Chapter 2

Sarah hung up the phone, her hand trembling too much to put it back in her purse.

Practical. He wanted her to be practical.

Her father. He wouldn't have understood this. He would have been furious.

Her father had always respected the Chen family. David Chen.

A brilliant tech CEO from Silicon Valley. His parents were old friends, business associates of her father.

Arthur Miller had often said, "Sarah, David Chen is a good man. A strong man. Someone with real integrity, not like some of these East Coast old-money types."

He'd subtly hinted she should get to know David better, long before Ethan was seriously in the picture. Ethan, who her father tolerated for the sake of appearances and potential business ties, but never truly warmed to.

A desperate resolve hardened within her. The Vances would try to exploit Miller Real Estate's vulnerability now, especially with her father gone and her engagement to Ethan a sham.

She booked the first flight to San Francisco.

The tech conference gala was a sea of black ties and glittering gowns. She found David Chen near a balcony overlooking the city lights. He was talking to a group, but his eyes met hers briefly, a flicker of recognition.

When he was alone for a moment, she walked straight to him.

"David."

He turned, a polite smile on his face that faltered slightly when he saw her expression.

"Sarah. I was so sorry to hear about your father. My parents send their deepest condolences."

"Thank you, David." She took a deep breath. There was no time for pleasantries.

"Marry me."

David Chen blinked, genuinely startled. The ambient noise of the gala seemed to fade.

"I... excuse me?"

"Marry me, David," she repeated, her voice low but firm. "Help me protect my father's legacy from the Vances. They'll try to tear it apart now. With you, with the Chen family, I'll have a fighting chance. And I'll be the partner your family always hoped for. A real partner."

She saw the pain in her own eyes reflected in his steady gaze. He wasn't looking at her like she was crazy. He was listening.

He was silent for a long moment, studying her.

"My family believes in lifelong commitments, Sarah. Marriage isn't a business strategy for us, not primarily. Are you truly ready for that, for what that means?"

She met his gaze without flinching. "Yes. I am."

The alternative, being tied to Ethan, to the Vances, was unthinkable. This was a lifeline.

A subtle emotion flickered in David's eyes, something she couldn't quite name.

"Alright, Sarah," he said calmly. "I will."

He had always admired her from afar, since they were teenagers. His parents and hers had gently discouraged any early romance, hoping they'd both mature and perhaps find each other when the time was right. He'd respected that, but he'd never forgotten her.