Unexpected Proposal

Zoe Powers stood outside Ainsoft, arms crossed, foot tapping impatiently against the pavement.

This company was her family’s last hope. If her father couldn’t convince Ainsoft to invest in Powers Corp, their business—the one her father had struggled to build all these years would collapse.

She exhaled sharply, rubbing her arms against the cool breeze. Her father had insisted she wait outside, saying he needed to handle the meeting alone. But after standing here for over an hour, she was starting to get restless.

She was just about to call him when a sleek black sports car screeched to a stop in front of her.

She barely had time to step back before the driver’s door swung open, and a man stepped out.

Tall. Sharp-jawed. Dressed in an expensive suit that screamed luxury. His entire presence screamed money and arrogance.

He didn’t even glance at her. Just pulled off his sunglasses and tossed his car keys in her direction.

“Finally,” he muttered. “You’re late.”

Zoe caught the keys before they hit her face. Wait—what?!

“I asked for a sexy driver,” the man continued, looking her up and down. His lips curled. “Not—an old lady.”

Zoe froze.

Old lady?

She was twenty-five, for God’s sake!

Her grip on the keys tightened as irritation flared in her chest. Who the hell did this guy think he was?

A normal person would have corrected him immediately. Told him she wasn’t his driver. Maybe thrown the keys back at his arrogant face.

But Zoe wasn’t feeling particularly normal today.

She had spent the past few weeks drowning in stress, watching her father struggle to keep their company afloat, listening to investors whisper about their inevitable downfall.

Maybe that was why she did what she did next.

She smiled. Sweet. Polite. Dangerous.

“Where do you want to go, sir?” she asked smoothly, twirling the keys around her finger.

The man frowned, clearly not expecting that response. “Wait. You’re actually my driver?”

Zoe tilted her head, still smiling. “Of course, sir. Buckle up.”

Before he could argue, she slid into the driver’s seat.

The moment he settled into the passenger seat, she slammed her foot on the gas.

The car lurched forward violently, throwing him back against the seat.

“What the hell?!” he barked.

Zoe didn’t answer. She just gripped the wheel with deadly precision and—

“Are you even licensed?!” he yelled, gripping the dashboard like his life depended on it.

Zoe just smiled sweetly in response. “Everything alright back there, sir?”

The glare he shot her could have set the car on fire.

She got to a spot and stopped, the man stumbled out of the car, looking pale and furious.

He braced himself against the hood, breathing hard. Then he spun around to face her.

“You’re insane!” he snapped.

Zoe tossed him his keys, completely unbothered. “And you’re an entitled nepo baby. Drive yourself next time.”

She turned on her heel and walked away, feeling more satisfied than she had in weeks.

This was probably the last time she’d ever see him.

She was so, so wrong.

~~~~~🌸~~~~~~

At the Chairman’s Office

Mark Powers sat across from Lana Walter, the formidable chairman of Ainsoft. His fingers clenched the armrests of his chair as he waited for her response.

She leaned back, a slow smile curving on her lips. “I will invest in your company, Mark. I will save Powers Corp.”

Relief surged through him, but before he could thank her, she lifted a finger.

“On one condition.”

Mark stiffened. “What condition?” he asked, his voice edged with desperation.

Lana exhaled, her gaze turning thoughtful. “I have a grandson… reckless and immature.” She sighed. “Two grandsons, actually. The first one is well-behaved. The second one… ugh.”

Mark frowned. “I… don’t understand.”

Lana’s smile returned. “I’ve seen your daughter, Zoe. I like her a lot. You see, my grandson has been through a lot. I think Zoe will help him.” She clasped her hands together.

“I want Zoe to marry him.”

Mark’s breath caught. Marriage?

“Take it as an alliance,” she continued smoothly. “Without it, I won’t invest in Powers Corp.”

Mark swallowed hard. “That’s—”

“I’ll give you time to think about it,” she interrupted, her tone leaving no room for argument. Then she smiled again, as if she hadn’t just turned his world upside down.

Mark sat there, his mind racing.

How was he supposed to ask his only child to marry a man that his grandmother had referred to as reckless…immature.

Lana Walter folded her hands on the desk, her sharp gaze never leaving Mark’s face.

“I am a straightforward woman, Mark. I tell you what I want.” She leaned back in her chair. “Adonis is a good boy. He just has… a lot of hurt inside.”

Mark stiffened.

His daughter was a therapist—and a damn good one at that. If Lana wanted Zoe anywhere near her troubled grandson, it was obvious what she was thinking.

Adonis didn’t need a wife. He needed professional help.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Lana interrupted, her voice smooth. “You’re wondering why I don’t just get him a therapist instead of a wife.”

Mark’s throat tightened. She had read him too easily.

“I’ve done that,” she continued. “Therapists. Doctors. None of them worked. He shuts them out. But your daughter… she’s different. I’ve read her reviews. She’s good.” Her smile widened. “She’s perfect.”

Mark shook his head. “I can’t just tell her to marry your grandson,” he protested. “She has a life. A career. She won’t agree to this.”

Lana shrugged, unbothered. “She’ll be fine. It’s only eighteen months—just enough time for Adonis to get his life together. After that, she’s free to walk away.”

Mark stared at her, heart pounding. Eighteen months.

That was all it would take to save Powers Corp.