Chapter 6: Bound by Contract

Tension simmered in the air, thick enough to suffocate. Even the waitstaff, trained to remain impassive in the presence of power, hurried to exit the room. No one wanted to linger in the battlefield between two of the most influential tycoons of their generation.

A sharp chime broke the silence.

Lillie Bai reached for her purse—a custom piece her mother had designed exclusively for her—and retrieved her phone. Without hesitation, she answered, making no effort to shield her conversation from the man sitting across from her.

"Yes?"

[Miss Bai, the documents are ready. Should I have them delivered now or—?]

"Now," she replied crisply.

[Understood. May I know your location?]

"L'incarnation du Loisir," she said, her French flawless and effortless.

Across the table, Ethan Li momentarily froze, the fork in his hand pausing mid-air. He quickly masked his reaction by shoving a bite of steak into his mouth, but his thoughts betrayed him.

Damn. She sounds sexy.

He didn't care if she was insulting him in French all day—as long as she did it in that voice.

The call ended with a soft tap of her finger, and Lillie resumed her meal as if nothing had happened.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, swirling the wine in his glass lazily. "Care to share, my dear? Since you so graciously let me overhear your conversation?"

Lillie dabbed her lips with a linen napkin, her expression unmoved.

"Ah, yes," she said lightly, her voice laced with mock innocence.

"And here I hoped I could forget you entirely."

His smirk faltered for a split second.

"My lawyer will be arriving shortly," she continued smoothly. "With a contract that you will sign, whether you like it or not. It details the conditions of our marriage. I expect full compliance."

Ethan arched a brow, his sharp gaze assessing her. "And what makes you think I'll agree to your conditions?"

Lillie wasn't in a hurry to answer. She took a deliberate sip of wine, letting the taste linger before licking her lips.

Ethan swallowed hard.

Then she spoke, cool and unbothered.

"If you refuse, expect that after we're married, I will never live with you. I'll be like a collared dog without a leash—roaming freely, unattached."

Ethan scoffed. "But a dog still wears its tag."

Lillie's lips curved into a knowing smirk. "True. But what if someone removes it?"

Ethan's eyes darkened, the unspoken meaning hitting him like a bullet to the chest.

"Point for me, Mr. Li."

His jaw tightened. "Hmph. Won't be long before I even the score, Mrs. Li."

Lillie ignored him, too satisfied with his irritation.

A knock at the door interrupted the moment.

"Miss Bai, someone seeks your presence."

Lillie barely looked up. "Let her in."

A few seconds later, a striking woman entered—a vision of elegance and authority.

Her strawberry-blonde hair was pinned into a stylishly messy bun, complementing her sharp emerald eyes. Dressed in a sleek gray business suit, she carried herself with the same air of refined power as Lillie.

"Miss Bai, my apologies for the delay."

Lillie inclined her head. "It's fine. Jessica, I assume you recognize the man behind me?"

Jessica's gaze flickered to Ethan. "Yes. Good evening, Mr. Li. I'm Jessica Houston, Miss Bai's lawyer."

She almost extended a handshake before remembering his well-known germaphobia. Instead, she offered a polite nod.

Ethan, for once, appreciated the professionalism. "Pleasure's all mine, Attorney Houston."

Jessica got straight to business. She placed her briefcase on the table, flicked it open, and pulled out a stack of documents.

"Shall we discuss the contract?"

Lillie signaled for an extra chair. Once seated, Jessica cleared her throat and began.

"First condition: the marriage will take place on March 29, 20XX."

Ethan's fork clattered against his plate.

It's May 6.

His mind did the math.

327 days?!

His veins nearly burst. "No. That's too long."

Lillie's eyes glinted. "I am a busy woman, Mr. Li. My father's company is my priority. A mere marriage must not interfere with my work."

Ethan's temper flared. This woman will be the death of me.

But then—realization struck.

His lips curled into a slow, dangerous smirk. "Fine. I agree."

Lillie was briefly surprised but quickly masked it. She motioned for Jessica to continue.

"Next, no intimate contact—including kissing—unless Miss Bai deems it necessary."

Ethan's jaw ticked, but he nodded.

"In public, Mr. Li is expected to behave and follow Miss Bai's lead."

Control freak.

"When alone, Mr. Li must address Miss Bai formally—no terms of endearment."

The list went on and on for thirty excruciating minutes. By the end, Ethan was ready to snap the pen in half.

"Now that we've covered the terms," Jessica said, sliding the final page toward him, "please sign here, Mr. Li."

Ethan took the pen, his grip tight. Oh, how he wanted to strangle this woman.

But instead, he signed.

Jessica neatly packed her documents. "Thank you for your cooperation. Miss Bai, shall I take my leave?"

"Yes. Thank you, Jessica."

"My pleasure. Enjoy your meal."

With a professional nod, Jessica left.

Lillie exhaled softly, sipping her wine. Success. Now she could relax for ten months before chaining herself to this man.

Ethan, on the other hand, was far from calm. He leaned back, fingers drumming against the table.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

Lillie smiled—not even bothering to deny it.

"Very much."

Ethan sighed.

Then, a slow smirk spread across his face.

"Oh, Miss Bai," he murmured, standing from his seat. His movements were calm, measured—but the look in his eyes was anything but.

Lillie felt an unfamiliar chill run down her spine.

"What do you mean?" she asked, voice edged with suspicion.

Ethan reached her in three strides. Before she could react, he caged her in, his hands gripping the chair's armrests.

"Mr. Li! We just made an agreement—"

"Ah," he whispered, leaning in. "But this is where you miscalculated, Mrs. Li."

Lillie's breath hitched.

"You specified 'after' we're married."

His lips brushed against her ear.

"Before doesn't count."

Lillie's eyes widened.

"You—"

And before she could finish—

He kissed her.

Lillie Bai: ?!

Somewhere, Jessica sighed.

So much for the contract.