Chapter 10
718words
"Porter submitted his resignation this morning," my assistant reported, standing behind my chair.
"After we acquired Horizon Group, he had nowhere left to run."
"What about Jade?"
"Porter divorced her last month. Since he's bankrupt, she walked away with practically nothing."
A knock at my office door. Ethan stood in the doorway.
"President Sullivan, may I have a word in private?"
I gestured for my assistant to leave. Ethan handed me a document.
"This is a cooperation proposal between Grant Corporation and your firm. I thought you might be interested."
I opened the proposal. The terms were so generous they almost seemed like a gift.
"Is this your way of compensating me?" I looked up at him.
"This is my way of thanking you," Ethan corrected. "Though your methods weren't exactly ethical, they did save Grant Corporation."
"No need for courtesy, Mr. Grant. We both got what we wanted," I replied indifferently.
Ethan fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked,
"Why did you help Grant Corporation? You could have watched it burn, then picked up the pieces for pennies on the dollar."
I looked at the confusion in Ethan's eyes. "Because that wouldn't have been challenging enough."
"What's the point of conquering ruins? I want to see it become truly powerful—then make it mine."
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "You still want Grant Corporation?"
"No," I shook my head. "I want far more than Grant Corporation."
I walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, pointing to the financial district under construction in the distance.
"There will rise a new business empire—one completely under my control."
Ethan remained silent for a long time, then suddenly smiled.
"I always thought I married a trophy wife. Never expected I brought home a lioness."
"Likewise," I retorted. "I never expected my arranged marriage partner would evolve from playboy to competent CEO."
Ethan walked to my side, standing shoulder to shoulder with me as we overlooked the city.
"Iris, I've been blind. I never realized what a fascinating woman you are."
I turned in surprise to look at him.
Ethan's gaze was unusually intense. "Every time you helped me during a crisis, it wasn't out of duty as Mrs. Grant. You've always seen Grant Corporation as your future acquisition, haven't you?"
"Clever deduction." I nodded appreciatively.
Ethan continued, "I'm beginning to admire you, Iris. I want you to stay by my side."
"Ethan, you're just not used to losing control," I said calmly.
"For you, watching me transform from pawn to player has triggered your desire to conquer. That isn't love."
"You're always like this," Ethan gave a bitter smile. "Analyzing everything rationally, even emotions."
"Because emotions are unreliable. I only trust money and power."
We fell into silence. Outside the windows, the sun was setting, city lights gradually twinkling to life across the skyline.
"I accept your cooperation proposal," I finally broke the silence. "In return, I'll stop acquiring scattered shares of Grant Corporation."
"I will not remarry you. My empire cannot tolerate interference."
A flash of disappointment crossed Ethan's eyes, but he quickly masked it. "Thank you."
I walked to my desk, picked up a document and handed it to him. "My next move is here."
Ethan took the file, flipped through it, and spoke with shock. "You're bidding for the National Free Trade Zone? That requires at least 30 billion!"
"My firm has partnered with three overseas investment groups. We're fully prepared," I said calmly. "This project will take five years and span multiple sectors. I have neither time nor energy for a marriage built on pretense."
Ethan stared at the document, silent for a long time.
"I understand," he handed the document back. "Good luck."
"You too." I smiled.
Ethan walked toward the door but suddenly turned back: "Iris, if in five years we both achieve our goals, would you give me another chance?"
I looked at Ethan's earnest expression and smiled.
"No. When I make a decision, I never look back."
As Ethan opened his mouth to respond, my assistant knocked and entered.
"President Sullivan, the preparation meeting for the free trade zone project begins in ten minutes."
"I'll be right there." I walked toward the conference room.
After all, every battle ahead is another step toward building my empire.
I, Iris Sullivan, never do anything halfway.
