Chapter 2: The Billionaire’s Proposal

Amelia tightened her grip on her phone.

For a moment, she thought she had heard wrong.

Ethan Blackwood?

The Ethan Blackwood?

Everyone in the city knew that name.

He was one of the youngest billionaires in the country, the CEO of Blackwood Holdings, and a man whose influence extended far beyond business.

More importantly…

He was Ryan Sullivan’s uncle.

“Is this some kind of joke?” Amelia asked.

“It isn’t.”

His voice was calm and deep.

The kind of voice that naturally commanded attention.

Amelia wiped away her tears.

“What do you want?”

“I’d prefer to discuss it in person.”

She almost laughed.

An hour ago, she had been a bride.

Now a billionaire she had never spoken to before was asking to meet her.

The day couldn’t get any stranger.

“I’m not interested.”

She was about to hang up when Ethan spoke again.

“Your grandfather left you sixty percent of Carter Technologies.”

Amelia froze.

“How do you know that?”

“Because Ryan isn’t the only person interested in your company.”

A chill ran through her body.

“What do you mean?”

Ethan paused.

“Meet me, Amelia.”

The way he said her name made her stomach tighten.

“One conversation. That’s all I’m asking.”

Amelia hesitated.

Every instinct told her to walk away.

But another part of her needed answers.

“Where?”

“I’ll send the address.”

The call ended.

Seconds later, a message appeared.

A private lounge on the top floor of Blackwood Grand Hotel.

Amelia stared at the screen.

She should go home.

She should lock herself in her room and cry until she had no tears left.

Instead, she hailed a taxi.

⸻

Twenty minutes later, she stepped out of the elevator.

The entire floor was silent.

Luxurious.

Exclusive.

A receptionist immediately approached her.

“Miss Carter?”

Amelia nodded.

“This way.”

She was led through a pair of double doors.

The moment she entered, her footsteps slowed.

A man stood beside the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.

Tall.

Broad shoulders.

Perfectly tailored black suit.

His hands rested casually in his pockets.

When he turned around, Amelia forgot how to breathe.

Photos didn’t do him justice.

He was devastatingly handsome.

Sharp jawline.

Dark hair.

Piercing eyes that seemed capable of seeing through every lie.

This was Ethan Blackwood.

The billionaire who rarely appeared in public.

The man countless women dreamed about.

And somehow, he was looking directly at her.

“Miss Carter.”

He gestured toward a chair.

“Please sit.”

Amelia remained standing.

“You wanted to talk.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

Straight to the point.

He liked that.

“I heard about what happened today.”

Embarrassment flooded her face.

The entire city would probably know by morning.

“I’m not looking for sympathy.”

“Good.”

His answer surprised her.

“Because I don’t offer sympathy.”

Amelia frowned.

Then why was she here?

Ethan walked toward the table and placed a folder in front of her.

“Open it.”

Reluctantly, she did.

The first page made her blood run cold.

They were financial reports.

Internal company documents.

Emails.

Property records.

Evidence.

Lots of evidence.

“What is this?”

“Proof.”

Her heart pounded.

“Proof of what?”

Ethan’s expression hardened.

“Ryan Sullivan has been planning to take control of your company.”

Amelia’s eyes widened.

“No.”

“He intended to marry you, gain access to your shares, and slowly force you out of ownership.”

Every word felt like another knife.

The worst part?

She believed him.

Because she had already seen Ryan’s true face.

“Why are you showing me this?”

Ethan sat across from her.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Then he said something unexpected.

“Because I dislike dishonest people.”

Amelia almost laughed.

That couldn’t be the only reason.

“You brought me here for more than that.”

His gaze met hers.

Sharp.

Unwavering.

Dangerous.

“You’re right.”

The room suddenly felt smaller.

Ethan folded his hands.

“I have a proposal.”

There it was.

The reason she had been summoned.

Amelia swallowed hard.

“What kind of proposal?”

His answer came without hesitation.

“Marry me.”

Silence.

Complete silence.

Amelia blinked once.

Twice.

Then she stared at him.

“I’m sorry?”

“Marry me.”

Her mouth opened.

Then closed.

Then opened again.

This had to be a dream.

A very strange dream.

Only a few hours ago she had walked away from one wedding.

Now another man was proposing.

A billionaire.

Her ex-fiancé’s uncle.

“You’ve lost your mind.”

To her surprise, Ethan laughed softly.

The sound transformed his face.

Made him look younger.

More human.

“I assure you, my mind is perfectly intact.”

Amelia pushed the folder away.

“This is insane.”

“It is practical.”

“Practical?”

“You need protection.”

The word irritated her immediately.

“I can protect myself.”

“I know.”

His gaze softened slightly.

“That’s one of the reasons I chose you.”

Chosen.

The word made her heart skip.

Amelia quickly looked away.

She wasn’t falling for a handsome face.

Not again.

“What exactly do you get out of this arrangement?”

Ethan stood.

For the first time, uncertainty flickered across his expression.

Just for a second.

Then it disappeared.

“You’ll know when the time is right.”

Amelia narrowed her eyes.

That wasn’t an answer.

But before she could press further, Ethan slid a document toward her.

A contract.

At the very top were three words.

Marriage Agreement.

Her pulse quickened.

“This is crazy.”

“Perhaps.”

He looked directly into her eyes.

“But tell me, Amelia.”

His voice dropped lower.

“What better revenge is there than becoming Mrs. Blackwood?”

Amelia’s breath caught.

For the first time that night, she found herself speechless.