My CEO… She Paid Me to Be Her Husband for 1 Year — Then Our ‘Fake’ Marriage Turned Real
Chapter 7
The board meeting began at nine.
Richard arrived first.
He was confident.
Too confident.
Victoria entered with Daniel beside her.
The room went silent.
Richard smiled.
“So the husband is joining us.”
Daniel took a seat.
“Looks like it.”
Victoria placed a folder on the table.
“Today we’re discussing Project Meridian.”
Several board members exchanged nervous glances.
Richard’s expression changed.
“That’s confidential.”
“Not anymore.”
Victoria opened the folder.
She presented the documents.
Financial transfers.
Shell companies.
Hidden accounts.
Payments.
Every transaction led back to Richard.
The CFO stared.
“This can’t be real.”
Daniel slid another document forward.
“It is.”
Richard stood.
“You have no idea what you’re doing.”
Daniel looked at him.
“I’ve seen this before.”
Richard froze.
“You.”
Daniel nodded.
“Years ago.”
Victoria turned toward her uncle.
“You stole from my grandfather.”
Richard laughed.
“He stole from me first.”
“What?”
“He promised me control.”
Victoria shook her head.
“He promised you nothing.”
Richard slammed his hand on the table.
“I built half of this company!”
“No.”
Victoria’s voice was calm.
“My grandfather did.”
Richard pointed at Daniel.
“And you trust this man?”
Victoria answered immediately.
“Yes.”
Richard stared at her.
“You married him for money.”
“No.”
Victoria looked at Daniel.
“I married him because I thought I needed him.”
She paused.
“Now I know I love him.”
The room became silent.
Daniel looked at her.
He hadn’t expected her to say it.
Richard laughed bitterly.
“Love?”
Victoria nodded.
“Yes.”
Richard turned toward the board.
“You’re going to destroy the company over a man?”
Victoria shook her head.
“I’m saving it because of him.”
Security entered.
Federal investigators followed.
Richard’s face changed.
“You called them?”
Victoria nodded.
Daniel had already submitted the evidence.
Richard was arrested.
The board suspended several executives involved in the scheme.
By afternoon, the news had reached the media.
The company stock initially dropped.
Then recovered.
Investors learned that Victoria had prevented a multibillion-dollar fraud.
She became more respected than ever.
But that evening, she wasn’t thinking about the company.
She was sitting at home.
Daniel came into the room.
“How are you?”
“Tired.”
“Me too.”
She looked at him.
“Daniel?”
“Yes?”
“The contract ends in five months.”
He sat beside her.
“I know.”
“What happens then?”
Daniel smiled.
“Do you want a divorce?”
Victoria looked at him.
“No.”
He took her hand.
“Then we don’t get one.”
She smiled.
“Is that legally how it works?”
“No.”
They laughed.
For the first time, the contract felt completely irrelevant.
The next morning, Victoria surprised Daniel.
She brought him a small box.
Inside was a new wedding ring.
“This one isn’t part of the agreement.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Victoria…”
“I know we already have rings.”
She smiled.
“But I want one that means something.”
Daniel kissed her.
“I’ll take it.”
