Chapter 174
“So? They really agreed to consider your crazy proposal!” Pamella frowned. She was already a little tipsy from the alcohol she had taken, but Calen’s words about the proposal somehow made her sober.
“Why are you surprised? They are businessmen. It’s only right for them to look at profits. Calen rolled his eyes. She wasn’t some actor or anything. Her reputation outside of business had nothing to do with his ability. He loosened his tie, closing his eyes. He had already told his father about this progress. Now, all he needed was to wait for them to contact him again.
Of course, he had already planned to do a follow–up meeting the very next Monday. He just needed to ensure the board had everything they asked for.
“You’re really going through with this?” Pamella asked. “You’re betting what’s left of your shares on a deal with a company that just showed up out of nowhere?”
Calen opened his eyes. “What are you talking about?”
Pamella leaned back. “I’m saying there’s something off about the Blackwell Group. Even my father thinks so. They’ve stayed in Europe for years. Why are they suddenly so interested in U.S. companies?”
Calen looked at her. “Because they’re expanding. That’s how businesses work.”
She shook her head. “You don’t find it odd? They’ve had years to do this, but they’re just now showing interest in acquiring companies here? Out of the blue?”
“They already have holdings in Asia and India,” Calen said. “Them coming here is expected. They’re legitimate, Pamella. I’ve done the research.”
Pamella didn’t speak for a moment. She watched him, her fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.
“You should look into them again. Properly,” she said. “Before you sign anything. I’m telling you, this feels like a trap. You don’t even know who’s behind them.”
Calen scoffed. “Why are you being paranoid?”
He sat up and looked at her. “Right, I forgot. Scheming is your thing. So now you assume everyone else is scheming too?”
Pamella didn’t respond.
“This is your own doing,” Calen muttered.
Still, she said nothing. Instead, she reached into her bag and pulled something out. She held it out toward him.
Calen frowned and took it. It was a small, dark blue velvet box.
“What is this?” he asked.
“Open it,” Pamella said.
He looked at her briefly, then flipped the lid open.
His expression changed almost immediately. “What the hell is this?” he asked. Inside was actually an enormous diamond ring, that looked too big for anyone’s finger.
Pamella ignored his question and took the box from his hand. She pulled the ring out and slipped it onto her left ring finger.
“Yes, I’m going to marry you,” she said.
Calen turned toward her. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Pamella shifted in her seat. “To secure this deal with the Blackwells, you need someone capable behind you. The Johnson family can change everything”
Calen stared at her in disbelief. Was this woman serious?
“They said they’ll review your proposal, but that’s not a guarantee,” the continued. “If you marry me, it shows stability Support. That could push the deal forward.”
He blinked, then turned to fully face her.
“You’re insane.”
“You’re not losing anything,” she said. “If it doesn’t work out, we get divorced. That’s it. But right now, this might be the only way to secure funding.”
Calen suddenly grabbed her by the collar, pulling her toward him.
“What are you scheming?” he asked.
Pamella’s eyes widened. She tried to shove him off, but he grabbed her wrist and pinned it against the door.
“What are you really after?”
Her free hand pushed at his chest, trying to get space between them.
“Let go of me!” she snapped. “What the hell?”
Calen’s hand clamped around her throat, pressing her back against the door. She twisted, trying to elbow him, but the space inside the car was too tight.
“I said–what’s your motive?” he said, holding her there. “What do you want?”
Pamella kicked at the center console and scratched at his arm. “You’re crazy!”
His grip tightened slightly. “You first.”
She clawed at his wrist with both hands now, her body shifting as she fought to pull away.
“Get off me!”
Calen stared at her, unmoving, waiting for her to say something that made sense.
“Are you out of your mind?” she hissed. “I only want to
help!”
“Help?” Calen’s expression turned ugly. But he finally let her go. “You almost ruined this night, and you are telling me that you wanted to help?” Scheming against Izzy was the last thing on Calen’s mind yet this woman… this woman… he didn’t know if he should call her fearless or plain stupid!
Pamella glared at him while stroking her neck. “Fine. If you don’t want to marry me, then don’t! But don’t blame me if I tell my father about this!”
Calen’s expression darkened. Marriage? Had he ever seriously considered it before? He had been with Izzy for years, yet the thought of settling down had never really crossed his mind. But now, with his head clearer, he could see that Pamella had a point. Marrying her could give him and Weiss Inc. a strategic edge.
“Fine,” he said, leaning back in his seat. “I’ll talk to my father about the marriage when I get back.”
Meanwhile, the mood between Liam and Izzy couldn’t have been more different from the tension inside Calen and Pamella’s car.
Izzy glanced at him as they walked hand in hand along the Embarcadero, the lights from the waterfront casting soft reflections on the sidewalk. The air was cool, but not cold. She pulled her coat tighter and looked up at him.
“Shouldn’t you be tired? Why’d you bring me here?”
“I think we should get something to eat. I’m craving for something.” Liam said as he stopped in front of one of the food stalls near the Ferry Building. The smell of grilled cheese and sweet pastries hung in the air. Without waiting for her, he walked over and ordered something.
Izzy followed, eyeing the stall. “Are you serious?”
He handed her a paper tray with two hot, golden beignets dusted with powdered sugar.
She stared at it, then looked back at him.
Liam took a bite from his own and kept walking.
Izzy hesitated, then took a bite. It was warm and crisp on the outside, and soft inside. She didn’t say anything, but she didn’t complain either.
They walked past the Ferry Building, its clock tower lit up behind them. The sidewalk wasn’t crowded. A few couples passed by, talking quietly or sharing snacks. Streetlights lined the edge of the path, and across the water, the Bay Bridge lights blinked in patterns.
Liam stopped near one of the benches and nodded at it.
Izzy sat first, shifting the paper tray to her lap. Almost immediately, Liam sat beside her, leaning back slightly, his arm resting on the back of the bench.
“You still haven’t answered,” she said. “Why here?” She thought they would go home after the event. Who would have thought that he would ask Mondo to take them to this place?
He didn’t look at her. “You’ve been tense since the gala.”
She glanced away. “You noticed that?” After what Pamella did, she had been tensed. The feeling that she was being watched made her uneasy.
He gave a small nod.
Izzy stayed quiet for a moment, then took another bite of the beignet. The sugar stuck to her fingers. She wiped them on a napkin he handed her without a word.
The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable. It was steady.
“I didn’t want to stay in that hotel,” she said after a while. “Too many people.”
“I know,” Liam said.
She looked at him. He was watching the water.
“Thanks,” she added.
Liam turned to her. “For what?”
Love for IVial
“For dragging me here.”
He looked at her hand, still holding the half–eaten pastry. “You haven’t finished that.”
She glanced at it. “I’m savoring it.”
Liam leaned back again, eyes still on her. “Then savor it properly.”
She rolled her eyes but smiled.
