Chapter 4 The proposal

She storms out of the meeting.

I expected that from her-hell, I would've done the same.

Even sitting here now, I'm still in shock. For a moment, I

almost get up to go after her, but then I remember why I'm

here... and I also remember our standing history.

I'm probably the last person she wants to see right now. Or

ever.

Her storming off seems to mark the end of the meeting. A

few people, especially the older board members, don't evenlook surprised about the clause. Figures. They were likely the

ones who pushed for it in the first place.

What I don't understand is why Mr. Paige would accept it.

From my dealings with him, I know he loves his daughter

deeply and wouldn't willingly hurt her. So where did this

come from? What would possess him to enforce a clause like

this, knowing it would put Christine in a corner?

As he walks out of the room, he pauses, glances back, and

calls out to me.

"Adrian, come with me."

I follow him silently, relieved he still wants to speak with me

-but also a little uneasy. He presses the elevator button, and

we ride up together in total silence.

The air feels heavy. Not just awkward-but loaded. Mr.

Paige has always been composed, always sharp and self-

assured, but right now, he looks like a man carrying a weight

he's tired of holding. I steal a glance at him as we ride. His

expression is unreadable, but there's a crease in his brow I've

never noticed before.When we reach his office, he motions for me to sit. He

doesn't speak for a while. I watch him closely-the way his

shoulders slump slightly, the weight of age and emotion

more visible than ever. I know he didn't want to hurt

Christine. This wasn't intentional.

They call me ruthless in the business world, and maybe

they're not wrong. But patience is something I've learned

over time and I know why I'm here.

So I wait.

Finally, he speaks. "Adrian, I'm sorry for the little drama you

witnessed earlier. You weren't supposed to be caught in the

middle of that. But... things happened. Thankfully, it didn't

get out of hand."

I nod. "It's fine, sir. We can move past it."

He exhales and continues. "I truly don't want to hurt my

daughter. I hope one day she'll understand that. The clause

has always been there, written years ago. I didn't tell her

because I was certain she'd end up marrying Brian."The mention of that scumbag's name almost makes me gag.

It takes every ounce of self-control not to speak my mind

about Brian. Instead, I sit still and say nothing.

Mr. Paige adds, "I hoped they'd reconcile... get married, and

then this clause would be irrelevant."

I nod again, but my thoughts are racing.

Then he straightens in his chair and shifts the conversation.

"Well, now let's talk about our collaboration."

But when I open my mouth, I don't say anything about

partnerships or proposals.

Instead, the words that tumble out shock even me.

"What if I marry Christine?"

He freezes.Slowly, he takes off his glasses and looks at me like I've just

grown a second head.

But I keep going, undeterred though even my own voice

sounds foreign in my ears.

"I'm just saying it doesn't have to be real. A contract

marriage. Temporary. Until she secures her inheritance. I

know how much you want her to have it, and frankly, I do

too. She deserves it. And as for me-my mom has been

pestering me to settle down. She's even been hinting at

Christine for years now."

I pause, gauging his reaction.

"Truthfully, who else is she going to marry in eight months?

It's not like Brian's coming back. And I know for a fact she

doesn't have anyone else."

He leans back slowly in his chair, a tired sigh escaping him.

"You know she hates you, right? She'd never agree to this."That stings more than I expect. I don't let it show, though. I

nod.

"I know," I say quietly.

He adds, "Christine has always wanted to marry for love.

She wants someone who truly loves her and will love her for

the rest of her life."

"I'm aware," I answer, my voice lower now. "But just

because we fight doesn't mean I don't admire her. I always

have. Even under the tension... I've always found her

beautiful. Smart. Stubborn as hell but brilliant."

He studies me long and hard. I can't read his expression, and

I'm not even sure he believes me. Maybe I don't blame him.

Maybe I don't fully believe myself.

Just as he opens his mouth to respond, the office door opens.

She walks in.And just like that, the moment is gone.

I rise to my feet, not bothering to explain. She's probably

wondering what we're talking about but I leave it there. I

walk past her without a word.

Again.

She just stares at me probably waiting for one of my usual

jabs.

But I say nothing.

And once again today, I surprise her with my silence.

In the elevator, I pause.

What the hell came over me?

What made me say that? Marry Christine?

Of all people?She'd laugh in my face. Or worse slap me. And honestly, I'm

not sure I'd blame her. We have years of history, and not the

good kind. Bitter arguments, tense meetings, unspoken jabs.

She thinks I'm arrogant. Cold. Calculated.

And maybe she's right.

But if she ever finds out the truth I've been hiding... this

won't just be a disaster it'll be nuclear.

I press my hand to my chest, suddenly aware of how fast my

heart is beating.

I shake the thoughts from my head and step out of the

elevator, walking toward the exit.

And then, from behind me, echoing through the hallway, I

hear it:

"WHAT?!"

Christine's voice.Loud. Angry.