Chapter 6

At the entrance of the venue, Eduardo and Josie were straightening their clothes when they spotted Amelia heading straight for the VIP lane.

"Amelia, stop right there! How the hell do you have access to this place?" Eduardo strode over and caught a glimpse of the badge she was pulling out. "So that's why you haven't come crawling back. You've been sneaking around behind my back with another man! That disaster at the product launch-you planned it with him, didn't you! I must have been blind. I actually thought you were some saint."

Amelia felt like a stray dog had just latched onto her ankle.

She only wanted to get away fast.

Before she could, an elegant older gentleman noticed the badge in her hand and hurried over. "Our honored guest invited personally by Mr. Hayes! Forgive me for not greeting you at the door."

Josie, who had been waiting for a good show, stood frozen.

That was the untouchable titan of real estate-she had only seen him once from a distance-and he was bowing to Amelia?

Amelia returned a polite nod and slipped inside.

Kellan took the stage as host of the investment summit and instantly commanded the room.

"Tonight's total fund is two billion dollars. How much anyone walks away with depends entirely on Mr. Hayes's mood."

"They say he's young but terrifyingly capable, and now I believe it."

"His money is deep and his eye is sharper. Anything he backs turns to gold."

Bidding grew ferocious.

Eduardo dragged Josie along, desperate to catch Kellan's attention.

"Mr. Hayes, I hear you've been looking to break into the premium wine market but haven't found the right partner. Wayne Group has decades of expertise and we're actively seeking new capital. We'd be perfect for you."

Kellan offered a faint smile. "I do admire Wayne's technical strengths. Unfortunately, Mr. Wayne, your recent personal scandals are a little... loud. That kind of noise could damage a partnership."

Seeing the deal slipping away, Eduardo grew frantic.

Kellan's tone shifted. "From what I understand, Miss Fuller has already asked you for a divorce. If you sign the papers right here in front of me, I'll clean up the media mess for you, and we can move forward with business."

For profit, Eduardo could discard anything.

He had the divorce agreement delivered on the spot and scrawled his signature.

When the signed papers reached Amelia's hands, she studied Kellan with slightly less wariness.

So far he had shown no hostility toward her.

"The divorce is settled," Kellan said quietly, "but have you thought about what happens when Wayne decides he wants the child and comes after you?"

Amelia fell silent.

He was right. On her own, shaking Eduardo off completely would be nearly impossible-especially if he ever learned the baby wasn't his.

She couldn't predict how insane he might turn.

"Marry me. I'll make that problem disappear. It will be a contract marriage only. I get you away from Wayne, you deliver the heir so I can satisfy my family, we both get what we need."

Kellan watched the storm of emotions on her face. Outwardly calm, inside he felt an unfamiliar tightness in his chest.

He was terrified she would refuse again.

"I'll think about it."

Not an outright no. Kellan exhaled and signaled his assistant with a glance.

Across the room, Josie whispered urgently in Eduardo's ear. His face darkened by the second.

All the leaked photos, all the canceled deals-every disaster suddenly pointed to one man.

Eduardo realized he had been played. Fury propelled him toward Kellan.

At that exact moment, the lights dimmed.

A single spotlight found Amelia.

Gasps rippled through the crowd as Kellan took her hand, dropped to one knee, and opened a velvet box.

Inside gleamed a breathtaking pink diamond ring.

"Ms. Fuller, will you marry me?"