"Marry you?"
Annabelle repeated the words, hoping she had misunderstood him.
Jason didn't answer.
He simply returned his attention to the documents on his desk.
Annabelle stared at him.
Was he actually serious?
She had come to discuss a business deal, not marriage.
Her phone suddenly vibrated.
She looked down at the screen and saw a message from her grandfather.
She almost ignored it, but something made her open it.
Her eyes widened when she read the message.
Her grandfather wanted her to marry Jason Grayson.
Annabelle stared at the message for a few seconds.
How did he even know about Jason?
Was this some kind of joke?
"Have you thought about it?"
Jason's voice brought her back to reality.
She quickly locked her phone.
"I will get back to you," she said. "But if you can come up with another condition, I will be glad to fulfill it."
Jason looked at her.
"Since that is the case, I will give you twenty-four hours to think about it."
He returned to his work.
Annabelle stood up.
She had come to his office hoping to save her company.
Instead, she was leaving with an impossible decision.
Marriage.
She couldn't understand why Jason wanted to marry her, but she wasn't going to agree without thinking about it.
After getting into her car, she immediately called her grandfather.
"Grandpa, what was that message about?"
"What message?" he asked innocently.
"Don't pretend you don't know. You said I should marry Jason Grayson."
"Oh, that."
Annabelle sighed.
"Yes, Grandpa. That."
"I only wanted to help you. I met an old friend yesterday, and he told me about his grandson. I thought the two of you might be a good match."
"You thought that without even asking me?"
"At least I informed you."
"Grandpa, things are not done that way."
"You will understand when you get older."
"Grandpa—"
Before she could finish, the call ended.
Annabelle stared at her phone.
Her grandfather had always been protective of her, but this was different.
He had never tried to decide who she should marry before.
And now he wanted her to marry a man she had only just met.
She put her phone down and started the car.
For the rest of the day, she tried to focus on work.
It didn't work.
Every time she looked at the documents on her desk, Jason's words came back to her.
Marry me.
By the time she got home that evening, she still hadn't made a decision.
She sat on her bed and stared at the ceiling.
She didn't know Jason.
She didn't trust him.
And the thought of marrying him sounded completely absurd.
But RA Jewels was running out of options.
She closed her eyes.
She would make her decision tomorrow.
The next morning, Annabelle arrived at the office early.
She barely had time to sit down before her assistant rushed into the office.
"Ma'am, we have another problem."
Annabelle looked up.
"What is it?"
"The bank representatives are here."
Her heart sank.
"What do they want?"
"They said the company has failed to meet the repayment conditions. They want us to begin the process of bankruptcy, and they are preparing to take possession of the company building."
Annabelle stood up.
"What?"
"They are waiting in the conference room."
Annabelle walked quickly towards the conference room.
The bank representatives were already seated when she entered.
"Good morning," she said.
"Good morning, Ms. Bradford."
One of the representatives placed a document on the table.
"We have come to discuss the company's outstanding loan."
"I know."
"You also know that the deadline has passed."
Annabelle looked at the document.
She knew exactly what would happen if the bank took the building.
RA Jewels would not survive it.
"How much time do I have?"
"We have already begun the necessary process."
Annabelle's fingers tightened around the edge of the table.
"Give me until the end of the week."
The representative looked at her.
"And how do you intend to settle the debt?"
Annabelle didn't answer immediately.
She thought about the gold project.
If Jason gave her the rights, RA Jewels could begin the project and generate the money needed to stabilize the company.
"I will find a way," she finally said.
The representative studied her for a moment.
"We will give you until the end of the week. After that, we will proceed with the acquisition."
"Thank you."
The representatives left.
Annabelle remained standing in the conference room.
She had less than a week.
And she still had one hour before Jason's deadline.
There was only one thing left to do.
She picked up her bag and hurried out of the office.
Jason Grayson was her last hope.
When she arrived at Grayson Enterprise, she went straight to the elevator.
"Please tell your CEO that the RA Jewels representative is here," she told the receptionist.
After receiving permission to enter, she quickly walked towards Jason's office.
She pushed the door open.
"I agree to your condition."
Jason looked up from his desk.
Annabelle was breathing heavily.
"I will marry you."
Jason studied her for a moment before reaching for a document.
"Take a look at this contract. If you are satisfied with the terms, you can sign it."
Annabelle took the contract.
She read through the important clauses.
One year.
Same house.
Different rooms.
No interference in each other's personal affairs.
No external affairs.
And a penalty for breaking the agreement.
Her eyes paused at the final condition.
One billion dollars.
She looked at Jason.
"Is this supposed to be a joke?"
"No."
Annabelle stared at him.
Who exactly was she about to marry?
She looked back at the contract.
She had no time to argue.
If she walked away, she could lose RA Jewels.
After taking one final breath, she signed the contract.
Jason took the document from her.
"You can begin the gold project."
He picked up his phone and called his lawyer.
Annabelle remained standing there.
She had come to save her company.
Instead, she had just signed a marriage contract with Jason Grayson.
And there was no turning back.