CLAIMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE'S ENEMY

A Cold Proposal

Chapter Seven

The soft ring above the shop door echoed as the well-dressed stranger stepped farther into Hart's Blossoms. Lena offered him a polite smile. "I'm looking for someone," he had said. "You've found her." For a moment, Ethan Brooks simply stared at her. She looked exactly as the witnesses had described, gentle eyes, a calm smile, and flowers in her hands as though they were an extension of who she was. "I'm Ethan Brooks," he introduced himself, extending his hand. "Personal assistant to Mr. Damien Cross." Lena's smile faded, "The billionaire?" "Yes." She hesitated before shaking his hand. "What can I do for you?"

Ethan reached into his jacket and carefully placed a photograph on the counter. It was a blurry image taken from a nearby security camera on the night of the accident. The woman's face wasn't visible, but the bouquet of white lilies in her arms was unmistakable. Lena immediately recognized it.

"I believe," Ethan said gently, "that this is you."

Silence filled the shop. Lena lowered her eyes. "I... was there." "So it was you." She nodded. "I only did what anyone else would have done." Ethan smiled faintly. "Actually, they didn't." Lena looked up.

"Witnesses said everyone was too afraid to go near the car." Her expression softened. "I couldn't leave him there." "And because of that, Mr. Cross is alive today." Lena looked away. "I'm glad he's recovering." "He would like to thank you personally."

Her eyes widened, "That's not necessary." "I'm afraid he'll disagree." She laughed nervously,

"Please tell him I'm happy he's safe, that's enough." Ethan studied her for a moment, "No reward?" "I don't want one." "No publicity? She shook her head, "I don't even want my name in the newspapers." Ethan had met countless people in his years working for Damien, most would have demanded money, favors, or opportunities. This woman wanted nothing. "I'll let him know," he said sincerely. Before leaving, he handed her a simple business card. "If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call." After Ethan left, Lena stood motionless behind the counter, she slipped the card into a drawer, her life didn't belong in the world of billionaires, it was better to keep her distance.

Later that afternoon, Ethan returned to Cross Group Headquarters. Damien was waiting impatiently in his office. "Well?" Ethan smiled. "You were right." Damien stood, "It was her?" "Yes." "What did she say?" "I thanked her on your behalf and told her you wanted to meet her." "And?" Ethan chuckled softly. "She refused." Damien blinked, "Refused?" "She said saving you didn't entitle her to anything." A faint smile tugged at Damien's lips.

"Interesting." "I also offered any assistance she might need." "And?" "She declined that too." Damien walked to the window overlooking the city.

For the first time in years, someone had treated him like an ordinary person instead of a billionaire, he found himself respecting her even more. "I'm going to meet her myself." Ethan wasn't surprised. "I expected you'd say that."

That evening, Richard Cross invited Damien into his private study. The room was lined with shelves of old books and framed photographs from decades past. Richard poured two glasses of whiskey before handing one to Damien. "I hear you've found your rescuer." "I have." Richard nodded thoughtfully, "Good." He took a slow sip before continuing. "Unfortunately... we have a bigger problem." Damien frowned. "What happened?" Richard placed a confidential file on the desk. "Our largest overseas investors are threatening to withdraw."

"Why?" "They've lost confidence because of the recent accident." Damien flipped through the documents. "If they leave, Cross Group's stock will fall." "Exactly."

Richard folded his hands. "They're demanding proof that the Cross family remains stable." Damien looked up. "And how do they expect us to prove that?" Richard's answer came without hesitation, "They want to see a settled heir."

Damien's expression hardened. "They want me to get married." Richard nodded, "It would reassure the investors that the future of the Cross family is secure." Damien let out a humorless laugh. "So my personal life has become a business strategy." "In our world," Richard replied quietly, "it always has been.” Damien closed the file, "I'm not marrying someone for the company's image." Richard studied him carefully, "What if the woman were someone you already respected?"

Damien's thoughts immediately drifted to the kind-hearted florist who had walked away without asking for anything in return. He frowned at himself, he had met her only once or rather, not even truly met her. Yet she was the first person who came to mind. Richard noticed the change in his grandson's expression but said nothing. Instead, he smiled to himself. A seed had been planted. Neither man realized how soon fate would force that impossible idea into a very real proposal.