The CEO's Contract Wife

Chapter 1 Matched

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Layla had never felt this desperate before. Even after when her parents died ....They died a long time ago, but it’s still wight a lot on her. She didn’t even make her dream. Going to college...

Her younger sister's hospital bills had reached an impossible number, and every clinic, every loan, every plea had been rejected. She was out of options until she stumbled into the cold, glass office of a discreet agency hidden on the edge of the city.

She didn't know what the agency was. She didn't care. All she knew was that their website had one line blinking in red:

"We solve impossible problems-for a price."

A woman with silver-blonde hair and piercing blue eyes greeted her. She looked like she belonged in a movie, elegant and terrifying.

"I know why you're here," the woman said simply. "And I already have a solution."

Layla frowned. “You don’t even know me.”

“I know desperation,” the woman replied. "You want to save your sister. You need one million dollars for her treatment and pay the unpaid medical bills. I can give you that. All you have to do is bear an heir."

Layla blinked. “I-what?”

"A child. For Jasper Tate."

Her heart stopped.

The name echoed in her chest like thunder. Jasper Tate: the cold, brilliant, and untouchably rich businessman. The billionaire no one really knew, but everyone feared. He owned half the skyline. Women chased him, and yet, he remained alone.

“Why?” Layla asked, her voice cracking.

The woman smiled as if she had expected that question.

"Jasper's grandfather made it clear-he'll only hand over his empire if Jasper produces an heir. No heir, no company. And time is running out. So... he's made an offer. I found someone, he paid me and I paid you but he doesn't know it."

“A million dollars,” Layla whispered.

“Oh, no darling, one billion. Is what is worth carrying a billionaire heir.”

Layla was stunned. She couldn’t let out any word from her mouth ..."I-

The woman nodded. "One child. One heir. After that, you walk away with the money. No attachments. Or... maybe more, depending on how the story unfolds."

Layla hesitated. But the image of her sister in that hospital bed crushed any second thoughts.

“I’ll do it,” she said.

“Good,” the woman replied, sliding a thick folder across the table. "But tonight... you'll meet him. Accidentally. He must not know who you are. Not yet."

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Later that night...

"I can't believe I let you drag me here," Layla muttered, adjusting her red dress as she and her best friend Alya slipped past the bouncer into the famous Velvet Club.

Alya winked. "Trust me, you needed this. I saw the hottest guy ever last week-his best friend is supposed to be even hotter. Billionaire vibes. Mysterious. He might even be Jasper Tate himself."

Layla's heart skipped a beat.

“You think he’s here?” she asked, trying not to sound panicked.

"No clue. But if he is, you better flirt. Tonight, you're not Layla. You're... Lana."

“Lana,” Layla repeated softly. “Right.”

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Inside the VIP lounge, time slowed down.

There he was.

Tall, black suit tailored to perfection, jaw carved from stone, dark eyes like velvet and fire. Jasper Tate. He radiated power without saying a word. And beside him, laughing and nursing a drink, was his best friend-charming, warm, and flirty.

Alya went straight for the friend, flashing her signature smile. Layla turned to leave-panic rising-but Jasper's voice stopped her.

"You're not from around here, are you?" he said.

She turned slowly. His eyes were locked on hers.

“No,” she replied softly. “Just visiting.”

He barely smiled. “Name?”

“Lana.”

A lie.

She had to lie.

Jasper studied her like he already knew the truth. But he didn't press. Instead, he gestured to the seat beside him. “Sit.”

And she did.

They talked. Flirted. He asked about her background-she dodged. He challenged her-she teased back. There was something magnetic about him. Dangerous, yes-but addictive. She felt it. So did he.

For a moment, she forgot why she was really there.

Until his phone buzzed.

He checked the message, and all the warmth disappeared from his face. Without a word, he stood up and disappeared through a side door.

Alya turned to Layla. "Weird. Think he got bad news?"

But before Layla could respond, Jasper returned.

His eyes were different now-hard. Stormy. Focused.

He stopped right in front of her, leaning in close. “Layla.”

Her breath caught.

He knew.

"I don't know what you think you're doing," he said in a low voice, "but hiding your name? In my presence? Bold move."

"I-I didn't mean -"

“Save it.” He straightened. "You'll get your money. But now you're in my game. And I don't lose."

Layla's blood ran cold.

Whatever she had agreed to... she had no idea just how deep she was already in.

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