The Collateral Wife

This urban financial thriller revolves around a 12-year cross-border trust conspiracy of the Cross family. Burdened by her father’s massive debts, Elena strikes a binding deal with tycoon Julian to trade her freedom for her family’s safety. Julian seemingly covets her assets, yet he hunts her supposedly deceased mother, the trust’s original architect, for Elena’s bloodline alone unlocks a trillion-dollar vault. Forced to stick together amid galas, vaults and manhunts, they suspect each other while falling for one another amid life-or-death threats. Hunted by her stepmother, family moles, federal agents and the Vance clan’s mercenaries, they face poison, explosions and brutal access battles. Secrets unravel: Julian betrayed his clan, and the harsh contract shields Elena. Her mother faked death and hides in an Arctic vault. They eliminate all schemers and dismantle capital fraud. Just as their binding contract expires, a darknet hit list emerges pointing to the Arctic hideout, pushing them toward a deadly final showdown in the frozen wilderness.