Page 9 of The Temporary Bride

“That is to say, the position of CEO of Thorne Enterprises will be handed down to Tristan Thorne… if the beneficiary agrees to legally wed Ms. Chloe Dawson.”

Chapter 4

Chloe

I sit up straighter, my eyes widening.

What?

What the fuck did he just say?

Across the table from me, I watch as the same disbelief flits across Tristan’s face. His head jerks in shock. In all the years I’ve known him, through every boardroom clash and industry event and pointed exchange at a bar, Tristan Thorne has always looked like a man who has already thought of everything. He does not look like that right now.

“Repeat that,” he says. His voice is controlled, but only just.

“The position of CEO is yours,” the attorney repeats, speaking a bit slower as if that was the issue. “Provided you agree to marry Chloe Dawson.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought you said. What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“It’s quite clear, Mr. Thorne,” says the other lawyer. “These are your father’s words, not ours.”

Tristan shakes his head, stunned, and leans back in his seat. “I… I don’t understand.”

I clear my throat and do my best to keep the edge out of my voice. “For what it’s worth, neither do I. I think we would benefit from an explanation.”

The lawyer glances back down at the papers on the table. “Mr. Thorne has written that his son Tristan will be given the role of CEO under these terms, and that following the union between the Thorne and Dawson families, Thorne Enterprises and MediaSphere will enter into a strategic partnership.”

“A strategic partnership?” I echo.

“Intended, according to Mr. Thorne, to foster collaborative endeavors in the realms of media content creation, distribution, and market expansion.” The lawyer pushes his glasses up on his nose, glancing at me. “Not a full merger, but rather, an alliance aimed at mutual growth. Your companies will maintain distinct corporate identities.”

Next to me, my father nods, and I shoot a glance at him. Did he know about this? Is he willing to accept this? His greatest competitor, trying to call the shots?

“If I may continue,” says the lawyer who was reading the will, “there are further stipulations.”

“Seriously?” Tristan mutters.

Ignoring him, the lawyer continues to read. “Tristan Thorne and Chloe Dawson must remain married for a period of at least three years. After that time, they may seek dissolution or annulment if they choose, but if the marriage is ended before that point, the agreement will be voided, and Tristan will forfeit the position of CEO as well as all of his shares.”

At that, all of the Thorne brothers raise their voices in unison in protest. I can’t blame them. If Julian Thorne’s shares were handed over to the shareholders, the family’s control in the company would be diluted.

There would be no guarantee that they could hold on to control of their own father’s company. The shareholders would be able to vote on new leadership—effectively icing them out.

My heart races as I listen to the attorneys speaking over their complaints. At this point, I’m tuning out the exact words, unable to comprehend what’s happening.

My business-minded brain is still firing, still processing what’s being said—the terms and conditions of my hypothetical arranged marriage. But the rest of me is reeling. I feel like I’m falling from a great height, waiting to hit the ground.

What the hell? What the hell is happening?

I heard about Julian Thorne’s death, but the request for myself and my family to be present at his will reading caught me by surprise. At most, I’d thought we would attend the funeral and offer our condolences.

Now it’s all starting to make more sense… in the worst way.

I wish I hadn’t come at all.

Once the lawyer is finished speaking, there are a few seconds of silence in the room. I glance across the table at Tristan, whose face is a mask of controlled fury.

“This is insane,” he mutters, and for the first time in either of our lives, I think that he’s right. It is insane.