|Katherine|
“WHAT?!”
The word flew out of my mouth before I could stop it, loud and sharp. My body reacted instinctively—I shot up from my seat, heart racing, completely stunned by what Noel had just said.
“What do you mean I have to get married?” I demanded, my voice rising with disbelief. “And how the hell is that supposed to save the company?”
Noel didn’t respond right away. He just sat there, watching me with a weariness that suddenly made him look years older. His shoulders drooped, as if my reaction had drained what little energy he had left. He leaned back into the chair with a soft sigh, and a faint, almost bitter smile ghosted across his lips.
“That’s what Sir Anton’s been insisting on, Miss Kat,” he said quietly, his tone edged with resignation. “He’s been repeating it for w
