Chapter 7 Will You Accept My Proposal?

• Florence leaves and I huff in frustration as I sink into my chair, thinking about how to tell him that I couldn't retrieve the watch, let alone accept his proposal. It doesn't take long for Noah and Taylor to appear in my office, and I feel fear run through my body as I notice Noah's unpleasant look towards me.
• "Good morning, Mr. Ewing, Mr. Spencer." I greet them with a handshake and point to the chairs in front of me. "Please, have a seat."
• "Good morning, Miss Hampton."
• "Look at her, Taylor; she doesn't even look like she's been out there stealing watches," Noah mocks as he sits down. "Miss Hampton, I don't have all day. I've already had to cancel some appointments to come here."
• "Mr. Ewing, I didn't ask you to come. You could have waited until..."
• "Excuse me, Miss Hampton," Mia interrupts as she enters my office and greets us formally before standing by my side. "Florence told me that you need my help."
• "Yes, Miss Moore. These are Noah Ewing and Taylor Spencer. They came here to discuss a rather complicated matter, and I will need your opinion on it," I affirm. She nods in agreement and I look at Noah, seeing him with a confused look. "Mr. Ewing, this is Miss Mia Moore, my lawyer. I hope you don't mind if she joins our meeting."
• "Of course not, Miss Hampton. In fact, I think it's very prudent of you to want to protect yourself. After all, you could end up leaving here in handcuffs," Noah says sarcastically. Mia leans in and whispers in my ear:
• "Is there something I should know before we start, Ava?"
• "Miss Hampton, I don't have all day. I have my commitments, unlike you, who's playing CEO while your father is away. So, let's get to the important part of all this: where is my watch?"
• "I went to the pawn shop to try to retrieve it, Mr. Ewing, but it had already been sold."
• "Just as I said it would, right?" Noah leans forward on the table, intertwining his fingers as he gives me a look as cold as Antarctica. "And how will we solve this now? Will you accept my proposal?"
• "I have the amount I received for the watch; I can transfer it to you, and..."
• "How much? $100,000?" He lets out a mocking laugh and looks at Taylor. "She wants to give me $100,000 for the watch, Taylor. Can you believe that? You really have no idea how much that watch cost, do you?"
• "No, I have no idea how much that watch costs, Mr. Ewing. But if it's not enough, I can pay it in installments, if possible."
• "That watch is worth much more than that, and I'm not just talking about the material side. So, I'm not interested in you paying for it, because for the sentimental value, it still wouldn't be enough."
• "So, will your absurd proposal to me still stand?"
• "If you don't return the watch to me, I'm afraid so. But I also gave you another option, do you remember it?"
• "Can someone explain to me what's going on?" Mia asks with her hands on her hips and a confused look.
• "Is Miss Moore aware of your hobby, Ava?"
• "I already said that..."
• "I see that she's not," Noah interrupts me and adjusts himself in his chair. "Miss Moore, last weekend I was in the company of Miss Hampton. We spent a night together and, in the morning, as probably usual, she stole my watch and sold it. But she didn't count on me finding her and insisting on getting it back. When I found out she had sold it, I proposed a contract to her. As you heard, she couldn't retrieve my watch. Since she also has no intention of accepting my proposal, I'm afraid I will have to file a complaint against her, don't you think?"
• "Well, Mr. Ewing, the misappropriation of someone else's property constitutes a crime," Mia places her hands on the table and looks at Noah. "But may I know what absurd proposal you made to my client?"
• "Of course! I suggested that she pretend to be my wife, and then I would drop the complaint." He states, in a calm tone, provoking a startled look from Mia.
• "I don't think I quite understand..." Mia says in a surprised tone, looking at me before continuing. "You want to take advantage of a mistake made by my client, a mistake she is willing to rectify, to force her into a marriage?"
• "Force her? Not at all, Miss Moore. In fact, I gave her another option. In reality, this option would be beneficial for society. I should do it and prevent other helpless men from being victims of Miss Hampton." Noah lightly taps Taylor's leg, prompting him to stand up. "Yes, that's the best option, Mr. Spencer! We've wasted enough time here. Miss Hampton, I hope the media coverage doesn't disrupt your father's trip."
• "Calm down, Mr. Ewing!" I exclaim as I see him stand up, and I whisper to Mia, "Mia, he's also wrong, isn't he? Blackmail isn't a crime?"
• "Yes, Ava. But theft is an even worse crime, don't you think?"
• "They should order coffee to make the conversation more interesting." Noah mocks and rolls his eyes. "Will the ladies continue to gossip and make me waste time?"
• "How would this marriage work, Mr. Ewing?"
• "Miss Hampton," Taylor responds to my question, "the marriage would be contractual, with pre-established clauses, and a duration of two years."
• "Wait, two years? You want me to be tied to you for two years?" I let out a long sigh and remained silent for a few minutes before speaking again. "Why me? Surely many women are willing to marry you."
• "There are also many women like you, Ava, who want to take advantage of what I have and what I can provide for them," Noah says, impatiently. "I am truly wrong! Besides being stupid, you also have a certain difficulty understanding the basics. I can't believe I have to repeat that I don't have all the time in the world. Answer me now!"
• "Why me, Mr. Ewing?" I ignore his comment and question him again. Noah just rolls his eyes and stands up.
• "Miss Hampton, I don't need to tell you my motivations. Anyway, I'm tired of trying to help you, you will hear about our matter soon. Taylor, shall we?"
• "Miss Moore, it was a pleasure to meet you!" Taylor says after kissing Mia's hand. "Miss Hampton, I will be in touch soon."
• "Ava, what are you going to do?" Mia whispers as Noah heads towards the door.
• "Alright, Mr. Ewing..." My voice comes out weakly, completely against my will. "I accept your proposal!"
• "Perfect!" Noah exclaims as he opens the door. "Mr. Spencer will draft the contract and send a copy to each of you as soon as possible.
• [...]
• If I had another alternative, I would never have accepted the absurd idea of marrying Noah, even if it was by contract. However, at the same time, I pondered how my father would react if the press found out that the heiress of the Hamptons was involved in a watch theft case. Not only would this mark the end of my career, but possibly the end of my life.
• Two days after accepting the proposal, Taylor sent me a copy of the contract that we will soon sign. I read it attentively twice. The clauses are very well structured and explanatory, with specific obligations that I must fulfill. Additionally, there is a confidentiality clause that prohibits me from revealing to anyone the real reason behind our relationship.
• Despite Mia's efforts to find some small error in the contract that would give us more time to find out who bought the watch, Taylor's excellent writing work prevented us from doing so, extinguishing the last trace of hope within me.
• In the following days, I tried to divert my thoughts by focusing on work and studies, but I could barely pay attention to basic daily tasks. Then, the day to sign the contract arrived."