Chapter 5: The Price of His Proposal

Dominic Sterling had never expected a woman to reject an offer that could make her one of the most powerful women in the country. Yet Isabella Laurent had pushed his marriage proposal across the desk without even considering what she stood to gain. What bothered him most was that he found her refusal more interesting than any acceptance he had ever received.

“Are you always this difficult to negotiate with?” Dominic asked.

Isabella looked up from the document she had been reading.

“Only when someone expects me to exchange my freedom for financial security.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“You’re assuming this arrangement is about money.”

“Isn’t it?”

Dominic walked toward the windows, slipping one hand into his pocket.

“Your grandmother and my father established an agreement several years ago. Laurent Holdings was supposed to become a strategic partner of Sterling Global, but certain circumstances prevented that from happening.”

“And now you want to use marriage to complete the agreement?”

“Marriage would make our partnership more secure.”

Isabella folded her arms.

“Then let us discuss the partnership without marriage.”

He turned to face her.

“Your grandmother anticipated that you might say something like that.”

Isabella frowned.

“What does that mean?”

Dominic returned to his desk and opened another folder.

“She included a provision in the agreement. If you refuse the marriage alliance, you can still inherit Laurent Holdings, but certain voting rights will remain under the joint trusteeship until the existing development agreement is completed.”

“So you’re telling me that I cannot have complete control of my own company unless I cooperate with you?”

“I’m telling you that the agreement existed long before either of us became involved.”

Isabella looked at the documents again.

She hated how complicated everything was becoming, especially when she had only wanted to reclaim what belonged to her.

“Suppose I agree to marry you. What exactly do you expect from me?”

Dominic sat down.

“Public appearances when necessary, cooperation on major business decisions, and discretion concerning our private lives.”

“And affection?”

He studied her face.

“I won’t demand something you don’t feel.”

She hadn’t expected that answer.

“Children?”

“Not part of the agreement.”

“Will I have to give up my company?”

“No. Laurent Holdings remains yours. I have no intention of taking what belongs to you.”

Isabella considered his words before picking up the proposal again.

“Two years?”

“Two years.”

“And if we decide the marriage isn’t working?”

“We separate according to the terms of the agreement.”

She placed the document back on his desk.

“I need time to think.”

Dominic nodded.

“Take all the time you need, but I would appreciate your decision before the board meeting next week.”

Isabella stood.

“One more thing, Mr. Sterling.”

“Go ahead.”

“If I marry you, I will never allow you to treat me like Alexander did.”

His expression became serious.

“Then we understand each other, Isabella.”

As she reached the door, his voice stopped her.

“There’s something else you should know.”

She turned.

“Your former husband has been making inquiries about Laurent Holdings since yesterday.”

Her expression hardened.

“How do you know that?”

“Because my security team noticed someone accessing confidential company information using an account connected to Alexander’s business.”

Isabella felt a chill run down her spine.

“Why would he want information about my company?”

Dominic’s gaze remained fixed on her.

“Perhaps you should ask him what he knows about your grandmother’s final business transaction.”

Across the city, Alexander Vance slammed the tablet onto his office desk.

“Why didn’t you tell me Dominic Sterling was involved with the Laurent family?”

Vanessa stood near the window, visibly uncomfortable.

“I didn’t know he was going to approach Isabella.”

“You’re telling me you knew who he was, but you didn’t think it was important to mention that he could become her husband?”

Vanessa folded her arms.

“Lower your voice, Alexander.”

He laughed bitterly.

“My business is at risk, and you’re worried about my voice?”

She approached the desk.

“Listen to me carefully. Dominic Sterling isn’t someone you can intimidate. His family has connections you don’t understand.”

Alexander stared at her.

“Then tell me what you know.”

Vanessa hesitated before answering.

“Years ago, your father approached my family with an opportunity involving Laurent Holdings. There was supposed to be a transfer of shares, but Eleanor Laurent refused to approve it.”

“What does that have to do with Isabella?”

“Everything. If Isabella inherits those shares, she could control a company your family has been trying to acquire for years.”

Alexander slowly leaned back in his chair.

For years, he had believed Isabella was simply a woman without money or influence, someone who depended on him for everything.

Now he was beginning to wonder whether he had married the wrong woman for the wrong reasons.

“Can she really control Laurent Holdings?” he asked.

Vanessa nodded.

“If the inheritance documents are genuine.”

Alexander picked up his phone.

“I’m calling her.”

Vanessa immediately grabbed his wrist.

“Don’t.”

He looked at her sharply.

“Get your hands off me.”

“You don’t understand. If Isabella discovers what happened five years ago, she could destroy everything.”

Alexander’s eyes narrowed.

“What happened five years ago?”

Vanessa released his wrist.

For the first time, she looked genuinely frightened.

“There’s something I haven’t told you.”

That evening, Isabella sat alone in the guest bedroom of the hotel where she had temporarily checked in.

Her phone rang, and Michael’s name appeared on the screen.

“Good evening, Isabella. Have you made a decision about Dominic’s proposal?”

“Not yet. But I need you to investigate something for me.”

“Of course.”

“Dominic mentioned a transaction involving my grandmother before her death. I want to know everything about it, including anyone who tried to acquire Laurent Holdings.”

Michael was silent for a moment.

“Isabella, I was hoping you wouldn’t have to deal with this so soon.”

Her heart began to beat faster.

“What are you talking about?”

“Your grandmother left another document. It was sealed separately from the inheritance papers, and she specifically instructed me not to open it unless you were prepared to learn the truth about your family.”

Isabella sat upright.

“Where is it?”

“It’s in my office.”

“Bring it tomorrow.”

Michael hesitated.

“There’s one more problem. Someone has already requested access to that document.”

“Who?”

He lowered his voice.

“Alexander Vance.”

Isabella’s face went pale.

Her former husband wasn’t simply trying to get her back.

He was looking for something her grandmother had hidden.

And whatever it was, he was desperate enough to go after it before she could discover the truth.