The Miracle of You

“On contract only, of course,” Christian assured in a smooth tone of voice, sounding as though he were simply negotiating with a client. “You can stop working here in the company and come live with me in my mansion. I will make sure that you are well-treated and given everything that you desire.”

Camille’s head was spinning. This was all going too fast for her liking. “Wait a second,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “I’m not going to be your wife, Mr. Callahan.”

“Of course you are,” Christian said with an arch of his eyebrow. “Do I not have all of the qualities of a fine husband? Besides, you should be grateful. I will give you all that you need. My only condition is for you to not meddle in my business and behave like a good little wife.”

“Mr. Callahan,” Camille said stonily. “I am not going to marry you.”

She then turned around and attempted to leave the room.

“Stop right there, Miss van Gowen.”

Camille instantly froze in place.

Christian watched her stiff shoulders from behind, smirking as he folded his arms across his chest. “What’s wrong?” he said, and his voice sounded like a taunt to Camille’s ears.

Camille turned her head towards him with an icy expression on her face. “Don’t call me that,” she said viciously.

“Why not? It’s your name, isn’t it?”

“That is not my name. Not anymore. And you know that best.”

“Ah, of course I know.”

“Mr. Callahan, what are you trying to do?”

“Oh, you wound me, Miss van Gowen. I have no bad intentions.”

Camille’s body was fully turned towards him now. Her eyes were narrowed, and her hands were unconsciously clenched into fists at the sides.

Christian, however, only looked more pleased with the displeasure in her expression. “But you see, I’ve been put into a tight spot by my old man, so I have no choice but to seek your help,” he said with a slight shrug.

“My help? You want my help and yet you’re mocking me?” Camille could barely restrain her anger. “I have no interest in helping you out. I don’t want to get married to someone like you.”

“Ouch,” Christian said, feigning hurt. “Miss van Gowen, is that how you should treat your boss?”

“Mr. Callahan, I am not in the mood for playing around. I have my secretarial duties, and you have an urgent meeting in an hour. I have no time to entertain your whims at the moment,” Camille said coldly.

“Hmm, you’re right,” Christian said, pretending to look thoughtful as he nodded. “Well then, I’ll make it short and straight to the point. I repeat: I want you to be my wife.”

“I refuse.”

“Ah, but there are consequences to your refusal.” A smirk played on Christian’s lips as he leisurely paced around Camille, looking like a lion sizing up his prey. “You see, I have a deadline. My old man apparently doesn’t like the fact that I am still a bachelor when I’m already in my thirties. He wants me to get married quickly and give him an heir. However, everyone around me has an agenda. You know why, right?”

Camille raised an eyebrow. “I presume that it’s because of you and your father’s strict reputation,” she said flatly.

“Many business-minded people are after my father’s secrets to his growing success, and several also want revenge for the harsh treatment that they went through in this field because of us. Unfortunately, Miss van Gowen, there are many petty people in this world, and we cannot afford to trust someone so easily. My father does not even trust his own business partners.”

Camille gritted her teeth. “Stop calling me that.”

“But that’s the best part,” Christian said mockingly. “Because if you refuse to be my wife, then I will have to reveal one of the secrets that you’ve been trying so hard to hide all these years.”

Camille froze, her eyes widening in realization. “You… You wouldn’t dare…”

“Oh, I do dare, all right.” Christian chuckled. “So, you either sign this contract, or you can kiss your new identity goodbye.”

Camille felt her blood boiling in anger. She had been living her life dutifully for years now. She had never betrayed Greg and Christian Callahan. She only minded her own business.

And this was what she got in return?

“Mr. Callahan, this isn’t what we agreed on,” she told him firmly.

“No, that agreement is between you and my father. I have nothing to do with it.”

“You’re blackmailing me right now.”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Camille flinched. “You can just go and buy off some of the ladies that you always accompany at night,” she retorted. “Frankly, Mr. Callahan, I am not a good fit to be your wife.”

“My, my. Don’t sell yourself short, Miss van Gowen. You’re plenty suitable to be my bride.” Christian grinned, and it irritated Camille so much that she felt like wiping it off his face with a good punch. “You’re the only lady I know who doesn’t swoon over me and fall over my feet whenever I pass by.”

Camille rolled her eyes. “Don’t exaggerate it. I’m just not interested in you. But there are a few ladies out there who are dignified enough even in your presence, like Miss Leander, for example.”

“But Miss Leander is still one of those superficial women. You, on the other hand, treat me differently than the other ladies,” Christian said, nodding proudly. “You’re not interested in me, you’re intelligent and independent, you’re spunky, and you’re not a gold digger. I’d say you’re quite perfect for the job, Miss van Gowen.”

Camille shook her head, feeling suddenly tired. “Mr. Callahan, I don’t want to marry you. Please find somebody else.”Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

She was about to turn around and leave when Christian suddenly spoke.

“I investigated the accident, you know. I’ve been informed of all the details.”

Camille froze.

No.

He couldn’t be implying…

The corner of Christian’s lips curved upwards into a smirk. “I’ve looked into your past quite thoroughly as well, Miss van Gowen. It’s interesting, isn’t it? Looks like you and Michael McGregor have a bit of an intriguing history.”