KATHLEEN
Veloria's Grand Tech Gala was a sea of sequins and secrets.
Kathleen adjusted the strap of her emerald-green gown—*Ava's insistence, not hers*—and scanned the ballroom. Every titan of industry was here, watching her. Waiting.
SafeHaven's IPO had skyrocketed after Lionel's downfall. Tonight, she was no longer the scrappy underdog.
She was the queen of the boardroom.
A warm hand settled on the small of her back.
*Carl.*
He wore a tuxedo that cost more than most cars, his hair slightly tousled, his scars hidden beneath the fabric. But his eyes—dark and possessive—were all hers.
"Nervous?" he murmured.
She arched a brow. "Do I look nervous?"
His thumb traced her spine. "You look like you're planning murder."
"Only if they vote against me."
The emcee's voice boomed over the crowd. *"And the Innovator of the Year Award goes to… Kathleen Palmer of SafeHaven!"*
Applause erupted. Carl squeezed her hand. *"Go get your crown, love."*
Kathleen took the stage, the spotlight blinding.
Then she saw the teleprompter.
*Her prepared speech had been deleted.*
In its place, a single line:
**SAY YES.**
---
CARL
Carl had orchestrated coups, mergers, and hostile takeovers.
None had made his palms sweat like this.
He watched Kathleen freeze on stage, her gaze darting to him. He gave her the barest nod.
*Trust me.*
For a heartbeat, he thought she'd walk off.
Then—
Kathleen tossed her hair and leaned into the mic. *"Normally, I'd thank my team. But someone*—" she shot Carl a look *"—seems to have other plans."*
The crowd chuckled, clueless.
Carl stepped forward, pulling a folded document from his pocket.
The room fell silent.
Kathleen's breath hitched as he joined her on stage.
"A proposal," he said, handing her the paper. *"Not* the kind you're thinking."
She unfolded it.
**CO-FOUNDER AGREEMENT: HARRIS-PALMER TECH INCUBATOR**
Her lips parted.
Carl kept his voice low, just for her. *"Equal partners. No lies this time."*
The cameras zoomed in. The crowd leaned closer.
Kathleen's eyes glittered. *"You're insane."*
*"Say yes anyway."*
She grabbed his tie and kissed him—hard—to the roar of the crowd.
When she pulled back, she whispered, *"Only if I'm CEO."*
Carl grinned. *"Deal."*
---
AVA
Ava sipped champagne from the sidelines, smirking.
Alina tugged her sleeve. *"Did Uncle Carl just give Aunt Kathleen a *company* instead of a ring?"*
Ava snorted. *"Romance is dead, kid."*
On stage, Kathleen was laughing as Carl whispered something that made her blush.
Ava snapped a photo and sent it to her burner phone's only contact:
**Mission accomplished. They're officially disgustingly in love.**
The reply came fast:
**Good. Now focus on your own mess.**
Ava rolled her eyes—just as a familiar voice purred behind her:
*"Ava Lopez. Fancy meeting you here."*
She turned—and nearly dropped her glass.
*Him.*
The venture capitalist who'd tried to buy SafeHaven out from under them.
*Damn it.*
Game on.
---