The Ceo's contract wife

Chapter 32 – Let Me Be the One They Blame

The Jin family's private residence was as cold as ever—polished marble floors, high ceilings, and not a trace of warmth in sight.

Li sat on the edge of the leather armchair, feeling every pair of eyes locked on her. Across the long table sat Madam Jin, arms folded, face sharp. Around her were two uncles, an aunt, and a cousin—all shareholders, all silent, all judgmental.

Ethan stood beside her, calm but unreadable.

"You married her," Madam Jin said, voice as cool as her stare. "Without informing the family. Without a wedding. Without due process."

"It was a personal decision," Ethan replied.

"And now it's a public scandal," she snapped. "Have you seen the headlines today?"

Li felt her throat tighten. She wanted to shrink, to disappear—but she didn't flinch.

"This woman's background is unclear. She was a model. A designer with no formal training. Her father has no business standing."

"She's not on trial," Ethan said flatly.

"No," the aunt replied, sipping her tea. "But she's certainly not qualified to stand beside the future head of the Jin Group."

That hurt. More than Li expected.

But she forced herself to speak. "You're right. I didn't grow up in your world. I'm not from a prestigious family. But I never forced this marriage. It was mutual."

"Contractual," the cousin said with a smirk. "That's what the media says. Is it true?"

Li froze

Ethan's voice was calm. Too calm. "Does it matter?

"It does if this marriage affects our company's image," Madam Jin snapped.

Silence.

Li looked down. She knew she didn't belong here.

But just as she was about to speak again, Ethan stepped forward.

"Blame me," he said.

Everyone looked up.

"I'm the one who married her. I'm the one who didn't follow protocol. If this affects the company, I'll take full responsibility."

"Ethan—" Li whispered, stunned.

He didn't stop. "But I won't annul the marriage. I won't let her take the fall for something I started. If she's not good enough, then neither am I."

Madam Jin's eyes narrowed. "You'd throw away your position for her?"

His voice didn't waver. "I'd rebuild it from scratch with her beside me.

The room went quiet.

Li could barely breathe.

In that moment, it wasn't about the contract anymore. It wasn't about media, or image, or status.

It was about him.

And what he was finally willing to lose… for her.