Chapter 2 How About Marrying Me?
1007 Words
Sophia knocked nervously on the door of Ethan's office.
"Come in," came his cold voice.
Taking a deep breath, Sophia pushed open the door.
She stood before his desk, but Ethan didn't even glance up, busy with the documents in his hands.
Unable to resist, Sophia stole glances at his handsome face. His brows carried a hint of severity, and she remembered his eyes beneath, blue like two transparent crystals, drawing everyone's gaze like natural magnets.
"He's really handsome," Sophia thought to herself.
Shaking her head to dispel such thoughts, she cleared her throat. "Mr. Whitman, do you need anything from me?"
While continuing to sign the documents, Ethan casually said without looking up, "How about marrying me?"
"What?! Marrying you?"
Sophia thought she had misheard.
"Yes," Ethan continued without lifting his gaze, his tone as casual as discussing the weather.
Oh no!
Had she driven the CEO insane after spending just one night with him?
Why else would he suddenly propose such a ridiculous idea to her?!
"Mr. Whitman, you don't have to worry about last night..." Sophia raised her chin slightly. "Actually, I already have a boyfriend!"
"You're about to get married?" Ethan finally paused his signing and looked up, his icy blue eyes devoid of warmth.
"Not exactly. It's just..." Sophia gripped her skirt nervously under his intense gaze. "We've already been living together."
Ethan narrowed his eyes, his gaze probing, as if trying to see through Sophia's facade.
Nervously, Sophia continued, "We've been together for so many years. Since returning from our last company retreat, we've been living together, but we were still in school back then."
Ethan remained expressionless. "Don't you want to know why I'm asking you to marry me?"
"Why?" Sophia's curiosity prompted her to ask.
Putting down his pen, he stared at Sophia and said, "My grandfather is gravely ill and doesn't have much time left. He just wants to see me get married, but I don't have a girlfriend. As for why I chose you, well, you should know that yourself. I've searched around, and you're the most suitable."
There was a hint of disdain in his tone, something Sophia could easily discern.
What did he mean by "suitable"?
Just because they had a one-night stand, he treated her like some kind of easy girl?!
As expected, in the next moment, Ethan leaned back in his chair, his posture exuding dominance. He said to Sophia as if it were a business negotiation, "Within five million dollars, feel free to state any conditions. I'll do my best to fulfill them."
Sophia's face flushed crimson. He not only saw her as a gold digger but also put a price on her!
"What's wrong? Not satisfied?"
Sophia didn't reply, making Ethan think she wasn't satisfied with the price. He added, "This marriage has a limited duration. If you agree, we can handle the formalities tomorrow. As for the end date..."
"I don't agree!" Sophia blurted out.
Ethan stared at Sophia, his eyes filled with surprise.
The woman in front of him was dressed plainly, her chestnut hair cascading softly over her shoulders, her brown eyes appearing gentle and easily controlled.
It was hard to believe that she had just firmly rejected him!
"Don't regret it." Ethan's gaze turned icy, yet he didn't plan to compel her anymore.
Sophia's nervousness eased a bit. She remained calm as she nodded at him. "Mr. Whitman, I may be very poor, but I will work hard to make my own money!"
Sophia straightened her back and left, returning to her desk.
Behind the computer screen, she grabbed her hair and knocked her head against the desk a few times.
She had worked so hard to intern at Quasar Group, and now, by refusing Ethan, would he be angry and fire her?!
No, please!
But thinking of Ethan's displeased gaze, Sophia vigorously shook her head.
Forget it! Working hard and striving to stay in the company was the most important thing now!
She grabbed her hair and pulled it twice, venting some emotions, before burying herself in work.
Suddenly, her phone rang. It was a call from her mother's attending physician, Sam Walker.
Sophia quickly answered, "Dr. Walker, what's wrong?"
"Sophia, your mother's condition has worsened. She needs surgery immediately! Hurry to the hospital."
"What? How is my mother now?"
Sophia's face filled with panic as she stood up. She grabbed her bag and rushed out of the office.
Her colleagues noticed.
"Hey, we're still working, and Sophia just left like that?" someone whispered.
"I bet she’s gonna get fired..." Another person shook his head.
But Sophia couldn't care less. She hurried to the hospital.
Sam handed her a bill. "You need to pay first."
Sophia looked down and saw the amount. It was 100 thousand dollars!
Her hand holding the bill was trembling. "Can you give me a few more days, Dr. Walker? My... my paycheck hasn't come in yet."
"At most two days, otherwise your mother will be discharged."
Sophia nodded awkwardly. She watched Sam leave and called her older brother, Zach Williams.
The phone rang for a long time before he picked up.
"What's up?" Zach's voice on the other end sounded particularly impatient.
"Zach, do you have any money? Dr. Walker said Mom has a fever and may need emergency surgery."
"I hate to break it to you, Sophia. Mom has been in a vegetative state for two years! What surgery are they talking about? Just pull the plug, and we'll all be relieved!"
"That's our mom!" Sophia's voice trembled with anger.
"Fine. Since you're such a great daughter, you figure out how to get the money yourself. I don't have any!"
The call was hung up abruptly. Sophia almost failed to hold back her anger and smashed her phone.
She couldn't even come up with ten thousand dollars right now.
"How about marrying me... Five million dollars..." Suddenly, Ethan's words echoed in her mind.
If she went back to him now and said she regretted it, would it be too late?!
- Writer
