Chapter 4 Xavier's Proposal

• The next day, the SUV pulled into the underground parking garage of Chels Tower, a sleek steel-and-glass skyscraper looming over downtown New York.
• As Xavier stepped out, Gerald followed silently, holding the door until Xavier was ready to move forward.
• The private elevator opened to a pristine lobby adorned with marble floors and minimalistic art design.
• Valerie Kim’s office occupied the entire sixty-seventh floor.
• They stepped into a spacious reception area, where a young assistant with cropped hair and gold-rimmed glasses stood up, bowing slightly.
• “Good morning, sir,” he said, his eyes looking to Gerald for recognition. “Do you have an appointment with Ms. Kim?”
• Xavier met his gaze calmly. “Tell her the man from the café is here.”
• The assistant blinked in confusion but quickly picked up the phone.
• Moments later, he gestured for them to follow.
• “Please, this way.”
• As Xavier entered Valerie’s office, he found her standing behind a sleek desk, arms crossed over her navy colored suit.
• Her long dark hair was pinned into a low bun, revealing delicate pearl studs.
• Her sharp brown eyes narrowed as she studied his entrance.
• To be honest, she was surprised he was here.
• “You’re persistent,” she remarked quietly.
• “I’m thorough,” Xavier replied, his voice steady.
• He moved to stand before her desk, adopting a relaxed posture that still exuded quiet authority.
• Valerie gestured for the assistant to leave. “We need privacy.”
• Once they were alone, she let out a slow sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose before looking back at him.
• “I don’t know who you are,” she said, her tone controlled, “but I don’t have time for games. If you came to offer pity over coffee, consider your duty fulfilled.”
• Xavier didn’t flinch.
• “I didn’t come to offer pity. I came to offer an alternative.”
• Her eyes narrowed sharply.
• “Alternative? What do you mean?”
• He looked at her in silence for a moment.
• He could see that she was beginning to get tense.
• She was clearly exhausted.
• Even though she tried to hide that through her make up.
• “Marrying Harold Park won’t save your company,” he said evenly. “It will only hand it over to him in a different way.”
• Valerie stiffened. “You don’t understand….”
• “I understand perfectly,” Xavier interrupted, his voice low but firm.
• “You’re a woman fighting to protect what you built. You think sacrificing yourself is noble. It isn’t. It’s surrender.”
• Her hands clenched into fists by her sides, nails digging into her palms.
• “What would you have me do?” she snapped, her voice breaking slightly.
• “Let him leak falsified statements to the media? Watch my board strip me of my position while investors flee? I’ve spent ten years getting here. Ten years.”
• Her voice trembled on the last words. She quickly turned away, staring out at the city below to hide the tears threatening to spill.
• Xavier’s expression softened, but only slightly.
• “Marry me instead.”
• Valerie froze, disbelief washing over her.
• She turned to face him fully, her eyes wide.
• “What… what did you just say?”
• “Marry me,” Xavier repeated, his tone calm and assured.
• “I’ll sign a contract guaranteeing your company’s protection. I’ll fund your next three projects and restructure your debt portfolios with offshore investors. Before you know it, Harold Park will be irrelevant by the end of the day.”
• She stared at him, mouth agape, struggling to comprehend his offer.
• “You…..you must be so crazy. Can you even hear yourself? Do you realize how ridiculous this sounds?” She said as she shook her head.
• “You don’t even know me.”
• “I know enough,” Xavier said softly, his dark eyes holding hers steadily.
• “I know you’re smart, driven, and not afraid to stand alone in a world full of men twice your age. I know you care about your employees enough to sacrifice your freedom for theirs. That’s enough for me.”
• Valerie’s expression hardened, and she shook her head.
• “This is absurd,” she said, a mix of anger and confusion in her voice.
• Xavier maintained eye contact, but he felt the weight of her doubt.
• “Valerie, this is serious. You’re cornered. I’m offering you a way out.”
• “By marrying you?” she shot back, her voice rising. “You think that’s the solution? I would be a fool to trust a stranger in a situation like this.”
• Xavier took a step closer, his voice steady.
• “I’m not asking for your trust. I’m offering you a lifeline. You’re fighting a battle, and I want to help.”
• Valerie crossed her arms, her defenses rising.
• “Help? Or control? You don’t know what I’m dealing with. You don’t understand the stakes involved.”
• At this point, Xavier was a bit frustrated.
• “I understand more than you think. You’re risking everything. Marrying Harold Park is not the answer.”
• Valerie’s eyes flashed with determination.
• “And marrying you is?”
• “Yes,” he replied firmly.
• “It gives you a fighting chance.”
• She shook her head, her expression softening momentarily before hardening again.
• “I can’t do this. I won’t do this.”
• Xavier was slightly impressed, but at the same time, appalled by her rejection.
• “The ball is in your court.”
• “I appreciate the offer, but I can handle my own problems,” she insisted, her voice steady.
• Xavier was in disbelief as he turned to head out.
• Just before he exited, Valerie called out softly,
• “Wait…may I know who you are?”
• He paused, glancing back at her with unreadable eyes.
• “No one important.”
• Stepping out of her office, he left her standing by the window, grappling with the whirlwind of emotions his proposal had stirred.
• By the time he got to the reception area, and was about to leave the lobby, he collided with a man hurrying into the building.
• “Hey, watch where you are going.” The man growled at Xavier.
• Xavier tried to murmur an apology.
• “Sorry about…..”
• “Save it.” He said, looking at Xavier condescendingly, before walking away.