Unexpected Fortune: My Ordinary Husband's Secret Empire

"Hello, my name is Adelina Shaw." Adelina took a step closer, deciding it was better to bridge the awkward gap herself since she still didn't know what to call the man. Colton's dark gaze lingered on her face, the weight of his stare steady and unreadable. "Colton Clark," he answered, his voice low and even. They headed into the City Hall together. The halls were unexpectedly crowded, and by the time the paperwork and ceremony were finally done, the clock was pushing noon. Adelina stepped out into the sunlight, a hollow ache blooming in her chest. Her engagement was over. The family she had known was gone. What she had now was a hasty marriage—bound to a man she barely knew. Beside her, Colton stood with calm composure, the sharp lines of his suit catching the light. She wondered if this stranger was truly someone she could lean on. Sensing the shift in her mood, Colton spoke in a quiet, deliberate tone. "How about we get something to eat?" A small pause followed before he added lightly, "My treat." Adelina blinked herself out of the daze and instinctively shook her head. "That's not necessary." His expression darkened. Plenty of women had turned him down before, but those rejections had always been part of the game. Could she be doing the same thing? The answer blindsided him. Adelina took a moment, then found her voice again. "You're just an ordinary hotel worker. I know you earn every penny through hard work. We shouldn't waste money just because we got married." Silence settled between them. The idea of the Clark Group's CEO needing his wife to pinch pennies for him… if his friends ever heard, they'd never let him live it down. If his grandmother ever caught wind of this, she'd tear into him without mercy. Wait a minute... Hotel? The single word snagged his attention. His gaze sharpened, and he asked slowly, "How did you know I work at a hotel?" Keeping her face composed, Adelina slipped a badge from her purse and held it out. "I found this on the sink. I figured I should return it to the owner." Words failed Colton for a moment. The realization clicked into place—she hadn't recognized him at all. She'd assumed, because of that nameless badge, that he was nothing more than a hotel staff member. After a quiet beat, Colton's mouth curved into a mischievous smile. She had mistaken him for a hotel worker… and still agreed to marry him? For someone long accustomed to reverence and deference, that twist of fate struck him as both absurd and oddly entertaining. His Adam's apple dipped as he pressed his lips into a thin line, deciding to keep the truth to himself. "Alright," he said lightly. Maybe this was exactly what he needed. Their marriage had come together in a rush, and her ignorance of his identity gave him the perfect chance to see how sincere she truly was. If she cared for him and not the name, he'd make damn sure she never regretted it. He needed a wife—and the Clark family needed someone to hold the title of its lady. With a quiet motion, Colton tucked the badge away and gave a small cough. "If we're skipping the meal, where do you want to head next?" Adelina hesitated before answering, her voice steady but soft, "I got kicked out of my house. I don't have anywhere to stay yet." "Kicked out?" Colton's brow furrowed at that. He hadn't looked into her background, and the revelation of a fractured family caught him off guard. Lowering her gaze, Adelina murmured, "I'll explain everything someday. Just… not right now." The thought of his wife sleeping on the streets didn't sit well with Colton. He didn't press further. "Since we're married, you'll stay with me," he stated, his tone firm but calm. The offer caught Adelina off guard. She opened her mouth to protest, but he cut in with quiet authority. "We should also spend time getting to know each other better." After a brief internal struggle, Adelina gave a quiet nod, accepting because she truly had nowhere else to turn. The car cut through the quiet streets, eventually pulling up in front of a modest, timeworn house tucked away on the edge of town. Adelina stepped out, glancing at the emblem gleaming on the hood. She didn't know much about cars, but the logo stirred a faint sense of recognition. Was this some luxury brand? With her brow furrowed, she reached for her phone, ready to snap a photo and search it up later. Colton's low, deliberate throat-clearing cut through the night air. "Ahem…" He rounded the car with an even stride, catching her frozen in place, phone half-raised, eyes fixed on his prized vehicle. A hint of amusement flickered in his gaze as he said smoothly, "Come on inside with me." He made a mental note to have Jorge swap the car for something far less conspicuous.