CHAPTER 4: A Deal with Daisy
Allen sat at the edge of his bed, his mind whirling with the weight of everything he had learned. The echoes of Butler Joe's words lingered in his head—he was the last Morgan, the heir to a fortune that could reshape the world. But the weight of that crown felt suffocating, and the urgency behind Joe's pleas left him feeling cornered.
Allen wasn't ready to embrace that life. Not yet. And the thought of his enemies lurking, waiting for him to claim his title, only heightened his sense of unease.
He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Butler Joe standing silently in the doorway, his face solemn but patient.
"You've made a decision, haven't you?" Joe's voice was steady, calm—like he already knew what Allen would say.
Allen nodded slowly, his eyes shifting back to the floor. "I need more time, Joe. I can't just... take this on right now. It's too much, too fast."
Joe walked into the room, his shoes barely making a sound against the wooden floor. "Time is not a luxury we can afford, Prince Allen. Every day you delay, your enemies grow bolder. The Morgan Empire teeters on the edge, and without you—"
"I know!" Allen interrupted, his frustration bubbling to the surface. "I know what's at stake, but I'm not ready to just jump into a war I didn't even know I was part of until today. You can't expect me to walk out of this life and into that one without a plan."
Joe's expression softened, and he folded his hands in front of him. "What would you propose then?"
Allen looked at him, his mind racing. There had to be a way to buy time—something that wouldn't force him into the spotlight right away but would still keep the Morgan family afloat.
"My mother," Allen said after a pause. "Elena. She's smart, resourceful. She's the one who's kept our family together despite everything my adoptive father put us through. Appoint her as acting CEO of the Morgan Empire."
Joe blinked, visibly surprised. "Your adoptive mother?"
Allen nodded. "She's not a Morgan by blood, but she's loyal. And more importantly, no one will see her coming. While she holds things down, I can figure out my next steps. We can keep my true identity secret, and I'll be able to deal with... everything else."
Joe was silent for a moment, his brows furrowing. "It is... unconventional, but not impossible. However, this is not a long-term solution, Allen. Sooner or later, you will need to step into your role as the true heir."
"I just need time," Allen replied firmly. "Can you make it happen?"
Joe considered the request for a long moment, then finally nodded. "I will see to it that your mother is placed in the position temporarily. But be warned, the board of the Morgan Corporation will not wait forever. They will demand answers."
"I understand," Allen muttered, already feeling the pressure mounting.
He stood up and straightened his shoulders, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was already late, but there was something he had to do before any of this could move forward. A decision he had been dreading but knew was inevitable.
"Where are you going?" Joe asked, noticing the shift in Allen's demeanor.
"To see Daisy," Allen answered, his voice grim. "She holds too much power over me right now. If I'm going to do this, I need to deal with her first."
Joe nodded in understanding but didn't say anything more. He knew better than to argue with a man determined to face his fate.
The drive to Daisy's estate felt like a journey into the lion's den. Allen gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white, every mile dragging out the tension in his chest. The image of Daisy, her cold eyes staring him down as she handed him the contract, haunted his thoughts. She wasn't someone who took no for an answer. And if he was going to make this work, he had to play his cards right.
The mansion loomed ahead, its gates swinging open as his car approached. Allen's heart pounded in his chest as he pulled into the driveway and stepped out, greeted by the eerie silence of the night. The lights of the grand estate flickered against the dark sky, casting long shadows over the cobblestone path leading to the front door.
He took a deep breath and knocked.
Moments later, the door swung open, revealing Daisy, dressed in an elegant silk robe, her hair perfectly in place despite the late hour. Her expression was unreadable, her eyes scanning Allen from head to toe.
"Back so soon?" she said with a raised eyebrow, her voice as smooth as ever.
Allen swallowed the lump in his throat. He had to play this right. "I've made a decision," he said, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside him.
Daisy's eyebrow arched further in amusement. "Oh? And what might that be?"
Allen took a step closer, his heart racing. "I'll do it. I'll marry you."
For the first time, Daisy's cool demeanor faltered slightly. Surprise flickered in her eyes, but it quickly disappeared, replaced by a calculating gaze. "Is that so? And here I thought you'd need more convincing."
"I don't have much of a choice," Allen said, his voice low. "You made sure of that."
Daisy smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I did, didn't I? But I must say, you're handling this much better than I expected."
Allen felt a sharp pang in his chest at her words, but he forced himself to remain calm. This was a game of survival now. He couldn't afford to show weakness.
He dropped to one knee, bowing his head as he spoke the next words. "Daisy, will you accept me as your husband?"
There was a long pause, and Allen could feel her eyes boring into him, studying him like a predator deciding whether to pounce.
But before Daisy could respond, a deep, authoritative voice cut through the tension like a knife.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Allen's head snapped up in shock, his blood running cold as he turned to see a tall, imposing figure standing in the doorway behind Daisy. The man's presence was overwhelming, his sharp eyes locking onto Allen with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.
Daisy's father.
His gaze shifted between Allen and his daughter, his expression unreadable but filled with an intensity that made Allen's skin crawl.
Daisy, for once, seemed caught off guard. "Father... I didn't expect you to be here."
The older man stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as they settled on Allen. "I overheard your little proposal. And now I'd like to know... what exactly is going on between you and my daughter?"
Allen's heart pounded in his chest as he realized just how deep into the lion's den he had truly walked.
The real danger had only just begun.