My CEO… She Paid Me to Be Her Husband for 1 Year — Then Our ‘Fake’ Marriage Turned Real
Chapter 8
Their relationship changed after the board scandal.
The public believed they were the perfect power couple.
But privately, they were still learning.
Victoria had never been comfortable depending on someone.
Daniel had never been comfortable trusting someone with his heart.
They argued.
They apologized.
They learned.
Most importantly, they became honest.
One evening, Daniel asked:
“Why did you really choose me?”
Victoria looked at him.
“I told you.”
“Tell me again.”
She smiled.
“You were the only man in the company who didn’t look at me like I was the CEO.”
“What did I look at you like?”
“A woman.”
Daniel laughed.
“That’s dangerous.”
“Very.”
They kissed.
Meanwhile, Lily became attached to Victoria.
She started calling her “Vicky.”
Victoria pretended to hate it.
She secretly loved it.
At school, Lily wrote an essay titled:
My Family.
She described Daniel.
Then Victoria.
Then herself.
Her teacher asked:
“Are your parents married?”
Lily answered:
“Yes.”
“Both of them?”
“Yes.”
“And are you happy?”
Lily smiled.
“Very.”
When Daniel read the essay, he nearly cried.
Victoria noticed.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“You look emotional.”
“My daughter wrote about us.”
Victoria took the paper.
She read it.
Then she cried too.
Daniel wrapped his arms around her.
For a moment, there was no company.
No money.
No contract.
Just family.
But the past wasn’t finished.
A journalist began investigating Victoria’s marriage.
Rumors appeared online.
Some claimed Daniel had married her for money.
Others claimed Victoria had manipulated him.
The story spread quickly.
Victoria wanted to ignore it.
Daniel didn’t.
He held a press conference.
“I married Victoria because I agreed to a contract.”
Reporters erupted.
Victoria looked shocked.
Daniel continued.
“But that contract ended the moment we fell in love.”
The room became silent.
“I don’t regret accepting the offer.”
He looked at Victoria.
“But I would marry her again without being paid a single dollar.”
Victoria’s eyes filled with tears.
The story changed overnight.
Public opinion shifted.
People saw their relationship differently.
But Daniel’s statement created another problem.
The marriage contract had been leaked.
Legal experts began questioning whether their marriage had been legitimate.
Richard’s attorneys argued that the agreement constituted fraud.
Victoria’s legal team prepared for court.
Daniel looked at her.
“What happens if they win?”
Victoria sighed.
“They could invalidate the marriage.”
Daniel smiled.
“Then we’ll get married again.”
She looked at him.
“Again?”
“Properly this time.”
Victoria laughed.
“With flowers?”
“Lots.”
“Church?”
“If you want.”
“Guests?”
“Your entire company.”
She smiled.
“And Lily?”
“She gets to be the flower girl.”
Victoria leaned against him.
“Deal.”
Neither knew that the court battle would reveal one final secret.
A secret Victoria’s grandfather had deliberately hidden from everyone.
Including Victoria herself.
