My CEO… She Paid Me to Be Her Husband for 1 Year — Then Our ‘Fake’ Marriage Turned Real
Chapter 9
The court proceedings lasted three months.
Richard’s attorneys argued that Victoria’s marriage was a business arrangement.
They claimed Daniel had been paid to influence company decisions.
But the evidence showed otherwise.
Daniel had never taken company money.
He had never interfered with corporate decisions for personal gain.
And he had repeatedly protected Victoria when doing so offered him no benefit.
The judge delayed the final ruling.
Then Victoria received a letter from her grandfather’s estate attorney.
It contained a sealed document.
The attorney said:
“Your grandfather instructed me to give this to you only if your marriage was challenged.”
Victoria opened it.
The document contained a final letter.
Victoria,
If you are reading this, someone has tried to use your marriage against you.
I knew this day might come.
There is something you must understand.
I never cared who you married.
The condition in my will was never truly about marriage.
Victoria stared.
Daniel read over her shoulder.
The letter continued.
I needed to know whether you could trust someone outside this family.
For generations, the Morgan family believed power came from blood.
I believed power came from character.
Victoria’s eyes filled with tears.
Her grandfather had designed the condition to force her to build a life outside the family.
The money had been a test.
The marriage had been a test.
Daniel had passed without even knowing he was being tested.
At the bottom was one final sentence:
If Daniel Carter is still beside you when you read this, keep him. He is worth more than the company.
Victoria cried.
Daniel smiled.
“Your grandfather knew.”
“Apparently.”
The letter became crucial evidence.
The judge ruled that their marriage was valid.
Richard’s final appeal failed.
The Morgan family trust remained under Victoria’s control.
A week later, Victoria stood in her backyard.
Daniel approached.
“So.”
“So?”
“We’re officially married.”
She smiled.
“Apparently.”
“No contract.”
“No contract.”
“No expiration date.”
“No.”
Daniel pulled out a small box.
Victoria frowned.
“What is that?”
He opened it.
Inside was a simple ring.
“I know we already have rings.”
“I know.”
“This one is from me.”
She smiled.
“Daniel…”
“I want you to marry me.”
She laughed through tears.
“You already married me.”
“That was business.”
“And this?”
“This is everything else.”
Victoria kissed him.
“Yes.”
Lily came running outside.
“Did she say yes?”
Daniel laughed.
“How did you know?”
“I heard you!”
Victoria laughed.
Lily hugged them both.
“Can we have a real wedding?”
Victoria nodded.
“A very real one.”
And for the first time, they planned a wedding without lawyers.
Without contracts.
Without conditions.
Only love.
