Page 6 of His Fake Wife

Coming to my feet, I said, “No. I don’t know what you’re playing at but I’m not marrying anyone to keep what I worked hard for. I earned my title. You can’t just change the rules.”

“I knew you’d make this difficult, that's why I didn’t mention it before. Look Adam, this is the one time you won’t get your way. Marry Beth and remain head of the company or refuse and I’ll have to continue the role. After a while maybe your brother?”

“Over my dead body!”

“I thought you’d feel that way.”

Henry was a bit too smug as he handed me the wretched white envelope. I wanted to throw something. News of Victor’s death made me keep my temper on a leash. Barely. Hell if I’d lose my shit the way I really wanted to, I’d scare the old man into another cardiac arrest.

“This is for Beth. I thought it appropriate if you gave it to her, then you can pop the question in one go.” He grinned. “I imagine she won’t be too happy about the arrangement either, but, with your title as CEO in jeopardy, I’m sure you’ll be quite persuasive.”

“This is bullshit and you know it,” was all I could bite out.

“It may seem so to you right now Adam, but I have a feeling things will work out in your favor.” I thought I saw his eyes twinkle with merriment before he headed through the door, but I could be wrong. He knew I’d do whatever it took to run Thorne Holdings. The conniving brute set me up. For what? To honor his dear friend’s dying wish? To coerce me into settling down? Pissed and confused, I ran my fingers aggressively through my hair, my growl echoing in the room.

Oh hell, I was going to do it. I was going to see Beth. I felt ill about it, but the company I ran behind the scenes for so long would not be ripped out of my grasp.

Chapter 3

Beth

I stared at the middle-aged man sitting on the opposite side of my father’s desk. I wanted to launch myself across the wooden surface and wrap my hands around his neck, but that would have been too extreme. It wasn’t like what he was telling me was any fault of his. He was just the messenger, my father’s lawyer.

“We’re broke?”

Mr. Ford’s bushy brows lifted above his droopy eyes. “Well, your father’s company was sold months ago. The house and all other assets are in jeopardy of being?”

“A simple yes, you’re freaking broke, would have sufficed, George.” I instantly felt bad for taking my anger out on poor Mr. Ford. He was a sweet guy. I just couldn’t help it. It was either resort to being flippant and sarcastic or completely lose my cool in front of the lawyer. I never let anyone witness my meltdowns.

He adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses and eyed me with pity. I hated it. “I’m sorry for your loss. Victor was a good man.”

“He was,” I nodded. I missed him dearly but I was furious that he’d lied to me. Dad made me go on thinking everything was peachy even after he got sick. I almost dissolved into tears because I knew he lied so that I wouldn't drop everything and run home. For a long time, it had been me, my dad, and my younger sister. I always felt it was my duty to take care of them. Dad practically had to kick me out of the house so I would go to college out of state guilt-free. The guilt of leaving my family for so long always nagged me but knowing they were alright had been my comfort.

Damn it, Dad. I hated when he tried to protect me from everything. Sure, it was his duty, but I wasn’t twelve anymore.

“Is there anything that I can salvage...somehow?” I just graduated with my masters in Business Analysis. I always had it in mind to show Dad that he didn’t need a son to leave his business empire to. But, for the time being, I was jobless. There wasn’t much I could do to save anything but I still had to ask. “Maybe get my hand back in the company?”

Mr. Ford gave me that pitiful look again and I scowled.

“I’m sorry. What’s done is done. I do know that he tried to make things right, but he was vague about what he had planned. He said when the time was right I’d find out and I was to make sure that everything was taken care of in the legal sense.”

I stared at him with a raised brow. “That’s cryptic.” I couldn’t imagine what it was that he couldn’t tell his trusted lawyer. Mr. Ford had been around for as long as I could remember.

His shoulders lifted and he reached for his briefcase. “You know you can call me if you need help with anything, right?”

“Sure,” I murmured. What I wanted was for him to help me get Dad’s company back. I covered my shock well, but I couldn’t believe that dad sold his beloved company when he single-handedly built it with his blood and sweat.

******

The entire day came crashing down on me. After hours of making funeral arrangements and hearing more bad news, I was exhausted. Rubbing my eyes, I sighed wearily.

“Thank you for stopping by, Mr. Ford. I’ll see you out.”

“No need. How are you handling the arrangements?”

“Just fine. Thanks. I’ll see you at the funeral?”

“Of course.” I stood up just as he did and placed my hand in his outstretched one. “Take care, Beth.”

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