Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 25883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25883 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 104(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Silence.
"A year?"
Charlotte's brows shot up at his continued silence. "Don't tell me you have something shorter in mind?"
"Two months."
Her jaw dropped. "Two months?" Did he really think she was the kind of person who would match him with Ms. Watson if he only had two months of marriage in mind?
"Your contracts always include a pre-termination clause," the billionaire suddenly asserted. "But what it entails varies on a case-to-case basis."
"You've been talking to Valerian, haven't you?"
Since anything he replied could have legal repercussions for his friend, Charlotte wasn't surprised when the billionaire only shrugged her question off.
"I'll bite then," she said finally. "What kind of pre-termination clause would you like to be included in Ms. Watson's—-"
"It's my contract I'm concerned with, not hers," the billionaire interrupted flatly.
Charlotte mentally gave up trying to figure out this client of hers and simply waited for the billionaire to lay all of his cards on the table.
"The marriage is to last only two months, but the other party is not to know this until the appointed time comes up. I want you to be the one to inform her about my intention to file for a no-fault divorce, and if she doesn't contest it, she's to receive twenty million dollars on the spot, and a monthly stipend for the rest of her life."
"And if she asks why you're asking for a divorce?"
"If she asks...and only if she asks, then you're to say I've changed my mind about having a stablegirl for a wife."
That he already had an answer in mind showed how much thought he had given this, but more glaringly obvious was the billionaire's determination to burn all his bridges completely...
Because he doesn't want to give himself a chance to stay married, Charlotte realized. Rowland Asherfield was intent on putting a deadline to his marriage and sticking to it...even if this meant destroying the same woman he wanted so badly.
"It seems you're mistaken about me as well, Mr. Asherfield. I don't arrange marriages that are doomed to fail."
"Not even for the right price?"
"Money has never been why I started this business...but I may be willing to consider your terms if you answer my questions."
"Ask me anything then."
"Why don't you believe in love?"
A humorless smile touched the billionaire's lips. "I'm sure you've looked into my background as well..."
Charlotte couldn't help wincing even though she knew Rowland wasn't the type to take such things personally. "I'm sorry about your parents' death..."
"Don't be. I was too young to remember anything about them when they died, and you can't miss something you never knew you had."
"And is it because of them..."
"Their death was more of a catalyst, if anything. I was passed from one relative to another growing up, with all of them professing to love me as their son, but all of them doing their best as well to brainwash me into asking the court to have them appointed as my legal guardian and executor of my parents' estate."
"I'm so sorry..." Charlotte didn't know what else to say beyond this.
"It is what it is," the billionaire answered with a lazy shrug, "and I eventually outgrew my need for family and relationships."
"But Ms. Watson—-"
"Greed always wins in the end, Mrs. Carmichaels. My own flesh and blood was no proof against it. But you still expect me to believe that a complete stranger will be different?"
Not just any stranger though, Charlotte wished she could say, but she also knew Rowland wasn't yet ready for such words.
"Let's say you're right, Mr. Asherfield. Greed may indeed be everyone's inevitable downfall, but...what if two months of marriage aren't enough to have Ms. Watson expose her true colors as you expect her to? Does that mean you'll stay married until—-"
"I know you think she's a good person, Mrs. Carmichaels. I think so, too."
"Then why not—-"
"But I still stand by what I said. Greed will corrupt her, sooner or later, and I'd rather not be around when that happens."
Rowland Asherfield was lying to her for the first time, Charlotte thought, and he didn't even know it. He had convinced himself he was doing this because he believed Emmy would eventually break his trust, but what he was doing in truth was choosing to break Emmy's heart before she could break his.
"You have yourself a deal, Mr. Asherfield."
"And how much would this...deal cost me?"
Everything, Charlotte thought. It would cost you everything...if you prove to be an idiot and fail to realize what you truly want in time.
Chapter Eighteen
HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR mind, Mr. Asherfield?
Rowland stared at his phone broodingly. Charlotte's text had come in as he was boarding his private jet, and it had instantly brought back memories of his last conversation with Heart's Match owner.
A part of him was still in disbelief that two months had already passed since his marriage begun. It still felt like it was only yesterday when Emerald had become his wife, with how much he still hungered for the taste of her mouth and the feel of her body writhing against his. Had it really been two months?