Chapter 2 The Untouchable King

Alexander Stone stood by the huge windows of his corner office, looking at the city below like it was his. At 34, he ran a $12 billion business, employed 15,000 people in six countries, and could make or break anyone with a call.

But none of that mattered to Vivian, who was currently grinding his engagement ring into dust with her expensive shoe.

I can't do this anymore, Alexander, Vivian said, her voice crisp with her fancy education and the anger of a woman pushed too far. Three years of waiting for you to be a real person. Three years of perfect dinners where you glad-hand politicians and talk business while I sit and look pretty.

Alexander didn't turn around. The morning sun made his reflection a dark shape against the glass-tall, broad, and wearing a perfect suit. He looked exactly like what he was: a guy who owned everything he saw.

The Henderson deal closes today, he said, sounding like he was talking about the weather. We will announce the merger tomorrow. Your dad's firm will make $40 million just from our recommendation.

The sound of crystal breaking made him finally turn. Vivian had knocked his coffee cup off the desk, and the dark coffee was spreading across papers like blood.

Do you even hear yourself? Her usual composure was gone, showing the anger underneath. Everything is business with you. Everything has a price, a profit, a plan. When did you last touch me and not think about what you'd get out of it?

Alexander's jaw tightened just a bit. It was the only sign he allowed himself, and Vivian knew what it meant after three years.

We work well together, he said, adjusting his expensive cufflinks mechanically. We have the same goals, fit into the same social circles, and share business contacts. Marriage should be built on what makes sense, not daydreams.

What makes sense, Vivian repeated, laughing without any humor. You sound like you're describing a company doing a merger.

Good marriages often are, he replied.

She stared at him for a long time, her green eyes filled with something that might have been sadness. Your parents destroyed each other with love, she said quietly. Everyone knows the story of Richard and Victoria Stone, how their big passion burned through millions and almost ruined your family's name. But Alexander... you can't spend your whole life trying not to make their mistakes.

The room seemed to get colder. Alexander's face didn't change, but something dangerous flashed in his eyes.

My parents were weak, he said, his words sharp. They let feelings get in the way of good sense, let wanting things destroy their discipline. They wasted a 200-year family history on romance and left me to fix it from scratch. I learned from their mistakes.

You learned to be scared.

I learned to be smart.

Vivian grabbed her purse, moving with sharp, controlled anger. The board meeting is in an hour. I guess you'll tell them we're done?

Alexander's phone vibrated on the desk. His assistant's voice came over the intercom, clear and professional: Mr. Stone, the board members are here early. They want to talk to you before the meeting.

He pressed the intercom button without looking away from Vivian. Five minutes, Marcus.

This is about the succession rule, isn't it? Vivian said, not surprised, just disappointed. They want their CEO to be married with a perfect wife and kids. Without me, you don't fit what they want.

Alexander didn't say anything.

You have six months, she went on, putting on her coat carefully. The rule is clear-if you're not married with a kid on the way by your 35th birthday, the board can vote you out as CEO. Your birthday is in six months, Alexander. And now you're starting all over.

She stopped at the door, her hand on the handle.

Find someone who can actually love you, she said without turning. Because I never could.

The door clicked shut, leaving Alexander alone with the pieces of his carefully planned life.

He stood still for exactly one minute-not because he was sad, but because he knew that people made the worst choices in the first minute after something bad happened. His father had proposed to his mother 30 seconds after meeting her at a party. Three years later, their passionate marriage had cost the company $200 million and almost ruined everything his family had built.

Alexander Stone didn't make choices based on feelings.

When the minute was up, he pressed the intercom. Send them in.

The board members came into his office like a jury. Eight men and two women, each representing family money and old connections. They'd been in his life since he was a kid-family friends, business partners, the closest thing to family he had.

That made their betrayal hurt more.

Alexander, Charles Henderson, the board chairman and his father's oldest friend, sat in the chair across from Alexander's desk. At 72, Charles still took over rooms just by being there, his silver hair perfect and his blue eyes sharp. We need to talk about the succession plan.

I'm guessing Vivian's father already called you, Alexander said. He stayed standing, a show of power. The engagement is over.

Yes, we heard this morning, Margaret Vale, the only board member under 60, crossed her legs and opened a briefcase. Which brings us to the point. The succession rule wasn't a suggestion, Alexander. It was required.

Alexander didn't react. The rule says I need to be married with a kid on the way by my 35th birthday. I have six months.

To find a wife, date her, propose, plan a wedding, and have a kid, Charles said. Even for you, that's a lot to ask.

You don't know how fast I can move.

Margaret laughed. This isn't a business deal, Alexander. This is marriage and kids. You can't plan love like a meeting.

I don't need love, Alexander said coldly. I need a deal.

The room went silent. These people had known him since he was 10, had watched him save the company, had seen him give up everything for success.

The rule is there for a reason, Charles said. A CEO needs to be stable, consistent, and appear to have traditional values. Our clients trust us because we represent reliability and family.

I know what our brand is.

Do you? Margaret asked, leaning forward. Because your personal life says otherwise. No serious relationships that last. No interest in kids. No interest in anything but making money.

My personal life is my business.

It's our business when it affects our stockholders, another board member, Thomas Ashworth, said. People need to think we're stable. A married CEO with kids suggests planning for the future, commitment, and caring about what happens next.