Chapter 52 — Proposal

***Alex***

With the heavy atmosphere in the office weighing on me, I decide it's time to come clean with Harper. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for her reaction, and begin to divulge details I've kept hidden until now.

"Harper, I need to be honest with you," I start, my voice laced with sincerity. "I didn't intend for things to escalate the way they did yesterday."

Harper's expression softens slightly, a glimmer of curiosity flickering in her eyes as she listens intently to my words.

"I wanted to give you a scare," I continue, choosing my words carefully. "I waited for you to return, fully intending to follow shortly after. But Laurie got scared by the thunder, and I had to calm her down. By the time I could leave, I ended up falling asleep."

I watch as Harper's brow furrows, processing the information I've just disclosed. There's a moment of silence as she contemplates my words, her demeanor guarded yet receptive.

"So, you weren't intentionally leaving me stranded," she muses, her skepticism still evident in her tone.

I shake my head, meeting her gaze with earnest sincerity. "No, Harper. I never intended to put you in harm's way. I know my actions were reckless and irresponsible, and I deeply regret them."

Harper's features soften, a flicker of understanding crossing her face. "I appreciate your honesty, Alex," she admits, her voice softer now. "But it doesn't change the fact that your actions had consequences."

I nod, acknowledging her point. "I understand. And I'm prepared to face those consequences. But I hope we can move forward from this."

Harper considers my words for a moment before nodding slowly. "We'll see," Harper replies, her tone guarded yet leaving room for the possibility of reconciliation. She leans back in her chair, eyeing me with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.

I sense her apprehension and decide to address it head-on. "I understand you have concerns about how we'll handle the media and your uncle," I say, meeting her gaze directly. "But I have a plan."

Harper's interest is piqued, and she leans forward slightly, prompting me to continue.

"I've arranged for a press conference at one of my hotels on Monday morning," I explain. "I'll address the media and assure them that our marriage was consensual and that you were never in any danger. But I'll need you there to confirm that everything was above board."

Harper considers my proposal for a moment before nodding slowly. "I suppose that's the least we can do to try and salvage this situation," she concedes, her tone resigned yet determined. "But I have some conditions for attending this press conference," she says, her gaze piercing as she locks eyes with me.

Her words hang in the air for a moment, and I nod slightly, signaling for her to continue.

"And what are they? I'm open to hearing you out, after all, I put you in unnecessary danger," I say, attempting to maintain a composed demeanor despite the tension in the room.

Harper's lips purse slightly, a sign of her resolve, before she speaks again. "We got married as part of an agreement for you to help my uncle financially so he can rebuild his company, didn't we?"

I nod again, acknowledging the truth of her statement.

"Well, I want you to transfer 30% of what was agreed upon," she demands, her tone firm and unwavering.

Her demand catches me off guard, and I raise an eyebrow in surprise before responding. "Miss Johnson, we've been married for a day. And we already have all this commotion about us in the media and on social networks. The amount you're asking for is absurd. I agree to 5%," I counter, my voice steady despite the rising tension in the room.

Harper's eyes narrow slightly, a sign of her displeasure, as she listens to my response. "Another joke! Call me when you're ready to have a serious conversation," she retorts, standing up from her chair with a sense of finality.

"Wait, there's no need to storm out as if we couldn't reach a compromise," I say, my tone calm but firm as I attempt to defuse the situation.

Harper turns to face me, her expression defiant. "There was no compromise when we signed the contract! There will be no compromise for you now!" she declares, her voice rising in frustration for the first time.

"Don't raise your voice at me!" I snap, my patience wearing thin as I struggle to maintain control of the situation. "Remember which family you come from and that I can destroy your uncle's company! Also, I'll stop paying Sarah's medical expenses," I threaten, hoping to regain the upper hand.

Harper's jaw tightens, and for a moment, I see a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes before it is replaced by steely determination. "You know what, let's do this: you can ruin my uncle's company, I don't care! How much will you stop paying for her medical expenses? I doubt it, I always doubted it. Because you may be a cruel man to the world, but you've always loved Sarah," she says, her voice steady despite the emotions bubbling beneath the surface.

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I feel a surge of anger rising within me. "Yeah, you're right about Sarah," I admit, my voice tinged with regret. "She's truly the last woman I love in my life, and she would be better off here with me. I would take care of her very well because there are only two people I can't be cruel to: Laurie, my daughter, and Sarah, the woman who should be married to me now, if it weren't for that accident," I confess, my voice tinged with bitterness.

Harper's expression softens slightly at my words, and for a moment, I see a glimmer of empathy in her eyes. But it quickly disappears, replaced by a steely resolve.

"I'll pay 15% of the agreed investment now and another 10% after the interview, if you really help improve my image with the press," I propose, attempting to find a middle ground.

Harper considers my offer for a moment, her eyes locked with mine in a silent battle of wills. Finally, she nods, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes. "That's acceptable. I haven't returned my uncle's missed calls yet. I'll inform him of our agreement, and if tomorrow, before the interview, he confirms the investment, I'll play the role of the crazy wife who ran away from her husband, leaving him worried," she agrees, extending her hand to me.

I accept her handshake, the firmness of her grip matching mine as we seal our agreement. As she releases my hand, I can't help but feel a grudging respect for her strength and determination. This woman may be a formidable adversary, but she's also a valuable ally in the game of power and manipulation that defines our world.