Chapter 2 The Offer I Never Saw Coming

Elena didn't know how long she had been walking.

The cold wind sliced through her coat, and the snow soaked through her shoes, but her thoughts were louder than the storm.

Fired. Humiliated. Accused.

By him.

By Lucien Blackwood.

Her chest ached at the memory of his eyes-so cold, so sure she had betrayed him. She had worked at Blackwood Enterprises for three years. Late nights. No holidays. No complaints.

And it had ended in a five-minute meeting and a cruel misunderstanding.

She stopped near a coffee shop, hands trembling as she tried to open the door. Warmth hit her face the moment she stepped inside, but it didn't reach her heart.

She sat in a corner and buried her face in her hands.

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-"Excuse me, Miss Cruz?"

Elena froze.

She looked up slowly-and nearly dropped her coffee

Two men in black suits stood in front of her. Behind them, a black car waited outside in the snow.

"Mr. Blackwood would like to see you. Now."

She blinked. "What? Why? I'm not his employee anymore-"

"It's urgent," the taller one interrupted. "He insists."

Later... in Lucien's Private Office

Elena stepped into the office she had been dragged from just hours ago. Nothing had changed-except everything inside her.

Lucien stood near the window, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a glass of scotch.

He turned slowly, his eyes meeting hers-but they weren't cold this time. They were calculating.

"Miss Cruz," he said, "I owe you an apology."

She blinked. "What?"

"I was wrong. The leak wasn't you. The real traitor has been dealt with."

Her mouth fell open, but no sound came out.

Lucien took a step closer, his voice low. "But I didn't call you here for an apology."

She narrowed her eyes. "Then why?"

He paused, then said the last thing she expected to hear.

"I want you to marry me."