CHAPTER 2: The BILLIONAIRE'S DILEMMA

Damien Sterling occupied his modern, towering office, the Manhattan skyline spreading out in front of him in a stunning display of illumination. The glass walls mirrored the atmosphere in the room, his reflection calm and composed as usual. A multimillion-dollar merger faced imminent failure due to an unexpected scandal at its center—one that prominently involved his name and Ava Rossi’s in the headlines.

Damien exhaled softly, running his fingers through his neatly styled dark hair. He had managed scandals previously—speculations about cutthroat business tactics, corporate sabotage, and even murmurs regarding how he had obliterated rivals without a second thought. But this? A supposed whirlwind romance with a struggling artist he had only met once at a gala?

This represented a fresh degree of absurdity.

He sat in his office with glass walls, towering over the city skyline, fingers interlaced as he gazed at the newest headline illuminating his computer screen

“Billionaire Bachelor Off the Market? Mysterious Artist Ava Rossi Caught in a Private Moment with Damien Sterling!”

Damien exhaled sharply. His jaw clenched as he scrolled through the article, the speculation growing more absurd with every paragraph. The media had spun a simple interaction into a full-blown romance. Investors were already calling, their concerns as predictable as they were frustrating.

A discreet cough pulled him from his thoughts. “Sir, we have a problem,” his assistant, Emily Vale, announced as she stepped into the office.

“No kidding.”

Damien reclined in his chair, his jaw clenching. “Share with me information that I'm not aware of.”

“Sir, your board members are concerned,” Emily said “The board is getting antsy,” Graham said. “The merger with Kingston Industries is at a delicate stage. Investors want reassurance that your… ‘relationship drama’ won’t destabilize negotiations.”

Damien pinched the bridge of his nose. The Kingston merger was the culmination of years of strategy, a multi-billion-dollar deal that would cement Sterling Enterprises as an industry titan. He couldn’t afford distractions.

“And Julian Vance is making it worse.” Emily stated.

Damien's gaze grew somber at the mention of Julian. The man was a leech, constantly seeking a chance to sabotage him. “What has he done this time?”

Emily sighed. “He’s been feeding the media stories—implying that you’re distracted, that your… relationship with Ava Rossi is proof that you’re losing focus.

He’s depicting you as irresponsible, asserting that this controversy reveals you’re choosing emotional decisions over strategic ones.

Damien breathed out slowly, clutching the glass desk more firmly. Julian had been a point of annoyance for him for years. Their competition wasn’t solely about business—it was emotional. They had started in the same circles, two prodigies in the world of finance and acquisitions.

As Damien built his empire through meticulous strategy and control, Julian chose a harsher and more deceptive method

This merger—the acquisition of Arcadia Industries—was intended to be Damien's greatest achievement, solidifying his reputation as a force in the business world. However, due to Julian's interference and the media frenzy around Ava, everything was at risk. Emily continued, “Julian’s not just spreading rumors. He’s actively meeting with key investors, trying to sway them. If he persuades a sufficient number of them to withdraw, he might be able to set himself up to present a counter-offer.

"This isn't just intended to embarrass you—it's a tactical choice."

Damien's expression remained unreadable, but inside him, his fury burned cold. Julian Vance had been a constant nuisance for years, hovering around his transactions like a hawk, perpetually seeking a vulnerability to take advantage of. This controversy was precisely the type of chance Vance flourished with.

"What is our next step?" Damien asked, his voice like steel.

Emily hesitated. "Sir, to dispel the rumors, you require a solid plan."

"You must manage the story," Emily responded. “The media thinks Ava is your girlfriend. We either refute it completely, or we lean into it and turn the story to your advantage.”

He knew what she meant. A carefully curated statement wouldn’t be enough. The board didn’t just want damage control; they wanted certainty. Stability. And nothing signaled stability more than an official commitment.

His gaze flicked back to the headline.

Ava Rossi.

Damien exhaled sharply. He had no patience for games. His instinct was to shut this down immediately—deny any connection to Ava and move forward. But a denial wouldn’t erase the headlines, and it certainly wouldn’t silence Julian. In fact, it would only make him dig deeper.

A different thought surfaced, one he usually wouldn’t entertain. If the media wanted a story… why not give them one? But on his terms.

“What if we don’t refute it?” Damien mused, his gaze fixed on the skyline. “What if we make it work in our favor?”

Emily hesitated. “You mean… go along with it?”

Damien’s mind was already calculating, analyzing every angle. “If investors are worried I’m distracted, we turn this into an advantage. A controlled narrative. A calculated engagement—something that shows stability and commitment. A relationship that isn’t a liability but an asset.”

Emily was silent for a moment before she chuckled. “You’re serious?”

“When have I ever not been?” Damien replied coolly.

“Do you think Ava will agree?”

Damien smirked. “She won’t have much of a choice.”

The assistant sighed. "Okay, sir, but if you plan to proceed with this, we must handle it cautiously." A fleeting romance is one matter, but getting engaged? That’s a whole different level.”

Damien leaned forward, his mind already strategizing. “Then let’s make it believable.”

“Get me Ava Rossi’s number,” he said, his voice cold and decisive.

Emily nodded, her expression unreadable. “I’ll have her contact information in some minutes.”

Ava Rossi. The woman who had unwillingly been thrown into this chaos. He had barely spoken to her, and now she was about to become the key to winning this battle.

Did Julian want to play dirty? Fine. Damien would show him exactly why no one outmaneuvered a Sterling.

As she left, Damien leaned back in his chair, his mind already steps ahead.

Within some minutes, his phone buzzed. It was a message from his assistant, sending Ava’s number.

With a measured grin, he grabbed his phone and called Ava’s number.

It was the moment to present her with an offer she simply couldn't decline