The Billionaire's Proposal

Chapter 2

´Where is Shanks?´ Alexander asks in a lazy tone, stretching his legs slightly in the custom-tailored leather seat of his one-of-a-kind car he leaned back on the seat and closed his eyes, his brows furrowed into a slight frown.

´ Our men captured him and sent him far to a farm in the countryside until we received orders on what to do to him, his houses and property had been confiscated ´.

"Alright, what's my plan for the rest of the day´ he asks in a weary tone, certainly unconcerned about Shank's fate.

´All official duties have been taken care of but…´

´but?´

Alex sensed the hesitation in his assistant´s voice. He opened his eyes, the frown on his face deepened and his voice turned a few degrees colder as he already predicted what comes next, those old geezers just wouldńt let him be.

´The old madam seeks your presence´ Luke shuddered from the cold as his knuckles white from grabbing the steering wheel tight.

Alex disdains his family members from getting into his private business, they don't even have his personal phone number and can only contact him through Luke who has turned several years older from being the middleman between the two parties.

´Tell her I am busy as usual, make something up.´ Alex closed his eyes and relaxed again.

´i-its about the shares´

Hearing this Alexander´s eyes twitched slightly in anger as he thought about the discussion he had with them during the previous family meeting.

His mother being the largest shareholder in the company threatened to give her shares to his incompetent older brother on the condition that he gets married.

He hates being threatened so much that he tried to acquire many of the company's shares but he's still behind his mother with a few.

If she decides to transfer all her shares to his brother and uses her power to support him it will disrupt the balance of power in the company.

Currently, no one dares to go against Alexander because of their fear of him but if his mother decides to brandish her knife and point it toward him they will fold and follow suit, it's to their advantage if they cut his chain of the growing power and appoint a leader they can control.

´Let's go´ Alex said coldly.

They arrived at Stone's mansion before dark, black suit-clothed guards hurried to open the gate for Alexander. Even though he only came home once in a leap year they wouldn't dare recognize his car.

The Stone family indeed lived up to their name with a royal-styled mansion, one could tell they spent millions of dollars building it as the tall golden roof and gold carved statues stood in all their glory giving the mansion a grand and extravagant style.

Light graced every corner of the yard with healthy exotic flowers and trees sparsely arranged to beautify the place.

Luke stopped the car in front of the main door and alighted to open the door for Alex who came down calmly, taking a glance at the familiar cold building and surrounding that never made him feel at home he took large strides inside and Luke scurried behind him, waving the personal valet away, the Young master would not stay for longer than ten minutes anyways.

´Álexander!´ Mrs. Stone welcomed him with what seemed like a smile only lacking motherly affection, her eyes shone like she saw a treasure.

The gaze reminds one of the excitement of a master seeing a useful loyal subject.

Alex scowled in disgust ´Make it short´ he said coldly in contrast to her warm welcome. He felt his guts wrung up the longer he stayed in the Stone residence.

Mrs. Stone's smile froze at his usual coldness, she didn't dilly dally and went straight to the point ´How are your marriage plans coming up?

When do I have the opportunity to meet your bride? I must remind you that the deadline is your coming birthday in five days

´Seven days´ Alexander corrected, a mocking smirk lingering on the side of his lips.

Mrs. Stone coughed from embarrassment ´I have the papers ready. If you refuse to get married within these seven days I wouldn't hesitate to transfer the shares to Pedro´ She warned, swinging a file in front of her face, a sickening smile on her face.

Alexander worked so hard to build the company to what it is today but being the owner of starting capital she owned fifty percent of the shares which has reduced to 35 percent, while Alexander being the second largest shareholder owns 33 percent and Pedro 10 percent got from his mother.

´Why? What's your aim? Alexander´s voice piqued up a few notes out of frustration. He just couldn´t understand why she suddenly showed interest in his marriage and personal relationships.

