Liam Owen had negotiated billion-dollar deals without breaking a sweat. Yet, somehow, convincing his father that he didn't need a wife was proving impossible.
"You are thirty-two years old, Liam!"
John Owen stood across the massive mahogany desk. Age had touched his hair with streaks of gray, but the authority in his sharp blue eyes had not faded.
"You run one of the most powerful corporations in this city," he continued coldly, "yet you cannot even manage the simplest responsibility expected of a man."
"This again?" Liam asked flatly as he leaned back in his chair.
His father's jaw tightened. "Yes. This again," The words fell heavy between them, then his father continued. "You think marriage is some outdated tradition, but the board does not share your modern arrogance."
Of course the board didn't.
John Owen's voice hardened again. "A man who cannot maintain a marriage cannot manage a company. Stability matters. Discipline matters. Responsibility matters."
Across the room, Cameron Sullivan shifted slightly in his seat. He had been silent throughout the lecture.
"This is insane." Cameron muttered.
John Owen ignored him.
"You have embarrassed this family enough with your reputation."
Liam's expression sharpened. "My reputation?" He asked.
"Your parties. Your women. Your inability to commit to anything beyond your work."
Cameron coughed lightly.
"Marriage builds character, Liam. A man who can nurture a family can lead people."
"And if I don't?"
John Owen spoke with quiet finality. "Then you are not fit to run this company."
Cameron's head snapped up. "What?"
"If you cannot demonstrate the discipline required for marriage, the board will appoint someone else as CEO."
Liam's eyes darkened. "That's ridiculous!"
"I don't care." Then he added calmly, "You have two weeks."
Cameron nearly choked. "Two weeks?!"
Liam's brows pulled together. "To do what exactly?" he asked coldly.
His father's answer came without hesitation. "To bring me a bride."
The faint ticking of the clock on the wall suddenly seemed unbearably loud. Two weeks? To bring a bride? The word itself felt absurd.
"If you fail to do so," he continued, "I will take matters into my own hands and find a suitable woman for you myself."
That did it. Liam stood abruptly from his chair. The sudden movement made Cameron sit up straight.
"No," Liam said sharply. "That will not be necessary."
"Oh?"
Liam met his father's gaze without blinking. "You will not choose a wife for me."
"And why not?" his father asked.
"Because," Liam said slowly, "I will bring one myself."
Cameron turned to stare at him like he had lost his mind.
John Owen studied his son carefully. "You have two weeks," he repeated.
Liam nodded once. "That's more than enough time."
For a long moment, father and son simply looked at each other.
"I hope you understand the seriousness of this situation," he said as he walked toward the door. "If you fail, Liam… you will step down."
Then he left. The door clicked shut, and the office fell quiet again.
Cameron stared at Liam. Then he burst out, "Have you completely lost your mind?!"
Liam walked back to his chair slowly.
"You just promised to produce a wife in two weeks!"
"I'm aware."
"You don't even have a girlfriend!"
"I'm aware of that too."
Cameron threw his hands in the air. "And you're a notorious playboy!"
Liam sat down again, loosening his tie slightly.
His voice was calm, though there was a faint edge of irritation beneath it. "I know my own reputation, Cameron."
Cameron paced the room. "This is insane."
For the first time since the conversation began, uncertainty flickered faintly in his chest. Two weeks to find a bride. The idea was ridiculous.
Cameron stopped pacing.
"So what's the plan?"
Liam exhaled slowly.
"I don't know."
Cameron blinked. "You… don't know?"
"But I will figure something out."
Right then, there was a single knock before the office door opened.
George, Liam's assistant, stepped inside holding a tablet.
"Sir?"
Liam barely looked at him. "What is it?"
George hesitated. "It's about Miss Joy Roberts."
The name meant nothing to Liam. George continued carefully.
"She has called the office multiple times today regarding the loan request she submitted last week."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, sir. She seems… very anxious for an answer."
Of course she was. People always were when money was involved. He let out a quiet, humorless laugh.
"Interesting."
Cameron frowned.
"What's interesting?"
Liam leaned back in his chair. "While I'm here trying to secure a wife to keep my position in a billion-dollar company…"
He gestured vaguely toward the tablet. "…someone else's biggest problem in life is money."
Cameron tilted his head thoughtfully.
"Actually…"
Liam glanced at him.
"What?"
Cameron turned toward George. "Bring her file."
George blinked. "Sir?"
"Joy Roberts," Cameron repeated. "Bring her file."
George nodded quickly. "Yes, sir." He left the office.
Liam watched Cameron suspiciously. "What are you thinking?"
A slow smile spread across Cameron's face. "Oh, I think I just solved both your problems."
Liam narrowed his eyes. "Explain."
George returned moments later and handed Cameron the file. Cameron opened it and began reading. Then he looked up at Liam.
"Well, well."
"What?" Liam asked impatiently.
Cameron tossed the file onto the desk. "She's perfect."
Liam frowned. "For what?"
Cameron leaned forward slightly "For your bride."
Liam stared at him. "You can't be serious."
"Oh, I'm very serious."
Liam opened the file slowly while Cameron folded his arms. "She needs money," he said simply. "And you need a wife."
Liam looked up at him. Cameron continued.
"She's not famous. Doesn't seem scandalous. She's exactly the kind of woman who won't damage your reputation."
Liam's eyes moved slowly across the page.
"And in return," Cameron added, "you save her entire family."
Liam was quiet for a long moment. Then he closed the file.
"Call her," he told George
.
George nodded. "Yes, sir."
As the door closed again, Cameron grinned. "See?"
Liam stared out the window again. "It's worth a shot." He answered thoughtfully.