Chapter 3 The Meeting

The following weeks were a whirlwind for Alex. As she delved into the depths of the company's financial statements and met with the executive team, she confronted the harsh reality of their situation. The company was sinking under the weight of an astronomical amount of debt. The situation was far worse than she had imagined. The task of resurrecting the dying business seemed like scaling Everest, but she was determined to try.

In an effort to stabilize the company and assure the shareholders, a formal dinner was organized. All the major shareholders and partners were in attendance. It was an opulent event, held in the grand ballroom of the city's most luxurious hotel. Alex had prepared herself for the grueling evening of small talk, business discussions, and the inevitable questions about her father's health and the company's future.

Among the crowd of suitors, investors, and business tycoons, one man stood out – Ethan Blackwood. A self-made billionaire, Ethan was renowned in the corporate world for his cutthroat business strategies and his immense wealth. At the young age of 26, he was one of the youngest billionaires in the world and an intimidating presence in the boardroom.

Ethan was a man of striking physical attributes. He stood tall at 6'2", with a lean yet muscular build that hinted at regular, intense workouts. His hair was jet black, cropped short, providing a stark contrast against his porcelain skin. His eyes were a deep, brooding grey, almost as stormy as the man himself, surrounded by thick, dark lashes that added an air of intensity to his gaze.

His facial features were as sharp as the business acumen he was renowned for: high cheekbones, a straight, aristocratic nose, and a well-defined, chiseled jaw. His lips were thin, yet expressive, often curled up in a smirk that left people around him unsettled. His style of dressing was impeccable, favoring tailor-made suits that only accentuated his well-toned physique and screamed power and authority.

Ethan was undeniably handsome, but his demeanor was anything but charming. His reputation preceded him – he was known for his brusque manner, his towering pride, and his palpable arrogance. His encounters were marked by his sharp wit and often unfiltered, pointed remarks. He had an air of superiority about him, a man who clearly believed that he was above the rest.

When Alex met Ethan, she was immediately struck by his raw, almost brutal attractiveness. His piercing grey eyes met her sapphire ones, a silent challenge lingering in them. His aloofness, his blatant disregard for the formalities, irked her. Yet, amidst the disdain and the pompousness, Alex saw something in Ethan - a fierce determination, a relentless drive that matched her own. He was formidable, possibly even dangerous, but Alex was not one to back down from a challenge. Little did she know then, their fates were entwined, and a storm was brewing in the horizon.

The party was in full swing, the room abuzz with the soft murmur of conversations, the clinking of glasses, and the melodious notes of a string quartet. Underneath the grand chandelier, amidst the sea of black tuxedos and glimmering evening gowns, Alex stood out like a diamond.

She was dressed in a floor-length gown of champagne silk, tailored to perfection to accentuate her petite yet curvaceous figure. The gown, with its deep v-neckline and slender shoulder straps, highlighted her creamy skin and elegant collarbone. The back was a stunning low-cut, adding an air of allure. Her fiery chestnut hair was pulled up into a sophisticated updo, a few tendrils escaping to softly frame her face. Minimalistic diamond jewelry added the perfect touch of sparkle.

Ethan Blackwood, despite his show of indifference, couldn't help but be drawn to Alex. Her grace, her beauty, and her strength were like a beacon in the crowd. He found his eyes returning to her again and again, an inexplicable pull tugging at him. She wasn't like the other women he had met - there was a fire in her, a resolve that intrigued him.

The night took a dramatic turn when Ethan discovered the Monroe company's dire situation. His initial reaction was fury, feeling deceived and ready to sue for misrepresentation in their business dealings. Alex, who was well aware of the potential damage this could inflict on their already fragile situation, approached him.

She found him in the secluded library, his face a mask of cold anger. Gathering her courage, Alex pleaded with him, her voice steady despite the pounding of her heart. "Please, Mr. Blackwood," she implored, "let's find another way to resolve this. A lawsuit would destroy the company my father spent his life building."

Ethan regarded her coolly, his stormy eyes assessing her. After a prolonged silence, he finally spoke, "I have a proposition for you, Miss Monroe." His voice was low, dangerously calm. "Become my wife. For 120 days."

The suggestion took Alex aback. A marriage of convenience, a contractual arrangement was the furthest thing from what she had envisioned for herself. Yet, she couldn't ignore the fact that this could potentially save her father's company, save the legacy that her father was so desperate to preserve. It was a monstrous decision, one she knew would change her life irrevocably. As she looked into Ethan's stormy grey eyes, she knew she was at the edge of a precipice, and the only way forward was a leap of faith.