Chapter 3 THE BUSINESS CRISIS

♣ CHAPTER 3: ♣

Kate barely slept that night. Her uncle's words kept replaying in her head.

"You don't have a choice."

Her parents' deaths had left a big hole in her heart, and now, before she could even grieve, the rest of the family were talking about marrying her off like some auction property.

She sat on her bed, staring at the ceiling. The house was quiet. But her mind was filled with thoughts.

Morning came too fast.She dragged herself out of bed and into the shower, she let the cold water wake her up. But even as she dressed, her hands trembled.

As she stepped out of her room, the sound of voices caught her attention.

She followed the voices down the hallway and stopped near her father's study. The door was slightly open.

She peeped inside.

Her uncle sat in her father's chair, his face looks serious, while two men in suits sat opposite him. Kate's stomach crossed when she recognized one of them–Mr. Donovan, a senior member of the Dray family.

"What were they talking about?"She leaned in closer.

"I don't care how she feels about it," Mr. Carlos said. "This marriage has to happen."

Kate's heart pounded.

Mr. Donovan sighed. "The Drays have already invested billions. William is furious about the instability. If something isn't done soon, we're pulling out."

Kate clenched her fists.

Her uncle smirked. "That's why this is the best option. Once Kate is married to William, everything stabilizes."

The room went silent for a moment. Then Mr. Donovan speak again.

"And if she refuses?"

Mr. Carlos chuckled. "She won't. She knows what's at stake. If she refuses, she'll lose everything."

Kate covered her mouth to stop herself from gasping.

Her uncle was selling her off to the Drays like she was some asset. And if she refused, she'd lose her parents' company, their legacy and everything.

Kate stormed out of the house, her mind racing.

She needed fresh air, and need to think.

Her run down the street, running past familiar houses, running past places that brought her comfort. But there was no comfort now,but only fear and anger.

She ended up at a small park, and sits on a wooden bench under an old tree. She clasped her hands together, her nails dug into her palm.

What was she supposed to do?

Her parents were gone. Her uncle had taken control. The Drays were threatening to pull their investment.

And now marriage? To a man she didn't even know?

Her body trembled with frustration. She knew of William Dray–the cold billionaire, the ruthless businessman, the man who never smiled.How could she marry someone like that?

But if she refused, she'd lose everything her parents built.

She stared at the ground, her thoughts tingling.

"Was there another way? I have to find one." She thought.

By the time she returned home, the house was quiet.

She stepped inside with caution.She didn't trust her uncle, not after what she heard.She had to act fast.She walked straight to her father's study, her hands shaking as she pushed open the door.

Mr. Carlos looked up from the desk, his expression unreadable. "Kate."

She crossed her arms. "I heard everything."

His lips curled into a small smile. "Then you know what needs to be done."

Her chest tightened. "You're really doing this?"

He leaned back in the chair. "You think this is about you, Kate? This is about the company, about survival."

"By selling me off like some petty property?"

"No! By securing your future."

She laughed bitterly. "My future? Or yours?"

Mr. Carlos stood up and walked around the desk, stopping right in front of her. "This isn't a choice, Kate. The Drays will pull out. If they do, this company will crumble, and you'll have nothing."

She glared at him. "I don't care about the money. I care about my parents' legacy."

"And that's exactly why you should marry William Dray."

She shook her head. "I won't do it."

Mr. Carlos sighed, shaking his head. "You're young, Kate. You don't understand how the world works."

"I understand perfectly. I understand that you're using me."

His face hardened. "You have until tomorrow to decide or..."

Kate's stomach crossed. "Or what?"

His eyes darkened. "Or you lose everything."