Chapter 6 – The Exclusive Encounter

Nathaniel Knight didn't do public meetings when privacy was an option. If he was going to convince Diana Reed to play along with his scheme, he needed control over the setting. That's why, instead of a casual café or a fancy restaurant, he booked out an entire high-end venue just for their meeting.

The restaurant, L'Exquisite, was known for its exclusivity—celebrities, billionaires, and royalty dined here without fear of paparazzi. The dim lighting, soft jazz, and panoramic city view set the perfect atmosphere for a conversation that required careful negotiation.

Nathaniel arrived first, dressed sharply in a navy-blue tailored suit, his signature lazy confidence on full display. Olivia, sitting across from him, scrolled through her phone, likely reading yet another news update on the storm he had caused.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked, glancing up. "Diana isn't exactly your biggest fan. And she doesn't strike me as someone who falls for billionaire charm."

Nathaniel smirked. "That's what makes this interesting."

Moments later, the door opened, and Diana Reed stepped in.

The moment she entered, the air in the room shifted. Heads would have turned—if there had been anyone else in the restaurant. Her presence was magnetic, effortlessly commanding attention.

She was breathtaking in a way that felt almost unfair. The kind of beauty that didn't need flashy designer labels or heavy makeup. She moved with a natural grace, her curvaceous silhouette accentuated by a sleek, form-fitting dress that hugged her in all the right places. Her sun-kissed skin glowed under the soft lighting, and her high ponytail cascaded down her back like waves of silk. Her striking features—full lips, high cheekbones, and piercing eyes—held an almost ethereal allure.

Nathaniel had expected her to be beautiful. He hadn't expected this.

She stopped a few feet away from the table, arms crossed. "So, let me get this straight. You booked out an entire restaurant just to talk to me?"

Nathaniel grinned, quickly masking any trace of surprise. "Privacy is important."

Diana raised an eyebrow. "Or maybe you just didn't want anyone overhearing how desperate you are."

Olivia choked on her water.

Nathaniel, unbothered, gestured to the seat across from him. "Sit. Let's talk."

Diana sighed but took the seat. "Fine. But let's be clear—I'm not here to entertain some spoiled rich guy's PR stunt. If I'm doing this, I'm setting the terms."

Olivia leaned in, interested. "Oh, this just got fun."

Nathaniel rested his chin on his hand, studying Diana. "Alright. Tell me what you want."

Diana Reed – The Other Side of Wealth

Diana's background couldn't be more different from Nathaniel's. While he had grown up surrounded by luxury, she had clawed her way up from nothing. Born to a struggling single mother, Diana knew what it meant to hustle for every opportunity.

Her family's financial situation had never been stable. Her mother worked two jobs, and Diana had taken on part-time work as soon as she was old enough. She had no inheritance, no safety net, and certainly no billion-dollar family empire waiting for her.

Yet, despite that, she had built something for herself.

Diana became an influencer not because she wanted fame but because she knew branding was a powerful tool. Through sheer determination, she had turned her social media presence into a business, collaborating with brands, modeling for campaigns, and even launching her own small fashion line.

But the thing that set Diana apart? She wasn't impressed by wealth.

She had seen firsthand how money could change people—how it could corrupt, create distance, and make people forget what truly mattered. She despised entitlement, and she had no patience for rich boys who thought they could buy their way out of consequences.

Which is why sitting across from Nathaniel Knight felt like walking into enemy territory.

The Proposal

Nathaniel leaned back in his chair. "I need to fix my reputation. You don't want a real relationship. Seems like a perfect match to me."

Diana scoffed. "And what exactly do I get out of this?"

Nathaniel smiled. "Exposure. You think you're big now? Imagine what happens when the entire world thinks you're dating the Nathaniel Knight."

Diana rolled her eyes. "Oh, lucky me. A front-row seat to your mess."

Nathaniel shrugged. "Three months. You play the part, smile for the cameras, and when it's over, you walk away with more brand deals than you can count."

Diana tapped her nails on the table, thinking.

"Three months," she echoed. "And in that time, you don't try anything stupid. No real dates, no emotional nonsense, and definitely no attempts to 'charm' me."

Nathaniel smirked. "Afraid you'll fall for me?"

Diana scoffed. "You're not that special."

Olivia, watching the exchange, grinned. "Oh, I like her."

Diana extended her hand across the table. "Three months. Then we go our separate ways."

Nathaniel took her hand, shaking it. "Three months."

As their hands parted, Diana sat back with a smirk. "By the way, if you ever book out a restaurant for me again, I'm bringing a plus one just to eat the free food."

Nathaniel chuckled. "Noted."

And just like that, the deal was sealed.

What could possibly go wrong?