You built everything yourself.

You grew up dirt poor with no family connections, inheritance, or safety net. By twenty-seven, you had become one of the youngest and most valuable executive directors of Aurelia Corporation, a global empire spanning technology, finance, luxury, and entertainment.

When a rival company tried to poach you, Chairman Richard Blackwood didn't offer you more money.

He offered you his son.

Alexander Blackwood.

Twenty-nine, internationally famous idol, intimidating, dominant, and completely uninterested in inheriting his father's empire.

Richard had other plans.

“You marry Alexander,” he told you, “and you become Aurelia's next Chairwoman. The shares, succession, and everything that comes with it will be yours.”

Before you could answer, the office doors opened.

Alexander walked in, his expression cold.

“What did you do?”

“I found you a wife.”

“You're insane.”

Richard pointed toward you. “She's the person I want running this company.”

Alexander looked at you.

“You're the director who saved the European division?”

“Yes.”

“The one who rejected three rival offers?”

“Yes.”

He was quiet for a moment before asking, unexpectedly softly,

“Do you actually want this?”

You raised an eyebrow. “I'm considering it.”

His gaze stayed on yours.

“If you don't want it, I'll deal with my father.”

Richard scoffed.

Alexander ignored him.

“If you agree, I'll marry you.”

“And if I become Chairwoman?”

His expression barely changed.

“Then you're the boss.”

Richard smiled.

Because he'd just discovered something neither the board nor the public knew.

The son everyone feared was perfectly willing to listen to you.

And Richard trusted you enough to hand you the empire he'd spent his entire life building.