Although born into opulence, Hermione Watson Pierce has always felt like a mere pawn in her parents' ruthless game of power. Her voice has been silenced since childhood, her autonomy suffocated by the weight of expectation. Behind the facade of luxury, Hermione has discovered a devastating truth: her life is not her own. As a result, she has learned to suppress her emotions, earning her the reputation as the icy queen of the corporate world.
However, when her parents demand she undertake a task that will irreparably alter her future, Hermione decides to seize control of her destiny. That's when Aiden Mendes enters the picture – a charismatic playboy with a reputation for recklessness. But beneath his carefree exterior lies a complex web of scars, forged in the fire of his dysfunctional family.
Aiden's coping mechanism is to indulge in the excesses of life, using his charm and good looks to keep people at arm's length. Yet, when he's threatened with disinheritance unless he marries the enigmatic Hermione, Aiden reluctantly agrees. For him, it's a mere contract marriage, a means to an end. But when they meet for the first time, Aiden is blindsided by an unexpected attraction. It's love at first sight, but his notorious reputation precedes him, and Hermione's disdain is palpable. 
As their contract marriage turns into a battle of wills, Aiden must thaw Hermione's icy heart and prove that there's more to him than meets the eye. But can he convince her to look beyond his reputation and take a chance on love?

Beneath the Facade

Chapter Twenty Six

**Aiden**
I grunt as I work out on the bench press, my chest heaving with each lift. My muscles bulge beneath my skin as I strain against the weight, which is heavier than I typically lift.
Exhaustion drains my energy quickly, and I set the weight bars on their holders overhead, relieved to have av...

**Aiden**

I grunt as I work out on the bench press, my chest heaving with each lift. My muscles bulge beneath my skin as I strain against the weight, which is heavier than I typically lift.
Exhaustion drains my energy quickly, and I set the weight bars on their holders overhead, relieved to have av...

Chapter Twenty One