An impossible proposal

The hallway fell silent.

Eva stared at Richard Blackwood, certain she had misheard him.

"I think I've just found one."

His eyes remained fixed on her.

She let out a small, nervous laugh.

"That's... not funny."

"I'm not joking."

The smile on Richard's face didn't reach his eyes.

Eva looked from him to Adrian, expecting him to shut the idea down immediately.

Instead...

Adrian said nothing.

Her heartbeat quickened.

"You can't be serious," she whispered.

Richard folded his hands behind his back.

"The guests don't know the bride personally. Most of them are business associates. The ceremony hasn't started, and the press hasn't seen her yet."

He turned to Adrian.

"The merger survives."

Eva stared at him in disbelief.

"You can't replace a bride like she's a missing decoration."

"No," Richard replied calmly. "But we can replace a woman who has already chosen to leave."

"I said no."

Richard raised an eyebrow.

"I wasn't asking you."

Something about the way he said it made Eva's blood boil.

She took a step forward.

"With all due respect, Mr. Blackwood, I'm an event planner—not someone you can pull into a wedding because it's convenient."

Richard's expression hardened.

"You should be grateful."

Eva blinked.

"Grateful?"

"Do you know how many women would beg for the opportunity to marry Adrian Blackwood?"

She met his gaze without flinching.

"I'm not one of them."

For the first time since the conversation began...

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Adrian's mouth.

It disappeared so quickly Eva wasn't sure she'd imagined it.

Richard, however, noticed.

"So," he said sharply, "you find this amusing?"

"No."

Adrian's voice was even.

"I find it interesting."

He looked at Eva.

"What is your full name?"

She hesitated.

"Eva Hart."

"How long have you worked as an event planner?"

"Five years."

"You've organized weddings before?"

"More than thirty."

"And you've never been tempted to run away from one?"

She folded her arms.

"I'm usually too busy making sure other people don't."

A brief silence followed.

Then Adrian nodded once.

"I'd like to speak with Miss Hart."

Richard frowned.

"There's nothing to discuss."

"There is now."

The firmness in Adrian's voice left no room for argument.

Richard looked annoyed, but eventually stepped back.

"I'll give you ten minutes."

He walked away, disappearing around the corner.

The hallway suddenly felt much quieter.

Eva released a slow breath.

"I hope you're about to tell me that was all a terrible joke."

"It wasn't."

She closed her eyes for a second.

"Of course it wasn't."

Adrian slipped both hands into his pockets.

"I owe you an apology."

That caught her off guard.

"For what?"

"For allowing you to be dragged into this."

She studied him.

He wasn't smiling.

He wasn't mocking her.

He genuinely meant it.

"You don't seem like the kind of man who apologizes often."

"I'm not."

Another silence settled between them.

Finally, Adrian spoke.

"My uncle believes emotion is a weakness."

"And you?"

"I believe emotion should never make your decisions."

Eva tilted her head.

"That's... a lonely way to live."

For the first time that day, Adrian didn't have an answer.

Instead, he looked past her toward the ballroom where hundreds of guests continued to wait.

"My company is announcing a merger worth billions tonight."

"I know."

"If this wedding collapses publicly, the deal may collapse with it."

She nodded slowly.

"I understand."

"But understanding isn't the same as agreeing."

"No."

"It isn't."

Adrian looked directly into her eyes.

"I have no intention of asking you to marry me today."

Eva blinked.

The tension in her shoulders eased.

"Good."

"But..."

Her heart sank again.

"I would like you to hear a proposal."

"A proposal?"

"A business proposal."

Before she could ask another question, Adrian reached into his jacket and removed a simple black business card.

He held it out to her.

"Meet me tomorrow morning."

She looked at the card but didn't take it.

"Why?"

"Because this conversation deserves more than a hallway."

She finally accepted the card.

Embossed in silver were just three words.

Adrian Blackwood

Along with the address of Blackwood Group Headquarters.

Eva slipped the card into her bag.

"I'll think about it."

"That's all I'm asking."

At that moment, a young security officer hurried toward them.

"Mr. Blackwood."

"What is it?"

"We found something."

Both Adrian and Eva turned.

"The bride's car has been located."

Eva's pulse quickened.

"Where?"

The officer swallowed.

"At the airport."

Adrian's expression remained unreadable.

"Was she alone?"

The officer hesitated.

Then quietly replied—

"No, sir."

"She left with another man."