A Bride for The Billionaire

The General Meeting of Shareholders of Jonas Enterprise has not reached a consensus. Shareholders objected to Mrs. Sonya Jonas relinquishing the CEO position and appointing Andrew Jonas to replace her.

"How will the fate of this family company be in the hands of someone who has no heir?" Arthur Jonas reiterated the argument.

Mrs. Sonya looked at him with anger. If it weren't for the fact that he was her late husband's brother, she might have ordered security to kick him out of the meeting room long ago.

"What do you mean by no successor?" Mrs. Sonya asked sarcastically. Adam Jonas, her late husband, was the one who founded this company. Therefore, it's only natural to appoint Andrew Jonas to the highest leadership position in the company. Andrew is the only grandson she has, the sole heir to the business empire established by Adam.

"Mrs. Sonya, please don't misunderstand. We are all family here. We don't want this family's company to fall into the hands of outsiders, right?" Arthur said.

Mrs. Sonya is about to turn seventy soon. She feels it's only right to step down from the leadership position in the company and ask Andrew to take over so that she can enjoy her old age more leisurely. At times like this, she laments the tragic death of her only son, Harris, in a car accident. The family has been blessed with abundant wealth but not with many descendants.

"Don't worry. This company will not fall into the hands of outsiders," Mrs. Sonya replied in a low and profound tone.

"The continuity of this company must be preserved," Arthur spoke up again. He is the youngest brother of the late Adam and the most ambitious one to take over the company. "We all regret Harris's death, but in times like this, you still have to fulfill the CEO's duties. If you decide to pass this responsibility to Andrew, what guarantee do we have that the company will still be under control twenty years from now? Or should we change the company's rule stating that the highest leadership position must come from Adam's lineage? Andrew seems uninterested in getting married and having children. After all, what's the difference between Adam's lineage and mine? We are all Jonas."

Participants in the meeting whispered to each other after hearing Arthur's opinion. It has been an initial agreement since the company's establishment that the majority shareholder and the highest leadership position must be from Adam Jonas's lineage. However, since Harris Jonas's death ten years ago, Mrs. Sonya had to take over the CEO position while preparing Andrew to replace her.

"Mrs. Sonya, I think what Arthur said is not wrong," this time Alpha, Adam's second brother, spoke up. "Shouldn't we just abolish that silly rule so that even if Andrew is uninterested in getting married and having descendants, we can prepare our other children?"

"What do you mean uninterested in having descendants?" Mrs. Sonya retorted loudly, startling everyone in the meeting room.

This company was built from scratch by Adam Jonas without anyone's help. Mrs. Sonya still vividly remembers the ridicule from her husband's brothers, who thought she was crazy for dreaming of establishing a shopping center in the middle of a plantation. When one supermarket stood and attracted crowds of visitors, one by one, her husband's brothers came closer and asked to join. When the number of shopping centers established by Adam Jonas exceeded the number of fingers on his hand, he decided to distribute some of the shares to his brothers.

"I've already decided that Andrew will succeed me," Mrs. Sonya said firmly. "And my decision is final."

"But..." Arthur tried to interrupt.

"You don't need to worry," Mrs. Sonya added before Arthur could finish his sentence. "Andrew will be getting married soon. He will get married before my birthday."

Arthur looked surprised at Mrs. Sonya's statement. How is it possible that Andrew will get married? Has he already proposed to Rose William? That woman should not marry and give children for Andrew.

Mrs. Sonya stood up from her chair. "I believe today's meeting is over." She left the room, leaving behind the buzzing whispers of the meeting participants.

Rose William walked gracefully into the restaurant located on the rooftop of a five-star hotel. The maroon V-neck dress she wore perfectly complemented her ten-centimeter stiletto heels, making her look like a Greek goddess. She headed towards a table and immediately caught sight of a young man in a blue tuxedo smiling at her.

"Are you booking the whole restaurant again?" Rose approached her lover.

"Of course. I won't let any interruptions spoil our romantic dinner," Andrew Jonas stood up and welcomed Rose, gently kissing her cheek. He then pulled out the chair in front of her and gestured for her to sit.

"I prefer dining in public places. There are many girls stealing glances at you," Rose said.

Andrew chuckled at Rose's statement. "No other girl can divert my attention from you," he said. He picked up a wine glass and took a sip.

"I know, but I really enjoy seeing those girls look at you with hope and give me cold stares," Rose said, taking a sip of her own wine. "So, what's so important that you booked the entire restaurant just for us?"

