CHAPTER ELEVEN: A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL
1565 Words
Sarah arrived at Adrian's penthouse just after sunset.
The city stretched beneath the glass windows, Lagos glowing with headlights and scattered lights.
But Sarah barely noticed the view.
Her mind was fixed on one thing.
The letter.
Adrian's father had left a letter concerning Elena.
Her mother.
Sarah stood outside the study while Adrian unlocked the door.
"You're sure you want to read this?" he asked.
Sarah looked at him.
"I've spent years not knowing the truth about my mother. I'm done being afraid of what I might find."
Adrian nodded.
He opened the door.
The study was dark and quiet.
He switched on the lights.
A large wooden desk stood near the window.
Adrian walked toward it and opened the bottom drawer.
He removed a sealed envelope.
Sarah stared at it.
Her name wasn't written on the front.
Instead, there were three words.
For Elena's daughter.
Sarah's heart tightened.
Adrian handed it to her.
She took it carefully.
"How long have you had this?"
"Since my father died."
"And he told you not to open it?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Adrian looked at her.
"He said the truth would only matter when you were ready to hear it."
Sarah broke the seal.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
She began reading.
Elena was not running from Richard.
Sarah's eyes widened.
She was running from the people who wanted to use her daughter.
She continued.
Sarah was born into a family dispute that began before her birth. There are people who believe the Williams fortune belongs to them.
Sarah's hands began trembling.
Elena discovered evidence that could expose them. She refused to surrender it.
Sarah looked at Adrian.
"What evidence?"
"I don't know."
She continued.
If Elena disappears, protect Sarah. Richard will know what to do.
Sarah's breathing became shallow.
Then she reached the final paragraph.
Adrian, if you are reading this, remember one thing.
Never trust anyone who claims to love Sarah without first proving they can protect her.
Sarah lowered the letter.
Silence filled the room.
She looked at Adrian.
"Your father knew about me."
"Yes."
"He knew my mother."
"Yes."
"He knew I was in danger."
"Apparently."
Sarah shook her head.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't know how."
"You could have told me the moment we met."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"I didn't trust you."
Sarah stared at him.
"Why?"
"Because you were a Williams."
The words hurt.
"That was enough?"
"At the time."
Sarah looked away.
"And now?"
Adrian stepped closer.
"Now I'm not so sure."
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the room felt strangely quiet.
Sarah looked down at the letter.
"There's something missing."
"What?"
"The evidence."
Adrian nodded.
"Exactly."
"If Elena had evidence, where is it?"
"I don't know."
Sarah's eyes narrowed.
"Someone does."
"Who?"
"Vanessa."
Adrian frowned.
"Why Vanessa?"
"Because every secret seems to lead back to my family."
She folded the letter.
"I need to go."
Adrian blocked the doorway.
"Not yet."
Sarah looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because there's something else you need to know."
"What?"
Adrian took a breath.
"The board is meeting tomorrow."
Sarah frowned.
"About what?"
"Your position in Williams Group."
Her expression changed.
"They're trying to remove me?"
"Yes."
"Who called the meeting?"
"Several major shareholders."
"Vanessa?"
"Among them."
Sarah laughed bitterly.
"Of course."
Adrian studied her.
"If they remove you, Vanessa will have much more control over the company."
"I won't let that happen."
"I know."
He paused.
"But there's a problem."
"What?"
"Some of the shareholders don't trust you."
"They don't have to."
"They have enough votes to force you out."
Sarah's mind raced.
"How many?"
"Forty-two percent."
"And my father's shares?"
"Twenty-eight percent."
Sarah frowned.
"That's not enough."
"Exactly."
"Who has the remaining shares?"
"Several minority shareholders."
"Can we convince them?"
"Maybe."
"Then we'll do it."
Adrian looked at her.
"There is another way."
Sarah immediately became suspicious.
"What way?"
"You could marry me."
She froze.
For several seconds, Sarah simply stared at him.
"What?"
Adrian remained completely calm.
"Marry me."
She laughed.
"You can't be serious."
"I am."
"This isn't funny."
"I'm not joking."
Sarah folded her arms.
"Why would you want to marry me?"
"Because it would change the balance of power."
"Explain."
"My company owns a significant stake in several businesses connected to Williams Group."
Sarah stared at him.
"If we marry, my voting interests could be aligned with yours."
"And the board?"
"Would have difficulty removing you."
Sarah shook her head.
"So this is a business arrangement."
"Primarily."
"Primarily?"
Adrian looked at her.
"There are other reasons."
Her heart skipped.
"What reasons?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said,
"I trust you."
Sarah almost smiled.
"You didn't trust me yesterday."
"I was wrong."
She looked away.
