Chapter 2: The Contract Proposal

Liya’s eyes widened.

Had she heard correctly?

The man standing before her was Xavier Mo—the cold, untouchable CEO of Mo Enterprises, a man who made headlines daily. Some said he was ruthless in business, others whispered that women who approached him disappeared quietly from society.

And yet… he was asking her to marry him?

Liya steadied her breath, her fingers tightening at her sides.

> “Why me?” she asked coldly, trying to mask her racing heart.

Xavier’s expression didn’t change. His voice was deep, steady, as though he was merely discussing a business deal.

> “You need protection. I need a wife. It’s that simple.”

Her lips curled into a bitter smile. He was right. In her past life, she had been weak, powerless, trampled like dirt. But now… if marrying him gave her strength, maybe this was fate’s gift.

Still, she wasn’t the same naïve girl anymore.

> “What’s in the contract?” she asked, crossing her arms.

Xavier’s lips curved slightly, but his eyes remained cold.

> “Rule one: It’s only a marriage in name. We’ll keep our distance in public and private.

Rule two: When I say your role ends, you disappear from my life without complaint.

Rule three: Break any of these… and you’ll regret it.”

His words were sharp, like blades. But strangely, Liya felt no fear—only a quiet fire building inside her chest.

Because this time, she had her own rules.

> “Fine,” she said, her voice steady. “But I have one condition too.”

For the first time, Xavier raised an eyebrow.

> “And what’s that?”

Liya stepped closer, her eyes burning with icy determination.

> “Help me destroy the people who betrayed me.”

Silence filled the air, heavy like a storm. Then, to her shock, he smirked.

> “Deal.”

He extended his hand. She hesitated only for a moment before placing hers in his.

The handshake was brief, cold, but in that instant, Liya knew—her destiny had changed.

A strange shiver ran down her spine, not of fear but of anticipation. For the first time in years, Liya felt truly alive. The shadows of her past no longer chained her—she could almost hear them breaking apart piece by piece.

This time, she would not bow.

This time, she would rise.

That night, Liya lay awake, clutching the contract. Under the dim lamp, its white pages seemed to chain her future to his.

Her mind replayed every betrayal—her fiancé’s lies, Mei Lin’s fake smile, her family’s cold indifference. Each memory only fueled her resolve.

Her fingers tightened around the papers until her knuckles turned white.

> This time, I will not hesitate.

This time, I will rewrite my fate… with my own hands.

She inhaled deeply, her hand trembling. This was more than a contract—it was a weapon she chose to wield.

With a steady breath, Liya picked up the pen. Her heart pounded once, twice—then the ink touched the page.

Signed

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