Page 21 of The Exception

That was the last thing I would’ve expected him to say.

“It would be purely a business deal,” he hastened to add, ignoring my question. “I’d be your silent investor. The money would go through a trust. And we would be married in name only.”

I wasn’t sure whether to be flattered or insulted.

Graham didn’t do relationships. I’d never seen him date while I was working for him. And while, yes, he could be very secretive, I’d known his calendar back to front. I’d spent lots of time with him. Besides, if he had been dating someone, there was no way his family would’ve kept quiet about it.

I paused at the thought of Graham’s family. Knox, Nate, Jasper, and Sloan. Knox and Nate were technically his cousins, but he’d always referred to them as his siblings. The five of them had always been close—raised by their grandparents after both sets of parents had perished in a tragic plane crash.

I liked them, respected them, especially Jasper and Sloan. I’d spent the most time with them, interfacing with them as Graham’s assistant. My expression soured at the idea of deceiving them. Lying to everyone.

“Why?”

I could understand wanting to be a silent investor. It was the marriage component that made zero sense.

“You need money, and I need a wife.”

That was cryptic. I mean…why did heneeda wife?

“What would you get out of this? Out of marrying me?” I blurted, still in shock.

There had to be some catch. Some…something. What could he possibly stand to gain from marriage, let alone to someone like me?

Marriage to me wouldn’t offer him more status, money, or power.

He dragged a hand through his hair, the waves springing back after he’d released them. “You know how the board is. They want stability.”

“And you’re willing to go through with a sham of a marriage to appease them? Seems a bit extreme.”

No. There was something more. Something he wasn’t telling me.

I thought through everything I’d seen about the Huxley Grand in the news. And then I remembered a recent article that had popped up on my news feed about a scandal within the Huxley brand.

“I’m sure your board isn’t happy about the decline in stock prices either,” I said, trying to put the pieces together.

He arched an eyebrow, indicating that I was on the right track.

“And I’m guessing they’re looking for reasons to oust you from power, especially—” I screwed up my face in disgust, remembering one of the board members in particular. He was always sort of slimy. “Frank? No. Fred.”

Graham narrowed his eyes at me, and I knew I was right. I was onto something.

He leaned back, crossing his ankle over his knee. “You’re remarkably well-informed.”

I lifted a shoulder. “I pay attention to the industry.”

“The industry or me?” he challenged.

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself.” Though he was closer to the truth than I cared to admit.

“Have you seen my other recent press?” he asked. I shook my head. I’d been between trips and swamped at the château. “They’re calling me a cold, heartless billionaire.”

As much as he tried to pretend it didn’t bother him, I could tell it did.Interesting.

“I thought you didn’t care about other people’s opinions.” I was teasing. Sort of.

“I don’t. But the board does. Our marriage would not only refocus everyone from the recent scandals and dips in stock prices but show the board I’m a family man looking toward the future.”

Wow. He was serious. And he was talking about this as if it were a done deal. I knew it was a common negotiation tactic, but still…

---