Chapter 2: The Billionaire's Condition

Aurora's breath stuck in her throat.

What... what did you say?

Richard could not meet his daughter's terrified eyes.

If you'll marry Alexander, he'll pay off all debts," I said.

A sharp laugh escaped Aurora's lips.

"No."

She shook her head.

Oh this is not a joke.

"It isn't a joke."

He wouldn't want something like that.

"Alexander would never-"

"He did."

Richard's voice cracked.

"If he came to me he had one condition."

Aurora took several steps backward until her back hit the wall.

"This doesn't make any sense."

I have known him "from his childhood.

"He's your best friend."

I don't know why, but I call him Uncle Alex.

Why should he ask me to marry him?

Richard put his head down.

"I don't know."

That was just what made her even angrier.

"You don't know?"

For more than 20 years, he's been your friend!

You would expect me to accept that you don't know why he would all a sudden want your daughter as his wife?

Richard gripped his hands into fists.

"Why'd you ask him the same question?"

"And?"

He didn't say anything about it.

There was a stillness between them.

Aurora's chest was moving up and down in quick succession.

"No."

"I'm not doing it."

Richard nodded slowly.

"I understand."

There was a grimace on Aurora's face that was followed by a smile.

"Let's think of another way."

"There isn't anything else."

His words broke her hope.

Richard went to his desk and retrieved a folder.

He gave it to her.

"Read it."

Her fingers shook open it.

Each page made her heart sink lower.

Bank statements.

Court notices.

Debt agreements.

Property seizures.

Company liquidation orders.

Each one of them had one horrid figure.

**$3,184,000,000**

Her vision blurred.

"This..."

"...this can't be real."

"It is."

"We've lost everything."

Aurora swallowed hard.

"Our house?"

Richard nodded.

"Well, the bank will do it next week."

"The company?"

"Gone."

"My university tuition?"

Richard gazed at the floor.

I'm not sure how I will pay it.

Aurora then shut the folder.

She finally understood.

Her father did not want her to marry Alexander.

He was claiming that this is the only way.

Just then...

The front gate buzzer sounded in the silent house.

Richard stiffened.

"They're early."

Aurora frowned.

"Who?"

He glanced at the front window.

"Alexander."

Her heartbeat stopped.

"What?"

He has announced that he will arrive this afternoon.

Before Aurora could object the front door opened.

The butler hurried inside.

Sir, Mr. Kingsley is here, sir.

It was instinctive for Aurora to head towards the entrance.

The sound of heavy feet was heard on the marble floor.

Slow.

Measured.

Confident.

Then he appeared.

Alexander Kingsley.

Six-foot-three.

Wearing a perfect charcoal suit.

His hair was perfectly trimmed, and the tinge of silver around his temples lent a touch of elegance to his appearance.

His features were sharp and could not be read.

There was something unusual today, though.

He looked... exhausted.

Like he did not have a sleep.

He spotted Aurora immediately, her dark eyes.

For a fleeting instant...

The room disappeared.

Both were silent.

Alexander was the first to speak.

"Richard."

Richard nodded.

"Alex."

Both the friends looked at each other.Both the two friends looked at each other.

Neither looked comfortable.

Then Alexander looked to Aurora.

He spoke in a voice of reason.

"Hello, Aurora."

She tried to respond.

"...Hello."

No "Uncle Alex."

No smile.

The missing title didn't escape his notice.

A glint of pain briefly lit up his face before it was replaced by his usual reserved look.

I suppose you've been told by Richard.

Aurora's arm folded across her chest, tightly.

"He has."

"And?"

Do you mean to say you'd like me to marry you?

Alexander didn't answer immediately.

Instead he looked right into her eyes.

"I expect nothing."

He was all too still and she did not like it.

You made my dad an offer he couldn't refuse.

I suggested a solution to him.

"A solution?"

She laughed bitterly.

"Marrying his daughter is a solution?"

I think of it as protection," he says.

Her brow furrowed.

"Protection from what?"

Alexander pulled out a second file from his pocket and set it on the coffee table.

"Read it."

Aurora reluctantly opened it, and there was a heart inside.

Her face went as white as a sheet of death.

Photographs.

Pictures of strange men standing outside their house.

Pictures of her strolling through her university campus.

Security reports.

Vehicle license plates.

Phone records.

There had been someone in the house, watching her.

"What is this?"

The people that Richard is indebted to.

"Now they're not so concerned about the cash."

Her stomach tightened.

"They're interested..."

Alexander's jaw clenched.

"...claiming to use you in order to make your father pay."

Richard shut his eyes, feeling shamed.

Aurora felt sick.

"So..."

Alexander continued.

As soon as you are my wife...

They miss all the chances of touching you.

"No one wants to go to war against Alexander Kingsley for nothing."

The room was filled with silence.

Aurora finally understood.

This wasn't only about money.

It was a matter of life and death.

Alexander stepped closer.

Not enough to penetrate her space.

Just enough so that she could hear his voice's sincerity.

I will never make you do anything that you don't want to do.

If you answer NO, continue reading.If you say NO, read on.

"Still I will defend you."

I will still see to it that no one harms your father.

Richard raised his eyes in astonishment.

"Alex..."

Alexander raised a hand, stopping him.

But, if you will be my wife..."

I'll shove you off your behind one more time.

His eyes never strayed from Aurora's.

There will be no more days you'll have to ask yourself if you're safe.

Aurora scanned his face.

For arrogance.

For greed.

For desire.

She found none.

Only quiet determination.

But there was one thing on her mind.

"Why me?"

Alexander's expression faltered.

The billionaire was at his most vulnerable since he stepped into the room.

He opened his mouth.

Then he closed it up.

"I..."

Before he could answer, his phone rang.

Ethan Cole's name appeared on the screen.

Alexander answered immediately.

"What happened?"

His expression darkened.

"When?"

Another pause.

He turned his gaze to Richard.

Then Aurora.

His voice became hard.

"Double the security."

Nobody is allowed to go anywhere in Whitmore Villa without my permission.

He ended the call.

Aurora's pulse quickened.

"What happened?"

Then Alexander put the phone back in his pocket.Alexander put the phone back in his pocket.

"Men who threatened your father this morning."

He paused.

He said he had just been "kidnapped" by the accountant of Daniel Brooks.

Aurora frowned.

What does that have to do with us?

Alexander glared at her.

"Everything."

"Well, my security team says it's because of '.',"

Next up, they're coming for you.