Chapter 5: Marry Me

Although Alexander’s question was phrased interrogatively, his delivery carried the absolute certainty of a statement.

It was abundantly clear that he’d already determined with complete conviction that Emma was indeed the woman from that evening.

Emma was rendered momentarily speechless, stumbling backward involuntarily. Her complexion drained of all pigmentation as she stared at him in shock. Once her cognitive faculties gradually reengaged, she experienced a peculiar sensation—as though an immense burden she’d been shouldering had finally, mercifully lifted.

Of course.

She’d been foolishly deceiving herself, imagining that without providing identifying information, no one could possibly locate her.

But this was Alexander Sinclair. The Savoy was a luxury property within the Sinclair family’s extensive hospitality portfolio. If he genuinely wished to investigate, reviewing surveillance footage would be child’s play.

Now that the truth had emerged, Emma possessed no viable alternative except admission.

Her countenance flushed to a deep crimson, her delicate eyelashes trembling perceptibly, and she executed a respectful bow toward Alexander in contrition.

“I’m profoundly sorry, President Sinclair! That evening was genuinely accidental! I consumed excessive alcohol and mistakenly believed suite 3406 was actually 3406, accidentally entering your accommodation, and subsequently… well…”

Emma’s voice trailed into mortified silence, her lips compressed tightly, her face radiating such intense heat she couldn’t continue articulating the embarrassing particulars.

She still couldn’t comprehend how her keycard for suite 3406 had successfully unlocked Alexander’s exclusive suite.

Perceiving her perplexity, Alexander articulated his explanation with characteristic composure: “I’ve already conducted a thorough investigation into the mechanism of your entry.”

“The hotel staff committed an administrative error; they inadvertently provided you with an incorrect room key—specifically, they issued a universal master key instead of your assigned suite’s individual key.”

Ah, so that explained it. Emma’s understanding crystallized suddenly.

Yet simultaneously, she couldn’t suppress an internal sigh, marveling at the implausibility of existence. How could she accumulate so many improbable coincidences within a singular evening?

So her culpability wasn’t entirely absolute.

Moreover, although she’d inadvertently occupied the wrong suite, Alexander hadn’t rejected her, and furthermore, it had been her maiden intimate experience…

Naturally, she would never voice such audacious thoughts aloud; she could only grasp the hem of her skirt nervously, standing immobilized whilst awaiting Alexander’s pronouncement.

The young woman was genuinely terrified; her crystalline eyes glistened with nascent tears, and her shoulders trembled delicately, resembling a frightened, defenceless songbird awaiting its uncertain fate…

Alexander’s gaze deepened momentarily, though his formidable self-discipline ensured his expression remained glacial and controlled. He simply rotated his Patek Philippe wristwatch with minimal movement.

“Ms. Thompson, there’s genuinely no requirement for such apprehension. I summoned you not to assign blame or exact retribution, but merely to establish precisely what transpired that particular evening.”

“After all, an unidentified woman infiltrated my private quarters without authorization, occupied my bed, and subsequently absconded at dawn.”

Observing Emma blushing intensely and becoming progressively mortified, her professional attire appearing almost dishevelled from her anxious fidgeting, Alexander ceased his narrative and offered no additional commentary.

Meanwhile, Emma exhaled visibly with relief upon hearing that he wasn’t summoning her for disciplinary purposes.

Thank heavens. She’d genuinely imagined Alexander would simply terminate her employment forthwith.

Regarding Alexander’s stated objective—his desire to comprehend what had occurred…

Emma collected herself, composed her scattered thoughts, and proceeded to recount the preceding evening’s events comprehensively: “That evening happened to commemorate my birthday, and my boyfriend had invited numerous acquaintances to celebrate…”

Alexander reclined in his executive chair with perfect composure, his fingers interlaced before him, his countenance betraying absolutely no emotion or hint of his internal deliberations.

Upon Emma’s completion of her narrative, Alexander tapped the mahogany desktop deliberately with his index finger and posed an additional query: “I distinctly remember that evening—when you were intimate with me, you articulated another name?”

“You possessed a boyfriend?”

What?!

Emma froze instantaneously, her entire body going rigid.

She didn’t merely sleep with her exceptionally powerful boss for a single evening, but she’d simultaneously called out her ex-boyfriend’s name?!

Devastating humiliation cascaded through her consciousness.

It was entirely attributable to her excessive intoxication that evening; she retained minimal recollection of specific details. However, she acknowledged truthfully that initially, she had indeed confused Alexander with James.

Dreading that Alexander might characterize her as morally promiscuous, Emma hastened to elaborate: “No, President Sinclair, please permit me to clarify! I previously maintained a romantic relationship, but we’ve since terminated it.”

“I was deliberately deceived that evening. My ex-boyfriend orchestrated the entire situation. He deliberately ensured my intoxication, intending to barter me to his superior to facilitate his professional advancement.”

“However, I remained ignorant of this manipulation initially, and I was completely unaware I’d occupied the incorrect suite, so I mistakenly identified you as him.”

“I comprehend.”

Upon absorbing her explanation, Alexander nodded with equanimity, appearing as though he were merely acquiring information, exhibiting no emotional reaction whatsoever.

His businesslike, remote demeanor actually rendered Emma progressively calmer.

Truthfully, Alexander had demonstrated surprising gentleness thus far.

A man commanding his exceptional stature and influence could have simply dismissed her without utterance following confirmation of the facts.

Yet he’d chosen an alternative approach—patiently permitting her to complete her comprehensive explanation.

Emma remained uncertain whether this reflected his extraordinary emotional regulation or whether he genuinely held that evening’s encounter in minimal regard.

Regardless, she was profoundly grateful he wasn’t pursuing the matter further.

Emma had just commenced her grateful exhale when Alexander posed yet another inquiry: “If I may inquire with appropriate discretion, Ms. Thompson, what is your present romantic status?”

Emma hesitated momentarily, perplexed by the relevance of this question, yet responded with honesty regardless: “I’m currently unattached. I terminated our relationship the day following my discovery of his betrayal.”

Upon receiving this confirmation, Alexander nodded deliberately, subsequently lapsing into contemplative silence as though processing some profound consideration.

The office atmosphere descended into renewed quietude, and Emma found her anxiety gradually escalating once more.

The tension stretched interminably. Finally, Alexander articulated his next statement—words that struck Emma like an unexpected explosive detonation, completely obliterating her equilibrium.

“Given that Ms. Thompson is presently unattached…”

Alexander elevated his gaze to meet hers directly, his expression grave and intentional:

“Would you entertain the possibility of matrimony with me?”

Emma’s respiratory function ceased entirely.

Had she genuinely heard that correctly?

Was Alexander Sinclair—prestigious, commanding, devastatingly attractive Alexander Sinclair—genuinely proposing marriage?

To her?

Her consciousness fragmented into absolute astonishment and bewilderment.