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

The next morning, Esther didn't avoid Shawn.

She met him at the breakfast bar, fully dressed, coffee in hand, eyes sharp.

"You want honesty?" she said coolly. "Let's start trading."

Shawn raised an eyebrow without looking up from his tablet. "Trading what?"

"Secrets. You've got closets full of them. I've got questions."

He set the tablet down. "You want a Q&A over toast?"

"No," she said, leaning in. "I want terms. If we're really married, let's act like it."

He studied her, curiosity flickering behind those guarded eyes. "You want a contract?"

"I want rules." She tapped her nail against her mug. "Every time one of us lies—or evades—the other gets something."

Shawn chuckled. "You think I'll agree to that?"

"You're the one who keeps telling me I'm not ready. Let me prove I am."

A beat of silence stretched between them.

Then he nodded once. "Alright. One question. I answer. You owe me a favor."

"Deal." She didn't even blink. "Who trained you to fight like that?"

"An old monk in the Himalayas," he said eventually. "He used to kill warlords before breakfast. Thought I was a lost cause."

He stood and turned to leave—but paused at the doorway.

"You get one more question tomorrow," he said. "But choose wisely. Every answer changes something."

Later that day...

Esther met Lydia for lunch downtown.

Lydia was already mid-rant. "Girl, you seriously married him? On a blind date? Are you deranged or just inspired?"

Esther stirred her iced latte. "A little of both."

Lydia squinted. "Okay but like... what does he do?"

Esther hesitated. "Something with... problem-solving."

"Ugh, rich people and their vague job descriptions."

Esther glanced around. "Can I ask you something? Quietly?"

"Have you ever heard of something called the 'Solstice Circle'?"

Esther swallowed. "Just... stumbled on it."

Lydia leaned closer, voice low. "Esther. That's not something you just stumble on. It's not a company. It's not even a cult. It's... something else. Like the secret behind all the secrets. People don't talk about it unless they're in it. Or dead."

Shawn had a ring in his desk drawer.A strange insignia carved into the metal.

Back at the penthouse, Esther stood at the window as the skyline glowed under sunset.

"You said I'd get another question," she said without turning.

She faced him. "What's the Solstice Circle?"

His expression darkened instantly.

"That's not a question," he said. "That's a war."

And just like that… the air shifted.

Terms of Curiosity