Chapter 2 THE OFFER

‎Georgia had always believed Liam Patel's office belonged on the cover of a business magazine.

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‎Twenty floors above the noisy streets of the city, it was made of shining glass, silver walls, and smooth floors. Everything about the space was designed to impress and to remind people who was in charge.

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‎It was cold. Powerful. Intimidating.

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‎Just like the man who owned it.

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‎But Georgia Lane wasn't a woman who could be easily shaken not even by Liam Patel.

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‎The receptionist, dressed in all black and barely looking up from her screen, pressed a small button on her desk.

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‎"Miss Lane has arrived" she said into the intercom.

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‎The sleek black door opened on its own, soundless and smooth, like everything in this world Liam controlled.

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‎Georgia took a deep breath, lifted her chin, and stepped inside.

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‎The office was huge, with glass windows from floor to ceiling. The city spread far below, tiny cars and people moving like ants. It looked beautiful. But it also felt like standing on the edge of a cliff.

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‎And there he was.

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‎Liam stood facing the windows, hands behind his back, wearing a perfectly tailored dark grey suit.

‎He didn't turn around. Didn't speak.

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‎For a moment, she just looked at him the sharp lines of his shoulders, his tall figure, the calm and dangerous silence that surrounded him.

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‎Liam Patel had always looked like a man who owned the world.

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‎And today, he probably did.

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‎"You're punctual" he said, still looking out the window. His voice was smooth and cold, like ice water sliding down a metal pipe.

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‎"You didn't give me much of a choice" she replied, keeping her tone flat and cool.

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‎At that, he finally turned.

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‎Their eyes met.

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‎Georgia felt something twist deep in her chest.

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‎He looked exactly the same, sharp jawline, deep brown eyes, that cruelly handsome face she had tried to forget. The man standing in front of her had broken her once. And yet, here she was.

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‎Again.

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‎"I didn't think you'd come" Liam said, watching her carefully.

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‎"Then you don't know me at all" she shot back, voice calm.

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‎A small flicker of something, maybe approval passed through his expression. But it disappeared just as quickly.

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‎"Sit" he said, pointing to the black leather chair across from his desk.

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‎Georgia didn't move.

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‎"I'm not here to sit and waste time. I came for answers. Speak quickly I don't have all day."

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‎Liam's lips curved slightly, not quite a smile. "Still stubborn. Some things never change."

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‎She kept silent, her arms crossed.

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‎Liam walked behind his desk and picked up a slim black folder. His movements were slow, controlled, like a predator taking its time.

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‎"I'm prepared to acquire all of Lane Holdings' debt" he said, placing the folder gently on the glass table. "If I do, the company won't be taken by creditors. Your father's name will remain untouched. Your family's legacy... safe."

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‎Georgia's heart thudded painfully. The room suddenly felt smaller.

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‎"And in return?" she asked quietly, though she feared the answer already.

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‎Liam's dark eyes locked onto hers.

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‎"In return..." he said slowly, clearly, "you will marry me."

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‎Silence.

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‎Georgia blinked, unsure if she had heard correctly.

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‎"Marry you?" she said, almost laughing. "You're crazy."

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‎"Possibly."

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‎He slid the folder toward her.

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‎Inside was a contract.

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‎"Why me?" she asked, her voice softer now. "Why would you want me, Liam?"

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‎His gaze didn't move. "Call it unfinished business."

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‎Georgia clenched her fists. "You think I'll just let you buy me like one of your companies? That I'll become your little prize?"

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‎"No" he said simply. "I'm giving you a choice."

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‎He tapped the folder once with a long finger.

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‎"You can walk out that door and by the end of the month, everything your family built will be gone. Lane Holdings will be nothing but a memory. Or you can sign this contract. One year. In name only. No expectations. No obligations. Just... appearance."

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‎Georgia let out a bitter laugh. "And what happens when the year is over?"

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‎"Then we part ways. Cleanly."

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‎His tone was calm. Too calm.

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‎But Georgia wasn't stupid. She knew Liam Patel never made simple deals. There was always something more behind that smooth voice and handsome face.

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‎"You're serious," she whispered.

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‎"Deadly" he replied.

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‎She looked down at the folder. Her name was printed neatly across the top of the contract.

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‎She could hear her father's broken voice again from the night before, "I tried to protect you, Georgia..."

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‎Tried. But failed.

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‎Georgia's throat tightened. She turned away, walking toward the tall windows. The city looked different now. Distant. Cold. Just like Liam's eyes.

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‎"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she asked, still looking out the window.

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‎"No" he said. "I'm just doing what needs to be done."

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‎"For you," she said bitterly. "Not for me."

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‎"I could have let you drown, Georgia. I didn't."

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‎She turned to face him. "You call this rescue? This is control."

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‎Liam stepped closer, stopping just a foot away.

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‎"I don't need to control you" he said softly. "You're already trapped. I'm simply offering a way out."

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‎Georgia's chest rose and fell with uneven breaths.

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‎She wanted to say no. She wanted to scream, throw the folder, walk away with her pride intact.

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‎But pride can't pay debts.

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‎Pride can't save her father's name.

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‎She turned to the folder again, slowly sitting in the chair she had refused minutes earlier.

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‎"Do I get time to think?" she asked.

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‎"You have twenty-four hours," Liam said. "Not a minute more."

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‎Georgia nodded slowly, eyes still on the contract.

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‎She stood up, closing the folder without looking at him.

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‎"I'll give you your answer tomorrow," she said coldly.

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‎"I'll be waiting," Liam replied.

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‎Without another word, Georgia walked out of his office.

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‎But inside, her heart was no longer steady.

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‎Because she already knew.

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‎This wasn't a deal.

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‎It was a trap.

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‎And part of her... had already stepped inside.

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‎---

‎Will Georgia sign the contract?

‎Will this one year deal bring healing or more heartbreak?

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