The CEO's Enigmatic Bride

tering in her ears. Her conversation with Adrian the night before had been playing in a continuous lo

pped her out of her thoughts. She looked up, expecting to see one of the few remaining staff membe

his expression as sharp and calculating as the man himself, he glance

his voice smooth but f

ing in her chest. "Mr. Cole

ne leaving no room for pleasantries. He gest

a corner of the gallery. The mismatched chairs and scuffed coffee table felt painf

se, and gestured for Leah to do the same. She perched on

ry is in debt to the tune of six figures, your revenue streams are drying up, and you

mmary of her struggles but no

locking onto hers. "I believe I can h

last night, Mr. Cole, I'm willing to provide wha

n," Adrian interrupted. "I'm talk

sank. "What

of the challenges I've been facing recently. The rumors, the

ously. "I've hear

tinued. "My board is demanding stability. They want to see me in

shot up. "Are

ract. In exchange, I'll pay off your gallery's debts, provide the funds needed to revitalize your business, and ensure its

he scenarios she had imagined after their conversa

u?" she asked, her voice

n said calmly. "You need my resources, and I n

of what he was saying. "But why me? You could have

rom my world would come with their own agendas. You, on the other hand, have no

t mean them as an insult. Leah folded her arms

plied, his tone matter-of-fact. "And I

d Adrian's resources could do that in a way she never could on her own. But the idea of entering a sham marria

er the year is over?"

enerous settlement to ensure your gallery remains stabl

the rest of my life? Do you expect me to put eve

financial security, connections in the art world, and the freedom to walk

ough her thoughts. "You're asking me to turn my life into a spectacl

. "I'm asking you to make a decision," he said, his voice firm but not unk

turning to face him

walk out that door, and your gallery goes u

in the air, c

sane proposal. But as much as she wanted to reject him outright, she couldn't ignore the truth.

nk," she said final

ly. "Take the night. But don't take too

ked out of the gallery, leaving Leah st

as outrageous, but it was also her last hope. The question w