Page 56 of The Billionaire’s Contract Bride

“Why?”

“To isolate you—from me, from the board, or from both.”

Aria picked up the heavy leather financial binder from his desk. “Then I’m going downstairs.”

“You are going home under full security escort,” Damien corrected smoothly.

“No. I’m going to the St. Catherine’s community hospital assembly.”

“It was canceled.”

“I reinstated it.”

Damien’s expression hardened. “Without consulting me.”

“The Marital Trust gives me joint executive authority over community healthcare initiatives.”

“Authority you do not yet understand.”

“Then come watch me learn.” Aria turned and walked away without waiting for a reply.

The assembly was held in the packed auditorium of St. Catherine’s Hospital. Nurses, technicians, and local families filled every seat, while camera crews crowded the back aisle.

Aria entered beside Damien under a blinding storm of camera flashes.

The hospital administrator began with a slide presentation designed to make closure sound like act of mercy: declining revenue margins, deferred facility maintenance, consolidated regional care.

Then a head nurse named Marisol stepped up to the floor microphone. “My patients don’t own vehicles,” she said clearly, her voice echoing through the speakers. “The nearest replacement clinic requires two city buses and a subway line. A transfer on paper is abandonment in real life.”

Aria glanced at Damien. His face was a mask of unreadable marble.

She stood up, buttoned her blazer, and walked directly to the podium.

“The proposed liquidation is officially suspended for ninety days,” Aria announced into the microphones. “During that time, the Marital Trust will fund an independent audit focused on keeping all twelve facilities open.”

The auditorium erupted into applause and frantic whispers.

Damien’s hand closed around her elbow the moment she stepped off the stage, his grip firm as he guided her toward the side exit.

“You committed corporate capital without board approval,” he said under his breath.

“I committed us to an audit.”

“You turned an operational restructuring into a public morality play.”

“Because it impacts real human lives.”

“Every financial decision impacts real human lives.”

“Then perhaps you should meet a few of them,” Aria said coolly as she pulled from his grip.

Outside, as security held back the press line, a reporter yelled out, “Mrs. Blackthorne! Did your husband oppose the suspension?”

Damien’s fingers tightened against her arm.

Aria turned back toward the microphones. “My husband and I debate vigorously behind closed doors. That is precisely why the trust requires both our signatures.”

“Will the clinics stay open permanently?” another reporter called out.