Chapter 4

I turned away, not even bothering to give Ronan another look, and grabbed my bag to head downstairs.

The sharp clack of my heels on the steps sounded crisp and final, every step acting as a quiet farewell.

It didn't take long for Ronan to come down, dressed to the nines as he slid into the driver's seat.

I glanced over at him. Crisp black suit, polished leather shoes, and hair neatly gelled into place, looking completely put together.

His eyes were locked on the road, keeping his hands steady on the wheel.

When the silence stretched out, he snuck a few quick glances my way before finally breaking the quiet.

“Peyton, are you still doubting me?”

I turned my head to face Ronan, letting him keep going.

“I told you already. Alexis and I aren't what you think.”

He kept one eye on me from his peripheral vision, calmly gauging my reaction.

I rubbed my temples and kept my voice soft.

“Ronan, I’ve just been on the road for so long. I’m really tired.”

The moment I gave him an excuse, the tension in his shoulders eased slightly, and he gave a small nod.

Still, a faint thread of suspicion lingered in his eyes.

I had zero intention of dwelling on that, so I shifted the topic right to work.

“Ronan, you’ve been at the company for two years now. Have you thought about making a move?”

I dropped the hint without elaborating.

Hearing that, Ronan's eyes lit up instantly, and the grin on his face finally looked real.

“Peyton, I’ve been stuck as department manager for over a year. If I get promoted to director, I’ll get twenty days of paid leave. Then we can go anywhere you want, domestic or international.”

Maybe the salary for a department director wasn't enough to satisfy him, because he shook his head and kept spitballing.

“Actually, a regional director would be even better. That’s a hundred and fifty grand a year. I could buy you all those designer bags you love.”

Clearly, even a regional position wasn't his ultimate target. He stared at me with burning ambition.

“Peyton, give me a sneak peek. Am I being bumped up to the managing director of the subsidiary?”

I almost snorted out loud. The absolute nerve of this guy.

Even with my family's backing, I wouldn't dream of making a shameless jump like that. Ronan was riding on my coattails, lacking both sales numbers and basic talent, yet he expected to land an executive title? In his dreams.

I stayed quiet. Taking my silence as confirmation, he started humming a tune, practically floating behind the wheel.

When we pulled up to The Velvet Room, Ronan headed over to talk to the valet while I slipped ahead to the front desk, sliding a thick manila envelope straight into my tote.

…

At six o'clock sharp, my parents and Ronan's parents walked into the private dining room back-to-back.

Ronan jumped up immediately, putting on his best dutiful-son-in-law impression.

“Hi Mr. and Mrs. West, it's so good to see you.”

His parents started chatting with me about work and life, keeping the mood perfectly warm and harmonious.

Over dinner, my parents looked at the two of us with huge smiles, launching into their usual speech.

“Peyton, you’re not getting any younger. It’s time to start taking the next big step in life.”

Ronan didn't interrupt, but he stared at me with expectant, hungry eyes.

I just smiled and kept my mouth shut.

My dad pulled a document out of his briefcase and placed it carefully on the table.

“Ronan, we’ve seen how well you've treated Peyton all these years. You really are a great kid, and we want to make sure you’re taken care of. This is an equity transfer agreement. The moment you and Peyton tie the knot, these shares will be officially transferred under your name.”