Chapter 2

If I was wrong about Helton James Blake’s intentions, the worst that could happen was I’d embarrass myself. That was nothing compared to what was at stake.

But if I didn’t try—and my mother’s condition worsened, or worse… I’d regret it for the rest of my life. I exhaled sharply, forcing my shaky legs to push me upright.

That’s it. I’d made my choice.

Pulling out my phone, I searched for the address of Blake Enterprises. I’d been there once or twice before, back when Dexter would take me out for lunch at the high-end restaurants near his brother’s office. I didn’t remember the exact address. At least I knew Helton James wasn’t out of the country.

I glanced down at my outfit: a simple black dress, the same one I’d worn earlier at my father’s funeral. My hair was still tied in a low bun, strands falling loose from hours of exhaustion.

I looked like a grieving woman, which I was. I was mourning my father, the life I thought I would have, the man I thought loved me, and the security I believed in. Now, I had nothing except this one insane, desperate plan.

Thirty minutes later, the towering glass building of Blake Enterprises loomed before me, its sharp edges piercing the dawn sky.

The city was still asleep. Streets nearly deserted. But this place—this empire Helton James built with his own hands—was already awake at four in the morning.

A few luxury cars gleamed under the streetlights.

I inhaled deeply, steeling myself. I probably wouldn’t see him right away. CEOs don’t stroll into work at four in the morning. But I had no choice. I’d leave my number with the receptionist and pray Helton James agreed to meet me. There was no way I could ask Dexter for his brother’s number. Not now.

I pushed through the heavy glass doors and stepped into the lobby.

The receptionist—a well-dressed woman in her late twenties—looked up, eyes widening.

“Are you Miss Zenith?”

I frowned. “You know me?”

She hesitated, then nodded. “Ah, yes. Sir told me to send you up.”

My heart stopped.

Wild.

I stared at her, pulse hammering in my ears. Had he expected my arrival? No. That wasn’t possible. How would he know?

My hands curled into fists. My heartbeat raced. The receptionist smiled and handed me a key card.

“Take the elevator to the twenty-seventh floor. He’s expecting you.”

I nodded slowly, forcing myself to act normal as I took the card and walked toward the elevator. My mind spiraled. Was this a coincidence? Had he expected me to come? Or did he somehow know I needed money for my mother’s bypass?

Ridiculous. He wouldn’t… I swallowed hard and stepped into the empty elevator, shaking off the thought.

The doors slid shut. I pressed my back against the cold metal wall. Calm down. Keep it together.

I tapped the key card against the panel. The elevator hummed, carrying me higher. The air felt thinner the higher I climbed.

Twenty-fifth floor. Twenty-sixth. Twenty-seventh.

A soft chime echoed, and the doors glided open. Only one office here. A massive double-door entrance at the end of the dim hallway.

A man stood just outside it, posture straight, typing at a laptop. Helton James’s secretary?

As soon as he saw me, he stood and gestured toward the doors. “Sir is waiting for you, Miss Francia.” He smiled and opened the door.

I stepped inside, gaze immediately landing on the man behind the desk.

Helton James Blake sat in a massive leather chair, flipping through a file as if he hadn’t just called me here before I came.

His dark eyes flicked up, locking onto mine. The man was unfairly attractive.

He looked unbothered, composed. His expensive suit was perfectly fitted, the top button of his shirt undone, revealing a glimpse of tattoos peeking from his collar.

The picture-perfect CEO.

And I was frozen in front of him.

“Good morning,” he said smoothly, his deep voice steady.

The last time we spoke, I’d been drinking—so it hadn’t felt like this. And before that, our brief encounters hadn’t been conversations at all.

I took a breath, forcing down my nerves. “Morning.”

“Have a seat,” he said.

I did, trying to keep my posture straight and confident despite the storm inside me.

“Tea or coffee?”

“Neither. I’m fine.”

Helton James frowned slightly, then picked up the telecom. “Send in a pumpkin spice latte.”

My body froze. How did he know my favorite drink?

He leaned back, watching me with something close to amusement. “Don’t think too much. Dexter talks a lot about you.”

My stomach twisted. Hearing my ex-fiancé’s name felt like a punch to the ribs. I refused to show it. Instead, I kept my gaze on Helton James.

“You know what he did, don’t you?”

He smirked. “I warned you, didn’t I? He isn’t husband material.”

I clenched my fists, ignoring the remark for now. “Why do you dislike him?”

His smirk didn’t fade. “Dislike, not hate. He’s spoiled. Daddy’s little treasure. Never suffered a day in his life. Never had to fight for anything. Thinks with his head, but not the one on his shoulders.”

He gestured toward himself.

I bit my tongue, feeling the urge to argue. But… I had seen it with my own eyes. Dexter was exactly what Helton James described.

“After all,” Helton James continued, “if he had any brains, he wouldn’t have fumbled someone like you.”

A sharp, hot sensation crawled up my spine.

This was it. My opening.

I lifted my chin. “I have an offer for you.”

His eyes flickered with interest.

“Marry me. Give me enough money to save my mother. In return, I’ll give you a wife on paper—and a way to make your little brother a laughingstock.”

For the first time, Helton James froze.

I watched him lean back, studying me. Then, his lips curved. “You’re pretty straightforward. I expected you to take more time to come around.”

My fingers dug into my lap. “I don’t have time for that. My mother needs emergency bypass surgery. Are you willing to help me, or not?”

I was probably glaring at him now.

A moment of silence stretched between us.

Then — “If I say no, will you go back and ask Dexter for money?”

A wry smile spread across my face. “He’s the only member of the Blake family I can turn to,” I said, my voice laced with something dangerous. “After all, I know Daddy Blake has certain… tendencies toward girls half his age.”

I was pushing my limits, riding a dangerous, reckless hunch. Helton James Blake was interested in me.