Claimed in Public

"Yes. It's my fault. I haven’t properly introduced myself yet.

"Hello, Miss Bennett. My name is Leon Williamson. I’m your blind date this time. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

Short and straight to the point. It was also completely different from the information my mom gave me, so I was thrown off.

"But… the person they arranged for me wasn’t—"

Leon raised an eyebrow. He picked up his teacup and took a slow sip. "That guy isn’t good enough for you. So I came instead."

He looked up at me. "What’s wrong? Do you prefer him?"

I froze.

The way he said that…

Why did it sound like he already knew me?

My heart started pounding, but Leon remained perfectly composed, his calm, deep gaze fixed on me without blinking. He was clearly waiting for an answer.

I had no choice but to get over my nerves and speak, "Of course not… I don’t even know him."

He let out a soft laugh. "Then it’s fine if I take his place?"

I swallowed. "I… don’t mind."

Of course I didn’t. If anything, he was the one getting the worst end of this deal.

Leon appeared truly gratified by my response. Reaching out, he presented a thick booklet and placed it on the table before me.

"Excellent. This is my personal dossier," he explained. "It details my history, interests, professional skills, career path, earnings, and financial holdings. Please, feel free to go through it at your own time.

"To be perfectly frank, my objective for this meeting is marriage. My social circle doesn't have many women, which allows me to promise absolute fidelity. Once we wed, I intend to uphold every commitment I make today, and that includes a non-compensatory transfer of all my individual assets to your name.

"I have no intention of imposing any burden upon my partner, so she will enjoy total freedom as long as our marriage remains intact. If you are alright with these terms, it is my sincere hope that my proposal..."

He paused slightly after saying all that. Those striking eyes locked onto mine again, almost deliberately drawing me in.

"…can be considered."

His voice was warm and low, naturally magnetic. Combined with that face you couldn’t look away from, and the way he was staring straight at me, I was completely dazed. I felt like I was practically floating.

Was this some kind of hallucination after being driven insane by Brogan?

Under the table, I pinched my thigh hard.

Ow.

That hurt. So it wasn’t a dream.

My face must have gone increasingly vacant, because the flicker of amusement in Leon’s eyes told me I’d once again lost my cool.

Trying to recover, I grabbed my glass for a tactical swallow of water before forcing out the question: "Mr. Williamson, are you actually suggesting... that you want to marry me?"

He met my gaze, his nod both solemn and resolute. "Indeed. Miss Bennett, I would be honored to be your husband."

There was no mistaking his stance. He was firm.

I was left utterly reeling.

Who exactly asks for marriage the very first time they meet?

And for that person to be Leon, a man I had always considered to be in an entirely different league.

Nonetheless, he was now sitting across from me, saying sincerely and gently that he wanted to be my husband. It felt unreal.

"But… why me?"

He seemed to have expected that question. Leaning back casually, tilting his head slightly. "A woman as capable, strong-willed, and beautiful as you is one in a million. Do I really need a reason to want to marry you?"

He even raised a brow at me with a faint smile after saying it. He sounded so serious and sincere that I ended up feeling a little embarrassed instead.