Chapter 3 The Proposal

"Grandma, is there something you need from me?" Elliot asked as he sat across from Harriet. "Elliot, remember Officer Amelia Chapman, the one who protected you? She has a daughter named Anastasia, who's apparently a single mother with an illegitimate son. I'm thinking you should marry her and take care of them." Elliot's face tightened, his brows knitting together. As the rightful heir of the Presgrave Group, he had taken over five years ago and significantly increased its market value, quickly making it one of the top companies in the world. The only time he'd slipped up was that night five years ago when someone had spiked his drink to compromise and confuse him. A woman had appeared at his most desperate—smelling, tasting, and sounding so delectable. She had begged and cried beneath him, and he couldn't help feeling regret even as the drug clouded his judgment. He had then stuffed the watch in her hand and fainted, waking up to find a bloodstain on the covers. He had been searching for her to make amends and even saved her a place as his wife, leading him to Hayley, who had been holding on to the watch. He had not yet revealed this to his grandmother, who was asking him to marry another, though. "Grandma, there has to be another way to fix things," Elliot suggested, keeping his cool. Harriet immediately shot down the idea. "You're marrying her. Take care of her and protect her as long as you live." Elliot reluctantly concurred, "Fine then." Her expression relaxed as she waved her hand. "Good. Acquire her company at once and win her over!" Elliot sighed resolutely. "Okay, Grandma." After she was gone, Elliot sank into the couch while massaging his brow, resolving to see Anastasia first for her opinion. … A mysterious team had finalized a deal with Jack at QR Group International for ten billion dollars after some negotiation, meaning that the company now had a new owner without anyone knowing. The middle-aged man left the venue and reported to Elliot via phone call, "The deal is closed. You now own QR Diamond Global, Mr. Presgrave." "Got it," affirmed the man on the other end. After promising his grandmother to win Anastasia's heart, Elliot spent 10 billion on the company Anastasia worked for, meaning that only she could reject the offer of marriage. He had to go through the motions for Harriet, but it was up in the air whether or not he and Anastasia could marry. He hoped that Anastasia would refuse him as he believed marriage should be built on the basis of a relationship, or it would be useless. Anastasia smiled contentedly as she looked at her sleeping son in her new apartment courtesy of Bourgeois Jewelry Atelier, which had been converted into a suitable and comfortable home after two hours of spring cleaning. It had been an exhausting journey, but watching her son sleep made her tiredness fade, and she did not know that she now had a new boss. Anastasia soon found a kindergarten nearby for Jared, making it easier to focus on work. He looked excited about it too, trotting inside hand in hand with his teacher while carrying his little backpack. "Is he yours? You've such a handsome boy! I've never seen a child this attractive before," gushed another mother, which made Anastasia beam with pride. It was Anastasia's first day at work as a designer in the design department, where she got many perks, such as her own office and a smart assistant. Her work involved custom design rather than mass production, which was a selling point of QR—each customer would get a customized design. Her assistant was Grace Ellis, a young, energetic, smart, and capable girl. "Anastasia, your coffee." Grace served her a mug, and Anastasia thanked her with a nod. Grace knocked and poked her head inside, not even two minutes later. "Anastasia, the manager announced a meeting at three. The big boss will be present, so get ready." At three o'clock, Anastasia joined the rest of the important members of the company in the meeting room for what seemed to be something big. Looking around, her gaze met a sharp one from a woman about 27-28, with a tag reading Chief Designer Alice Thompson. Realization hit her at once as she knew the design circle was fiercely competitive and there was no room for friends. It was understandable that people would dislike her after her return from abroad. Footsteps from outside indicated many people were coming. As the door opened, in came an intimidating figure dressed in a perfectly tailored suit accompanied by a commanding aura. As he settled at the head of the table, his quiet yet imposing presence made it clear that he was experienced and of high rank. The place quieted down at once. The boss has changed? The female designers were excited and taken aback, captivated by the inhumanely handsome man. Anastasia was astonished, too. Wasn't the owner in his early fifties? Why was he so young?