Chapter 123 The Contract Proposal
Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Three
Valenticia’s POV
I barely slept after the gala. My head was full of noise. Stefan’s sad eyes and Dimitri’s quiet pain. Natasha’s cold smile. And Lucas Ryder’s strange, calm presence on the balcony.
When he asked if we could meet for coffee the next day, I said yes before I even understood why.
Maybe I said yes because he was the only one who didn’t pull me, push me, or argue about me.
He simply talked to me.
So now I sat in a quiet café, waiting. My fingers tapped the table. My heart beat fast. I told myself there was no reason to be nervous. This was just a meeting.
When Lucas walked in, the room felt different. He wasn’t loud. He wasn’t dramatic. He didn’t look stressed or jealous. He moved in a calm way, like nothing could shake him.
“Good morning, Valenticia,” he said as he sat across from me.
“Good morning,” I answered quietly.
He placed a folder on the table. A thick one that looked Organized, Clean and very Serious.
“I hope I didn’t make things uncomfortable for you last night,” he said.
“No,” I said. “You didn’t. I just… needed air.”
He nodded. “I could tell.”
I stared at him for a moment. “Why did you want to meet?”
He opened the folder slowly. “Because I think we need to talk without noise around us.”
My eyebrows pulled together. “About what?”
“About you,” he said.
I blinked. “About me?”
“Yes.” He pushed the folder toward me. “I’ve been studying your projects for months.”
I froze. “You have?”
He nodded. “Your work with the foundation. Your company’s restructuring. Your partnership expansions. I’ve been watching everything carefully.”
“Why?” I asked, confused.
“Because you are talented,” he said plainly. “But you are surrounded by emotional chaos that slows you down.”
I stayed quiet, caught between shock and embarrassment. He didn’t say it to insult me. He said it like a fact.
He continued, “You make smart business decisions, but your personal life keeps interfering. The men around you are creating noise.”
I looked down at the table. “I didn’t ask for any of that.”
“I know,” he said. “But it is still happening.”
I let out a small breath. “So what exactly are you trying to say?”
Lucas leaned back. “I want to make you a proposal.”
My heart skipped. “A business proposal?”
“Partly,” he answered.
He looked directly into my eyes. “I want to form a partnership between our companies.”
That made sense. “A partnership?”
“Yes. A long-term one. One that will make your company stronger and give mine access to new markets.”
I nodded slowly. “That sounds… good. But why talk about my personal life then?”
Lucas kept his calm expression. “Because your personal life affects your professional life.”
I bit my lip. “I know.”
He folded his hands on the table. “You are dealing with your ex-husband. You are dealing with another man who still isn’t finished with you. And you are dealing with a woman who keeps attacking you through both men.”
I looked down again. Hearing it all said out loud made my chest tighten.
“This situation will drag your name into more gossip, rumors, and scandals,” Lucas said. “It will affect your credibility. It will affect your future as a leader.”
I swallowed hard. “I’ve been trying to deal with it.”
“You shouldn’t have to deal with it alone,” he said.
There was a long silence.
Then Lucas leaned forward slightly, his voice steady and low.
“That is why my proposal has two parts.”
I frowned. “Two?”
“Yes,” he said. “The business partnership. And something else.”
“What?” I asked softly.
He looked at me without blinking.
“A contract marriage.”
My breath caught. “What?”
Lucas didn’t pull back. He didn’t laugh and he didn’t look unsure either.
He said it like it was the most logical solution in the world.
“I want to offer you a marriage contract,” he repeated. “A controlled, structured agreement.”
I stared at him. “Lucas… that’s… that’s insane.”
“No,” he said calmly. “It is strategic.”
I shook my head. “Why would you even think of that?”
He opened the folder again and showed me documents—projections, analysis charts, risk assessments.
“Your name is being dragged into three different emotional conflicts,” he said. “Stefan. Dimitri. Natasha. And people who want power will try to use all of this against you.”
I rubbed my forehead. “I know it’s messy, but—”
“A contract marriage will silence everything,” Lucas said. “People will stop gossiping. Competitors will stop interfering. Those men will back off.”
I blinked at him. “You want me to marry you… to fix my problems?”
“And mine,” he said honestly. “It’s not one-sided. I gain stability and a strong partner at my side. You gain protection and peace.”
It felt unreal. I sat there staring at him for a long moment, unable to speak.
“Lucas,” I whispered. “I don’t even know you.”
He nodded. “Which is exactly why this can work.”
“How?” I asked.
“Because I’m not asking for your heart,” he said. “I’m not trying to pull you into jealousy games. I’m not trying to win you over from other men.”
His voice stayed soft but firm.
“I am offering structure. Predictability. Safety.”
I swallowed hard. “You want a marriage without romance?”
“Yes,” he said simply. “I want a marriage that benefits us both. A contract. Not emotions.”
I covered my mouth for a second. My head felt light.
“Lucas… this is too much.”
“I understand,” he said. “Which is why I want you to think before you answer.”
I nodded slowly. “Do you even… like me?”
Lucas gave a tiny smile. “I respect you. I admire your work. I believe in your potential. That is enough for what I’m proposing.”
My heart beat fast.
“And what if I say no?” I asked quietly.
“Then nothing changes,” Lucas said. “I will still support your projects. I will still stand beside you publicly if needed. I will not pressure you.”
That surprised me.
“Then why would you even want this?” I asked.
“Because it benefits us both,” he said again. “And because I think you are strong enough to build something stable with.”
My throat tightened. “Lucas… I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything today,” he said gently.
He leaned toward me, his eyes calm and steady.
“I am not offering romance. I am offering stability, power, and a clean start. Think about my offer, Valenticia.”