Billionaire's Proposal

n her reflection. She wore a stunning red dress, the

curves perfectly, acc

piece, with intricate deta

– a diamond necklace and earrings tha

k to their conversation the previous day. She remembered Julian

earance they would be making tonight. S

she be able to play the role

y the role of my wife in every sense of the word." She felt a shiv

eath, she knew she had t

head, but little did she know, the n

kipped a beat as she wondered if it was Julian

n standing there, looking dashing in his tuxedo. His eyes locked onto her

of the red dress. His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in approva

d expected admiration, perhaps even desire. But instead, Julian's ey

his fingers wrapping around her wrist like a vice.

d her out the door. She stumbled slightly, her heels cl

acade. It was a part of him, a trait that he wore like a second skin. And s

e their destination. Julian's grip o

city streets, the lights an

opened the door, gesturing for Sophia to enter. She hesita

n unreadable. The driver pulled away from t

but he remained silent, his eyes fi

. Sophia's eyes widened as she saw the crowds of elegantly dress

his voice low and smooth. "You'll need to play the

s ready to face whatever lay ahead, even if it meant pr

tered the grand ballroo

er the lights, and Julian's com

ss the room, his eyes narrow

e me, Mr. Blackwood, can I get a statement from you on your lates

pression unreadable. "No comment," he

d, rumors are circulating about your company's financials

ve said all I intend to say on the matter. I suggest y

xchange with interest, a

oks like you're not getting anything from Blackwood. M

of Mike's angle. "What kind

s the rumors about Julian's personal life. I

e who had started these rumors, and now she was co

his face. "Yes, exactly. I've got source

tread carefully, or her own involvement in

her mind. "Let's talk more a

f. "I'd love to. Let's get out o

s they slipped out of the ballroom. He sensed trouble brewin

and Sophia from the charity auction, citing t

ed suits. "Sophia, I'd like you to meet Marcus Thompson, C

d warmly and extended his hand. "Delighted to me

ictor Lee, a tech mogul with a repu

s he assessed Sophia, hi

lexander Petrov, a billionaire investo

kled with interest as

se powerful men, she couldn't

lf-assured. But she also sensed u

phone buzzed with an urgent message. His

g," Julian said, his voice low and ur

rew as Julian disappeared into the

n Sophia. "You don't know who Julian Blackwood really is, do you

What did they mean? Who was Julian, r

n uncertainty, the lights began

and already, Sophia's world was