Chapter 6
“Number one, this marriage is in name only.” Izzy said, signing the prenuptial agreement with a sharp flourish. The document was clear–everything they brought in or earned during the marriage would remain their own. Simple, clean, and professional. No emotions involved.
“Name only?” Liam leaned back against the loveseat they shared, raising an eyebrow as he regarded her.
“Yes” Izzy placed the pen down and crossed her arms. She was about to let him play games with her. “This is temporary. An arrangement. Nothing more.”
“An
“An arrangement?” Liain leaned forward, smirking as if he found the entire conversation amusing “Interesting choice of words
Izzy glared at him. “Your grandfather and my grandfather wanted this. It’s one of the conditions for our trust funds. This marriage lets us get out inheritances, and once that’s settled, well go our separate ways.”
“Now, now. Liam’s smirk grew wider, “You’re making it sound like I need this marriage.”
“You do need this marriage.” Izzy’s words came out sharper than she intended. If she was right, Liam’s grandfather would not let him manage the company that he owned if he didn’t marry her- the granddaughter of his old best friend who died years ago. This was something that both of their grandfathers agreed to even before they were born. However, Izzy forcefully asked her grandfather to cancel this engagement years ago. Now, here she was, talking about the very same engagement that she hated in front of her ex fiance.
Itam’s eyes glinted, his smile never faltering. “Do I need to marry you to get my grandfather’s inheritance? Yes. Do I need that inheritance to live iny life? Absolutely not.”
Izzy’s retort died in her throat. His confidence rattled her, and she hated that he was right. He didn’t need the money. He could walk away from this, and his life would barely change. She, on the other hand, had plans–plans that involved getting her inheritance, getting back at Calen, and setting her life on a path she controlled.
Liam watched her closely, clearly enjoying the way she was struggling to come up with a response. “You, on the other hand.” he continued. “Need this marriage far more than I do. You’ve got a score to settle, and I happen to be the key to that revenge of yours.”
Izzy’s jaw tightened. She wanted to argue, but the truth stung too much to deny. He was right. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, but she stayed silent, glaring at him instead.
Liam chuckled softly, the sound infuriating her further. “Look,” he said, leaning forward. “I’m a gentleman. I’ll help you out. You get your revenge and I’ll play along. Then I get my inheritance as a bonus but I am doing you a favor.”
“And what do you want in return?” Izzy snapped, her irritation bubbling over. How could he do something like that without anything in return? The Liam she knew would leave no stone unturned to get what he wanted. The man started his business when he was twenty. He is stubborn as a mule.
“There’s always a price,of course.” Liam said smoothly. “This world is a business. You think I’d just do this for free?”
Her glare deepened. “You’re insufferable.
“And you’re predictable. He leaned back, crossing his arms as if he had already won this argument. “The question is, how much is your revenge worth to you?”
“You’re a piece of work, you know that?” she shot back.
Liam shrugged, completely unfazed by her anger. “I’m practical Isn’t that why you practically showed up last night with your lingerie on and proposed to me?”
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Chapter 6
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Izzy thought of a way to counter his smug attitude, but the truth was, he had her cornered. She needed this marriage more than he needed it. Liam was simply calling her out on it. She bit her lower lip as she tried her best to control her anger..
“And what exactly is this price for your help?” Izzy’s eyes narrowed. “What do you wa
Liam’s eyes flickered with amusement as he considered her question. “Don’t worry. It’s nothing you can’t handle.”
Izzy’s patience snapped. “Stop being cryptic and just say what you mean, Liam!”
He raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the tension. “Simple. We play our roles well. Convincing enough to make everyone believe we’re happily married. No half–measures.”
“You want me to pretend?” Izzy stared at him in disbelief. “That’s your big payment?”
Liam’s smirk didn’t waver. “Not pretend, Izzy. You’re going to live it. Just like I will.”
Her pulse quickened at his words, the underlying implication in them. She opened her mouth to argue, but he cut her off. “And don’t act like you weren’t expecting this.” He leaned in closer, his face only inches from hers “You walked into this knowing full well what you were getting yourself into.”
Izzy took a breath, steadying herself. “I can’t believe you’re calling yourself a gentleman while demanding something like
this.”
Liam snorted. “Everything in life is a transaction. You want your revenge? I want you to be my wife, especially in front of my grandfather.. We both win.” His eyes locked onto hers, unflinching. “This is a business deal, a transaction, a contract..
Izzy’s glare could’ve set the room on fire. Every word out of his mouth grated on her nerves, but there was no escaping the truth. He was right–this was a business arrangement. But the thought of having to play the part of his loving wife, even temporarily, was enough to make her stomach turn. Still, the thought that she would only do this in front of his grandfather, in front of Grandpa Ricky was enough to convince her.
“I hate you,” she muttered through clenched teeth
Liam’s smile never wavered. “The feeling’s mutual, sweetheart.”
lazy’s fingers twitched with the urge to slap that smug look off his face, but she forced herself to stay composed. She couldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her lose control.
“I don’t done.”
need this to last any longer than it has to,” she said, her voice low. “The moment we both get what we want, we’re
“Agreed” Liam leaned back, completely relaxed, as if he hadn’t just turned her entire plan upside down. “But until then, you’d better get used to being Mrs. Horvath.”
Izzy’s stomach twisted at the thought, but she didn’t let it show. Instead, she stood tall, her chin lifting in defiance. “Fine. But don’t think for a second that I’ll ever be your wife in any real sense.”
Liam’s eyes darkened slightly, his smile fading just a little. “Oh, we’ll see about that.”
The tension between them was thick enough to cut with a knife as Izzy held his gaze, refusing to be the first to back down. She had agreed to this marriage for her own reasons, but she wasn’t about to let Liam think he had the upper hand.
“Let’s just get this over with,” she said finally, breaking the silence “The sooner we can get what we need, the sooner I can be done with you.”
Liam’s smirk returned, his confidence unshaken. “As you wish, Mrs. Horvath. Now he got up and held her hand. “Let’s go to the officiant and say our vows.
Liam got up. Then he paused. “Ah you should probably start calling me sweetheart,” he smiled. “Or would you prefer:
2/3
Chapter 61
darling instead?”
[Author’s Note: This is a slowbum, enemies to lovers, CEO rom
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Chapter 6
darling instead?”
[Author’s Not This is a slowburn, enemies to lovers, CEO roman
13:11 Wed, Jan