"Hurry now, take it down," Levy barked, his usually composed demeanor cracking under pressure. He stood next to his boss, whose silence was more scary than an outburst. Leon exuded an aura of barely controlled fury, and the entire PR department scrambled to erase the photos from every corner of the internet.
"It's done, sir," a staff member reported shakily, sweat beading on his forehead. "But we couldn't trace the source. It's like the person vanished."
Leon's piercing glare made the man shrink back. "We...we'll keep looking, sir," he stammered before retreating quickly.
Levy watched Leon, whose icy calm was a dangerous facade. Deciding they were no longer needed, he gestured for them to leave, and they headed back to Leon's office.
Leon headed straight desk, reading reports about that girl- Kim Claire. She was an orphan who managed to attend school through scholarships and was now an aspiring actress- that was all, or at least all Aaron wanted him to know.
His gaze narrowed, staring at her. He felt some kind of foul play, but he was also convinced the girl knew nothing about how she ended up there. He brushed his hands over his inkjet hair as his eyes caught sight of Levy, who was fumbling, seemingly wanting to say something but hesitating.
"what" rang his cold voice, surprising levy. Staring at his grey eyes which seemed to be boring into him. Levy sighed
"Your father asked you to bring the girl home," Levy told him, scratching the back of his neck. Well, he knew Leon had been avoiding blind dates by his father, he even stopped coming home to escape his father's nagging but now, a lot of people had already seen the photos but he hadn't expected Thomas Yu to be one of them 'when did he start checking social media' he thought to himself.
"ignore him", Leon nonchatedly replied, continuing with his work. Hearing Leon's reply, levy sighed.
"Sir, don't you think this is a good way to stop your father being on your neck?" he suggested, causing Leon to turn his attention from the computer, urging him to continue. "I mean, your father won't stop nagging you to get married until you do, and we both know you're not going to find anyone at this rate; why don't you just please your father and get married to the girl?" He explained.
Leon leaned back as he studied his assistant. "You're suggesting I tie myself to a stranger to appease him?"
"Not interested. " Leon replied, focusing on his computer again.
"It would be a marriage contract, no strings attached", he clarified, staring eagerly at Leon; he was honestly tired of the old man's persistence. "think about it, sir,", he told him before bowing and leaving the office.
Leon's gaze darkened, his mind racing. A contract marriage? The idea was absurd, yet it offered a way to maintain control. After a tense silence, he pressed the intercom. "Prepare the contract. Tell her to meet us at Starlit Restaurant."
Levy nodded, relieved to see the suggestion land. Leon returned to his work; soon, he was in a video conference, unaffected by the fact he was about to proposition a woman for marriage.
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Claire's heart raced as she stared at the message from an unknown number.
[Mr. Yu asked you to meet him at Starlit Restaurant.]
Aaron's plan had worked. Her thoughts spiralled—relief, dread, and determination all jumbled together. Running her hands through her hair, she sighed for the umpteenth time.
She glanced at her mother, sleeping peacefully in the hospital bed, her expression softened looking at her, her gaze burned with determination and a fighting spirit. For her mom, she would see it through, it was all worth it if her mom would be healthy again. After confirming with the doctor that the treatments were working, she bid her mom goodbye and left, being discreet to avoid the paparazzi's eye.
Though it had been taken down obviously by Leon she was still careful. Returning to her apartment, she freshened up and headed for the restaurant.
----------
Getting there, she introduced herself, and as though already expecting her, the hostess led her to the VIP room where Leon and his assistant were waiting.
Leon's gaze lifted, cool and assessing. His grey eyes swept over her, lingering just long enough to make her shift uncomfortably.
She wore a purple dress that clung to her figure elegantly, stopping just above her knees. She bowed slightly before sitting opposite him.
"Thank you for taking it down," Claire said with a smile.
Leon tilted his head, his voice cold and sharp. "Don't thank me yet. I didn't do it for your sake."
Her small smile faltered. "Even so, it helped," she said, her voice softer now.
"Ms Kim, please order anything you like while we get down to business,", his assistant told her, and after placing her order, the assistant, who introduced himself as Levy, continued.