´Alexander! I am your mother, when will you stop viewing me as an old witch? I'm aging every day and my health is deteriorating, when will I get to meet my grandson?

You are always buried in work and not seeing anyone, any female I send close to you ends up dead or gravely injured, it's so bad the conglomerate does not want you near their daughters.

I want to meet my grandson and daughter-in-law before my demise.´ Mrs. Stone raised her voice, her eyes red from what seemed like worry and underlying frustration.

‘What about Pedro? He's not your son anymore? Or he has had enough wasted kids from the abortions his various girlfriends were made to go through by you?

He is older than me but not old enough to get married or is this one of your schemes to get me married and use

the excuse of me being busy with family matters to drag me down while Pedro replaces me?’ Alex detests her fake show of affection, he never asked her for any so why does she keep ruining his image of her, his mother?

Seeing her true intentions had been exposed, Mrs. Stone paused for a few seconds, ridiculed with shame but not guilt, she believed her first and favorite son had the right to lead the company to greatness.

´w-what are you talking-´

´I have a fianceé and we are already making plans to get married, I'll introduce her in two days, that will be all´ Alex interrupted, unwilling to listen to any more of her nonsense.

´Also, I'll send a written contract tomorrow that states after my marriage you wouldn't be allowed to transfer your shares to Pedro´.

´You-´ Not giving the old woman another chance to speak, Alex exits the Stone residence with a heavy heart.

Luke rushed ahead to open the car door then going back to the driver's seat he drove out of the Stone´s residence to Alex´s villa.

On the way home, Alex closed his eyes, leaning against the car seat in deep thought. Out of anger, he admitted to having a fiancé when he hasn't even had a girlfriend since the last terrible incident that made his heart feel like it was pierced by a thousand needles.

The aftermath of this thought brought a sour pain and a frown on his face. He had two days to produce a bride.

Subconsciously, a fair oval shaped pretty face and doll-like eyes surfaced in his mind, her deep black eyes reflected the street light, diamond streaks of tears dropping from them, an angelic sight.

He felt a sharp connection he hadn't felt in a long time when their eyes met, he had never seen someone look at him so purely, she needed his help but at that moment she seemed to trust he would make a fair and just decision.

Her ridiculed appearance brought a frown to his face and at that moment he wanted to protect her even without knowing her background.

´ Luke, about the incident at the bar earlier, investigates the girl´s background, family, education, contact, address, and everything.

I need a detailed report.´ Alex gave his orders in a calm and relaxed tone.

´ About that, I already got reports from the research team, I thought you might ask so I gave them orders ahead.

I sent the reports to you by mail.´ Luke replied proud of himself, he never failed to predict his boss at specific times, the young master would never pay attention to any matter without reason, and he hates wasting his time the most.´

´All right thanks´ Alex replied, a part of him was happy he didn't have to wait a while to get intel on her. ´ Luke gets a raise´ he thought at the back of his mind, his hands busily searching for his email app.

The more he looked through the information, the more the frown on his face deepened.

She lived a terrible life for the past seven years alternating between jobs and school, giving up on the extravagant lifestyle she is accustomed to for fifteen years overnight like it was nothing.

He applauded her strength inwardly, she reminded him of how he was a few years back struggling alone but now they are opposites, he has everything but she's struggling to make a living, he needs a partner but she has one, unconsciously he felt sore at this part of the information but he didn't take it to mind,

--- a partner that exposes his other half to the harsh conditions of being a small bar singer is no partner, from the concrete information he has he could tell her so-called partner offered no help but he´s not the same, anything he wants, he gets and he has the power to give her everything she wants.

He made up his mind instantly, she has to be his bride.

´Luke sends Miss Isabella an invitation to sing at the company's tenth anniversary and also sends her a befitting dress and jewelry. Don't consider costs, let an international designer take care of it, also her makeup and hotel room make her comfortable.´

´ Okay young master´ Luke smiled sheepishly, it seems the young master has a bride in mind already.