Chapter 9

Outside, Josh happens to see Laura leaving Chris’s office. His jaw drops. He quickly follows her with his eyes before rushing into Chris’s office.

“Tell me my eyes aren’t deceiving me. That was the CEO of Lovelies, wasn’t it?” he asks as he drops into the chair opposite Chris.

Chris gives a small nod.

“Oh my god! I’ve always wanted to meet her, but she came to see you? Twice!”

“Is that why you’re here in the middle of the day?” Chris mutters, irritation lacing his tone.

“What did you do to make her look so mad?” Josh presses.

“I asked her to marry me,” Chris answers casually.

Josh shoots to his feet. “What?! Are you insane? Everyone knows she’s engaged!”

“I know,” Chris says evenly.

“Then why would you… Wait—don’t tell me you still like her?” Josh accuses.

Chris hurls a book at him.

Josh dodges. “Fine, fine! Then what—revenge? Because she looked down on you back in the day?”

“I just need someone to get Mum off my back,” Chris says at last.

“You could have any woman you want! Why her? Why someone who’s already taken?”

“Mother won’t approve of just anyone,” Chris mutters under his breath.

Josh narrows his eyes. “Well, you better hurry then. If you really don’t want Mira, I heard she made an announcement online about your relationship.”

Chris freezes briefly, then snatches Laura’s untouched coffee cup and downs it in one gulp before Josh can.

“What a stingy man,” Josh grumbles.

Chris ignores him. “Aren’t you a CEO? Don’t you have work to do? If you need something, go through my secretary. I’m busy.”

Josh throws his hands up, exasperated, while Chris buries himself back in his files, his face unreadable.

Laura stands tall in front of everyone as she announces the partnership with TK Company

. The boardroom falls silent.

Eyes widen, mouths part—everyone is dumbfounded, staring at her in disbelief.

“What is going on? How did you convince them to give us the deal?” one of the directors demands impatiently.

Laura smiles faintly. “Why do you all look disappointed after hearing such great news? Isn’t this something to celebrate?”

“Of course we’re happy,” another director answers, “but we still don’t agree you should remain as president. A man should handle this position.”

“You said that was the only condition. Why are you changing your words now?” Laura snaps, her voice firm.

Tony leans forward, his tone sharp.

“This doesn’t mean you’re capable of running the company. Especially not if you keep funding your mother’s dream with company money.”

Laura slams her palm against the table. “Lovelies’ Family Package is part of this company—it’s not just my mom’s dream!”

“Then let’s vote,” Tony says coldly.

“We’ll decide if we keep that dead project or cut it completely.”

Laura straightens her shoulders, her voice cutting through the room. “There’s no need for that. I called this meeting for two reasons: first, to announce the contract. Second, to tell you we will no longer be using company funds for the project.”

Gasps ripple around the table. Even Clara looks shocked.

“And why is that?” someone asks.

“That’s all you need to know,” Laura says, her tone final. Then she drops her last bombshell. “Lastly, I’m getting married this weekend. If you’re not too busy, you’re welcome to attend.”

The room freezes in stunned silence. Laura strides out, heels clicking against the floor, leaving everyone behind in disbelief.

“What do you mean you’re getting married?” Nicolas runs after her, trying to catch up.

Laura ignores him, quickening her pace.

“Sister, wait!” Nicholas calls again, but she slams the office door in his face.

A moment later, Clara enters Laura’s office, her face pale with shock. She hesitates before asking, “You’re… getting married?”

“It turns out that way,” Laura replies flatly.

“What about Mr. Avan? Does he know?” Clara presses.

“I’m sure he knows—or maybe he’ll find out at the wedding,” Laura says with a shrug. Her phone buzzes with a call from one of her uncles. She stares at it, then hangs up.

Turning back to Clara, her voice becomes brisk. “Someone will contact you about the preparations. All you need to do is find the venue, the time, and pick up a wedding dress for me.”

Clara’s face hardens, bitterness flashing in her eyes.

“Make sure it’s beautiful—and expensive,” Laura adds before dismissing her.

When Clara leaves, Laura stares at her computer screen, but for a long minute, she can’t focus. Her decision weighs on her chest.

Last night, after finishing late at work, Avan called to say he was waiting at her house. She rushed home, letting him inside.

“You changed your passcode?” he asked as he sat on the couch. Laura brought him water without replying.

“Why didn’t you call first? And when did you get here?” she asked coldly, sitting beside him.

“I’m sorry about last time,” Avan said instead.

Laura sipped her water in silence. She wanted to bring up Chris, but the anger of Avan’s absence when she needed him still burned.

“I said I’m sorry. I also heard about the company issue,” he continued.

Laura turned to him sharply.

“What exactly are you sorry for?”

“For everything—neglecting you, getting angry. I’ve just been busy,” he explained.

“Too busy to call? It feels like we only see each other in words,” she muttered.

“I told you, I’ve been busy. And I warned you not to hire Nicholas, but you insisted—and now look at the mess,” Avan said, irritation creeping into his voice.

“Let’s get married,” Laura said suddenly, her eyes locking onto his.

Avan froze, stunned by her words. “What? Laura, now isn’t the right time. You need to think about the company—”

But inside, he thought of his promise to Clara. He could never truly marry Laura. He was only supposed to trick her into letting go of the company.

Laura watched him fumble for excuses for the third time. Disappointment stabbed her chest.

“Then let’s break up,” she said quietly.

“No,” Avan said quickly, panic flickering in his eyes.

“How about this—we hold a small celebration first, then register the marriage after everything with the company is settled. I’ll give you the wedding you’ve always dreamed of, I promise.”

“Let’s not meet again,” Laura cut him off, rising to open the door.

She once dreamed of the day he’d propose, but now she realized he never intended to marry her. Chris’s impulsive marriage offer, even if meant to spite her, made her heart skip in a way Avan never did. She blinked back tears.

From that day, calls flooded in. Relatives phoned to confirm the wedding.

Some congratulated her, others promised to attend.