"The night is still young, Sweetheart. Let's eat first," Andrew glanced at the waiter standing by the corner of the room, signaling him to serve the main course.

"I'm really curious," Rose said. "Do I have to wait until after dinner?"

"Your patience will be rewarded, Sweetheart," Andrew replied with a warm smile.

There was nothing Rose could do but return the warm smile. Andrew's smile was something she loved the most in the world. Andrew rarely smiled; he always seemed cold and aloof. However, no one could doubt his handsomeness. It took Rose a year to see Andrew's smile.

Rose reminisced about the night when she was first officially introduced to Andrew. Who didn't know Andrew? He wasn't a celebrity like Rose; he would never attend any parties or social events if they weren't related to the company. But Andrew's reputation was well-known among various circles in the city, from businessmen to celebrities. Being the sole heir of Jonas Enterprise, with a face and body that seemed to be sculpted to perfection, made Andrew the most wanted bachelor in the entire region.

Frida Jonas played the most significant role in bringing Rose and Andrew together. During the inauguration of one of Jonas Enterprise's shopping centers, Frida introduced Rose to her nephew.

"Andrew, this is Rose. Nick's niece," Nick William was Frida Jonas's husband. "She's a top model. Beautiful, isn't she?"

Rose distinctly remembered how Andrew only glanced at her briefly before turning his attention back to the MC hosting the event. Rose knew a lot about Andrew Jonas. No woman had succeeded in getting close to him. It was as if an impenetrable wall surrounded him, making him cold and unreachable.

For Andrew, all women were the same. Would they still approach him and swarm like flies if he wasn't the sole heir of Jonas Enterprise? That's why he chose not to get involved with any woman. He preferred to expend his energy on work and advancing the company.

"Relax, Rose," Frida whispered when she saw disappointment in Rose's face. "Auntie will help you win Andrew's heart. If there's any woman who should marry Andrew, it's you."

Frida Jonas proved her words. One year after their first meeting, Andrew invited Rose to a romantic dinner and expressed his feelings for the beautiful girl. Rose instantly became the happiest woman in the city. Newspapers and gossip columns displayed Andrew's face having dinner with Rose. Since then, every woman looked at Rose with envy, hoping to take her place.

Their relationship had been going on for almost five years. Rose followed Frida Jonas's advice on everything she needed to do to win Andrew's heart.

"Andrew likes women who are tenacious, independent, strong-willed, and smart. Those are all traits that his mother had, and he will certainly look for a woman like that to accompany him."

From then on, whenever she was with Andrew, Rose always tried to appear independent. She drove her own car, carried her shopping bags, and even cooked on her own. Occasionally, she would cook for Andrew and bring the food to his office. Gradually, these efforts made Andrew open his heart to Rose. The final step that made Andrew confident in Rose was when she expressed her intention to pursue a master's degree in communication. Andrew fully supported Rose's desire, but so far, she hadn't realized her initial plan.

"Cappelletti di Agnello con Crema di Parmigiano eTartufo, tonight's special menu." A chef approached the table and began to serve the dinner. "Cioccolato Albicocche eMenta for dessert. Mr. Andrew didn't order an appetizer."

"We should head straight to the main course as there's something important we'll discuss afterward," Andrew smiled at Rose.

"Okay then," the chef replied politely. "Please enjoy your dinner, Sir and Madam. Excuse me."

Once the chef disappeared behind the door, Andrew spoke up again. "So, are you going to apply for the master's program this month?"

Upon hearing Andrew's question, Rose nearly choked on her food. She quickly reached for the glass next to her and drank the red wine until it was gone.

"Are you okay?" Andrew looked concerned.

"I'm fine, darling," Rose said. "I have a fashion show in London a few months from now. I'm worried that if I enroll in the master's program this year, I won't have enough time."

Andrew nodded, trying to understand Rose's reason. What made him fall in love with Rose was not only her beauty but also her strong determination. Andrew was impressed when Rose expressed her desire to continue her master's degree. She said she didn't want to be a model forever. She wanted to build and run her own business. The stereotype of beautiful girls having no brains definitely did not apply to Rose.

"Are you finished with your meal?" Andrew asked, taking a napkin and gently wiping Rose's lips. "Are you impatient to taste this dessert?"

Rose shook her head. "I'm eager to hear what you're going to tell me."

Andrew remained silent for a while, gazing at Rose's face. He then reached for Rose's fingers with his right hand, while his left hand pulled out something from his tuxedo. Rose almost screamed when Andrew revealed a small velvet box and showed its contents. A ring with a large and sparkling diamond.

