[Claire agrees for the wedding]

Arriving at Orcana, Cain went to Hotel Empire to attend the meeting with the new project manager.

"Oh, so good to see you in person Mr Wilson." The manager forwarded his hand.

Cain ignored his gesture and sat on the chair. "Let's get to the point. Show me your proposal and later, we can take a tour of the site."

The manager, unhappy at being ignored, sat reluctantly. "Mr. Wilson, I am the top Manager in Orcana city with an amazing team. The percentage cannot be negotiated; I suggest you reconsider your proposal." Saying that, he handed the project file to Cain.

Flipping through the pages, Cain smirked. "Mr Gilbert, this project is a play to my team. Unfortunately they are occupied with something very important."

"That's the catch Mr. Wilson, we are available to your need. And also, it's Orcana, not Asheville." With a dominant stare at Cain, the manager fixed his tie.

"You are really something, Mr. Gilbert. You may be the top manager here, but it seems like you haven't investigated me. I refuse to work with you. Since you bid this site in the auction, I'll purchase it for double the amount and I'll have my people do the work for me." Cain stood up from the chair, ready to walk away.

The manager panicked. He had never encountered someone who rejected his proposal and replaced him in the same meeting. How was it fair for Cain to just buy his property according to his will?

"You can't do that, Mr. Wilson. The property is mine so I'll be incharge of the project, I approached you because I needed a strong back up and—"

Cain cut off his words. "Yes! We agreed to hand you the project until you became a greedy dog. Now, do not waste my time. I will see the property and return. Mark will handle the rest." With that, Cain turned and left.

Mr. Gilbert stood there in anger and frustration. Mark looked at him and side-eyed the manager.

"Mr. Gilbert, you sure are a greedy devil from hell. You want to sell us the site for double the amount and you are charging too hefty a price for the project construction. Also, you want 60-70% of the profit from the revenues?"

The manager was too furious to answer. He was the top manager in Orcana and no one rejected his projects but here he was, fighting a losing battle.

Irritated, he quietly accompanied them to show the site. Once they'd reached, Cain examined the place and a satisfactory look appeared on his face. Sealing the deal, he went back to the car as Mark followed him.

"See it thoroughly and confirm everything before leaving. I'll go first, Maria will be released today. God knows what difficulties she will pose for me. With her nature of revenge, she may directly go find Claire and hurt her," Cain said with a timid expression.

Mark nodded and went back to the site as Cain left the place to board his flight.

Cain wanted to buy this site at any cost, this was the place situated in the heart of Orcana city, and if it was to become a high-end shopping center for a common man, this would be news and a fortune.

Cain's grandfather, Alexander Wilson-the sole establisher of the Imperial Axis lnc. And almost 80% of estate in Asheville and City S, had given an ultimatum to his Grandson's to establish their own companies and whoever gets the highest revenue and market price by the end of 2 years, all the estates of Asheville and City S and his other business, overall the entire Wilson' empire would be handed to them.

Cain in competition had three more cousin brothers, they were greedy wolves. If they take hold of the Wilson empire everything would come to end-

Cain was very determined to get the entire Wilson' empire for himself, his father worked his life to earn that, and he won't let it all go invain.

Back at the mansion, Madame Lana and Claire were having their evening snacks, the latter convincing Claire to get her things together.

"Yes, Lola. I will consider what you've told me." Claire smiled.

"You better! It's not at all worth giving up on your hobbies and career for people, no matter who they are." Madame Lana narrowed her eyes as she slipped the cookie in her mouth. "And Claire, I've one important thing to say." Her expression turned dead serious.

Claire looked at her hesitantly.

"I know you have suffered a lot at Cain and Maria's hand. Don't worry, I will personally make them both pay for it. After what happened, you deserve a good life and good people. Under different circumstances, I would have suggested you to go ahead and find a different person to lead your life–" Madame Lana paused, displaying a ray of guilt. She quietly looked at Claire and continued.

"But Claire, I want to be selfish here. You are a pure gem, and my grandson–" She sighed.

