"You want a dowry of two million dollars, a villa, and a luxury car worth a million dollars?" I slowly stirred my coffee with a spoon with a mocking smile on my red lips, "So tell me, why should I give you these?"

The man said with confidence, "I am twenty—three years old and much younger than those old guys, which is one of my advantages. Besides, you are a busy company president and I believe you don't have time to focus on your family, so I will definitely be the one to take care of everything at home. I can't work for nothing, can I? By the way, it's better to put my name on the property deed, and the car too."

"Are you done?" I asked, expressionless.

The man took a sip of coffee and proudly raised his chin, "That's all for now. I'll tell you when I come up with something else."

"Okay, it's my turn now." I put down my spoon, my gaze cold and mocking, "Maybe you don't know much about me yet. I, Jacqueline Thompson, am twenty—eight years old, a Stanford graduate, the president of the Southeast Region of TR Group with an eight—figure contract, not including the income from my investments and shares, in good health, with no bad habits, a lover of sports, and an extensive knowledge of the world. So, what makes you think you're worthy of me?"

The man was speechless and blue in the face.

I shook my head, not going to waste more time on him, got up, and went out of the cafe.

Yancey, the driver, asked me, "Boss, should we go home or back to the company?"

"The company." I said lightly.

As expected, my mom called me right after I got in the car. I was already numb to her same old story, so I could only try my best to appease her.

After hanging up the phone, I sighed helplessly.

My mom was getting farther and farther down the road of pushing me to get married as I grew older.

She believed it was of no use for me to be more capable and earn more money.

I had to get married.

When I got out of the car in the company's underground garage, a white car sped past me with a man in a white turtleneck in the driver's seat.

I didn't see his face clearly, but my heart skipped a beat at that moment. I grabbed my phone and took a picture of his license plate number before I even thought about it.

The driver was confused, "Boss, what are you doing?"

"Nothing." I tossed the phone back into my bag as if nothing had happened.

I pretended to be calm but felt something different inside.

Five years ago, I had been just a regional manager for the Southeast Region of TR Group when Silvan Jordan had been the mentor who had taken me on. I had been quite an admirer of him, but he had taken advantage of my admiration to hurt me.

He had brought me to a presidential suite in a hotel.

When I had believed that I would be done, someone had shown up and saved me. But I had been so dazed that I had not seen who had saved me.

But at the very moment just now, I felt as if I had found the man who had saved my life back then.

As soon as I arrived at the office, I said to Yvette Lincoln, my assistant, "Give me a list of marriageable men, between the ages of 24 and 30. No bad habits, no smoking or drinking, good character, and an appearance and figure above eight out of ten. That's all I can think of for now. You can decide the rest yourself."

I no longer counted on the fancy matchmaking agencies.

Yvette had worked for me for many years and was quite efficient. Soon she brought me a list of candidates.

I read through the resumes of all the men on the list and finally my eyes fell on a man with a clean—cut look.

"He is the one."

Two days later, I met the man.

Despite the very good appearance, he was still passed over by me.

I felt nothing for him.

After he left, I sat back and drank my coffee, enjoying the rare quiet afternoon.

Just then, a shrill voice spoiled the tranquility.

"Elias, it's your honor that I asked you to be my boyfriend, don't be ungrateful."

I was blocked by a tree and could only see the back of a tall figure. The man had broad shoulders and a slender body with a simple white sweater and clean trimmed hair.

It could be seen only from his back that he was cold and independent.

The strange feeling came to my mind again.

The strange feeling came to my mind again.

Seeing that he wouldn't compromise, she said in a softer tone, "If you promise to be my boyfriend for a month, I'll give you a million dollars."

Tsk.

I tapped my fingers on the table.

I had seen a lot of people use money to solve problems in public, but not many of them had offered a million dollars.

I stared at the back of the man's head, thinking he would definitely be tempted by such a big offer.

The man seemed to have laughed lightly before he said indifferently, "You want me to be your boyfriend for just one million dollars?"

"You mean it's too little?" The woman asked.

"No, it's not. It's just that you don't deserve me." The man finished and turned around to leave.

At the moment when he turned around, I got a good look at his face.

No wonder that rich girl kept after him.

He was like Apollo in Greek mythology and no one could walk away when they saw him.

He had beautiful eyebrows, a delicate nose, and eyes as black as obsidian, with a coldness that made people afraid to approach him.

"The lotus grows unsullied from mud." I thought of this phrase for no reason.

As he turned around, he caught sight of me watching the show, and he quickly averted his eyes.

I didn't feel embarrassed for watching the show, instead I smiled at him and said softly, "Do you need my help?"

He didn't answer me but just stared at me motionlessly as if he was thinking about something.

The rich girl couldn't stand such embarrassment and asked her bodyguards to stop him immediately.

Elias frowned as he grew impatient.

I lowered my eyes and looked at his clenched fists, wondering if he would be able to beat the two bodyguards if he were to fight here.

The two bodyguards seemed very strong and professional. Although Elias was tall and had long legs, he might not be able to win against two. Not to mention that he might be arrested for fighting in public.

"Are you not leaving?" Elias said lightly as his dark eyes swept over me.

I didn't like to meddle in other people's affairs, but now I changed my mind.

The rich girl came over and said, "Elias, I'm giving you one last chance. Will you accept to be my boyfriend?"

"No."

"You..."

"You can take a horse to the water but you cannot make him drink." I got up and walked over to the rich girl, "There's no point in forcing him."

"Who are you? Mind your own business." The rich girl glared at me, "You don't happen to fancy this pretty boy too, do you?"

Elias clenched his fists again when he heard the words "pretty boy".

I was amused.

Why did this young girl have to use the cheapest means to get someone she liked? I guessed she was simply doing whatever she wanted and speaking out of turn because of her status.

"What if I say yes?" I looked at her with a faint smile, not trying to explain.

"Then how much do you offer?" She looked disdainful.

Elias glared viciously at her.

"Oh, I'm not that vulgar like you. I won't try to buy him with money, but..." I took out a card from my bag and put it in her hand, "I wouldn't mind using money to solve a problem, for example, you."

"Here is a million dollars. From today on, you are not allowed to bother him anymore, otherwise, don't blame me for being rude."

I lowered my voice as I said to her, "You are that youngest daughter of the Leadsom family, right? I know that you have injured someone accidentally and your good father has just fixed it for you some time ago. If I were you, I would stop making trouble and be a good daughter for a while."

"You..." She looked up at me in shock.

"Take care." I patted her on the shoulder.

Then I walked to Elias.

He looked down as I looked up.

He was tall, probably about 6'2".

"Let's go." I said to him.

He followed.

"Why did you help me?"

I didn't answer him. I found my car, opened the door, and got into the driver's seat. As I was about to close the door, he stopped me again, his tall figure blocking the side of the car.

"Answer me."

"What? Do you want to pay me back?" I smiled as I looked him up and down, "I'm afraid you might not be able to get that much money at once."

"So, what do you want?" He looked at me suspiciously.

I smiled and looked at him as I held the wheel, "You'll find out soon enough."