"Miss Owens, please leave the premises immediately."
Charlotte Owens stopped in front of the company's revolving doors and stared at the security guard blocking her way.
For four years, she had walked through those doors as one of the company's most valued employees. Today, she wasn't even allowed inside.
A cold laugh escaped her.
"You're throwing me out?"
"I'm only following orders, ma'am."
"Orders?" Charlotte repeated. "I've worked here for four years. I've helped build this company, and now you're treating me like a criminal because someone planted a confidential file in my office?"
The guard lowered his eyes.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize."
Charlotte reached out and took the envelope he held toward her. "Go tell whoever gave you those orders that I'm not going to disappear quietly."
She turned away.
"Miss Owens..."
She stopped.
"The company car has also been collected."
Charlotte closed her eyes for a second, of course. They had taken her office. Her access. Her car. Her position.
Everything.
All because of a file she had never seen before. Someone had framed her, and management hadn't even bothered to investigate properly.
She tightened her grip around the envelope. "I'll be back."
Then she walked away. The moment she stepped onto the sidewalk, her phone rang.
Charlotte glanced at the screen, her mother's name. She answered.
"Mom?"
"Charlotte, where are you?"
"On my way home."
There was a brief silence. Then Anita asked carefully, "How did it go?"
Charlotte looked back at the towering glass building behind her. "They fired me."
Her mother's breath caught.
"What?"
"I'll explain when I get home."
She ended the call before her voice could betray her anger, she had lost her job.
Fine.
But she hadn't lost her ability to fight, and whoever had framed her had made one serious mistake. They had underestimated her. Charlotte slipped her phone into her handbag and continued walking.
She had barely gone a few steps when a black sedan pulled up beside her. The rear window lowered.
An unfamiliar elderly man sat inside, he studied her for a moment before speaking.
"Miss Charlotte Owens?"
Charlotte stopped.
"Yes?"
"My name is Dominique Wilkins."
Charlotte's expression changed.
Wilkins.
Even she knew that name, the Wilkins Group was one of the largest corporations in the city. And Dominique Wilkins was its founder.
"What do you want with me?"
Dominique smiled faintly.
"I'd like to make you an offer."
Charlotte raised an eyebrow.
"An offer?"
"One that could change your life."
She almost laughed.
"Unless you're offering me my job back, I'm not interested."
"I know about your dismissal."
Charlotte's smile disappeared.
"And I know you were framed."
Her eyes narrowed.
"How?"
"Because I investigated it."
Charlotte studied him carefully.
For the first time that day, her anger gave way to curiosity.
"What exactly are you offering me?"
Dominique opened the car door.
"Get in. We should talk somewhere private."
Charlotte didn't move.
"Why me?"
"Because I need a woman like you."
She frowned.
"A woman like me?"
"Fearless. Intelligent. Difficult to intimidate."
Charlotte crossed her arms.
"That sounds suspiciously like a polite way of calling me troublesome."
Dominique chuckled.
"Perhaps."
He gestured toward the car again.
"Come with me, Miss Owens."
Charlotte hesitated.
Something about the man's expression told her this wasn't an ordinary business proposal. Still, she had nothing left to lose. She stepped into the car.
Twenty minutes later, Charlotte sat opposite Dominique in the private lounge of a luxury hotel.
She hadn't touched the tea placed in front of her.
"Now," she said impatiently, "tell me why you brought me here."
Dominique leaned back. "I want you to marry my grandson."
Charlotte blinked.
For several seconds, she simply stared at him.
Then she laughed.
"Excuse me?"
"My grandson needs a wife."
"You came to me because you want me to marry him?"
"Yes."
Charlotte shook her head.
"This has to be a joke."
"It isn't."
"Who is your grandson?"
"David Wilkins."
Charlotte's smile faded.
The name was familiar.
David Wilkins.
The brilliant CEO who had disappeared from public view after losing his sight. She leaned back slowly.
"The blind CEO?"
Dominique nodded.
Charlotte stared at him. "You want me to marry a man I've never met?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because David needs someone beside him."
Dominique's expression grew serious.
"Since losing his sight, he has refused almost everyone around him. His family is divided, and some people would benefit from keeping him vulnerable."
Charlotte's eyes narrowed.
"So you want a bodyguard disguised as a wife?"
"Something like that."
"And what do I get?"
Dominique smiled.
"A contract marriage."
Charlotte remained silent.
"You will live with David for three months," he continued. "During that time, you will act as his wife and help protect his interests."
"And afterward?"
"The marriage ends."
Charlotte's fingers tapped lightly against the table.
"And my compensation?"
Dominique named an amount, her eyes widened slightly.
But then he added one more thing.
"I will also appoint you Vice President of Wilkins Group."
Charlotte went completely still.
Vice President.
The position she had spent years working toward.The position she had just lost because someone had framed her.
She slowly lifted her gaze.
"Why would you give me that position?"
"Because you're capable of doing the job."
Dominique paused.
"And because I believe the person who framed you may not be as far away from the Wilkins family as you think."
Charlotte's expression hardened.
"What do you mean?"
"Accept the marriage, and you'll have access to the Wilkins Group."
He leaned forward.
"You may find the answers you're looking for."
"When do I meet him?"
Dominique smiled.
"Tomorrow."
Charlotte stood.
"Then we have a deal."
She extended her hand. Dominique shook it firmly.
"Welcome to the Wilkins family, Miss Owens."