Chapter 1: The Ultimatum
Sophia Thompson stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows of her father's office, gazing out at the breathtaking view of the city skyline. She had always loved this view, but today it seemed dull and unimpressive compared to the weight of her father's words.
"Sophia, you're 25 years old now," her father said, his voice firm but laced with a hint of concern. "It's time you settled down and got married. I want you to find a suitable husband and get married within the next six months."
Sophia turned to face her father, her eyes wide with shock and incredulity. "What? Dad, you can't be serious. I'm not even thinking about getting married right now."
Her father, Reginald Thompson, leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers together. "I'm afraid I am very serious, Sophia. You're my only child, and I want to make sure you're taken care of. I've built this company from the ground up, and I want to leave it in good hands. But I need to know that you're stable and secure, and that means being married to someone who can support and care for you."
Sophia felt a surge of frustration and anger. She had always known that her father was old-fashioned and traditional, but she had never thought he would try to dictate her personal life like this.
"Dad, I understand that you want what's best for me, but this is my life we're talking about," Sophia said, trying to keep her voice calm and reasonable. "I'm not ready to get married, and even if I was, I wouldn't want to be forced into it like this. Can't you just trust me to make my own decisions and live my own life?"
Reginald Thompson sighed and rubbed his temples. "Sophia, I know you think you're ready to take on the world, but trust me, you're not. You're a brilliant businesswoman, but you're also impulsive and reckless at times. I need to know that you're settled and secure before I can hand over the reins of the company to you."
Sophia felt a stinging sensation in her eyes as tears began to form. She had always known that her father didn't have complete faith in her abilities, but to hear him say it out loud like this was devastating.
"I understand, Dad," Sophia said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But can't you see that this is suffocating me? I need to be able to make my own decisions and live my own life. If you can't trust me to do that, then maybe I'm not the right person to take over the company."
Reginald Thompson's expression softened slightly, and he leaned forward in his chair. "Sophia, I do trust you. I just want what's best for you, and I think getting married and settling down is the key to your happiness and success. I'm willing to give you six months to find someone and get married. If you can't do that, then I'll have to reconsider who will take over the company."
Sophia felt a cold dread creeping up her spine as she realized the enormity of what her father was asking her to do. She had always known that her father was a force to be reckoned with, but she had never felt so trapped and suffocated by his expectations.
"I understand, Dad," Sophia said finally, her voice resigned. "I'll do it. I'll find someone and get married within the next six months."
Reginald Thompson's face broke out into a wide smile, and he stood up and walked around his desk to hug Sophia. "I knew you'd see things my way, Sophia. I'm proud of you."
Sophia hugged her father back, but inside, she was seething with resentment and frustration. She had no idea how she was going to find someone to marry in just six months, but she was determined to do whatever it took to prove to her father that she was capable of taking over the company.
Little did Sophia know, her life was about to change in ways she never could have imagined.