le's

ff, and the ground's crumbling underneath you, and you know y

itting across from Ad

us stretches, taut

ead of six-shooters, we've got... whatever the hell

me," he repeats, as if it's a perfectly normal Tuesday thing to say to a complete stranger

ee how far the peasants will go for rent money? Because if i

close. "This is a business proposition," he says smoothly. "You mar

that somehow manages to look both amused and tired. Then, wordlessly, he pick

could double as headlights beams into the camera. "And in shocking news today, billio

to the vi

here like a brooding action hero while I, the crazy barte

s. Someone in the crowd shouts, "Hey Adrik, what's with the bartender? New girlfriend?" Another voice: "Billionai

avior are mounting as Sterling Industries prepares for its historic IPO. Investors are growing nervous. Can the

for the quiet hum of the city beyond the glass windows. A

s you can see, I have a public r

orward slightly, and even though he's not touching me, it feels like he is. "Because, Ms. Winters, appe

personal life, the media frenzy dies. Investors

ams 'stability'?" I ask, incredulous. "Buddy

ugh to be believable. You're not a

k drawer and pulls out a slim black folder. Slides it across the desk with

act insid

thick. Skimming the first page

lars upon completion, Equity shares in Aurum Tech subsidi

Just an image." I flip to the next page. There's a whole clause about mandatory public appearances, social media posts, attending corporate events togeth

ly. Five million dollars? I could pay off my loans, Set Lila up for life, Start my

e. Want to point out that marriage is supposed to be about love, not damage control. That somewhere deep inside me, the little girl

ter." His gaze softens, just for a moment. "Because," he says quietly, "you hit me without hesitation. You didn

r called me

e to decide?" He shrugs, casual. But there's a tightness around his eyes that b

n dollars, one year,an eternity, a heartbea

tunities tend to...expire." I get to my feet, folder clutched

Be careful," he says softly. "Once you step into my world... there's no going back." Th

air is cris

t me in a blur, neon signs blinking in the

million dollars,One year. The

the city wash over me. Somewhere dee

vo

o

ger

ci

u