"Rose William, will you marry me?"

The twenty-seven-year-old girl nodded, both unbelieving and extremely happy. "Yes... Yes...!"

Andrew smiled warmly again and then took out the ring to put it on Rose's ring finger. "Marry me and give me many children."

In that instant, the happy smile vanished from Rose's face. Reflexively, she pulled her hand from Andrew's grip, making him furrow his brow and turn to look at Rose with a cold gaze.

Mrs. Sonya was sipping her chamomile tea in the living room when she saw Andrew walking past her.

"In the next few days, I will hold a press conference to announce the CEO's position transition," Andrew's steps halted upon hearing Mrs. Sonya's voice. Since the death of his parents, he had been living with his grandmother at their home. "You should bring your future wife when that time comes."

Andrew decided to approach and sit with Mrs. Sonya on the sofa instead of heading to his room to rest. He had just returned from the office, and his double-breasted suit still felt stuffy on his body. "You don't need to worry, Grandma." Andrew reached for Mrs. Sonya's hand and gently kissed its wrinkled back.

"I don't want to go against what your grandpa had wished, Andrew. You know, he didn't want anyone else but his descendants to lead this company. You are the only hope. I have been preparing you since your father's passing."

Andrew just smiled and looked at his Grandma with warmth. The only person in the world he treated with utmost respect and didn't want to hurt was this woman.

"I know it sounds silly, Andrew. But your uncles at the company seem to be planning to get rid of you." Andrew understood what Mrs. Sonya was referring to: the commotion at the shareholders' meeting a few weeks ago. The incident spread like wildfire after the meeting attended by the senior members of the Jonas family. Since then, everyone who met Andrew seemed to doubt whether this young man would be the future CEO of Jonas group.

"I told you, Grandma, you don't need to worry. I will follow everything you want." Still holding Mrs. Sonya's fingers, Andrew tried to reassure her.

"I know you won't disappoint me, Andrew."

"Of course." Andrew kissed the back of Mrs. Sonya's hand once more, and she responded by caressing Andrew's head, her only grandson.

"Well then, I want to take a shower and rest." Andrew got up from the sofa. "You should rest too, Grandma. It's already late."

"I said your wedding will take place before my seventieth birthday. You know that, Andrew?" Andrew had turned around, but his steps halted again upon hearing his Grandma's voice.

The promise Mrs. Sonya made to the shareholders to hold Andrew's wedding before her seventieth birthday had reached Andrew's ears, but hearing it directly from her still surprised him.

"Don't worry, Grandma." Andrew answered without turning towards her. He then continued his steps towards the bedroom.

Andrew tossed his suit and tie on the floor. The press conference to announce the CEO position transition would take place next week, and Grandma's birthday was less than two months away. After being rejected by Rose, Andrew was perplexed about which girl he would bring and introduce to all the shareholders as his future wife.

"Children?" Andrew still clearly remembered Rose's shocked expression when he proposed to her. "I... I haven't thought about having children, dear. Of course, I want to be your wife. Who wouldn't? But children, isn't it too soon? We're still young, dear. I still want to pursue my career in modeling."

At that moment, Andrew decided not to put the diamond ring he had prepared on Rose's finger. All that was on his mind was to get married and have children as expected by Mrs. Sonya and the shareholders to secure the company's future. If Rose didn't want to give him that, then Andrew wouldn't force it. He wouldn't push a marriage with Rose.

"Damn it!" Andrew punched the bathroom wall hard. His fingers were scraped, but he didn't show any pain.

Andrew agreed with Mrs. Sonya that the shareholders' concerns were nothing but nonsense. How absurd it was to think that Andrew wasn't qualified to take over the CEO position just because he didn't have any descendants yet. He had dedicated twenty-four hours of his life to the company. As the youngest CEO, Andrew had doubled the company's profits in five years. Couldn't they see all that and instead focused on his personal life?

Marriage was at the bottom of Andrew's priority list. He never expected that something at the bottom would suddenly rise to the top of the priorities and needed to be done immediately.

Andrew turned on the shower tap, and water droplets fell, soaking his hair and body. If marriage was what could make Mrs. Sonya peaceful and stop worrying about him, then that's what he would do. If marriage could make Mrs. Sonya rest at home without being busy with the company, then that's what Andrew would do. If having children was the solution to all these problems, then that's what he would give. With Rose or any other woman, he seemed not to care.