Engagement To My Billionaire Ceo

oom in an almost accusing way. Gideon sat behind the massive mahogany desk, staring at the portfolio in front of him

drive the point home. "This manor is a financial deadweight. Holding onto it

wasn't sentimentality keeping him tied to Blackthorn Manor-it was the chain of responsibility, the unyielding grip of legac

red. Gideon knew that if he didn't act soon, they'd force his hand, and the thought of seeing this house in t

as he stood. The clock on the mantel chimed, a reminder that tim

hton was h

en she'd defended her vision for the manor, the way she'd refused to back down even when he'd tried to inti

ne who could help him

ight, a wild, improbable plan that bordered on desperat

binet, carefully dusting off its ornate carvings. Theo was sitting a

on said, his voice b

r face. She blinked at him, clearly surprised to see

peak with yo

o her feet and gesturing toward Theo. "Theo

rely looking up

as a library. The shelves were still lined with books, their spines

t?" Amara asked,

pleasantries. "The board is

er arms dropped to her

they're relentless. To them, this house is just a lia

n a mixture of shock and concern.

he said, stepping closer. "

yebrow. "What k

ight of what he was about to propose

nked. "Ex

g my commitment to this project. They think I'm not invested enough to see it through. But if they bel

f he'd grown a second

m n

ad. "This is ridiculous. You can't seriousl

nefits both of us. You get the funding you need to

ns when the truth comes out? What happen

g, a few public appearances, enough to convince them. Once

narrowing. "And what about Theo? What

y. "I'm not asking you to lie to him. You can explain it however you see

okshelves. Gideon could see the wheels turning in

m even considering

his, the manor will be sold. And everythi

hing. "Don't manipulate me, Gideon. I'm not som

aid, holding her gaze. "I'm offe

em spoke. The silence stretched

ulders slumping slightly. "Fine," she said, h

h he didn't let it show. "Good.

"This is about the manor. Nothing else. Don't expect me to pla

eon said, a faint smirk tuggi

g and walking out of the room, le

ifting just slightly. He'd bought himself some time. Now all he had to do was c