Author's pov,

It was almost 3 a.m. when a man entered a room, tired and frustrated. He threw his phone on the bed.

Anyone could tell by looking at him that he was utterly exhausted. Despite his fatigue, he didn’t regret working hard because he knew it was worth the effort and time.

He went into the bathroom and took a hot shower to relax. After putting on his shorts, he lay down on the bed and fell asleep as soon as he closed his eyes.

~~~~

The man twisted and rolled a little in his bed, a frown appearing on his handsome face. He slowly opened his dark, enchanting black eyes and sat up, glancing at the black numbers on his white clock. It was 5:30 a.m. He hurriedly got out of bed, realizing he was late for his workout, which meant he had very little time. Who wanted to be late for work and face the devilish avatar of their boss early in the morning?

He quickly changed into his gym clothes and headed to his home gym in his penthouse. After all, he worked for the best company, earning really good money. In the gym room, he was weightlifting. It was a sight to see. Sweat beads dripped down his bare chest and face, making him look even hotter—a perfect treat for the eyes.

Yes, it was none other than the young, handsome secretary of Miss Devil Queen.

Armaan Roy was a kind-hearted, hot, and handsome young man, mysterious and shy. Mysterious because he didn’t reveal much about himself. He didn’t have many friends, although people wanted to befriend him because of his personality and good manners. He was comfortable being alone. No one knew about his family, their names, or any details—they only knew he was an orphan, but highly intelligent and a mastermind in business. That was the only reason Eshana had kept him as her secretary. It was very hard to get caught in her eyes.

~~~

So, here I am, Eshana Shekhawat. It's just another normal day at work for me. Honestly, I prefer staying in the office rather than going home and facing their faces. Yesterday was truly the worst day for me. You must be wondering why.

Firstly, the Kapoors decided to render my three months of hard work in vain. Yet, I'm willing to give them a chance, although that's not my usual approach. And then, my dear grandfather—who supposedly loved me a lot (note the sarcasm)—decided to complicate my already stressful life. I found out yesterday that before his death, he made a will. He left $390 million worth of property, shares, and lands in my name. But that's not the actual problem.

The main issue is that I won't inherit the property unless I get married within six months. Like hell, as if husbands are for sale and I can just go buy one in six months. But I guess I have to. My grandfather and my family knew that I don't believe in that bloody word "love," the very word that took away someone precious from me. I despise that word to the core. Yet, my grandfather wants me to marry, fall in love, and live happily ever after. But I guess I have to marry, purely to secure the property. Without it, the world will again find a reason to look down on me.

I can't afford to lose the company I've worked day and night to build into the best. I have my own fashion company, which I merged with my grandfather's company because managing two businesses simultaneously wasn't feasible. My grandfather and father didn't have a good relationship, so he left me the majority of the shares, and the company is in my name. Acquiring my grandfather's property would benefit both me and my business immensely. However, I can't just marry anyone. My grandfather was exceptionally cunning; the will stipulates that whoever I marry will receive 46% of the property. I have a six-month deadline. If I fail to marry within that time, the property will be donated to 20 NGOs. Who does this to their own grandchild?

Now I need to find a trustworthy person with whom I can make a contract for a time-limited marriage. I refuse to let this situation strip away my freedom. I can't be a real wife, but is there anyone reliable in this money-minded world? Once someone knows about my dilemma, they'll undoubtedly take advantage of it.

Can't life be a bit easier for me, just once? Why did my grandfather have to do this to me? First, my parents, who never cared or gave a damn about me—I was just bad luck to them because I'm a girl. Even now, many families prefer male children. My grandmother loved me dearly, but I wasn't so lucky; I lost her when I was ten. My grandfather loved me, but he was strict and never showed much affection. And then there was him—the person I loved more than anything, who was my only source of happiness after losing my grandmother. Not only did he take my happiness away, but he also took away my true self. I know I'll never be able to return to being that old, clever Shana—the sweet, innocent Shana everyone loved.

I heard a knock on my door, which brought me out of my thoughts.

"Come in."

As I looked up at the man, he stirs up so many emotions in me that I can't even explain. He is unlike any other man—a mystery, a puzzle I am eager to solve. His presence alone evokes a mixture of curiosity and attraction, feelings I've never experienced with anyone else...

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