The CEO's Enigmatic Bride

athed the room in a warm glow, casting golden light on the polished marble floor and the glittering attendees dressed in designer gown

through the room, balancing trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres. The guest moved in clusters, thei

ity gala was her last hope to save the gallery, and Adr

very instinct screamed at her to turn around, to leave before someone realized she did

wasn't like the woman who usually attended these events, with their dazzling jewelry and carefully curated poise. H

n his sharp eyes. She looked familiar, though he c

e is quite the surprise," ca

d in a sly smile. She was dressed to perfection, a

evenly, his tone p

your thing anymore," she continued, her e

. "I'm broadeni

tly, setting his glass down an

d rehearsed her pitch a dozen times in the mirror, but now that she was here, every word see

rtin, is

th the man she'd been searching for. Adrian Cole was even more imposing in person than he appeared in the tabloids. His t

flushing as she struggled to re

been standing near the entrance for

g to let his bluntness intimidate her. "

head slightly, curiosity glinting in his ey

told him about her father's gallery, its history, and its importance to the community. She explain

. He didn't interrupt, though his gaze never left h

ence. Adrian took a step back, crossing

"do you think I would be

bout your collection, the pieces you've acquired. You understand

ight have been the ghost of a sm

d I wouldn't be here if I didn't be

er determination-she wasn't groveling or pleading, bu

siness of charity,

ty," she said quickly. "it would be an investment. The gallery has potential, but needs

sed an eye

d. " I mean, the gallery. My father's gallery. It's all

He knew what it takes to fight for a legacy, to carry the wei

bout it," he

caught off gua

lightly. If I'm going to help, I'll need to know more about y

ing. "Anything you need. I'll prov

ingering on her for a moment be

ken the first step, but she knew this was far from over. Adrian Cole was not a man who offer

time in week, Leah