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 felt it first in her spine.That prickle of instinct—the one rich heiress were taught to ignore.

A black car always two turns behind her.A woman in a yellow coat who reappeared at the café… then at the bookstore… then again outside the flower shop. No smile. Just presence.

So, when Wednesday came, Esther left the penthouse with a plan.

Location: Riverside MarketTime: 11:44 AM

She wore sunglasses. A hood. Carried a different purse.

There she was. Yellow coat. Middle-aged. Pretty but plain. Too casual to be real.

Esther dipped into a side alley and doubled back fast, cutting behind a noodle cart.

The woman turned—right into Esther's path.

Esther didn't blink. "You're bad at this."

The woman smirked. "You're better than your father."

Esther's blood ran cold. "So, this is a family hobby now? Spying?"

"I'm not working for your father."

The woman leaned in, whispered like a lullaby.

Esther's hand clenched around her phone.

Before she could react, the woman disappeared into the crowd, fast and fluid.

Back at the Penthouse – Later That Night

Esther dropped her bag hard on the kitchen counter. "You're going to tell me everything."

He looked up, his face unreadable. "What happened?"

"No," he said immediately. "I would never."

Esther laughed bitterly. "Then someone did. Someone who knows about the Circle. She said it watches its own."

"I thought I could shield you from that world," he said quietly. "But it seems you were born into it."

He walked over slowly and reached into the back pocket of a hidden drawer.

"Your family's contract with the Circle. Signed before you were born."

Signatures. Seals. Clauses she barely understood.

"You're saying…" she whispered, "my father was part of this?"

"No," Shawn said. "He is part of this. And he's not just some pawn. He's one of the founding five."

Everything she thought she knew about her family—

Lies wrapped in birthday cakes and holiday parties.

She looked up at him, voice shaking.

Shawn met her gaze, something vulnerable in his eyes.

"Because when you walked into that café… I saw someone who still believed in people. In truth. In something better."

"I don't know if I believe in anything anymore."

But as she left the room, the faintest whisper followed her.

"Then I'll believe enough for both of us."

The Eyes Behind Her