Finding Mr. Perfect novel Chapter 4

“Why would I marry you?” Freya yelled, critically. Her words made Kenneth frown.

“Why would I want to marry you?” he replied, coolly defensive.

Realizing how scornful her question must have sounded, Freya stepped back and cleared her throat. “I’m sorry. I meant to ask if the contract requires me to marry you.”

Kenneth turned cold. He handed her the document. “You can read it yourself. Let’s step into my office.”

Freya walked out of Kenneth’s private room and found a seat in his office. She flipped through the documents and read:

[Clause 1: Shareholding Arrangement

Mr. Kenneth Lee Wright shall retain fifty percent (50%) ownership of ADLEY & Co. shares until such time as the Board of Directors determines that Ms. Freya King possesses the requisite capacity and qualifications to manage said shares in accordance with the company’s interests.]

[Clause 2: Restrictions on Transfer of Shares

Mr. Kenneth Lee Wright shall have no authority to sell, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any portion of the aforementioned shares to any party, except to the following individuals: Mr. Adrian King, Mrs. Riley King, Ms. Freya King, or Mrs. Gabrielle Wright. Any attempt to transfer said shares to a third party outside of the aforementioned individuals shall be deemed null and void and in violation of this agreement.]

[Clause 3: Conditional Transfer of Shares

As a condition precedent to the transfer of Mr. Wright’s shares, Ms. Freya King must enter into a legally recognized marriage, which is deemed essential for the enhancement of the company’s public image. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Ms. King may resume her duties as Chief Executive Officer of ADLEY & Co. upon conclusion of her approved leave of absence, subject to board discretion.]

“Oh, my God. They are hell-bent on making me get married!” Freya screamed, her hands shaking on the document.

“But—” Freya frowned, realizing something. “It doesn’t have to be you.”

Kenneth only hummed as he took his seat at the table. He stared at her, eyes cold. “What a relief.”

Inner Devil 2: ‘I think he’s mad.’

Freya’s brows knitted. “Look, I said I’m sorry. I overreacted. You have to understand the pressure I’m under right now. The jewelry company has been my life since I was twenty-four. Even before that, I’d already set my eyes on it. I knew it was my destiny.”

There was a pause before Kenneth spoke. “I understand. My parents have also been pressuring me to find a suitable wife. Honestly, at this point, I’m tired of going against them. I think it’s time I find a wife, but she must be perfect for me. I won’t settle for less.”

“Is that why you haven’t met anyone? You have high standards? Or are the rumors of you being—” Freya pursed her lips, unwilling to say it.

“I certainly am not. Gossip doesn’t bother me.” With his eyes fixed on her, he added, “You’re welcome to test me if you want.”

The inner devils’ jaws dropped.

Inner Devil: ‘What did he say? I hope that wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment!’

Inner Devil 2: ‘Can I test you, Mr. Wright?’

Inner Devil 2 blushed.

“Um—E—shut up!” Freya snapped. “I’ve known you all my life! Don’t you think it’s weird?”

“It is weird,” Kenneth echoed, narrowing his eyes.

“But after reading the contract and the transfer terms, I thought about it.” Kenneth stood and walked around the table. He took the seat in front of Freya, moving closer to her.

They were incredibly close.

He stared at her intensely as if he were burning through her frame.

Inner Devil: ‘Wow! He has such beautiful eyes!’

‘Does he?’ Freya mused.

Inner Devil 2: ‘Freya, are you blind?’

“Why don’t we work together?” Kenneth proposed. “Clearly, you and I share the same nuisance.”

“Work together? How?” Freya asked, but just then, Geneva stirred on the sofa not far from them.

“Miss King? Are you awake? I’m hungry. I only had oatmeal,” Geneva mumbled.

“Ignore her,” Freya told Kenneth, but he was already leaning back, smirking.

“Then let’s eat. You’ll want time to process this anyway,” Kenneth said, rising with finality.

Their assistants joined them for dinner. Both Geneva and Kirk quickly sensed the tension.

After scanning the contract, Geneva summarized, “So, Boss, you can still go back to being CEO, but if you want the shares in your name, you must be legally married?”

“Yes,” Freya replied.

“Damn, your dad is determined to marry you off,” Geneva muttered. “It doesn’t have a deadline, though.”

“You’re right. So there’s no pressure on when I can get married, but the shares will remain in Kenneth’s name unless Dad asks for them back,” Freya explained.

Kirk chuckled. “Miss King, you and Mr. Wright have the same problem. Your families both want you married.”

They were dining in an exclusive restaurant, seated in a semi-circle booth. Freya gulped down a glass of water and said, “Kenneth here offered a proposal—one that’s mutually beneficial for both of us. Right?”

She turned to Kenneth, who was still chewing the last piece of steak. “Hmmm.”

When he finally finished, Kenneth said, “Obviously, our parents want us to settle down—for a reason.”

Freya nodded. “I’ve tried meeting other men, only to be disappointed.”

“Most women don’t interest me,” Kenneth added.

“But maybe we just haven’t met the right person!” Freya suggested.

Kenneth’s eyes grew hooded. “Maybe.”

“So, my suggestion is to help each other,” Kenneth continued. “We could—”

“You’re a computer genius. You can hack into any system and find anyone you want.” Freya’s eyes gleamed. “We could work together and find our perfect match! That’s a great idea!”

For a fleeting moment, Kenneth’s eyes narrowed. There was an awkward silence around the table, and Freya could not understand why.

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