Chapter4 Marriage Contract

"Prescott Corporation Heir Injured, Disfigured, Legs Disabled"

The glaring headline caught Miranda's eye.

Her phone buzzed. A message from her best friend Castillo Viola.

"Miranda! Did you see the news?"

"Clifton Prescott, the Prescott Corporation heir. Word is he's disfigured and his legs are done for. Now the Prescott family is desperate to get him married. They're offering a hundred million in compensation to whoever marries him!"

"A hundred million! Everyone's losing their minds over it! But it's all just talk. Who'd actually marry someone ugly and crippled like that?"

Miranda's fingertip traced over those three words. One hundred million.

The marriage was a front. What they really needed was a high end caregiver.

But still. One hundred million.

With that money, Lancaster's cash flow problems would be solved. Her brother wouldn't have to shoulder everything alone.

An idea took root in her deadened heart, growing wild.

She took a deep breath and replied to Castillo.

"Castillo, do me a favor."

"Get me the contact info for whoever's handling this for the Prescotts."

Three days later.

Top floor of Prescott Corporation, the CEO's office.

Miranda wore a tasteful beige skirt suit, her hair pinned up, no makeup on her face, which only made her look more refined.

She placed her portfolio gently on the wide ebony desk.

Behind the desk sat a man in a wheelchair. He wore a silver mask covering the upper half of his face, revealing only thin lips and a sharply defined jaw.

Even sitting, his commanding presence was impossible to ignore.

"Mr. Prescott, my name is Miranda. I graduated from..."

She introduced herself calmly, listing her certifications as a nutritionist, advanced care provider, and psychological counselor one by one.

She wasn't here to be arm candy. She was here to solve a problem.

"I'm disfigured. And disabled."

The man finally spoke, his voice carrying a hint of coldness as he cut her off.

"That doesn't scare you?"

Miranda looked up, meeting the eyes hidden behind the mask directly.

"It's just a face. What's there to be scared of?"

Clifton's fingers tapped once on the wheelchair armrest, making a dull sound.

"I have no intention of getting married."

"You can go."

It was a dismissal.

Miranda clenched her fists. The phrase "one hundred million in compensation" swirled in her mind.

She couldn't leave.

"I'm not here to talk about romance, Mr. Prescott."

She took a step forward, her voice steady and firm despite its softness.

"We can have a contract marriage."

"I'll help you deal with your grandfather's pressure to marry. And I'll fulfill a wife's duties, taking care of your daily needs."

"I only want one thing."

"The compensation. Every cent of it."

Clifton stopped tapping. He seemed to smile, his tone tinged with amusement.

"So you're here for the money?"

His gaze felt like it could see straight through her soul.

Miranda met his eyes without flinching.

"Yes."

The office fell into dead silence.

After a long moment, Clifton spoke slowly.

"Fine."

He paused, his voice suddenly turning cold.

"But remember. Stay in your lane. Don't get any ideas you shouldn't have."

Miranda's lips curved slightly.

"Don't worry, Mr. Prescott. I understand."

Half an hour later, a secretary brought in a prepared agreement.

Miranda signed her name on the final page.

Outside the government office.

A white marriage certificate was in her hands again. But the man standing beside her was different now.

Throughout the entire process, Clifton hadn't said a word.

Walking out of the government office, Miranda stopped.

"When will the compensation be transferred?"

Clifton sat in his wheelchair as an assistant pushed him toward a black Rolls Royce.

He turned his head slightly. The mask glinted coldly in the sunlight.

"My secretary's already processing it."

He rattled off a phone number and an address.

"That's my number and where I live. Pack your things and move in."

With that, the assistant pushed him into the car.

The door closed and the car drove off.

Miranda held the brand new marriage certificate, feeling like she was in a dream.

In the back seat of the car.

Clifton raised his hand and casually removed the mask from his face.

Beneath it was a flawlessly handsome face. Strong brows, striking eyes, a high nose bridge. More eye catching than any movie star.

There wasn't a trace of disfigurement.

His long legs crossed elegantly. His posture was relaxed. He looked nothing like someone disabled.

"Heh."

A soft laugh escaped his lips.

"Interesting."

He tossed the white marriage certificate aside like it was trash, letting it land on the empty seat next to him.

"Take me to the estate." He spoke to the assistant in the front seat.

"Give that thing to my grandfather. Tell him his task is complete."