Chapter 1 The proposal

The sound of the file slamming on the heavy wooden table echoed through the spacious office, making Crystal jump in her seat. "Marry me, Miss Luke," a cold voice rang out, sending shivers down her spine.

Crystal's pulse raced as the file was slammed against the heavy wooden table, but it wasn't the sudden noise that froze her. It was the chilling, almost indifferent voice that followed.

The office was dimly lit, with only a few rays of sunlight peeking through the curtains. The air was thick with tension, and Crystal could feel the weight of Andrew's gaze on her. She sat brave at the table front, but her nervousness was evident in the way her hands trembled as she clutched her bag.

Andrew, the young and strikingly good-looking CEO of the Ryan group, sat at the head of the table with his legs crossed in an imposing manner. His grey eyes seemed to pierce into her soul, making her feel like an insect under a microscope.

"I have checked out all your past records, and it's quite okay," Andrew said coldly, his voice dripping with an air of superiority. "I'm sure you will abide by these rules listed in the documents in the file."

Crystal's eyes widened as she took in the words. She had never met Andrew before, and she certainly hadn't expected him to know much about her. "I have a boyfriend, Mr. Ryan," she replied, trying to sound confident. "I can't do this."

Andrew's expression remained calm, but his eyes narrowed slightly as he considered her response. "After the divorce, a sum of twenty million will be deposited in your account, and you can also leave with whatever you want," he continued, his voice smooth as silk.

Crystal felt a surge of anger at his words. How could he think she would be swayed by money? "I'm sure you heard what I said, Mr. Ryan," she interjected, not letting him finish. "I was at my place of work when a car pulled over with tons of bodyguards ordering me to come with them. Nobody dared to stop them, and I had no other choice but to follow them and nothing was being said about that?"

As she spoke, Crystal's eyes darted around the room, taking in the decorations and the imposing figure of Andrew. She felt like a small fish in a big pond, and she knew she had to be careful even when speaking up for herself.

Andrew's eyes seemed to bore into her soul as he listened to her words. Then, he spoke up again, his voice melodious and clear. "I sincerely apologize for whatever kind of inconvenience my people might have caused you. You were invited here with a clear conscience, and I don't know if you had been hurt even by mistake by them."

Crystal's heart pounded in her chest as she met Andrew's gaze. She felt like she was walking on thin ice, and one wrong move could spell disaster. "I...I...it is fine," she replied, trying to sound calm.

Andrew's expression remained calm, but his eyes seemed to gleam with interest. "So can we talk now?" he asked, his voice clear and confident.

Crystal nodded, trying to sound brave. "Y...yes, we can."

As they talked, Crystal couldn't help but feel like she was in over her head. Andrew's words were like a puzzle, and she was struggling to find the missing pieces. She knew she had to be careful, but she also knew she couldn't back down now.

Crystal's mind was racing with questions and doubts, but she knew she had to keep her wits about her.

As the meeting drew to a close, Andrew leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I'll finance you during this period if you are willing to cooperate," he said, placing a black card in front of her.

Crystal's eyes widened as she took in the words. She felt like she was being offered a lifeline, but she also knew that she couldn't accept it".

You might be able to finance me, but I don't think I want this sudden marriage," she replied, trying to sound confident.

Andrew's expression remained calm, but his eyes seemed to gleam with interest. "This is an offer that will clearly be beneficial to you, Miss Luke," he said. "I'll give you time to think about it."

" And if I should ask Mr. Ryan, there are many young women of wealthy social classes you can get married to, so why did you choose me, a girl from an average family?". She asked him, her eyes darting everywhere as if trying to dig up a hole on the floor.

"As you said, I chose you. So it is my choice." . He told her coldly.

"I'm sorry". She replied to him firmly. "I don't think I can do this". Her heart, pounding so hard.

Then she stood up and arranged her skirt. "If nothing else, then I'll take my leave now". Turning to leave, she heard him again.

" Your three days offer is still on". He reminded her then handed her a sophisticated golden business card with a face that it is not to be refused.

But she said nothing and gently picked up the card, put it in her purse and left the office resolutely without looking back.

"This offer, she won't accept!. But she dared not refuse the business card". She said to herself, walking with hurried steps like she was being chased out, as she felt his eyes still locked on her from behind.

As she walked away from the building, Crystal felt a sense of unease settle in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't shake the feeling that Andrew's proposal was far from over.

As Crystal left the office, Andrew watched her go with a calculating gaze. He had gotten what he wanted, a potential wife who fit his requirements. He didn't feel any particular interest in her beyond that.

He narrowed his eyes in amusement, gently tapping his finger on the table following the rhyme of the ticking clock which was the only sound that could be heard in the quiet and spacious office.

Just as he was still in his thoughts, his phone rang, disrupting his thoughts and he answered it with a curt "Yes?" His expression unchanged, and he listened intently to the person on the other end. His eyes narrowed, and his voice dropped to a low tone. "I'll take care of it," he said, before hanging up the phone.

He has met a lot of girls before but they are ones who actively throw themselves at him.

But this girl named Crystal, amused him as he has never met a girl this plainly honest before.

And aside from that, he felt a sense of familiarity since the very first day he saw her before this meetup.

Where could he have known her from?