CHAPTER 3

By morning Sophia had completely made up her mind. She didn't need days or options she needed things to be in control.

"Cancel all non-essential meetings." Her voice was calm and precise as she walked into the conference room.

Executives straightened immediately, conversations dying mid-sentence.

"Reschedule the board review. Postpone the acquisition call till tomorrow."

No one questioned them, as they never did, because when Sophia Ashford spoke, things had to move.

"Miss Ashford," one of the senior directors hesitated, "the investors..."

"Will wait." Two words, flat and final.

The man swallowed and nodded.

Minutes later she stood alone in the elevator, glass walls reflecting her image at her from every angle. She looked perfect in her head there was a plan unfolding.

'They wanted to choose her husband, they thought they could trap her using marriage as a leash.'

Sophia smiled faintly. 'If they wanted a husband she would give them one just not the one they expected.'

"Mr Thomas."

"Yes, miss Ashford."

"I want a full report on every branch manager and their immediate family."

Mr Thomas looked at her surprised because that was unusual.

"Any specific criteria?"

Sophia stepped out of the elevator, heels clicking against marble as employees instinctively moved aside.

"Yes." Her eyes hardened slightly.

"Someone with no connection to my family."

"Understood."

"And ..." she added, her tone sharpening just a fraction, " ... someone who they cannot control."

Mr Thomas studied her for a brief moment then nodded.

"I'll have some options ready within the hour."

But Sophia didn't want to wait an hour. She never did.

~~~

The factory floor was loud and alive with machines humming, metal clanging, workers moving with practiced precision. It was chaos down there but it was organized and everything and everyone was under control. This and everything her family wasn't.

Sophia stepped onto the floor unannounced, her presence slicing through the noise like a blade. Conversations halting, movements slowing down, every eye following her, suddenly the whispers started. She ignored all of it hee gaze moving methodically across the space scanning and assessing.

That was when she saw him, he was standing near the center of the floor issuing instructions to a group of workers.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Commanding without trying.

His voice cut cleanly through the noise not loud but firm and clear. The workers listened not because they had to but because they respected him.

Sophia stopped walking. And for the first time that morning, she was stunned.

There was something about him. He turned slightly and their eyes met. The world didn't stop but something shifted.

His gaze didn't drop, didn't falter, didn't react the way everyone else always did.

No atom of fear or surprise, just awareness.

Sophia felt the spark but then he looked away just like that dismissing her.

Something inside her tightened. 'Interesting,' she thought.

"Who is he?" She asked.

Mr Thomas followed her line of sight.

"David Kane," he said after a moment. "A contractor who oversees operations in this branch when needed."

"And his background?"

"Thirty-two years. No criminal record. Father is deceased. Lives with his mother and younger sister."

Sophia watched as David spoke again, gesturing with quick efficient movements.

He looked competent and confident. He was perfect.

"Call him to my office," she said.

Mr Thomas blinked. "Now?"

Sophia's lips curved slightly. "Yes."

~~~

Some minutes later, the office door opened. David Kane walked without hesitation or permission, he wasn't nervous.

He didn't try to impress her he just looked at her.

Up close he was more striking. Dark hair, sharp jawline, eyes that were too steady and clear.

Sophia leaned back in her chair crossing one leg over the other studying him.

"I believe you're aware of who I am," she said. It wasn't a question.

"Yes." His voice was calm, unaffected.

No ma'am or forced respect.

Sophia smiled faintly.

"I've reviewed your work," she continued. "You're efficient."

"Thank you." Still no emotions or reaction.

Most men would have already been trying to impress her, to please her so as to gain something. But he wasn't most men.

"I have a proposition for you."

That got his attention. Not much but she noticed the shift.

"What kind of preposition?" He asked.

She leaned forward slightly her gaze locking into his.

"A marriage proposal."

For a second everything stopped. David blinked slowly.

"I'm sorry," he said, his tone still calm but edged now. "What?"

Sophia didn't repeat her word but she didn't soften it either.

"I need a husband," she said. "And you fit into the criteria."

His jaw tightened. "This is a joke."

"No." The word came out cold.

Sophia reached for a folder on her desk and slid it towards him.

"A contract," she said. "Three years. You play the role of my husband. Public appearances. Family events."

David didn't touch it, nor did he look at it. His eyes stayed on her, looking hard.

"And in return?" He asked.

Sophia smirked. "Financial security, more money than you'll make in ten years. Your family will be taken care of. Every pending debt will be cleared."

Still, David didn't move.

"You think you can buy people," he said quietly.

Sophia tilted her head slightly. "No," she corrected. "I think everything has a price and yours is simply higher than most."

The tension in the room thickened. David let out a short humourless breath.

"You don't know anything about me."

"No," Sophia said calmly. " But I know enough.

His eyes narrowed. " And what exactly do you think you know?"

Sophia leaned back again completely at ease.

"That you need this more than you want to admit."

"That hit a spot, she saw it but it was gone as quickly as it came.

"You are wrong," he turns towards the door. "Find someone else." His hand reached the handle...

"Your mother's medical bills," Sophia said quietly. He stopped but didn't turn or move.

"Your sister's school fees," she continued her voice still calm. "The mortgage you're struggling to keep up with."

The silence was heavy. "I can solve all of it," she concluded.

Slowly he turned back. His eyes were different now, darker.

"Don't," he said.

Sophia held his gaze unmoved.

"Think carefully," she replied.

There was a long pause before he walked back to the desk and picked up the contract. He didn't sit he just looked through the document. The room suddenly felt tight and small like something irreversible was about to happen.

Finally, he spoke...

"If I say yes," he said slowly. "This stays exactly what it is. A contract."

Sophia's brow lifted slightly. "Of course." She said smiling.

He placed the contract back down not signed yet.

"I'll think about it." He turned again and walked out.

This time Sophia didn't stop him. She simply watched the door close. Her tapped finger once against the desk.

'Would he come back?' she thought to herself. But she had seen the moment of hesitation.

'He would come back she told herself.'