"Claire, please marry Cain." Madame Lana held Claire's hands.

Claire was shocked and confused. She tightened her grip, sensing the tension Madame Lana calmly said to her, "Claire, I'm not asking you to forgive and forget. But this is the first time Cain has ever loved a girl. After his mother left him, he looked at women as though they were the most disgusting, venomous creatures. Claire, all I'm saying is give him one last chance. Trust me if he blows up this one, I personally will help you get away from him forever." Madame Lana smiled genuinely and looked at Claire with assurance.

Claire was flabbergasted. She didn't know how to respond to this, so she inhaled sharply and forced a few words out. "I–I will give it a thought." She forced an embarrassed smile.

"I'll be very happy to have you as my granddaughter-in-law. I hope can—" Sensing her worries, Claire interrupted her.

"Lola, It isn't that I am refusing to marry Cain or still have doubts. I feel that engagement and weddings shouldn't be rushed. The day of my engagement began like any other day. I was hurriedly dressed and escorted to an unknown destination and before I could know what was happening, I found myself standing in the middle of a lavishly decorated venu and an announcement of our engagement was imposed on me." Claire pressed her lips together.

"I believe engagements and weddings are milestones that shouldn't be rushed. They are once-in-a-lifetime commitments meant to be cherished and celebrated, not hurried through like business deals. I dream of taking my time, basking in the joy of each moment, and savoring the emotions that came with stepping into a new chapter of our life," She said confidently yet layering it with a fold of hesitation.

Madame Lana's eyes lit up, she was overjoyed. "Oh Claire, aren't you lovely? This is why I want you to be a part of our family forever. Don't you worry, I'll make sure things go your way." Claire nodded, her shoulders sagging with reassurance. "So? Can we start shopping tomorrow?" She clapped excitedly.

Claire looked at her in amusement. "Lola!" Claire raised her eyebrows.

"Oh, okay! Okay! I get it/ Now rush." Madame Lana's face fell with disappointment.

Claire chuckled and playfully touched her cheek. "Lola, you look like a stubborn kid. We can go shopping. I'll also call my best friend, Beth, to join us, but not tomorrow. Okay?" Madame Lana nodded in excitement. They both sat there laughing.

—

At Wilson Mansion

It was almost dinner time. Mr. Vincent was eating his dinner when a sudden voice grabbed his attention.

"Dad! I am back." Mr. Vincent, recognizing the voice, got up excitedly.

"Maria, my dear, you are back." He smiled.

"Dad! I missed you." Maria hugged him.

Mr Vincent patted her head; he seemed sad at her condition. Maria grew up with him and Cain. She was adopted by Mr. Vincent and his wife when she was six-years-old. She had developed a daughterly bond with Mr. Vincent. And he also cared for her as any other father.

"Dad, Why didn't you come to save me? I suffered a lot. They humiliated me, broadcasted me as a retard and they also framed me. Why weren't you there for me, Dad?" Maria sobbed.

Mr. Vincent's heart ached at the scene. "Maria, my dear daughter! I am sorry but your case was complicated. And I didn't know about it. I thought you went back abroad, and it was much later that I discovered your situation. I'm sorry I won't let this happen again."

Maria smiled, a thought crossed her mind, she cunningly squinted her eyes.

"Dad, do you promise to protect me at any cost, no matter what?"

Mr Vincent nodded his head in assurance.

"I will, my dear!"

"No dad you have to promise me, no matter what happens now or in future you will support me and side me and protect me, just like you did from the beginning." Maria's eyes welled up.

Mr Vincent sighed at how scared Maria was, he couldn't help but feel guilty and more care towards her.

"Yes Maria, no matter what or no matter who, I will protect you from here on. I won't let anyone or anything hurt you till I am alive." He gave her an assuring smile.

Satisfied with the answer Maria walked with him to the dining table to finish their dinner.

Meanwhile, Cain had just landed in Asheville. He rushed to his mansion, thinking Maria would have come and made a mess.