Hayley spoke up before Kaden could utter a word. "Mr. Evans, your grandfather has been pressing you about marriage lately, hasn't he?"
Ignoring Kaden's intimidating presence, she walked with purpose to a nearby lounge chair and settled in comfortably. "Your grandfather means the world to you. You might say no to his face, but deep down, you're terrified that upsetting him could make things worse for his health, isn't that right?"
"And what exactly are you getting at?" Kaden asked, his brows drawing together as his sharp gaze fixed on her.
Not a hint of worry showed in her demeanor. She acted as though she had complete command of the situation.
"We could enter a contractual marriage." Hayley rolled her sunglasses between her fingers and spoke as if discussing the weather. "It would calm your grandfather and free you from constant pressure. On top of that, it would fend off every woman trying to latch onto you."
"You really think that matters to me?" Kaden said with a low laugh, the chill in his voice deepening. "Miss Morgan, you're not in a position to make use of me."
"I certainly wouldn't propose a marriage just based on that," Hayley said, sounding utterly unconcerned, as she crossed her long legs before glancing toward Gerard, sprawled on the ground.
After a brief pause, she continued, "Why don't we make things interesting and place a wager?"
Interest flickered in Kaden's expression. "What kind of wager are we talking about?"
Rising to her feet, Hayley selected a golf club from the rack and gave it a quick test swing. "Evans Group's Utopia project lost a hundred million because of Mr. Holt's mistakes. Now that he's no longer able to run things, you need a replacement."
Kaden's frown deepened. "You're after the Utopia project, then?"
Without even glancing at Gerard's desperate look, Hayley lined up her shot. "If I make a hole-in-one, you'll hand the project over to me. How's that for a bet?"
This was not what Kaden had expected. He had assumed Hayley would ask for his agreement to her marriage proposal, but her demand took him by surprise.
"You've got yourself a deal," he agreed.
"Mr. Evans, your decisiveness is impressive."
Focus sharpened in Hayley's eyes as she swung the club with full force.
The ball zipped past Gerard, leaving him rooted in place, as though Hayley's swing had knocked the air right out of him.
Soaring upward, the ball drew a perfect arc across the sky.
Every gaze in the crowd trailed its path, breaths caught in their throats, waiting for what would happen next.
With a sharp click, the ball dropped precisely into the hole.
Gasps and murmurs rippled through the onlookers. Could that have possibly been the work of a beginner? Not even seasoned experts always managed such a perfect shot.
Kaden offered a slow round of applause, his expression shifting as a glimmer of respect flickered in his eyes.
"Miss Morgan, I have to admit, your golf skills are exceptional. Consider the Utopia project yours."
"Appreciate it, Mr. Evans. Let's move on to the real matter at hand."
A shadow crossed Kaden's face, and he answered coolly, "You certainly are full of surprises. But when it comes to the engagement, my answer is no. I don't require a wife just to silence my grandfather."
Kaden's refusal drew no reaction from Hayley. Instead, she calmly produced a folder and handed it to him. "Check this document first."
She didn't wait for a reply. Instead, she walked off with steady steps and called back, "I'll be waiting at home."
Kaden was ready to dismiss her ambition as nothing more than a fantasy. However, as his eyes scanned the pages inside the folder, he stiffened. His whole demeanor shifted in a heartbeat.
Where on earth did she discover all this?
Who was she really?
"Mr. Evans?" Ian called out when he saw Kaden frozen in place.
"Get the car ready. We're visiting the Morgan family."
"What for?"
"Speak with them about the engagement."
