With a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, he stated coolly, "10% shares of the Stallion Group, along with a 10-year partnership deal. That's my condition for backing out of this marriage alliance."
His words hung in the air, heavy with implications. It was clear that for Alex, this was not just about the marriage—it was about securing his future and making sure he had a firm grip on Stella's business empire, even if their personal relationship remained a facade.
Stella had expected as much. Who wouldn't want a piece of the Stallion group? But for Alex to think he could dig his hand into its shares was nothing short of a fantasy. She knew what he was after, and while she understood the temptation, the boldness of his demand left her unfazed.
The truth was, Stella's ultimate motive wasn't to escalate things. She had no interest in a prolonged power struggle. She was determined to settle this matter amicably, and deep down, she knew she had the upper hand. If it ever came to that—if she decided to pull out her marriage certificate—it would nullify any claim Alex thought he had.
Her grandfather might have his expectations, but Stella was no naive pawn in this game. She was a seasoned strategist, and the moment she brought the marriage certificate into play, Alex would have nothing to argue for—let alone her grandfather. In the end, this "marriage alliance" was nothing more than a business deal, and no matter how much Alex tried to manipulate it, Stella was in control.
Stella smiled, her expression calm but her words sharp. "Alex Dalton, I'm doing you a favor by even considering this. You don't want to test my boundaries. Offering you a partnership deal is my way of compensating for my grandfather's... fuzziness. But let's be clear: I have nothing to lose here. If you don't want to cherish this opportunity, we can still go through with the meeting, but don't blame me for the outcome."
Her eyes locked onto his, unflinching, as she made her point. She wasn't about to let Alex manipulate the situation, and she was more than prepared for the consequences should he choose to push too hard.
Seeing her confidence and unwavering attitude stirred a sense of crisis within Alex. For a moment, he felt the weight of the challenge ahead, but his resolve only hardened. He had made up his mind—this situation was one he had to navigate to gain dominion over the Stallion group, and he was not afraid to play the long game.
With a measured breath, Alex leaned back in his chair, the coldness returning to his eyes. He was ready to take this battle to the next level, and no matter how hard the road ahead, he would not back down. If anything, Stella's defiance only fueled his determination. He would find a way to bend this to his will.
Alex's smirk deepened as he watched Stella's reaction. It was clear that she hadn't expected his declaration, but he was resolute in his decision. "Then, I think there is nothing to discuss, Miss Stallion. Let's get engaged, and in a few months, you will be my wife. I promise I won't treat you badly."
Stella's gaze remained steady, though her mind was racing, trying to decode Alex's sudden confidence. She couldn't fathom why he was so certain she would simply accept the terms of their marriage, and yet his arrogance was palpable.
With a calm that only those accustomed to dealing with stubborn individuals could manage, she shrugged her shoulders. "Since you've made your choice, I can't accompany you. I have other things on my schedule. I hope you don't mind."
Her words, casual yet firm, left little room for further debate. Alex's confidence seemed to waver slightly, but he masked it quickly. As she turned away, he couldn't help but wonder if he had underestimated her resolve.
Alex gulped down the remaining tea in his cup, trying to calm his nerves. Watching Stella stride out of the room with unwavering confidence, he couldn't help but wonder if he had miscalculated. Was she truly underestimating the marriage alliance, or was she just boasting to put him in his place? One thing was certain: it was well known among the elite that Miss Stallion never made jokes, especially when it came to matters involving her or the Stallion Group.
As the door closed behind her, Alex leaned back in his chair, staring into the empty space where she had stood moments ago. A slight unease stirred within him—he was used to controlling situations, not being so easily dismissed. Yet, Stella's presence seemed to suggest that, for once, he might not have the upper hand.
Stella had already expected that Alex's thoughts would be clouded by greed, unable to see the bigger picture. Who in their right mind would throw away a business deal with the Stallion Group? It seemed this would be the first time since she had taken over that someone would refuse such an opportunity.
Her initial intention had been to make one more business ally rather than an enemy because, in the world of high-stakes business, having one more friend is always better than making another rival. But as things stood, it seemed her plans would take a drastic turn. The Daltons and Stallions were destined to remain business rivals, and there would be no easy way to change that. Stella couldn't help but wonder if Alex's refusal was a sign that some battles, no matter how much effort you put into them, were simply unavoidable.
Stella returned to her office, feeling drained. Despite all her preparations, she hadn't anticipated that the meeting would take so long. With a sigh, she shut the door behind her, planning to rest for a while, but her eyes were drawn to a neatly wrapped package on her desk. Curious, she picked it up and pressed the intercom button.
"Who dropped the package on my table?" she asked.
"Mr. Jackson brought it over. He said it's your lunch," her assistant replied.
Stella smiled, touched by the gesture. She unwrapped the package, and as she looked at the meal inside, all her tiredness seemed to melt away. It was exactly what she needed. Before she got too absorbed in her meal, she snapped a quick photo of the dish, then sent a text:
"Thanks for the meal."
Settling into her chair, she began to eat, savoring every bite with the thought of Alex pushed to the back of her mind.