Richard overseas and challenge his decision.

Serena, left standing with no one offering her a seat or making conversation, did not seem particularly surprised or bothered.

She stood there with her eyes lowered and her brows furrowed, displaying modesty.

The air in the room grew heavy and stifling, and Nina's gaze on Serena grew increasingly irritated.

"Our family cannot accept someone of your status.

When my brother returns, believe me, he will divorce you instantly!"

Serena couldn't help but chuckle softly and met Nina's gaze, a smile playing at the corner of her lips.

"Miss Nina, please don't worry. If Mr. Matthew wants to, I won't have any objections."

Nina cocked her head, searching for a reaction from Serena.

However, Tara saw through the act-it was a fake show of submission.

Tara glared at Serena, her lips tight, and delivered a harsh statement,

"Remember what you said, Serena. You're not worthy of my son. When Matthew's grandfather returns, you can tell him that you want to divorce."

"Until then, Pay attention to your behavior. I won't allow our family's reputation to be tarnished by you."

Not worthy...

It wasn't the first time Serena had heard such sentiments.

Her face remained calm, but her heart ached, as Tara's words seemed to resonate with her painful memories.

There had been a time when she had tried desperately to break free from the constraints of her social class, only to realize that some people were born to shine like the sun.

Even if she stood on her tiptoes , she could never break through the barriers of class.

One mistake had been enough for her.

So she responded dryly, "Madam, I see."

It appeared that her expectations were correct; this was another kind of hell.

Infinity Realm Inc.

The top-floor office exuded an icy chill, and Matthew's eyes displayed emotions hidden from the onlookers.

"Is this the best solution you could devise after two hours of deliberation?"

His voice was deep, frigid, and commanding, and his furrowed brows made the few people in front of him break out in cold sweat.

"Boss, we will work diligently to come up with a flawless solution as soon as possible."

Several individuals wiped the sweat from their foreheads, their lips parched.

"Tomorrow at the latest, get out."

Matthew massaged his forehead, inexplicable irritation gnawing at his heart.

A few of them wished they had wings to escape the office immediately.

The office hasn't been quiet for long, the mobile phone in Matthew's pocket rang, there was no need to wonder who was on the other end of the line.

"Grandpa," he answered meekly after pressing the answer button.

"Where are you now?" Richard's voice was gruff, tinged with irritation.

"I'm at the company."

"The company?!" Richard's typically moderate voice escalated in volume. "You ungrateful brat! Today is your WEDDING day, do you remember?"

Matthew's visage remained cold and apathetic, unruffled. "It was arranged by you, not by me."

Richard's fury pained him, and he coughed several times.

Sensing the commotion, Matthew's tone softened involuntarily. "Grandpa, remember that you can't get too agitated."

Richard took a sip of water, calming himself. "Don't keep your wife waiting. She is a good girl, and despite being born into such a family, she still made it to a top school. She is a good girl!"

"Matthew, you're not so young anymore. I've never cared about the rumors surrounding you in the outside world over the years, but now that I'm growing old, you should at least consider my feelings."

As Richard continued, his anger grew, and his coughing intensified.

"Cough-cough-"

Matthew pursed his lips and interrupted, "All right, Grandpa. I'll return tonight."

With those words, he hung up before Richard could respond.

Shortly after contemplating the situation, he pressed the button for the landline on his desk and directed, "Nathan, prepare a contract for me..."

***

Soon Matthew returned to where he had just left off.

He always says what he wants and never changes his decision, so when the maids saw him return they all looked at each other in surprise.

A maid quickly approached and inquired, "Sir, should we prepare dinner for you?"

"No need." Matthew cast a cursory gaze around the vacant dining room and spoke dispassionately. He handed his coat to a nearby maid.

He was not back to dinner.

Matthew took a long stride toward Serena's room. The door to the room was ajar and not locked, and this detail furrowed his brow. He gently pushed the door open.

The room appeared spacious and unoccupied at first glance, with the sound of water running in the bathroom. Through the frosted glass, thick mist lingered, indicating that Serena had been in there for a while.

He couldn't believe she had taken a shower without locking the door.

Matthew closed the door behind him and made his way to the large, floor-to-ceiling window on the side.

Click...

Shortly after, the bathroom door swung open, and Serena stepped out, her hair tousled. She was surrounded by a thick cloud of steam that still hung in the air.

Four eyes locked on each other, Matthew impassive, Serena taken aback.

Seeing Matthew face-to-face, Serena froze, her hands temporarily immobilized.

Serena had seen this man before, but this close encounter made her notice his handsome, three-dimensional features more distinctly.

His face, illuminated by the overhead lights, appeared even more dazzling.

Serena did not know the identity of the man in front of her, looking at the aura emanating from his body, coupled with the fact that he was able to freely enter and leave this place.

He's supposed to be a big shot.

Serena approached him respectfully. "Sir, is there something you need from me?"

Matthew loomed over her, noticing the rapid succession of emotions in her eyes – surprise, confusion, and then a swift return to composure.

Her forced composure, however, seemed even more genuine.

Her crystal-clear eyes, with pupils as bright and lively as a fawn's, were an unexpected contrast to her calm demeanor.

Matthew glanced at her briefly, his gaze now showing more warmth.

"Sign this."

He gestured to a white document on a side table, an elegant fountain pen resting on the glossy paper.

Serena felt an odd mixture of emotions and didn't know what to say.

Instead, she walked over, picked up the contract, and began reading.

The document was a very formal agreement, explicitly defining the nature of her engagement to Matthew.

It made it clear that they would divorce at the end of a two-year period. During these two years, Serena would have access to limitless wealth and enjoy the privileges associated with her status, but only if she maintained a low profile.

This was Serena's understanding, and it was far from what she had expected.

She had assumed that such a wealthy family wanted her to bear a child for her ailing husband, and she had been anxious about it.

However, her nominal husband, Matthew, appeared willing to leave her alone despite his mother's disgusted attitude.

With this contract, her worries had dissolved. It was just for two years, so she only needed to endure.

Serena carefully examined the contract. She's sure there's no catch in this contract. So was it Matthew's decision to propose this contract?

Feeling somewhat perplexed, Serena blinked her eyelashes and turned her gaze toward the man who had barely spoken since her arrival, looking both cautious and inquisitive.

"Sir, is it my husband make this decision?"