She Rejected Him on a Blind Date—Then Another Woman Said, “Marry Me”
Chapter 6
The truth brought them closer.
They began spending more time together.
Not because of the company.
Because they liked each other’s company.
Ethan learned Claire hated elevators.
Claire learned Ethan cooked when he was stressed.
He learned she couldn’t sleep during storms.
She learned he read old detective novels.
Their fake marriage slowly became natural.
One night, Claire asked:
“What if we didn’t have the contract?”
Ethan looked at her.
“What do you mean?”
“Would you still be here?”
He didn’t answer immediately.
“Yes.”
She smiled.
“Why?”
“Because I want to.”
Her eyes softened.
Neither of them spoke.
Then Ethan leaned closer.
Claire kissed him first.
The contract suddenly became irrelevant.
But they couldn’t forget the danger.
Blackwell launched a legal attack.
They claimed the marriage was fraudulent.
The trust could be voided.
If they won, control would transfer to Victor.
The court scheduled an emergency hearing.
Claire was terrified.
Ethan held her hand.
“We’ll prove it’s real.”
She looked at him.
“Is it?”
He smiled.
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“Whether you still want me after this is over.”
She laughed softly.
“I think I already do.”
The hearing began.
Blackwell’s attorneys presented the marriage agreement.
They argued the contract proved there was no genuine relationship.
The judge asked Ethan:
“Mr. Cole, was your marriage arranged?”
“Yes.”
“Was money involved?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know Mrs. Bennett before the marriage?”
“No.”
“Then why should this court recognize the marriage as genuine?”
Ethan looked toward Claire.
“Because what began as an arrangement became real.”
The courtroom became quiet.
The attorney pressed:
“Are you in love with her?”
Ethan didn’t hesitate.
“Yes.”
Claire’s eyes filled with tears.
The judge ruled the marriage valid.
Blackwell’s claim failed.
Victor’s control attempt collapsed.
The company survived.
But Victor disappeared.
Police couldn’t find him.
Then Claire received a message.
Your husband won’t save you forever.
She showed Ethan.
He smiled grimly.
“No.”
“What?”
“He doesn’t understand.”
“Understand what?”
“I’m not trying to save you.”
He took her hand.
“I’m staying.”
That night, they slept in the same room for the first time.
Nothing happened.
They simply slept.
For Claire, that meant more than any contract.
The next morning, Ethan received a phone call.
Samuel Reed had been found.
Alive.
And he had one final piece of evidence.
A recording of Victor speaking with the real mastermind.
Ethan listened.
The voice was familiar.
Too familiar.
He looked at Claire.
“Do you know who that is?”
She shook her head.
“Who?”
Ethan paused.
“Your father’s closest friend.”
