Page 3 of The Bad Boy's Fake Wife

“A lawyer?” I ask, frowning.

Reed nods. “It’s about your inheritance. Zain’s arguing he should be the one in charge.”

“Zain?” I echo, perturbed. “What’s he doing here?”

Zain—a cousin whose poor decisions have derailed more of Grandfather’s ventures than I care to count—wears a smug expression, as if he’s already won. Reed shrugs. “He wants the company. You and I both know if Zain runs it, it’ll go straight to the abyss.”

I can’t allow that. With a curt nod, I follow Reed into the conference room. The room is filled with familiar faces, including Zain, who practically oozes confidence. If he thinks he can wrest the company from me, he’s in for a rude awakening.

I’ve spent my life learning every strength and flaw of this company. I have a plan, and I’ve been groomed for the role of CEO my entire life. I’m no quitter, and I won’t let someone like Zain take everything I’ve built without a fight.

“Oh, good thing you finally joined us,” Zain drawls as I enter, his tone dripping with condescension. I shoot him a glare. “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t show up.”

“Perhaps we’re all surprised you’re here,” I reply coolly while adjusting my cuffs. I refuse to be rattled, though I can’t shake off his unnerving confidence. I watch him carefully, waiting for his next move.

Zain narrows his eyes, then turns to the lawyer. “Let’s begin.”

I take my seat beside Reed. The lawyer clears his throat. “In light of your grandfather’s passing, we’ve uncovered a clause in his will that changes everything.”

“What are you talking about?” I demand. Gramps has been gone for over a month, and the will was already read. Reed squirms—I sense he knows more than he’s letting on. The lawyer hesitates, shuffling his papers.

Seizing the moment, Zain speaks up. “It means I’m now the rightful owner and CEO, not you.”

I give him a dismissive look. I can’t fathom that we overlooked a clause that hands the company over to Zain. The company would go up in flames under his mismanagement.

“Is this some kind of elaborate prank?” I ask, voice rising. “It’s not April first. Tell me what’s really happening.”

Silence. Every pair of eyes avoids mine. Then, the lawyer meets my gaze. “The clause states you cannot inherit the company because you’re not married. It deems you unfit, so it must go to your brother Zain—who, by contrast, is already married.”

I cut in, “My cousin, not my brother. And honestly, can you call it a marriage when his wife spends more time away from than at home?”

The silence deepens. The lawyer’s face pales as he clears his throat. “The stipulation is clear: to serve as CEO, you must be married or at least engaged.”

It sounds absurd, like something ripped from an ’80s rulebook. What does my marital status have to do with running a company? Then I recall a conversation with Gramps in his office a year ago.

He’d taken a swig of his signature whiskey-tea blend and said, “Son, when you’ve lived as long as I have, you’ll understand the value of companionship. Find a woman who makes you happy, and watch your world change.”

I scoffed at him. “I don’t need a distraction,” I argued.

He smiled knowingly. “A distraction sometimes keeps you grounded. Without it, you risk straying too far off course.”

But now, faced with this absurd clause, I can’t help but feel trapped.

Zain smirks, leaning back in his chair with an air of certainty, his fingers tapping idly against the table. The lawyer shifts in his seat, his gaze flicking between us, his expression carefully neutral—but something in the way his brow furrows tells me he’s already questioning my claim. Even Zain, despite his bravado, stills for half a second before his smirk returns, sharper than before. “Grandfather must have known you weren’t cut out for this. Shame, really. If only you’d been responsible enough to settle down, this wouldn’t even be a discussion.” He lets the silence stretch before finally saying, “Looks like your time is up. Unless, of course, you’ve suddenly decided to settle down.”

I stare him down, my mind racing. I could deny it, try to argue my way out, but with every second that passes, I see the certainty growing in Zain’s expression and the lawyer’s quiet scrutiny. No other option will keep me in control. I exhale slowly, leveling my gaze. “What a shame…because I am engaged. I have someone I love, and we’re set to marry. This meeting is moot—I’m still the rightful CEO.”

Zain’s jaw drops. “You’re lying.”

Truthfully, Iamlying. I have no fiancée. I blurted it out in desperation, knowing that if the lawyer uncovers this sham, I’ll lose more than just the company. Confidence, however, is a potent disguise.

“I’m not lying,” I insist calmly. “I prefer to keep my personal life private. But if you must know, I am happily engaged to someone I love, and we have a future together.”

Zain’s face reddens with fury, so much so that it seems he might explode. “You’ll have an invitation to my wedding in less than a month,” I add with a wry smile, then adjust my cuffs, leveling Zain with one last pointed look before strolling out, leaving the tension thick in the air behind me. I can’t help but feel a flicker of triumph.

***

Later, Reed bursts into my office, concern etched on his face. “We both know you’re single.”

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