Chapter 9 - THE THREE-YEAR CONTRACT
Giovanni set his untouched glass down on the mantelpiece. His expression became intensely focused, his cold, commanding aura filling the vast room.
"Six months ago, my father passed away," Giovanni revealed, his deep voice low. "In his will, he stipulated that control of Fierro Enterprise Holdings—and its seventy-billion-dollar portfolio—would only fully transfer to me if I was married and settled by my forty-second birthday."
Jessica blinked. "A marriage clause? In this era?"
"My father was an old-world traditionalist," Giovanni said coldly. "He believed an unmarried man in our syndicate is volatile, unpredictable, and vulnerable to political blackmail. My birthday is in ninety days. If I do not present a wife to the board of directors, my uncle—Enzo Fierro—takes forty percent voting control."
"And Enzo is dangerous?"
"Enzo is a butcher," Giovanni replied flatly. "If he takes control, he will turn this city into a war zone within six months."
Jessica took a step back, processing the immense scale of what he was saying. "And you chose me? A pediatric nurse from the South Side?"
"I chose you because you cannot be bought by my enemies," Giovanni said, taking a step toward her. "I have monitored Vance Capital for months. I knew Tyler was leeching off your divorce settlement. I knew your family discarded you. And tonight, I watched you stand up to Tyler with absolute dignity when you had every reason to break."
He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a single sheet of heavy cream parchment, placing it on the table between them.
"A three-year marriage contract," Giovanni declared. "In public, you are Mrs. Giovanni Fierro—the undisputed first lady of Chicago’s private sector. In private, you live in this estate with Lily, fully protected by my personal security detail."
May you like
He pointed to the bottom line of the parchment.
"In exchange: complete financial security for Lily for the rest of her life. A twenty-million-dollar trust fund set up tomorrow morning. And the absolute, total destruction of Tyler Vance and everyone who helped him betray you."
