SageKingAlpha

When Esther Tedd, heiress to the most powerful family in Nairobi, is forced by her late father’s will to marry before claiming her inheritance, she makes a bold, calculated move: propose a flash marriage to a complete stranger on a blind date.

That stranger is Shawn Williams—calm, mysterious, and seemingly unremarkable. He agrees to the deal with one condition: no love, no questions, no strings.

What Esther doesn’t know is that Shawn is far from ordinary.

Behind his quiet demeanor lies a man who secretly controls global markets, owns invisible empires, and carries the legacy of an ancient cultivation sect. He’s the richest man in the world—and he’s hiding from enemies that go far beyond the boardroom.

Bound by a contract but pulled together by fate, Esther and Shawn’s fake marriage starts unraveling secrets neither of them was ready for. She’s drawn to his silence. He’s intrigued by her fire. But in a world of hidden dynasties, spiritual power, and ruthless ambition, their deal may turn out to be anything but fake.

Because destiny has plans—and love might be the greatest secret of all.

Married to the Hidden Tycoon

Esther had barely touched her morning green juice when her doorbell rang.

Shawn didn't move.He stood at the kitchen counter, sleeves rolled up, chopping fruit like the most dangerous man in Nairobi didn't just casually meal-prep.

Esther frowned. "Are you expecting someone?"

She walked to the door and opened it—then instantly regretted it.

Uncle Martin's voice was oil-slick smooth. Dressed in a white linen suit and crocodile smile, he stepped into the penthouse like he paid rent.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, arms folded.

He kissed the air near her cheek. "You've been ignoring my calls. I had to make sure you were... safe."

Shawn looked up from the kitchen. "She is."

Martin's eyes flicked over to him, scanning, judging. The way corporate wolves do when they smell uncertainty—or competition.

"And you are...?" Martin asked, voice dripping with fake warmth.

"Husband," Shawn said simply, wiping his hands with a towel.

"You married?" he asked Esther, as if it were the punchline to a joke. "To this guy?"

Esther didn't flinch. "Yes. Yesterday."

Martin blinked. "Where's the prenup?"

"No need," Shawn said, his tone neutral.

Martin gave him a look that said: You poor, naïve child.

"I see," Martin said, turning to Esther. "We need to talk about the inheritance clause. If your marriage isn't approved by the board, the trust freezes."

Shawn's eyes flicked up. "What clause?"

Esther looked uncomfortable. "It's... complicated."

Martin grinned like a shark. "If the family doesn't deem the marriage 'strategically aligned,' the inheritance is delayed until the next heir proves 'mental and emotional stability.'"

Shawn didn't even blink. "So basically... if they don't like me, she loses everything?"

Martin shrugged. "Business is business."

There was a long silence.Then Shawn stepped forward, cool and slow.

He reached into his back pocket... pulled out a phone... and tapped something.

A few seconds later, Martin's phone buzzed.He looked down. Froze.

"What's this?" he asked, face paling.

"Your offshore account in Switzerland," he said. "And the twenty million dollars you've skimmed off the family fund since 2018.Maybe you should worry less about our marriage, and more about your audit."

"Freelancer," Shawn said. "Solutions, remember?"

Esther looked at Shawn like she was seeing him for the first time.

And why did she feel like, for the first time in her life, someone had flipped the power dynamic… just for her?

Martin stumbled back. "This isn't over."

"Actually," Shawn said, opening the door for him. "It is."

Martin stormed out, and silence fell again.

Esther looked at her husband. "Who the hell are you?"

Shawn smiled faintly. "Your plan B.

Turns out... you might've married well."

Tea with the Vulture