Chapter 5: The Offer
757 Words
Chapter 5: The Offer
Amelia stared at the message.
Good morning, Amelia.
Have you reconsidered my proposal?
The timing was impossible.
Seven days.
The bank had given them only seven days.
And somehow Alexander had known.
A chill crept down her spine.
"Miss Hart?"
Mr. Lewis's voice pulled her back to reality.
The boardroom was still in chaos.
Vanessa looked frightened.
Ethan was arguing with her father.
Everyone was talking at once.
Everyone except Amelia.
Because she suddenly realized something.
Alexander hadn't caused this.
But he had expected it.
Which meant he understood the situation better than anyone sitting in this room.
Including her father.
Her father slammed a hand against the table.
"Get me the bank president."
Mr. Lewis hesitated.
"We already tried."
"What did they say?"
"They refused a meeting."
Silence followed.
The kind that only appeared when people understood how serious a situation truly was.
For the first time, fear appeared in her father's eyes.
Real fear.
Not embarrassment.
Not anger.
Fear.
Amelia should have felt satisfaction.
Instead, she felt tired.
So incredibly tired.
Without another word, she picked up her purse.
Her father noticed immediately.
"Where are you going?"
She paused at the door.
Then looked back.
"To solve a problem."
Before anyone could stop her, she left.
The elevator ride felt endless.
Her phone remained in her hand.
The message still visible on the screen.
Part of her wanted to ignore it.
Part of her wanted to throw the phone into the river.
But another part—the practical part—understood the truth.
Hart Industries was dying.
And Alexander Blackwood was offering a lifeline.
By the time she reached the lobby, she had made a decision.
Not about the marriage.
About the meeting.
She typed a reply.
We need to talk.
The response came almost immediately.
I know.
Amelia stopped walking.
How was he always so certain?
A second message appeared.
Car outside.
Her stomach tightened.
She pushed through the revolving doors.
A black luxury sedan waited at the curb.
The driver stepped out and opened the rear door.
As if he'd been expecting her.
Which, apparently, he had.
Amelia climbed inside.
Alexander sat across from her.
Perfectly composed.
Perfectly calm.
A tablet rested in his hand.
He looked more like a king reviewing reports than a billionaire discussing marriage contracts.
His eyes lifted.
Meeting hers.
For the briefest moment, something softened in his expression.
Relief.
It vanished so quickly she almost thought she imagined it.
"Good morning."
Amelia folded her arms.
"Did you know the bank would move today?"
Alexander considered the question.
Then answered honestly.
"I suspected."
"How?"
"Because I understand the people involved."
That wasn't really an answer.
But she doubted she'd get a better one.
The car pulled away from the curb.
Amelia glanced out the window.
"Where are we going?"
"My office."
Of course.
They drove in silence for several minutes.
The city passed by outside.
Eventually Amelia spoke.
"Why me?"
Alexander looked up from his tablet.
"You've asked that before."
"And you never answered."
"No."
His honesty was infuriating.
Amelia turned toward him.
"Then answer now."
The car became quiet.
Even the driver seemed to disappear into the background.
Alexander studied her face.
Not casually.
Not politely.
As though searching for something.
Finally he said,
"Because you're the only Hart worth saving."
The words hit harder than they should have.
Amelia stared at him.
"You don't even know me."
A strange look crossed his face.
One that almost resembled sadness.
"You'd be surprised."
Before she could question him further, the car entered an underground parking garage.
A few minutes later, they stepped into a private elevator.
The doors opened directly into the top floor of Blackwood International.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire city.
The office was massive.
Elegant.
Quiet.
Power seemed to seep from every corner.
Alexander walked to his desk.
Amelia remained standing.
"I haven't agreed to anything."
"I know."
"Then stop acting like you have."
To her surprise, the corner of his mouth lifted.
"You haven't changed."
Amelia frowned.
"There you go again."
His expression immediately became neutral.
"What?"
"Talking like you know me."
A dangerous silence followed.
For the first time since meeting him, Alexander seemed caught off guard.
Just slightly.
But enough for her to notice.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Amelia took a step closer.
"Have we met before?"
His eyes held hers.
Seconds passed.
Then he answered.
"No."
The answer came too quickly.
Too smoothly.
And for the first time, Amelia was absolutely certain.
Alexander Blackwood had just lied to her.
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