"Marriage is not something you use to solve a business problem."
"Not usually."
"And what happens when the problem is solved?"
"We decide what happens next."
Sarah stared at him.
"You're asking me to marry you without love."
Adrian's expression softened.
"I'm asking you to marry me because I know you need protection, and I know I can give it."
"I don't need saving."
"I know."
"Then why?"
"Because your enemies are becoming more dangerous."
Sarah went quiet.
He was right.
Someone had already tried to run her over.
Someone had broken into Adrian's office.
Someone had threatened them.
And Vanessa was getting closer.
Still, marriage was an enormous decision.
Especially with Adrian.
She didn't know him well enough.
Or perhaps she knew him too well.
He was secretive.
Cold.
Impossible to read.
But there was something about him that made her feel safer than she wanted to admit.
"Think about it," Adrian said.
Sarah looked at him.
"I need time."
"Take it."
She turned toward the door.
Then Adrian said,
"Sarah."
She looked back.
"If you say yes, I'll protect your freedom."
"What does that mean?"
"You won't become my possession."
His voice was firm.
"You'll remain yourself."
Sarah's expression softened slightly.
"Good."
She left.
---
The next morning, the Williams Group headquarters was filled with tension.
The boardroom was packed.
Vanessa sat beside several shareholders.
Daniel sat at the far end.
Sarah entered alone.
Every conversation stopped.
She walked to her seat.
Vanessa smiled.
"Sarah."
"Vanessa."
The chairman cleared his throat.
"We are here to discuss the future leadership of Williams Group."
Sarah looked around.
"Go ahead."
One of the shareholders spoke.
"Miss Williams, your recent decisions have caused concern."
"Which decisions?"
"Your involvement in company investigations."
"Those investigations concern missing company funds."
The man shifted.
"That is precisely the problem."
Sarah smiled.
"Interesting."
Vanessa spoke.
"Perhaps Sarah needs time away from the company."
Sarah turned toward her.
"Perhaps Vanessa should worry about her own position."
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
Daniel looked between them.
The chairman raised his hand.
"Enough."
He looked at Sarah.
"The board will vote today."
Sarah leaned back.
"Then vote."
The first shareholder raised his hand.
Another followed.
Sarah watched the numbers.
The vote was moving against her.
Then the boardroom doors opened.
Everyone turned.
Adrian walked inside.
The room became silent.
The chairman stood.
"Mr. Cole."
Adrian nodded.
"I'm here as a shareholder representative."
Vanessa's face changed.
"You weren't invited."
Adrian looked at her.
"I don't need an invitation."
He placed several documents on the table.
"These are the voting agreements."
The chairman picked them up.
His eyes widened.
"You acquired the minority shares?"
"Some of them."
Sarah stared at Adrian.
He hadn't told her.
The chairman looked at the documents.
"Your combined voting interest gives you..."
"Enough to block the removal of Sarah Williams."
Vanessa's face went pale.
Sarah looked at Adrian.
He simply met her eyes.
Then he said,
"And there's one more matter."
He placed another document on the table.
"A proposed alliance between Cole Holdings and Williams Group."
The chairman looked confused.
"Under what terms?"
Adrian glanced at Sarah.
"Under the condition that Sarah Williams remains in control."
Vanessa stood.
"This is ridiculous!"
Adrian turned toward her.
"No."
His voice was cold.
"What's ridiculous is attempting to remove the rightful heir of a company while millions are missing from its accounts."
The room fell silent.
Sarah watched Vanessa carefully.
For the first time, she saw fear in her cousin's eyes.
The meeting ended without Sarah being removed.
As everyone left, Adrian approached her.
"You owe me."
Sarah crossed her arms.
"I didn't ask you to do that."
"I know."
"Then why did you?"
"Because I meant what I said."
"About protecting me?"
"Yes."
Sarah looked at him.
"And the marriage proposal?"
Adrian's expression didn't change.
"It's still on the table."
She stared at him.
"You really don't give up."
"No."
A small smile appeared on his lips.
"Neither do you."
Sarah looked toward the boardroom doors.
She thought about her mother.
Her father.
Her first life.
Daniel.
Vanessa.
The company.
And the man standing before her.
Maybe marriage to Adrian was dangerous.
But refusing him might be even more dangerous.
"I'll give you an answer soon."
Adrian nodded.
"Take your time."
Sarah turned to leave.
Her phone vibrated.
An unknown number.
She opened the message.
Don't marry Adrian Cole.
Her heart stopped.
A second message appeared.
Because he knows exactly why your mother disappeared.
Sarah slowly lowered the phone.
She looked back at Adrian.
He was watching her.
And for the first time, Sarah wondered whether the man offering to protect her might also be hiding the biggest secret of all.
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