Chapter 7 Foolish Emotions

Luke's POV:

In my office at Carter Group headquarters, I finally allowed myself a moment to process the morning's events.

I was engrossed in some documents when my phone buzzed, interrupting me. It was Matthew. Right on schedule.

"What shady scheme have you cooked up? How dare you throw my father out of his own company?" His voice shook with rage.

I smiled, savoring the moment like a fine wine. "As of thirty minutes ago, this is my company." The words tasted sweet on my tongue.

"Impossible! Grandfather's conditions-"

"Have been met." I cut him off. "I'm married now, Matthew. And speaking of scheme - remember that night at the Grand Horizon Hotel five years ago? The one you orchestrated? You spiked my drink and set me up with some woman." His sharp intake of breath was deeply satisfying. "I certainly haven't forgotten."

After ending the call, I stood at the window, looking out over the city's skyline.

The door to my office opened without warning - only Daniel would dare to enter without knocking. My oldest friend strode in, coffee in hand and a questioning look on his face.

"Luke, what's this I hear about Robert being forced out? The entire building is buzzing with rumors." He settled into one of the leather chairs across from my desk, studying me with that penetrating gaze I'd known since our Harvard days. "Your grandfather won't hand over control until you're married, so how did you manage to pull this off?"

"I just got married," I said casually, taking a sip of my coffee. The bitter liquid matched my mood perfectly.

"Oh, you just got... Wait, WHAT?" Daniel's voice rose to a near shout as realization hit him. He stared at me as if I'd grown a second head. I found his dramatic reaction mildly amusing.

"Marriage certificate," I elaborated unnecessarily, enjoying his confusion. It was entertaining to watch my usually composed friend lose his cool.

"You... you..." Daniel stuttered, completely thrown off balance. "How did you get married? Did you actually fall in love? Who has such incredible charm?"

I could see the genuine curiosity in his eyes. My old friend was probably wondering what kind of extraordinary woman could have "tamed" me, as he would put it. If he only knew.

"What does marriage have to do with love?" I tilted my head slightly, genuinely puzzled by his assumption. The concept seemed absurdly naive to me.

Daniel's expression fell. "So you're just... going to spend your life with someone randomly? Isn't that ruining your entire future?"

I couldn't help but smile at his innocence. "Daniel, you're almost thirty and still this naive. I envy you, honestly."

The hurt look on his face was almost comical. But I continued, laying out the simple facts: "One year is all I need to gain complete control of the company. Not even grandfather could take it back after that. Then divorce, simple as that. Why would I waste my entire life?"

My tone was as casual as if discussing the weather. I saw understanding finally dawn in Daniel's eyes, followed quickly by alarm.

"You're doing a fake marriage?" The disbelief in his voice was palpable.

"It's just a contract marriage. We each get what we want. Fair and reasonable." I kept my voice businesslike, matching my view of the arrangement.

Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose. "When your grandfather made marriage a condition for inheritance, he didn't mean for you to..."

He trailed off, likely disturbed by whatever he saw in my smile. I didn't particularly care. Marriage, love, emotions - they were all just tools and transactions in my world now.

"The woman you chose must be quite exceptional," Daniel ventured carefully. "Who knows? Maybe in a year, this act could become real."

I laughed at that. "You might as well wait for the sun to rise in the west."

Fall in love with Amelia Wilson? True, she was pragmatic enough to make a good business partner and I couldn't deny there was some chemistry. But love?

What an absurd concept.

I had eliminated such foolish emotions from my life long ago at that rainy night. That night had taught me the most valuable lesson of my life: love was nothing but a weakness that could be exploited.

So why did I keep thinking about those honey-colored eyes, still bright despite their earlier tears?

Next day, I arrived at Maple Heights right at 2 PM.

"Mr. Carter." Amelia opened the door, her voice carefully polite. "Have you had breakfast? I made some."

"I've eaten." My response was clipped. "We should start moving now."

She nodded and went inside to get Lucas. I surveyed the modest collection of boxes already stacked by the door. Everything about their belongings spoke of careful budgeting and precise organization.

Lucas emerged from his room, his walk slightly stiff from his morning arthritis. Yet his smile remained bright as he greeted me. Something about his unwavering gaze still caught me off guard - so different from the privileged children I usually encountered.

The moving company arrived right on schedule. I watched them carefully handle Lucas's medical equipment among the boxes. Amelia moved efficiently, directing the movers while completing the final paperwork with her landlord.

In my Rolls-Royce, headed toward Cypress Central, I caught Lucas's wide-eyed expression in the rearview mirror.

"Mr. Carter, your car is amazing!" he exclaimed.

"Yes," Amelia added, "Mr. Carter works very hard at Carter Group."

"I want to be successful like Mr. Carter and make lots of money!"

Those words froze something inside me. Of course. It always came down to money. Just like Uncle Robert, who had orchestrated my parents' "accident" for control of Carter Group. Just like Grandfather Landon, who had buried the truth to protect the company's reputation.

I gripped the steering wheel tighter. This was just a one-year contract. Nothing more. They weren't family - just another transaction.