A Blind Date He Never Wanted

Adrian Blake stepped out of his sleek black sports car, his polished leather shoes clicking softly against the marble pavement. The towering headquarters of Blake Corporation reflected the morning sunlight, its glass exterior gleaming like a monument to power and success.

Standing by the entrance was his secretary, Ethan Cole, impeccably dressed as always.

"Good morning, sir," Ethan greeted with a respectful nod.

Adrian acknowledged him with a slight nod as they entered the building. "Has the inauguration been taken care of?" he asked calmly.

"Yes, sir. Everything went exactly as planned. Mr. William wasn't particularly pleased, but the ceremony concluded without any major issues."

A faint look of relief crossed Adrian's face. "Good."

He adjusted the cuff of his tailored suit as they approached the executive elevator. "And my grandfather?"

Before Ethan could answer, the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.

Standing inside was William Blake, his sharp eyes instantly locking onto Adrian. The air became immediately tense as William stepped out slowly, his walking cane tapping against the polished floor.

"You ungrateful brat," his voice echoed through the spacious lobby. "I told you to attend your inauguration. You ignored me. I told you to meet me at the mansion afterward. Instead, I have to come looking for you at your own company."

Employees passing through the lobby lowered their heads, pretending not to notice the confrontation.

Adrian remained perfectly composed. "I've been busy."

"Busy?" William scoffed. "You landed in the country this morning! You couldn't spare one hour?"

"No," Adrian's answer was immediate. "There are problems within the company that require my attention."

William folded his arms. "Listen to yourself. This company has been operating perfectly well. Do you really think everything falls apart unless Adrian Blake personally supervises it?"

"Apparently," Adrian replied, an unreadable expression on his face and a faint smirk touching the corner of his lips. "None of the projects I've managed have failed. Spicy Crunch became the highest-selling snack product in three international markets within six months."

William clicked his tongue. "I know. Which is exactly why I need your help with another project."

That caught Adrian's attention. "What project?"

William's serious expression slowly transformed into a mischievous smile. He looked around dramatically before leaning closer. "Marriage."

Silence.

Ethan blinked. "...Sir?" He pointed at William. "You're getting married?"

William glared at him. "Does it look like I'm talking about myself?"

Ethan immediately straightened. "My apologies."

Adrian walked past both of them toward his private office. "I'm not interested."

William followed him inside. "You haven't even heard the proposal."

"I don't need to." Adrian removed his jacket and placed it neatly over the back of his chair. "I'm twenty-nine. I'm building an international business. I don't have time for romance."

William closed the office door behind him. "And I'm seventy-five. I'd like to see my grandson married before I die."

Adrian sighed. "Grandfather..."

"No," William raised a finger. "You've avoided every woman I've introduced. You rejected the governor's daughter, the ambassador's niece, and that brilliant lawyer everyone was talking about."

"They weren't suitable."

William narrowed his eyes. "So what exactly is your type?"

Adrian loosened his tie. "I don't have one."

"Exactly," William smiled triumphantly. "That's why I solved the problem for you."

Adrian looked at him suspiciously. "What did you do?"

William proudly opened a leather folder and placed it on the desk. Inside were neatly organized profile photographs of twenty women, each from an influential family, highly educated, and considered a perfect marriage candidate. "I arranged blind dates."

Adrian stared at the photographs without touching them. "You what?"

"You only have to meet them. I'm not asking you to marry all twenty. Just meet them."

Adrian closed the folder. "No. I have board meetings, investment negotiations, three overseas acquisitions, and an internal investigation. I don't have time to sit across from strangers pretending to fall in love."

William studied his grandson for several long seconds, then offered a smile Adrian knew far too well—a sign his grandfather had already won.

"I already accepted on your behalf," William chuckled. "The first meeting has been arranged. The young lady comes from an excellent family. She's intelligent, beautiful, and according to her father... she's just as unwilling to attend this blind date as you are."

For the first time that morning, Adrian was speechless.

William patted him on the shoulder before walking toward the door. "The date is tomorrow evening. Don't embarrass me."

The office door closed behind him, leaving silence in the room.

Ethan carefully looked at his boss. "...Should I cancel it, sir?"

Adrian slowly looked at the folder on his desk, his cold eyes narrowing. "No."

Ethan blinked. "Sir?"

A faint, dangerous smile appeared on Adrian's lips. "If Grandfather wants me to attend... then I'll attend. But after tomorrow... there won't be a second date."

Little did Adrian know, the woman desperately trying to escape that very same blind date was already making plans of her own. And fate was about to introduce them in the most unexpected way.