Chapter 4: Stand-in job

 DAISY JOYCE

 Kneeling on the cold, hard floor in front of him, I felt my emotions overwhelm me, like a giant wave crashing down. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. "Sir," I managed to say, my voice shaky and full of urgency.

"I feel completely alone in this vast world. Since I was nine, I've been without a family or friends—no one who cares about me at all. Please, I really need your help."

"I want to be clear," I continued, my gaze earnest and unwavering. "I'm not looking for a romantic connection; the age difference is simply too great. I just hope my sincerity breaks through."

 My heartfelt plea seemed to only add to his frustration. He leaned back a bit, ran his hand through his hair, and narrowed his eyes at me.

"Listen, lady, you're really getting on my nerves," he shot back, his voice full of irritation.

Before I could even respond, he waved his hand at his bodyguards, signaling them to take me away. My heart sank as they approached, and the little glimmer of hope I had quickly faded, swallowed by the growing sense of despair.

 DAMOND CHRIS

 This girl was really getting on my nerves. How could she casually mention the word "eye" in our conversation when she knew I couldn't see? It felt almost like she was trying to tease me. My irritation bubbled just beneath the surface, and for a moment, I thought about telling my bodyguard to send her away. But then, I noticed something: there was a slight tremble in her voice that cut through my anger. It revealed a deep sadness that filled the space around us, and even though I couldn't see her, I could feel the heaviness of her unspoken pain pulling at something deep inside me.

I took a deep breath, signaling my bodyguard to step back and give us some space. "What's your name?" I asked, striving to keep my voice steady and composed.

"Daisy," she replied, her voice wavering, a fragile whisper that hinted at the turmoil beneath her surface.

"Daisy," I began, allowing her name to hang in the air as I chose my words carefully. "I have an interesting proposal for you." I paused to gauge her reaction, noting the blend of curiosity and doubt on her face. "I need you to pretend to be my wife when I'm around my family."

I could practically hear her thoughts racing as she took a sharp breath, clearly caught off guard by my unexpected request. "You'll stay at my place while I sort out my own romantic life," I explained, detailing this unusual plan. "It won't be anything serious—just a temporary arrangement. In exchange, I'll pay you one hundred thousand dollars each month for your help. This will go on for six months."

The silence between us felt heavy, and I pressed on, feeling a strong urgency to make this happen. "And when our time together ends, you'll walk away with an incredible payout of one hundred million dollars."

I paused for a moment, letting the silence fill the space between us. I could see that she was taken aback and intrigued. "There's one more thing," I said, making sure she realized how valuable my offer was. "This card—it's worth five million dollars. You can keep it."

I could feel a mix of surprise and curiosity in her expression. "Take your time to think about it," I encouraged her, my tone calm. "When I come back, I'll bring the contract for you to sign. Just think about the amount of money I'm offering; it's a lot more than you would expect for a short-term job. I have a feeling you might find it hard to turn this down."

 With that, I turned to leave, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and confidence as I walked away.

 DAISY JOYCE

 Initially, fury surged through me at his condescending tone. How could anyone be so callous? But as the moments passed, that anger quickly morphed into a strange sense of empowerment. This was all about business, after all, and deeper down, I knew I had to set aside my irritation for the sake of opportunity.

 I wasn't about to do this stand-in job for free; I had bills and dreams just like anyone else. The staggering salary he offered, coupled with the jaw-dropping payout at the end of the six-month contract, left my mind reeling. A hundred thousand dollars each month, plus the black card worth five million, acted as a siren song that I found hard to ignore.

 While my initial indignation simmered, I felt the weight of reality settling in. This was a chance—one that came with significant risks but unimaginable rewards. There was no way I could afford to walk away from such an offer. When he returned, I would agree to the terms and sign the contract.

 Oh my God, I'm about to become a businesswoman! The thought filled me with exhilaration. Once the contract concludes, I could take a well-deserved break before pursuing another lucrative stand-in role, allowing me to gather enough capital to start building a successful business venture of my own. But first things first—don't get ahead of yourself, Daisy. Focus on completing this assignment with the utmost professionalism.

 I reassured myself silently, proud yet wary: Don't worry, Father, Mother, Luna, and Kelvin; I'll find a way to be just fine from now on.