WHAT'S THE CATCH

Cherry's eyes locked onto Liam's, her own pride and arrogance rising to the surface. "I am here for the contract,she said, her voice firm and confident.

Liam's expression changed, a hint of surprise flickering across his face. He seemed taken aback by Cherry's bold statement.

"Very well," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "Let's discuss the terms of our contract, then."

Cherry nodded, her eyes never leaving Liam's face. "I'm listening," she said, her voice cool and confident.

Liam smiled, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Excellent," he said, gesturing to a nearby table. "Let's sit down and discuss the details."

Cherry followed Liam to the table, her heart pounding in her chest. She was ready to negotiate the terms of their contract, and she refused to back down.

Liam sat down at the table, gesturing for Cherry to take a seat across from him. He nodded to his butler, who discreetly exited the room.

"Now, let's get down to business," Liam said, his eyes locked onto Cherry's. "As we discussed, I'm proposing a contract marriage. You'll become my wife, and in return, I'll provide you with a generous allowance also your brothers surgery and... other benefits."

Cherry raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "What kind of benefits?" she asked, her voice firm.

Liam smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I think you'll find them... satisfactory," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You'll have access to my wealth, my influence, and... my connections."

Cherry's eyes narrowed slightly, her mind racing with thoughts. She needed the money for her brother's surgery, and Liam's proposal seemed like the only way to get it.

"What's the catch?" she asked, her voice cool.

Liam's expression changed, a hint of surprise flickering across his face. "The catch?" he repeated, his voice dripping with amusement. "Oh, my dear. The catch is that you'll have to do exactly as I say. You'll have to be the perfect wife, the perfect hostess... the perfect partner."

Cherry's eyes locked onto Liam's, her own pride and arrogance rising to the surface. "And what makes you think I'll agree to that?" she asked, her voice firm.

Liam smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, I think you'll find that you have no choice," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You need the money, and I'm the only one who can provide it."

Cherry's face remained neutral, but inside, she was seething. She hated being backed into a corner, and she hated being at Liam's mercy. But she knew she had no choice. She had to do what was best for her brother.

Cherry's eyes locked onto Liam's, her expression firm. "I'll do it," she said, her voice steady. "I'll marry you and be your wife for as long as you want."

Liam's face broke into a wide smile, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "Excellent," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "I knew you'd see it my way."

He nodded to his butler, who brought in a thick contract. Liam slid it across the table to Cherry.

"Sign it," he said, his voice firm.

Cherry's eyes scanned the contract, her heart racing. It was all there - the terms of their marriage, the expectations, the consequences of failure.

She took a deep breath and picked up the pen. Her hand trembled slightly as she signed her name.

Liam's eyes gleamed with triumph as he took the contract from her. "Welcome to the family," he said, his voice dripping with condescension.

Cherry felt a shiver run down her spine. What had she just gotten herself into?

As she stood to leave, Liam's voice stopped her. "One more thing," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You'll need to get used to calling me 'husband'."

Cherry's eyes narrowed slightly, but she said nothing. She simply turned and walked away, leaving Liam's mocking laughter echoing behind her.