Rain fell steadily against the tall windows of Vale Corporation's headquarters, turning the city outside into a blur of gray and silver. Inside the boardroom, the atmosphere was just as bleak.
Aria Vale stood at the head of the long conference table, facing the last group of investors who had agreed to hear her proposal. Her hands rested firmly on the polished surface, though her fingers trembled slightly. She had spent days preparing for this meeting, hoping–praying, that someone would see the value in her family's company.
The investors exchanged uneasy glances.
Finally, the oldest among them cleared his throat and closed the file in front of him.
"Miss Vale," he said gently, "your presentation was impressive. Your father built an admirable company. But the situation Vale Corporation is in… it's simply too risky."
The others nodded in agreement.
Aria felt a heavy weight settle in her chest.
"We appreciate your time," another man added as he stood. "But investing now would be throwing money into a failing enterprise."
One by one, they gathered their things and left the room. Their footsteps echoed down the hallway until the sound disappeared completely.
The door closed with a quiet click.
Aria remained standing there, staring at the empty chairs.
Just a few months ago, those same seats had been filled with people eager to partner with Vale Corporation. Her father had spent thirty years building the company from a small logistics firm into a respected business empire.
Then everything fell apart.
A trusted executive had betrayed them, stealing millions and fleeing the country. The scandal spread through the financial world like wildfire. Investors panicked. Contracts were canceled. Banks froze their credit lines.
Within weeks, the company that had taken decades to build was drowning in debt.
Aria had taken over after her father collapsed from stress and was rushed to the hospital. Since then, she had fought every day to keep the company alive.
But hope was running out.
Her phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen and saw the name of the bank manager. She already knew what he wanted to say.
Another rejection.
Aria declined the call and let out a quiet breath.
"There has to be another way," she murmured to herself.
A knock came from the door.
"Miss Vale?"
Her assistant, Daniel, stepped inside cautiously.
"Yes?" Aria asked, straightening her posture.
"There's someone here to see you."
Aria frowned slightly. "Did they make an appointment?"
"No," Daniel admitted. "But he said the meeting concerns the future of Vale Corporation."
Aria sighed. Another creditor, most likely.
"Who is it?"
Daniel hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Adrian Wolfe."
For a second, Aria thought she had heard him wrong.
"Adrian Wolfe?" she repeated slowly.
Daniel nodded.
The name was impossible to ignore. Adrian Wolfe was one of the most powerful businessmen in the country. As the CEO of Wolfe Global, his investments controlled major industries across the city. In the financial world, he was known for his ruthless strategies and cold decision-making.
Some people even called him the Ice King.
More importantly, he never visited struggling companies personally.
"Where is he?" Aria asked.
"In your office."
Aria took a steady breath and walked down the hallway toward her office. Her heels echoed against the marble floor as her mind raced with questions.
Why would someone like Adrian Wolfe come here?
When she opened the door, she immediately noticed the tall figure standing by the window.
He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his posture relaxed yet commanding. The dim afternoon light reflected off the glass behind him as he turned to face her.
His sharp features were calm, almost unreadable.
"Miss Vale," he said.
His voice was deep and composed.
Aria stepped inside and closed the door behind her.
"Mr. Wolfe," she replied politely. "I'm surprised someone like you would visit a company everyone else has already abandoned."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"People abandon things when they stop seeing value," he said.
He walked toward her desk and placed a thin document on its surface.
"I believe Vale Corporation still has potential."
Aria crossed her arms slightly. "Are you here to invest?"
Adrian shook his head.
"No."
The answer came without hesitation.
"Then why are you here?"
"To make you an offer."
He pushed the document closer to her.
Curious, Aria picked it up and glanced at the first page.
Her eyes widened.
The bold title at the top read:
Marriage Contract
She looked up sharply.
"You can't be serious."
Adrian Wolfe's expression didn't change.
"For the next three years," he said calmly, "you will become my legal wife."
Aria stared at him, certain this had to be some kind of joke.
"You're proposing marriage… as a business deal?"
"Yes."
"And why would I agree to something like that?"
Adrian leaned slightly against the edge of the desk.
"In exchange," he said, "Wolfe Global will clear Vale Corporation's debts and provide the capital needed to stabilize your company."
Aria's heartbeat quickened.
"You're offering to save my family's business… if I marry you?"
"That is correct."
She looked down at the document again, reading the first few lines. The terms were precise and formal, just like any other corporate contract.
"How long?" she asked quietly.
"Three years."
"And after that?"
"We divorce."
Aria laughed softly, though there was no humor in it.
"This sounds ridiculous."
Adrian met her gaze without blinking.
"Perhaps. But it's also the only solution you have."
The truth in his words stung.
Aria thought about the unpaid employees, the creditors calling every day, and her father lying in a hospital bed, blaming himself for everything that had happened.
If Vale Corporation collapsed, hundreds of people would lose their jobs.
Slowly, she set the document down.
"What exactly would this marriage involve?" she asked.
Adrian's voice remained calm as he explained.
"You will live with me and appear as my wife at business events. We will present a united image to the public."
"And the rules?"
"No emotional expectations. No interference in each other's private lives."
His eyes locked onto hers.
"This marriage will exist for business purposes only."
Aria considered his words carefully.
"And if I refuse?"
Adrian straightened his coat.
"Then Vale Corporation will likely declare bankruptcy within a few weeks."
He began walking toward the door.
"Take some time to think about it, Miss Vale."
Just before he left, Aria spoke again.
"Mr. Wolfe."
He paused and turned back.
"Why me?" she asked.
"You could marry anyone."
For the first time, something flickered in his expression.
"Because," he said simply, "you need something I can provide."
His gaze dropped briefly to the document on her desk.
"And I need a wife."
With that, he opened the door and stepped out.
The office fell silent once again.
Aria looked down at the contract.
At the empty line waiting for her signature.
If she signed it, her company could be saved.
If she didn't, everything her father had built would disappear.
For a long time, she stood there, staring at the paper as the rain continued falling outside the window.