d been working relentlessly-not to close a trillion-dollar merger, but to hunt for a "worthy" woman. Someone to s

a genius or the greed of a gold-digger? The resilience of a warrior or the cowardice of a pragmatist? To Aiden, the child was no

a stinging blow to

f the ten women who had entered his office since morning, nine had turned a serious interview into a cheap farce. They employed every trick in the b

f money and the faint stench of mortality already radiating from him. He had dismissed the

the scent of cheap perfume. His life, ironically, revolved around a paradox: the higher he stood, the more he felt like a man

.. ri

thought. Aiden stood up, taking a deep breath to suppress a looming

e answering, his voice regaining its aut

't have time

said crisply, his ton

on notice?" Aiden snapped. "Your performance is abysmal. Every ca

e grumbling, his voice nonchalant. "They were al

s fingers tightening around the device. "Look at the results. Are

ve to calm down eventually. Think positive-

othing but flawed copies of g

to be displeased, then whether they are beauty queens or professors, they'll be nothing but trash to you. Conversely, once you've 'chosen' some

why you called," Aiden cut him off curtly. H

m do

thing over the line signaling his lac

hurried to shift his tone. "You're still

id you call just to confirm the obvious?" Aiden

nk I've found the pe

ed, only to be instantly snuffed out by skepti

ho was notoriously devot

efore. She has a certain... quality that perhaps only you can appreciate. She meets 99.9% of your requirements regarding app

. "I'll try to believe your rambling

rrived yet?" Nolan as

ones I just kicked out," Aiden exclai

, and I only finalized her file at noon. Since you're in a hurry, I sent her straight to the office. Ar

.. t

tened his vest button, and walked to the floor-to-ceiling glass wall, looking down at a Manhattan dr

r the eleventh time today. Aiden wondered: would this woman bring

t eyes-stepped into the VIP elevator. Cold metal surrounded her as she began the jou

50..

Aiden remained with his back to the door, eyes fixed on the glass. Suddenly, the crystal control pan

of his life ha