Chapter 5
544 Words
Chapter 5
The Stuart family villa stood beneath the evening sky like a palace, the massive gates opened slowly as Andrew’s car drove inside.
Every inch of the estate reflected power,legacy and control.
Andrew walked directly toward the study,Gabriel Stuart was already waiting.The older man sat behind a large mahogany desk, reviewing documents with sharp eyes that age had failed to weaken.
“Sit.”
Andrew obeyed calmly.
“You’re late,” Gabriel remarked.
“I came immediately after finishing work.”
Gabriel hummed quietly before placing the file aside.“In two weeks, the leadership transfer banquet will take place.”
Andrew remained silent.
He already expected this conversation,“You will officially become CEO of Stuart Corporation before the press, investors, and every influential family attending.”
Gabriel’s voice carried its usual authority.
“But you won’t arrive alone.”
Andrew’s expression hardened slightly.
“Ella will attend beside you.”
The room fell silent,“Your engagement will be announced publicly that night,” Gabriel continued.
Andrew frowned immediately,“She isn’t ready for that kind of attention.”
Gabriel looked amused,“Since when did you start caring about someone else’s comfort?” he asked smirking
Andrew ignored the comment.
“She barely agreed to this marriage yesterday. Throwing her into the spotlight this quickly is unreasonable.”
Gabriel leaned back slowly.“Unreasonable?”
A faint smile touched his lips,“This is business, Andrew. Public stability matters.”
“She’s still human.” Andrew said
The words came out colder than intended.
Gabriel studied him carefully,“You’re defending her already.”
Andrew’s jaw tightened,“That’s not the point.”
“But it is.”
Gabriel folded his hands calmly,“Either Ella attends beside you as your fiancée…”
He paused deliberately.
“Or the leadership ceremony gets postponed.”,Andrew’s gaze turned icy.
“And perhaps,” Gabriel added casually, “the company event may be handed to your uncle instead.”
Andrew’s eyes darkened instantly.
“Never.”
His voice came out low and dangerous.
Gabriel smiled faintly.
“That company is your life, isn’t it?”
Andrew stood slowly from his seat,“I built most of its expansion myself.”
“And now you’ll protect it,” Gabriel replied calmly. “Which means Ella Nelson will stand beside you at that banquet.”
Andrew’s jaw tightened.
For the first time in years, he felt trapped,not because of the company,but because of her.
Ella was already overwhelmed. He had seen the fear in her eyes yesterday,throwing her into a hall filled with cameras, politicians, billionaires, and reporters would only make things worse.
Yet he had no choice.
Gabriel’s voice softened slightly.
“You care more than you realize.”
Andrew looked away immediately,“That’s not true.”,he said
Gabriel only chuckled quietly.
“Go prepare for the banquet.”
Andrew left the study without another word, even after stepping outside, his thoughts remained unsettled.
Because deep down, he already knew one thing,the marriage was no longer feeling like just business.
And that terrified him more than anything else.
***
A low chuckle escaped his lips as he stared at the retreating car from the balcony, things were about to get interesting.
- Writer
