you mean, Father? You know I need

cently took a profound breath while talking.

eaking the tense quiet, "do not in

oice. She concurred. "What about the name?" he inquir

e final week. See how pompously this company's CEO talked to me like I was useless. She collapsed her arms and inclined back in her chair, and her disappoint

he knew the man wasn't essentially known for warmth or thoughtfulness. But that wasn't the worst part. Most exceeding

t great news about the company did you need to tell me, b

m. Still, he had no choice. He'd made the bargain, and there was no turning back. He constrained a grin and cleared

out giggling. "You're not serious, Father!" she cried in disbelief. How did you do that? What

t beating. "Well," he said, attempting to keep

cheerful, Father!" she cried, hopping out of her seat and running over to hug her father.

plied-what he had concurred to secure for her-and inside, he felt awful. But presently, he let

embrace and grinned at her father,

luctant as he looked into his daughter's eyes, bracing himself

not too much trouble, let me know you're joking, Father," she said aloud, each word bound with doubt and outrage. "A

ipated her being disturbed, but her response made him realise how severely he'd put them both. "Ca

pped, her heart beating. "Are you genuine right n

to undertake. "Let me clarify," Mr. Ethan started, his voice strained. "My business is on the verge of collapse, Grace. I attempted everything I could think of to create a closea me

rds. "So you thought that the 'something' he needed may well be me?" she inquir

h of her words. "You're the one I can think of, Grace. He said

yourself a few obligations?" Dad, can you indeed listen to yourself? Her head shook in outrage and disarray

ed over him when he listened to his daughter's harsh dismissal. He had staked his future, business,

attempting to meet your needs ever since your mother kicked the bucket, and you know how di

's off-base with Jason?" Grace inquired, her voice lower but still bothered. Her considerations