Chapter 18 Another Proposal
My office was quiet, but my mind was a mess. I’d gone through every audit file twice
My eyes bumed from staring at the screen, My desk was a war zone of papers, post–it notes, and half–drunk coffee!
But all of it led to one thing–someone was leaking information.
And they were close.
Too close.”
“Miss Berkeley…” Anna poked her head in slowly, her voice hesitant. “You have a visitor
I blinked “Who?”
Her expression shifted–almost apologetic. “Mr. Hunter Blackwell “}
My heart stalled.
For a second, I sat frozen.!!
He was the last person I wanted to see, and the last person who should be anywhere near my office right now! “Tell him I’m not available,” I said quickly.
him.“2
“I did,” she said, wringing her hands. “He’s… already on his way up. Marcus, his assistant, is with h Of course, he was
Istood from my chair, pushing the chaos on my desk to the side.
I tried to calm my breathing, tried to steel myself. I had no doubt this was part of his game.
He must’ve known things were falling apart.
He probably thought this was the perfect time to swoop in.
Well, he was wrong.
The doors swung open a few seconds later.
Hunter walked in like he owned the place–casual, confident, like he hadn’t been feeding chaos into my company from behind the scenes.
Marcus trailed behind him, looking like he’d rather disappear!
“Faye,” Hunter said with a crooked smile, like he hadn’t broken something inside me just by existing. “You’re looking beautiful today.”
I didn’t smile. I didn’t even blink. “What are you doing here?“”
“I came to see how you’re holding up,” he said. “Big first day, right? Word is, your investors are in a panic
I narrowed my eyes. “Words travel fast when someone’s whispering in the right ears.”
His eyes glinted, like he knew exactly what I meant. I just want to help.”
“I don’t need your help.”
Hunter took a step closer, his tone softening. “Faye… come on. This doesn’t have to be a war. You and 1–we could work together. Think about it. Blackwell and Berkeley, finally united.”%
I stared at him. “Is this your plan? Tear me down so I’ll crawl back and say yes?“!
He didn’t answerl
That silonce said more than words ever could
I clenched my fists ut my sides. “You’re unbelievable.“;
“You’re brilliant,” he said, stepping even closer. “But you’re also stubborn. You can’t fix this mess alone, and you know it. Let me in.” “Let you in?” I scoffed. “So you can watch me bleed up close?||
Hunter looked amused. “You’re still so dramatic“.
“No” I said, my voice rising “You’re still manipulative. You knew everything that was happening You played me, and now you want to spin if like I need you?”
He tilted his head slightly, like he was trying to decide how to answerl
“I told my grandfather we were getting married. That you and I are in love.”
My stomach twisted. “You’re insane”
“You need me,” he said simply “And I need you. Together, we’d be unstoppable”
“You bed to your family?“;
“You’re lying to yourself if you think you can survive this alone”
My chest burned. The room felt like it was closing in 1
“You did all thes,” I said slowly, “just so i’d what? Be desperate enough to say yes?“2
“I did this” he replied, “because I need to fulfill my Grandfather’s dying wish”
I turned to Marcus “Get him out “1
813
Marcus hesitated, but then stepped forward. “Hunter-“)
“Till go.” Hunter said, holding his hands up. “But this offer won’t stay on the table forever.” “It’d be nice to find someone else because I’m not getting married to you, I said Hunter sighed, “At least consider a fake engagement. I’m supposed to take you to my g I said nothing.
He paused at the door “Til be waiting, Faye. You’ll come around.”
my grandfather tomorrow”
He walked out, and Marcus followed, casting me an apologetic look before closing the door behind him &
The second they were gone, I sank into my chair. My hands were shaking.
Manipulating my company, lying to his family, cornering me on my first day?!
Why exactly is Hunter intent on marrying me??
Is it just about his sister and my connection to Gerald in the past or is there something more?
8.13 AM ch
Faye’s Pov
By the time I got home, every part of me ached.)