The Fallen Heiress: Contract Marriage with the CEO Who Hates Me
Chapter 33: You Will Have To Become My Wife

Chapter 33: You Will Have To Become My Wife

Jane watched in silence as one maid poured her a cup of hot tea, while another emerged from around the corner of the dining room, carrying a neatly folded stack of fresh towels.

As soon as the towels were placed beside her on the couch, Jane grabbed the top one and began frantically patting herself dry. Her hands moved with restless urgency, as though acting on their own. She was so overwhelmed—so shaken—that she could no longer control her body.

Even now, she struggled to process everything that had happened.

In the span of a single day, she had lost both her family and fortune. And now, as if fate was determined to toy with her further, she found herself sitting in the lavishly decorated living room of none other than Vernon Lin.

When Vernon had approached her outside the Devold estate, offering to talk, Jane had agreed without hesitation—mostly because she was drenched, freezing, and desperate for shelter.

But now, sitting here, warm and dry, she was finally thinking clearly. And the realization of where she was, and who she was with, sent a shiver down her spine.

Of all places... of all people...

Her gaze drifted around the grand room, taking in the elegant décor. The flickering glow of a chandelier reflected off the polished marble floor, and the scent of expensive leather and fresh-cut flowers lingered in the air.

We first met in April, too, she thought, her big blue eyes lingering on the ornate furnishings. Who would have guessed that in just a few short years, he’d rise to become one of the most powerful businessmen in the country?

"Drink your tea before it gets cold."

The deep, emotionless voice jolted Jane back to reality. Her fingers tightened around the towel as she turned toward Vernon, who stood a few feet away, watching her with that same unreadable expression.

Even after all this time, nothing about his demeanor had changed.

Despite everything, Jane decided to let it go. Vernon had thrown her a lifeline by appearing at her doorstep, and she knew better than to question him now—especially when a single wrong word could send her right back to the streets.

Though her hands still trembled, Jane forced herself to remain composed. She carefully picked up the delicate porcelain cup filled with steaming green tea, admiring the intricate floral design before taking a small sip. The warmth of the tea spread through her, soothing her rattled nerves, and she fought to suppress the smile that tugged at her lips.

"How... have you b-been?" Jane asked, her voice soft as she placed the cup back on its saucer.

Even in moments like these, when everything around her seemed to be falling apart, her ability to navigate delicate situations still impressed Vernon.

With a light scoff, he loosened his tie and replied, "Is this really the question you want to ask me right now?"

Jane blinked in confusion. What’s wrong with asking him that?

Vernon sighed deeply, set his phone down on the dining table, and pushed it toward her with a casual flick of his hand. Curious, Jane picked it up, her eyes widening as she saw what he was showing her.

It was a draft of a news article—one detailing her father’s disappearance and the money he owed to his employees.

"The media was instructed to hold off on publishing anything about your father or his company," Vernon said, his voice low and controlled. "Those orders came from me."

Suddenly, something inside Jane snapped. The world around her blurred, and for a moment, she wondered if she was losing her mind.

"Why...? What d-do you––"

"What are you planning to do, Princess?"

His cold voice cut through her like a blade, sharp and merciless.

Heartless. He knew there was nothing she could do. Yet, like a predator toying with its prey, he savored the look of defeat on her pale, exhausted face.

Jane pushed the phone away, her fingers trembling. Vernon exhaled, his expression unreadable.

"I bought your father’s company," he said smoothly. "It’s now part of LING Software."

A fresh wave of shock crashed over Jane. Of all the possibilities she had considered, this was not one of them. She had expected him to revel in her family’s downfall—especially since her father’s company had been LING Software’s biggest technological rival. But once again, Vernon had blindsided her.

Her hands curled into fists on her lap, her nails digging into her skin. Struggling to form the right words, she asked in a whisper, "Why... why would you d-do that?"

Vernon leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. His dark brown eyes bore into hers, unwavering, unreadable.

For the first time since their reunion, Jane truly saw him.

His once messy hair was now neatly styled back, revealing every sharp angle of his face. His skin was flawless, not a single trace of imperfection. Even behind his golden-framed glasses, that commanding, almost hypnotic charisma of his remained unchanged—if anything, it had only grown stronger.

His body was different, too. His shoulders were broader, his frame stronger. The tailored black designer suit he wore struggled to conceal the definition of his muscles, the fabric stretching ever so slightly over his arms.

Jane was so lost in scrutinizing his appearance that Vernon had to clear his throat—twice—before she snapped back to reality and met his gaze again.

"Who knows," he finally said, shrugging carelessly. "Perhaps I just felt particularly whimsical that day and had some spare money to burn."

His words cut deep. Her father had spent years building his company from the ground up, and no matter what had happened, she couldn’t accept someone dismissing it as nothing more than an impulse buy.

Still, she bit her tongue. She knew better than to let her emotions slip—especially now. Regardless of Vernon’s reasons, the acquisition meant the employees could keep their jobs. That alone was enough to force the words from her lips.

"Th-thank you," she finally murmured.

Vernon, however, responded with a sharp frown.

"I didn’t do it for your gratitude," he said coldly. "I did it because your selfish father left thousands of people without the money they worked so damn hard for."

Jane fell silent. Not because of his harshness—she had expected that—but because she had no way to refute his words. There was no excuse she could make, no justification she could offer.

After a long, tense pause, she gathered her courage and spoke again.

"D-do you... happen t-to know where m-my father is?"

"No." His answer was blunt, absolute.

Jane’s fingers tightened around the porcelain cup before her gaze dropped helplessly to its delicate rim.

"Jane."

The sound of her name startled her.

Vernon rarely used it. He had always preferred calling her by her old nickname. Hearing him say it now, in that low, controlled voice, sent a strange shiver down her spine.

She lifted her head sharply, locking her wide blue eyes onto his.

Vernon’s expression was unreadable as he leaned forward slightly, his next words deliberate.

"I can help you," he said. "I can take on your debt. Pay it off. Every last cent."

Jane’s breath caught in her throat.

Why?

She could understand him buying out her father’s company—after all, VJ Software had been LING’s biggest rival. Acquiring its assets, developers, and data was nothing more than a calculated business move.

But covering her debt? That was something else entirely.

Her fingers curled into her lap. She swallowed, her throat dry.

"What... what d-do I have to d-do for that?" she finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Vernon scoffed.

"You’ve grown smarter, Princess. Yes, there is something you will have to do in return. You will have to become my wife."