Chapter 2 - A Stranger's Proposal
Claire looked from the warning on her phone to the stranger in front of her.
“Ethan Vale?”
The man’s mouth curved slightly. “So he does remember me.”
He was maybe thirty-five, dark-haired, controlled, the kind of handsome that looked expensive without trying. He carried no briefcase, no umbrella, and no visible hurry.
Claire tightened her grip on the suitcase. “How do you know Ryan?”
“I know the kind of man who threatens a woman after she learns the truth.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
“No. It was a better answer.”
She should have walked away. Instead, exhaustion kept her rooted in place.
Ethan spoke quietly to the manager. Five minutes later, Claire had a room.
“I’m not accepting charity,” she said.
“Good. I dislike charity.”
He handed her a business card. It contained only a name and a phone number.
“What do you want?”
“Breakfast at seven.”
Claire nearly laughed. “That’s your price?”
“For the room, yes. For breakfast, I may ask something unreasonable.”
At seven sharp, she found him in a corner booth. He slid a folder across the table.
The first page read: CIVIL MARRIAGE AGREEMENT.
Claire stared at him. “You’re insane.”
“Probably.”
He explained without blinking. His late grandfather had left a voting trust that would transfer to Ethan only if Ethan married before the next Vale Group board meeting. Otherwise, control would pass temporarily to Ethan’s uncle, Malcolm, a man Ethan clearly despised.
Claire pushed the folder back. “Hire an actress.”
“I need someone who has no reason to impress my family.”
“That is the worst compliment I’ve ever received.”
“You also need a Boston address, health insurance, legal protection from retaliatory employment interference, and enough cash to stop Ryan Mercer from using money as a leash.”
Claire’s eyes narrowed. “You investigated me.”
“After Ryan texted you my name.”
“That was twenty minutes ago.”
“I work fast.”
The agreement offered six months, separate bedrooms, no romantic obligations, full independence, and a settlement large enough to erase the debt Ryan had left her carrying.
Claire closed the folder.
“No.”
Ethan nodded once. “Fair.”
She stood.
His phone rang. He listened, then looked at her.
“Your interview at Northbridge Biologics was canceled three minutes ago.”
Claire stopped breathing.
“How do you know?”
“Because the hiring director just called my office to ask why Halcyon’s general counsel threatened to blacklist anyone who employed you.”
Ryan had moved faster than she expected.
Ethan slid the contract toward her again.
“This isn’t a rescue, Claire. It’s leverage.”
She stared at the signature line.
Then her own phone rang.
May you like
The caller ID read NORTHBRIDGE HR.
When she answered, a woman whispered, “Ms. Bennett, do not come to the interview. Someone is waiting for you downstairs.”
