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

"You can't find a ghost by looking for them.You have to be the kind of threat they can't ignore."

Esther reread those words for the fourth time.They were handwritten on the back of an old Circle index card tucked inside her father's watch case.

Location: Black Iris Lounge – Lower East Side

Dim lights.Jazz music.And enough buried dirt beneath the floorboards to blackmail half the city.

This was Riven Knox's domain.Ex-Circle cyberneticist turned information broker.

And Esther's former tutor in code-breaking.

He leaned against the bar, swirling whiskey in a black glass.

"Little Miss Tedd," he said without looking. "Didn't think I'd see you again unless someone died."

Esther slid into the seat next to him. Eyes sharp.

"Someone might. Depends if you help me or not."

"No," she said, placing a vial of Umbra-coded blood on the bar. "I'm rewriting the rules."

They moved to a back room.Three screens flickered on.The Circle's encrypted communication stream scrolled like ancient prophecy.

"This is dark-level stuff, Esther. Last time someone pinged this server, the Tedd Mansion nearly burned to the ground."

"Good," she said. "Let's light it up again."

Meanwhile – Shawn's Penthouse

He stood at the window, phone in hand.

"Tell me what you see," he said into the receiver.

A voice replied—deep, familiar, mechanical.

"I see a girl in black.Following the scent of ashes and broken oaths.She's coming, Shawn."

"Good. Because I'm not running anymore."

Hours Later – Riven's Hideout

"Found it," Riven said. "A cipher trace. It's old, but it's breathing."

Esther leaned in. A name pulsed at the center.

Location: Umbra Facility—Shut down but never destroyed.

Esther whispered, "He's been sleeping in the ruins."

"Not sleeping," Riven said. "Resetting."

Enemy of My Enemy