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In the quiet of a private club, he had watched me with a knowing, almost playful look in his eyes.
"I'm just the family bastard," he said, a smirk dancing on his lips.
"The Mantels have plenty of golden boys. Why choose me?"
I slid a file across the polished table toward him.
"Because you need me. And I need you. Together, we are the optimal solution."
He glanced at the file but made no move to open it.
"And what kind of 'solution' would that be?"
I pushed the file a little closer.
"Let's be honest. I've done my research on you. You're brilliant, far more capable than anyone gives you credit for. I want to partner with you."
"And besides," I continued, leaning forward, my eyes locking with his wild, untamed gaze,
"if you truly have no ambitions for the Mantel empire, why have you been making so many moves in the shadows?"
His eyes narrowed with a hint of caution, but I pressed on.
"Don't you want to know why your grandfather said the man who marries me inherits everything?"
He studied me for a long, silent moment.
Just when I thought he might refuse, he extended his hand across the table.
"A pleasure, my dear fiancée."
