At a high-end cafe in Lucset.
The coffee was notably bitter, yet the woman facing Waylon Cooper was undeniably stunning.
She wore a sharp professional suit that complemented her striking figure beautifully.
Her features were perfectly sculpted: an unmade-up face, luminous eyes, and a brilliant smile. Despite her typically frosty demeanor, she resembled a flawless sculpture that commanded attention.
Her name was Debra Morgan, 26 years old, the formidable chairman and CEO of the Morgan Group, and by many accounts, the dream woman of countless men in Lucset.
And she was engaged to Waylon.
Between them on the glass table lay a check for one million dollars.
"This check is for a million, cashable anytime. Take it and leave," Debra said in a cool, detached tone, sliding the check across the table, her decision seemingly irrevocable.
Debra had always been assertive.
Yet, Waylon barely acknowledged the check, his eyes instead fixated on Debra, from her face down to her figure, as if she were the only thing in the world worth his attention.
"Are you done staring at me?" Debra frowned as she caught his lingering gaze.
"Sorry about that." Waylon quickly shifted his eyes away, offering a cheeky grin. "You're hot, honey. Congrats on making the cut to be my wife!"
"What?" Debra looked taken aback, her expression darkening instantly. "Waylon, are you misunderstanding something here? I'm asking you to take the check and forget about me."
"Oh, the check?" Waylon finally noticed the check. He glanced at it briefly then shook his head. "Tear it up. I'm not accepting this."
"Is it not enough?" Disdain flashed across Debra's eyes. She had no patience for greedy people.
"No, it's not about the amount. It's just not right." Waylon gave Debra a long look, then cracked a smile. "Your grandfather arranged our marriage before he died. A man's promise is his bond. I gave him my word I'd marry you, and I plan to keep it."
"But I don't like you!" Debra's tone was icy, and Waylon's stare only intensified her disgust. She couldn't fathom why her grandfather had chosen such a repulsive man for her to marry.
"Love can be developed over time," Waylon said, chuckling.
"I don't have the time for that."
"I do."
"You..."
Debra was seething with anger, yet she managed to compose herself. Her eyes were icy as she said, "We've never met before today. Don't you think this marriage is ridiculous?"
"It is somewhat ridiculous." Waylon gave a wry smile. "But like I told you, I made a promise to your grandfather, and I intend to keep it. However, if you decide to go against your grandfather's dying wish, I won't stand in your way."
"I..."
Debra found herself at a loss for words. Could she really defy her grandfather's last wish?
Before he passed away, her grandfather had explicitly told her to marry Waylon. Only a month had gone by since his death, and now Waylon had approached her. If she outright refused, wouldn't that be dishonoring her grandfather's memory?
She was determined to make this disgusting man withdraw voluntarily.
"I have no intention of defying my grandfather's wishes, but..." Debra sized Waylon up, imitating how he had looked at her earlier, followed by a sneer. "Do you honestly think you deserve me?"
"Absolutely," Waylon replied earnestly.
"Really?"
Debra was taken aback. She had thought her prestige would intimidate Waylon into backing down. Who could have guessed he didn't think she was out of his league?
Where did he get such confidence?
He was absolutely audacious!