The Offer That Changed Everything

The sound of leather shoes striking polished marble echoed through the grand hallway of Kingsley Corp's headquarters. The entire building was a fortress of power—sleek glass walls, steel beams, and an aura that warned outsiders to tread carefully.

Damian Kingsley, the man who built this empire, walked with a calculated precision that sent people scrambling out of his path. His presence alone was a storm—controlled yet lethal. With sharp, aristocratic features and eyes colder than winter, he was a man no one dared to cross.

He never made mistakes.

Never lost control.

Until now.

His fingers clenched around the confidential medical report in his grasp. The words burned into his mind like a brand.

"Surgical intervention required. High risk. Complications possible."

It wasn't fear that twisted in his gut—it was the weight of inevitability. If news of his condition leaked, Kingsley Corp would fall like a house of cards, and his enemies would devour everything he had built.

And that was not an option.

His personal secretary, Ethan Moore, trailed behind him, struggling to keep up with his long strides. "Sir, the press is still circling the rumor about the upcoming board meeting. If we don't—"

"Handle it," Damian cut in, his voice sharp. "Make it disappear."

Ethan swallowed. "Yes, sir."

But controlling the media was only one battle. The real war would be surviving the next few months without his condition becoming public. And for that, he needed something stronger than damage control.

He needed a distraction.

He needed her.

---

Ariana Carter believed in justice. But justice didn't believe in her.

She sat in the dimly lit prison visitation room, her heart pounding as she gripped the cold metal phone. On the other side of the glass sat Ryan Carter—her older brother, the only family she had left.

The bruises on his face told her everything.

"They moved me into solitary," Ryan's voice was rough, exhausted. "Said it was for my safety."

Ariana swallowed back her fury. "They're trying to break you."

"I can handle it," Ryan said. Then, leaning forward, he lowered his voice. "What's the status on the appeal?"

Ariana's throat tightened. "The judge denied it."

Ryan closed his eyes, exhaling sharply.

"I'm not giving up," she rushed to say. "There's still the Supreme Court, there's—"

"Ari." His voice was gentle. "You've done enough."

No. She hadn't.

She had spent two years fighting to prove Ryan's innocence. Two years going against the most powerful law firms, trying to untangle the mess of fabricated evidence that put him here. But the system was rigged. And without the right connections, justice didn't stand a chance.

Ryan gave her a small, tired smile. "Maybe it's time to move on."

Ariana's grip tightened around the phone. "Never."

She would burn the world down before she let him rot in this place.

-------

An Unthinkable Proposal

The moment Ariana walked into Kingsley Tower, she knew she didn't belong.

Her worn-out blazer and scuffed heels stood in stark contrast to the sea of designer suits and power-hungry executives. The air smelled of wealth and ruthlessness.

She straightened her shoulders. She wasn't here to be intimidated.

She was here because Damian Kingsley requested a meeting.

And she had no idea why.

A woman with a sleek black dress and a Bluetooth earpiece guided her into a private elevator. "Mr. Kingsley is waiting."

Ariana stepped inside, the doors sliding shut behind her. She exhaled slowly, steeling herself.

Whatever he wanted, she was ready.

The elevator opened directly into a penthouse office, all floor-to-ceiling windows and breathtaking views of the city.

And there he was.

Damian Kingsley.

He stood by the glass, a towering figure in a custom black suit. He didn't turn as she entered—just watched the skyline like he owned it.

The silence stretched.

Finally, he spoke. "You don't like me, do you, Ms. Carter?"

Ariana's spine stiffened. "I don't know you."

Damian turned then, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. "You know enough."

She did.

She knew he was ruthless.

A man who crushed competition without blinking.

A billionaire who never let emotions interfere with business.

And yet… something about the way he studied her made her stomach tighten.

"Sit." He gestured to the chair across from his desk.

Ariana hesitated before lowering herself onto the sleek leather seat. "Why am I here?"

Damian leaned against the desk, his expression unreadable. "I have a proposition for you."

Ariana's pulse quickened. "I'm not interested in any deals with you."

A ghost of a smirk touched his lips. "You haven't heard the offer."

She folded her arms. "Enlighten me."

Damian's gaze darkened. "I need a wife."

The words sucked the air out of the room.

Ariana blinked. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," he said smoothly. "A legal, documented marriage. One year."

Her heart pounded. "Why?"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked to a crystal decanter, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and took a slow sip.

Then, he turned back to her. "Because I need to keep my empire intact. And you…" His gaze swept over her. "Need something from me."

Ariana's stomach twisted.

Ryan.

Damian continued, his voice low, lethal. "I have influence over the judicial system. I can make your brother's case disappear."

Ice spread through her veins.

This wasn't a proposal.

It was a trap.

"Marry me," Damian said, "and I'll set him free."

Ariana shot to her feet. "You think you can buy me?"

"No." His voice was calm. "I think I'm giving you the only chance you'll ever get."

Rage burned in her chest. "Why me?"

Damian stepped closer, the heat of his presence suffocating. "Because I need someone who won't get attached. Someone smart enough to play the part, but strong enough to walk away when it's over."

His voice dipped. "You're perfect."

Ariana's heart pounded. This was insane.

This was immoral.

But it was also her only option.

Ryan's face flashed in her mind. His bruises. His tired smile. His quiet acceptance of a fate he didn't deserve.

She had sworn she would do anything to save him.

And now, Damian Kingsley was testing the limits of that promise.

Ariana looked into his cold, calculating eyes.

And for the first time in her life…

She considered selling her soul.

---

To Be Continued…