THE CEO'S MARRIAGE PROPOSAL

Jessica's brain is completely short-circuited. Married? He said married. To her. The same girl who had pretended to be her best friend, the same girl who had made a fool of herself babbling about horror dolls and chicken feet.

She forced a laugh, waving her hands. "M-marriage? Oh, that's... that's hilarious! You're joking, right? Because who proposes after one date? Nobody does that!"

Ethan Maverick expression didn't shift an inch. His jawline looked carved from stone, his eyes sharp as blades. "I'm not joking."

Her laughter died in her throat. She stared at him, wide-eyed, while he continued with deadly seriousness.

"My grandfather is relentless. He's been forcing blind dates on me for years. You are different. You don't simper, you don't flatter, and you don't bore me. That's why you're perfect."

Perfect? Jessica felt her knees weaken. This was not part of the plan.

"Mr. Ethan, I think you're making a mistake-"

"I don't make mistakes," he cut her off smoothly. "And I don't waste time. I'll have my assistant prepare the necessary paperwork."

Paperwork. Of course, the man saw marriage as a contract to be signed, like a business deal.

Jessica gaped at him. "You're insane."

"Efficient," he corrected calmly.

She pressed her palms against her face, suppressing a groan. How was she supposed to get out of this without ruining her life-or revealing her real identity?

The moment Ha-ri escaped the office corridor, she sprinted to the bathroom, locking herself into a stall before dialing Sophia's number with trembling fingers.

Her best friend picked up cheerfully. "So? Crisis averted?"

"Crisis?!" Jessica screeched, her voice echoing in the tiled room. "He asked me to marry him!"

There was a stunned silence, followed by a shriek so loud Jessica yanked the phone away from her ear.

"What?! You're kidding!"

"I'm not! He's serious! He said I'm perfect and he'll have his assistant draft paperwork. Paperwork Sophia! Who even does that?!"

Sophia groaned. "Oh my god, Jessica. This is worse than I imagined. My father will kill me if he finds out. And if Ethan discovers you're not me-"

"He'll fire me. Or sue me. Or both!" Ha-ri moaned, clutching her head.

They sat in silence for a beat, the weight of the disaster sinking in.

Finally, Sophia muttered, "You have to reject him."

"I already tried! He doesn't listen!"

"Then we'll come up with a plan. Just stall him for now. Whatever you do, don't sign anything!"

Jessica slumped against the stall wall, muttering, "Easy for you to say..."

That evening, Ethan Maverick visited his grandfather, Chairman Maverick, in the sprawling family mansion. The elder Maverick was a man of imposing presence despite his age, with a booming laugh that filled the grand hall.

"You've finally chosen someone?" the chairman said, his eyes sparkling with delight.

"Yes," Ethan answered simply.

"Tell me about her."

"She's unlike anyone else. Bold. Unpredictable."

The chairman chuckled. "Sounds like she already has you hooked."

Ethan frowned faintly. "Hooked? No. I'm simply making the most efficient decision. She won't waste my time."

Chairman Maverick clapped his hands together. "Excellent! Arrange a family dinner immediately. I must meet this young lady who finally captured my grandson's attention."

For the first time, a flicker of unease crossed Ethan's face. He had no idea just how complicated this was about to become.

The next day at work, Jessica tried her best to avoid Ethan, ducking behind filing cabinets and faking errands to other floors. But it was impossible to escape forever.

Just before lunch, Rian appeared at her desk, his expression unreadable. "Miss Jessica Robert. The president requests your presence."

Her coworkers' heads whipped around in unison, eyes wide with shock and curiosity.

Jessica's heart pounded. She stood shakily, following Rian to the CEO's office.

Inside, Jessica sat behind his massive desk, reviewing documents as though the fate of nations rested on his pen strokes. He looked up when she entered, his gaze pinning her in place.

"I've spoken with my grandfather," he said evenly. "He wishes to meet you. Tonight."

Jessica's jaw dropped. "T-tonight?!"

"Yes. I'll pick you up at seven."

Her stomach plummeted. Meeting the chairman was a death sentence. If the lie unraveled, her career-and her family's fried chicken shop-would go up in flames.

She plastered on a shaky smile. "Mr. Ethan, don't you think we're... rushing things?"

Ethan's lips curved in a faint, dangerous smile. "On the contrary. I hate wasting time."

Jessica wanted to scream.

And so, against her will, the stage was set for disaster number two: dinner with the chairman.