A Temporary Groom

The mahogany-paneled boardroom felt like a gilded cage as the grandfather clock struck eleven.

Clara Vance looked down at the contract on the table, her hands trembling slightly. She had exactly one hour left to fulfill the archaic clause in her late grandfather’s will, or her family’s legacy would be liquidated and sold to the highest bidder.

"You look desperate, Clara," a deep, smooth voice cut through the silence.

Julian Thorne sat across from her, casually swirling a glass of amber whiskey. He was the city’s most ruthless venture capitalist, a man whose public image was currently suffering after a brutal boardroom coup. The media labeled him cold, detached, and unfit to lead Thorne Enterprises. He needed a stable, respectable public image to appease his nervous board of directors—and he needed it immediately.

"I prefer the term pragmatic," Clara replied, looking him dead in the eye. "We both need something. I need a husband to secure my inheritance. You need a devoted wife to salvage your reputation. It’s a simple transaction."

Julian leaned forward, his sharp jawline catching the dim light. "One year, Clara. Separate bedrooms. Perfect public appearances....