"We would like you to marry our Ceo", he said, not beating around the bush, his straightforwardness genuinely shocking Claire. She listened as he explained how it'd benefit her rising career with his connections and also the conditions in the contract; typically, it was like a deal where they'd be married, living in the same house but living separate lives, only acting lovey-dovey around Old Man Yu.
A sad smile formed on Claire's lips; this was just like the dramas she had watched; never had she imagined living such a life. She had once dreamed of getting married to her prince charming.
Before she could process what he'd said further, Leon leaned forward, his gaze cutting through her like a blade. "Before we get into that, I have a few questions for you."
Claire froze under his intense stare, did these brothers always have to do this to her "What kind of questions?" she asked shaking
Leon tapped his finger on the table, his tone cool and controlled. "You claim you don't know how those photos ended up online. Why didn't you come forward to deny them?".
Her pulse quickened as she tried to keep her voice steady. "Because no one would've believed me. The photos looked real, and denying them wouldn't have changed that."
Leon raised an eyebrow. "Convenient answer. But Silence can mean many things—fear, guilt, or... strategy."
Claire's jaw tightened. "If I wanted to exploit this, I could've gone to the media, played the victim, and stirred up a lot more drama. But I didn't. That should tell you something."
For a moment, Leon just stared at her, his expression unreadable.
Leon continued, his voice dangerously calm. "Then why were you at that gala in the first place? It wasn't exactly open to the public."
Claire swallowed hard. "I was invited by someone in the industry. I thought it would be a good networking opportunity."
"And yet," Leon said, his tone skeptical, "you ended up in the middle of a scandal. That's either bad luck or something more deliberate."
Claire bristled. "I can't control what other people do. I made a mistake by trusting the wrong person, but that's all it was—a mistake."
Levy cleared his throat awkwardly sensing the rising tension. "Well, I suppose that's one way to break the ice" he said followed by a short laugh Ms Kim, we're not here to accuse you, let's focus on the opportunity here. This arrangement benefits both parties. It's a professional agreement, nothing more."
"One more thing ma'am, you aren't allowed to get too attached to the point of falling in love with him, this is only a contract, so we hope you won't get attached" he concluded.
Claire's mind raced as she listened.
"What happens if I break the rules?" she asked cautiously.
Levy adjusted his glasses. "The contract will be voided, and you'll lose all the benefits—connections, and monetary compensation."
She sighed as she nodded, she was even going to manipulate and leave him, so why would she hurt herself by falling in love with him? She glanced at Leon who hadn't said anything since and was just staring at her. Looking into those intense grey eyes of his, she was left mesmerized and unable to look away, just like the first time they met, wasn't that just yesterday...
"Do you want to add anything" came Leon's voice, pulling her out of her daze.
She shook her head, smiling at him "No, everything is good, I don't need anything else" she replied, wondering how her life changed in a span of a few days, she was just a normal girl and now after meeting Leon, just yesterday, she was about to get married to him...to become Mrs Yu. "I'll marry you, after all im also at fault and this will clear my name and boost my career too" she told him, still wearing that dazzling smile.
Leon nodded, while Levy immediately handed her the contract and a pen which she signed. "You'll be going to the civil court tomorrow to register your marriage", Levy informed, and Claire nodded.
Leon leaned back, studying her intently. As she stood to leave, Leon's voice stopped her.
"Ms. Kim," he said, his tone sharp. "I'll find out the truth about those photos. If you had any part in this—"
"I didn't," she interrupted, her voice calm but firm. "Believe what you want, but I had nothing to do with it."
Leon's gaze lingered on her, cold and calculating, before he finally gave a small nod.
Once she was gone, Levy let out a low whistle. "Well, she seems genuine"
"She's hiding something," Leon said, his voice quiet but resolute. "Find out everything about her. Including who invited her, I want to know who she really is."
Levy sighed but nodded, already making a mental note of what he'd need to do next. Something told him this arrangement was going to be far messier than either of them anticipated.
Claire returned home with a bag of vodka she had bought feeling the weight of the evening settle on her shoulders and hoping to get drunk. She had no close friends except her mom so all she could do to vent out her feelings was to drink and get wasted. Alone in her small apartment, she opened a bottle, toasting the absurdity of her situation. She was about to become Mrs Yu.
"Happy bridal shower to me," she muttered, downing the drink in one go.