Chapter 2: The Proposal

Isabella leaned back in the plush chair of her bedroom, the same room she had abandoned years ago to chase dreams of love and ambition. The dim lighting softened the sharp edges of the large, regal space. Everything about the Laurent estate screamed wealth and power—traits she had foolishly turned her back on for a man who didn’t deserve even an ounce of her loyalty.

Her gaze fell once again on the letter on the dresser. She had read it twice already, but the words still pulsed with an energy that unsettled her. Alexander Blackwood. Just seeing his name again after so many years sent a chill down her spine.

She unfolded the letter one more time, the thick, expensive paper rustling faintly.

> Isabella Laurent,

I trust this letter finds you well, though I doubt it has been a pleasant few months. I’ve been following your situation closely, and I believe we share a common interest—vengeance.

If you are willing to discuss a mutually beneficial arrangement, meet me at Blackwood Tower tomorrow at noon. Consider this a chance to reclaim what’s rightfully yours.

There was no flowery language, no false sympathy—just cold, calculated words, as sharp as the man who had written them.

Alexander Blackwood. The man her parents had once insisted she marry. The same man she had rejected, calling him “emotionless” and “unbearable.” Now he was reaching out to her, and for what? To help her? Or to use her?

“Of course, it’s for his benefit,” Isabella muttered under her breath, tossing the letter back onto the dresser.

But no matter his intentions, one thing was clear: he was offering her something she couldn’t refuse. If Alexander Blackwood was as powerful as she remembered, an alliance with him could be exactly what she needed to destroy Ryan and his new fiancée.

******

The following morning, Isabella stepped out of the Laurent estate, dressed in a sleek black pantsuit that exuded confidence. Gone was the naive woman who had sacrificed everything for love. Today, she was the heiress of the Laurent legacy, a woman on a mission.

Her driver opened the car door for her, and she slid inside without a word. The journey to Blackwood Tower was quiet, save for the low hum of the engine.

As the car approached the towering skyscraper, Isabella felt a pang of apprehension. Blackwood Tower was more than just a corporate building—it was a symbol of dominance. Its dark glass windows reflected the city’s skyline, and its imposing height seemed to look down on everything around it.

“Miss Laurent,” the receptionist greeted her as she stepped inside, her voice laced with deference. “Mr. Blackwood is expecting you.”

Isabella’s heels clicked against the marble floors as she followed the receptionist to the elevator. The ascent to the top floor was swift, the silence in the enclosed space amplifying the pounding of her heart.

When the elevator doors slid open, Isabella was greeted by a breathtaking view of the city. The floor-to-ceiling windows of Alexander’s office framed the skyline perfectly, but it wasn’t the view that commanded her attention.

It was him.

Alexander Blackwood stood by his desk, his tailored suit hugging his tall, lean frame. His jet-black hair was slicked back, and his piercing gray eyes locked onto her the moment she entered. He hadn’t changed much—still exuding that aura of cold authority that made people hesitate to meet his gaze.

“Isabella,” he said, his deep voice as sharp and precise as the man himself.

“Alexander,” she replied, stepping forward with all the confidence she could muster. She wasn’t the same timid girl who had walked away from him years ago.

He gestured to the chair across from his desk. “Sit.”

Isabella hesitated for a brief moment before taking her seat. Alexander remained standing, studying her with an intensity that made her skin prickle.

“You’ve read the letter,” he began, his tone leaving no room for small talk. “I assume you understand why you’re here.”

“I understand that you think we share a common goal,” Isabella replied, matching his cold tone. “But what’s in it for you, Alexander? You’re not exactly known for your altruism.”

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “I see you haven’t lost your sharp tongue.”

“Get to the point,” she said, leaning back in her chair.

Alexander walked around the desk and leaned against it, his arms crossed. “Ryan Everett has been making waves in the business world lately. He’s ambitious, but reckless. He’s stepped on more than a few toes to get where he is, and now he’s stepped on mine.”

Isabella arched an eyebrow. “And you think I can help you... how?”

“You were the architect of his success,” Alexander said bluntly. “I know what you’re capable of, Isabella. You built his empire from the ground up. If anyone knows how to dismantle it, it’s you.”

The words hit her like a slap. He was right—she had been the one to nurture Ryan’s dreams, to turn his fledgling company into a force to be reckoned with. And now, she had the chance to destroy it.

“And in return?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

Alexander’s smirk widened slightly. “In return, I’ll help you rebuild. Not just your reputation, but your legacy. Together, we’ll crush Ryan and anyone else who dares to stand in our way.”

Isabella studied him carefully, weighing her options. Alexander Blackwood was a man who played for keeps. Aligning herself with him would be dangerous, but the alternative, facing Ryan alone was unthinkable.

“What’s the catch?” she asked finally.

“No catch,” Alexander said, pushing off the desk and extending a hand toward her. “Just a mutually beneficial partnership. Of course, you’ll have to trust me.”

Isabella let out a dry laugh. “Trust you? That’s asking a lot.”

“You don’t have to trust me,” he said, his gaze steady. “But you will need me.”

For a moment, she hesitated. Then, with a deep breath, she stood and shook his hand.

“Fine,” she said. “Let’s do this.”

As Isabella left Blackwood Tower, her phone buzzed with a notification. It was a photo of her and Alexander, taken just moments ago. The caption read:

“Heiress Isabella Laurent spotted with billionaire Alexander Blackwood, power couple or power play?”

The picture was already going viral. Isabella stared at the screen, her heart pounding. Ryan would see this. And when he did, he’d know that she wasn’t coming back to beg for his attention.

She was coming for everything he had.