Chapter 4
STRICTLY BUSINESS
RHODES
Alan called me again. “I just got off the phone with the President of the Board, Rhodes. They’re in crisis,” my attorney said.
“I saw Terry yesterday morning at the service. He didn’t mention anything,” I said. Terry Hazleton had been the president of Barrington Enterprises’ board for ten years.
“Because he was trying to be respectful,” my attorney sighed. “Apparently, Miranda got hold of him and called an emergency meeting. She wants the Board at Barrington Manor next week to vote on an interim president. She’s nominated herself, of course.”
“Of course she did.” I cursed to myself—I’d told her not to make any moves. But my stepmother had never been one to take orders.
“She told Terry that you won’t be able to meet the trust’s requirements, so she is the next natural choice to lead the company,” he continued. “She said there’s no way you’ll agree to get married and move back full-time to Barrington Manor. She has them convinced, Rhodes.”
“She had no right to say that, or to call for a vote,” I said, but we both already knew that. “Tell Terry that I’ll be at the meeting. And also, that I’m engaged.”
“What?”
“That’s right—I’m getting married, and I’m going to meet the trust’s provisions right on schedule.” Because I’m buying a bride through an agency I found online. Congratulations to me!
“You’re engaged?” Alan sounded stunned.
“I’m getting engaged. I’m not losing my company to fucking Miranda,” I seethed. “Call Terry back and let him know. Then I’m going to need an airtight non-disclosure agreement and a pre-nup,” I said. “Alicia will be in touch with the details.”
I hung up and called my assistant.
“I need you to prepare a summary for legal,” I said. “It’s for a nondisclosure and a pre-nuptial agreement for an as-yet unnamed woman I am getting engaged to today. We will be married within thirty days, and the contract term is five years.”
Alicia cleared her throat. “Yes, Sir.”
“She will earn five million dollars if she performs the contract terms,” I continued. “If she violates any of my rules, or if she discloses the existence or details of the contract, she gets nothing, and she will also be liable for treble damages. Are we clear?”
“Yes, Mr. Barrington.” Alicia neither sounded startled nor asked me any questions, which was why she was literally the best assistant in the entire history of assistants.
“And Alicia, you can start taking part-time hours next week. You’ll still be paid your regular salary. I’m relocating to Barrington Manor. Take two weeks off at Christmas, enjoy the time off with your family, and then start working from home when you prefer.”
Alicia, ever composed, actually stuttered a little bit. “T-Thank you, Mr. Barrington.” She hung up before I changed my mind.
Next, I called Elena, the Madam at AccommoDating. I’d spoken with her an hour earlier—if she didn’t have someone for me, I would take my business elsewhere. Every second counted.
“Do you have a suitable candidate, or not?” I barked. “Like I said, I need someone today. And she has to be perfect.”
I’d shared my must-haves: a fresh face, from outside society’s social circle, who had experience with children but didn’t have any children.
“Actually, I do,” the Madam said, surprising me. “She can meet you this afternoon at Barrington Manor if that’s acceptable. She’s ready to begin the assignment after you two sign the contract.”
“That’s… Perfect. I’ll text you the address. What can you tell me about her?”
“Not much,” Elena said. “I need to make sure she passes our background checks, but I believe she will. Do you want to proceed?”
I swallowed hard. I didn’t have a choice, did I? “Yes.”
“Once she clears our system, I’ll send you a list of items that she’ll need. Or do you have an assistant that can handle that for you?”
“Absolutely.” I texted her Phillip the butler’s number.
“Excellent, Mr. Barrington. We’ll see you this afternoon. It’s a pleasure doing business with you.”
“Since I’m paying you an exorbitant amount of money, I’m sure it is.”
I hung up, and I stared out at the wall again, feeling conflicted.
The madame knew I had strict standards, and she’d apparently pulled a rabbit—the perfect wife—out of a hat.
On the one hand, I absolutely needed this to work.
I was lucky that I’d found a firm with a great reputation and track record.
I was lucky that they’d secured a suitable candidate so quickly.
On the other hand, I was furious. Furious at my father and brother for trying to control me from the grave. It was almost as if they’d known this was going to happen, and they were having one last good laugh at my expense…
I didn’t want to be married. I didn’t want to pretend to be in love.
The scope of the situation was dawning on me.
If everything worked out, I’d be engaged today.
My fake bride would arrive at Barrington Manor, where we’d have to stay.
We’d pretend our relationship was real. My stepmother would be ready to pounce on any perceived weakness, any angle that might get her closer to controlling my father’s vast estate.
I sank down and put my face in my hands, thoughts swirling.
What I’d done was lunacy—I’d hired a woman I’d never met to come to my family estate and pretend to be my fiancé.
We would be stuck at Barrington Manor, acting like lovers in front of the staff, the board, Miranda, and little Luke.
I’d already started the ball rolling. There was no going back now, even though my plan was not at all thought out.
It might not even be viable. Still, what choice did I have? I stood to lose everything.
I would have to play my part perfectly. So would my bride, whom I’d never even met.
Money couldn’t buy love. But apparently, it could absolutely buy me a fiancé.
I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry about that.