Chapter 2 - The Proposal of Convenience
When Lena entered the top-floor penthouse office of Hale Tower the next morning, she expected an offer for a temporary seamstress job or a modest cash reward to pay off her eviction notice.
Instead, she found Julian Hale sitting behind a massive glass desk, a thick legal folder open before him.
"Sit down, Lena," Julian said, gesturing to the leather chair across from him.
Lena sat, holding her canvas bag tightly in her lap. "Mr. Hale, if this is about money—"
"It is about survival," Julian interrupted, leaning forward and resting his hands on the desk. "For both of us."
He pushed a document toward her. Lena looked down at the headline printed across the top: MARRIAGE CONTRACT & ASSET DISTRIBUTION.
"My grandfather's will contains a strict clause," Julian explained calmly. "To retain my position as CEO of Hale Corporation and prevent my uncle from seizing control of the family board, I must be married before my thirtieth birthday. My thirtieth birthday is in three weeks."
Lena stared at him in disbelief. "What does that have to do with me?"
"My grandmother trusts you," Julian said, his gaze steady. "She refuses to approve any of the socialite heiresses my uncle suggested. Yesterday, after you left, she told me that if I do not marry a woman of genuine character like you, she will use her voting veto to strip me of the company."
He tapped the contract. "Marry me for one year. In exchange, I will clear your debts, buy out your eviction notice, and fund your independent fashion house with a two-million-dollar grant. After three hundred and sixty-five days, we quietly divorce, and you keep everything."
Lena’s breath hitched. Two million dollars. Freedom from the constant fear of poverty. A real chance to show the world her designs.
May you like
"Why me?" Lena asked, her voice trembling slightly. "You don't know me."
"I know you gave away your lunch when you had twelve dollars in your wallet," Julian said softly, a rare glimmer of warmth appearing in his eyes. "In my world, Lena, everyone wants something from me. You are the only person I've met who gave without asking for anything in return."
