Chapter 3 Does the Offer Still Stand?
919 Words
Sophia hurried back to the company, standing in front of the executive office elevator. She gritted her teeth and pressed the up button.
The elevator doors opened just in time, and there stood Ethan!
What were the odds?
But Ethan's expression remained cold as he didn't even spare Sophia a glance, preparing to step out of the elevator with his long strides. He acted as if he didn't know her at all.
Sophia directly blocked his path and entered the elevator, quickly pressing the close door button.
"Can I help you, Ms. Williams?" Ethan looked at Sophia with puzzled eyes.
Sophia immediately stepped back, her voice carrying a hint of tension. "Mr. Whitman, just finished work?"
"Don't beat about the bush." Ethan saw through her immediately.
"Well..." Sophia still felt difficult in uttering her intentions.
"Sorry, I don't have much time to waste."
Ethan was about to get out of the elevator, and Sophia finally mustered her courage to ask, "Mr. Whitman, does the offer still stand?"
"What offer?" Ethan looked at her, seemingly forgetting what he had promised her.
"You know, about needing someone to marry. Do you still need that?" Sophia swallowed her pride and raised her voice, her tone trembling.
"I do."
While Sophia was embarrassed, Ethan leaned casually against the elevator railing and fixed his eyes on her. "Why?"
His tall and strong figure exuded an overwhelming pressure in the small, enclosed space, and his mesmerizing blue eyes carried a hint of playfulness as they stared at Sophia.
She knew too well that he was forcing her to say it herself.
Sensing his teasing, Sophia felt overwhelmed by embarrassment.
She clenched her fingers and said softly, "When you approached me, I hadn't thought it through. But later, I reconsidered, and I think I'm willing to do that."
Ethan stared at her and kept silent for a good while.
He wasn't sure if this woman was playing hard to get.
"I do need someone to marry, but how do you know I haven't made that offer to someone else?"
"Huh? You've already found someone..."
Sophia's face instantly turned pale.
Over the past few years, the expenses of her mother's illness had been too great. Sophia worked while attending school, but it wasn't enough to cover the expensive medical bills. She had already borrowed from all the relatives and friends she could, and now no one was willing to help her anymore.
It could be said that Ethan was her last hope!
But with just that one sentence from Ethan, he crushed her last shred of hope.
What should she do?
Seeing Sophia's disappointed expression, Ethan smirked with a hint of sarcasm. "What changed your mind? I remember you saying you have a boyfriend."
"I need money, and you need someone to help you satisfy your grandfather's wishes. It's a fair trade."
"Fine. Sounds fair," Ethan said, lips curling into a smirk. "How much do you need?"
Sophia suddenly lifted her head, her eyes shining brightly!
Did this mean he was still willing to marry her?
Her heart went from hell to heaven in an instant. Sophia felt herself breaking into a sweat, her eyes full of anticipation as she looked at Ethan. "How much can you give?"
The figure of five million dollars was on the tip of Ethan's tongue, but he stopped.
He looked at Sophia, assessing her greedy expression. Suddenly, he didn't want to make it so easy for her. He wanted her to pay the price!
"A basic salary of one million dollars, plus additional performance assessments," Ethan said. "We'll sign the agreement tomorrow, then go get the marriage license."
"Deal!"
Sophia would agree even if it was just 100 thousand dollars!
She quickly took out her phone and said to Ethan, "Mr. Whitman, why don't we exchange contact information? I'll be at your service whenever you need me."
Ethan found her excitement annoying.
He gave a cold snort, added her number, and then made to leave.
Sophia hurriedly grabbed his sleeve.
"Is there anything else?" Ethan frowned at her.
Under his intimidating gaze, Sophia couldn't help but shrink back, but she gathered her courage and said, "Mr. Whitman, since we're cooperating, could you advance me some money first? Not much. Just 100 thousand dollars."
"Can't wait to get the money?"
Sophia nodded.
"Fine."
Ethan brushed away her hand from his sleeve.
Then, a notification sounded from her phone.
"I've transferred the money to you. Remember to come sign the agreement tomorrow," Ethan said coldly before leaving.
Sophia quickly checked her phone and indeed found a notification that she had received 100 thousand dollars.
"Thank you, Mr. Whitman!"
She smiled gratefully at Ethan.
Did money make her so happy? Ethan glanced at her and walked out of the company without a word.
Outside, it was raining. Sophia couldn't stop him and could only watch as his tall figure disappeared into the rain.
At this moment, on the set of a movie being filmed in Canada.
With her golden hair and a red dress, Rebecca Reynolds looked extremely glamorous. She listened to her assistant's words, and her eyes lit up with excitement.
"Are you sure? Ethan's grandfather is seriously ill, and Ethan wants to marry someone?"
"Yes, Ms. Reynolds. Since you left Mr. Whitman, he hasn't dated anyone else. Now he's even looking for a marriage partner at the last minute. It's really pitiful."
"What do you know? He's been waiting for me!"
Rebecca smiled confidently, "Book me a flight back to Texas immediately!"
- Writer
