Chapter 2- The Request
HARDIN’S POV
“Mr. Miller, you want me to stop working as your assistant and instead work for your daughter?” I asked, my eyes scanning the contract in my hands. The words were clear, but the request itself was unexpected.
"Yes," Mr. Miller said, his voice carrying the same authority that had built an empire. “As I said earlier, I need someone I trust by her side, and there's no one I trust more than you.”
I set the document down, meeting his gaze. He was serious. I felt honored that he thought so highly of me, but what about him? I had spent years at his side, learning, growing, proving my worth. This wasn't just a job—I was his right-hand man.
“What about you, sir?” I asked, my brows furrowing. “You also need an assistant. It would be hard for you to get used to someone else.”
He chuckled, the deep rumble of his voice laced with amusement. “Don’t worry about me, son. Right now, my bigger concern is making sure my daughter is in good hands. Go through the document, tell me what you think.”
I inhaled slowly. If this was what he wanted, I didn’t really have a choice, did I? I wasn’t one to question his decisions—not when he had given me the opportunities that shaped my life. But still… something about this felt different.
“If that’s what you want, sir,” I said finally, picking up the contract again.
Mr. Miller nodded in satisfaction, pouring himself a cup of tea. I took a sip of my own, listening as he spoke about the business and upcoming transitions. It was a normal conversation, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger was at play.
After an hour, I excused myself and left for the office, prepared to carry out a few tasks he had assigned me.
The moment I stepped into the building, the stares began.
I was used to it.
Women looked at me shamelessly, their desire clear in their eyes. Some bit their lips, some giggled as I walked past, their perfume clouding the air. It was almost amusing. Almost.
As much as I had a reputation as a playboy outside these walls, I maintained professionalism here. The office was not my hunting ground.
I entered the elevator, pressing the button for my floor—same as Mr. Miller’s. The familiar ding echoed through the quiet space, and when the doors opened, I stepped into the hallway, striding toward my office.
Sitting at my desk, I opened the contract again.
Most of it was straightforward—benefits, responsibilities, expectations. Nothing out of the ordinary. But then, my eyes landed on one particular clause:
I could not quit the position. No matter what.
My brows lifted.
That was… unusual.
I had signed plenty of contracts before, but none had included a stipulation like this. What if something happened? What if I wanted out?
I ran my fingers through my hair, rereading the clause.
It wasn’t like I planned on quitting. But the fact that it was there at all made me wonder.
What was I really signing up for?
Still, the contract itself wasn’t bad. If anything, the benefits outweighed the concerns.
Exhaling, I reached for my pen and signed my name at the bottom.
There. Done.
Whatever came next, I was ready for it.
ARIANA’S POV
The call came earlier than expected.
I was at work when I received it—the frantic voice of our maid on the other end, telling me my mother had collapsed.
My blood ran cold.
I barely heard anything else as I grabbed my bag and rushed out, my hands shaking as I drove home.
By the time I arrived at the mansion, my chest was tight with fear.
I couldn’t lose her.
Not after my father’s mysterious death.
The moment I stepped inside, I turned to the maid. “Where is she?”
“In her room, the doctor is attending to her,” she said, worry etched on her face.
Without wasting a second, I ran upstairs, my heart pounding with each step.
When I opened the door to my mother’s room, my stomach twisted painfully.
She looked so pale. So fragile.
Her skin, once vibrant, was now ghostly. Her lips were dry, her breath weak. She was barely holding on, yet she still managed to smile when she saw me.
“My beautiful daughter,” she murmured, opening her arms.
I rushed to her, sinking into her embrace. She felt so small in my arms—so much weaker than I remembered.
Tears burned at the back of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I needed to be strong.
Turning to the doctor, I asked, “How is she?”
The doctor sighed. “She’s stable for now, but she needs a lot of rest. More importantly, she needs to start taking her medication. She hasn’t been keeping up with it, and that’s a major concern.”
I turned to my mother, my jaw tightening.
“Mom,” I said sharply. “Why haven’t you been taking your meds?”
The doctor shook her head. “She’s been joking about it, but this is serious.”
My mother laughed weakly. “Doctor, you didn’t have to rat me out.”
“This isn’t funny, Mom,” I snapped, my voice breaking. “You scared me! You can’t keep doing this.”
She sighed, reaching for my hand. “I know, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”
“You promise you’ll take them now?”
“I promise.”
I studied her carefully, trying to determine if she was being honest.
She smiled at me, but there was something else behind her eyes—something she wasn’t saying.
Still, I nodded. “Good.”
The doctor excused herself, and I sat beside my mother, tucking the blanket around her properly.
She looked at me for a long moment before sighing.
“I’m supposed to resume as the new CEO on Monday,” she muttered, frustration clear in her voice. “But now, I have to rest.”
“That’s too much stress for you, Mom,” I said immediately. “Your health is more important.”
She shook her head. “But the company—”
“Let me handle it,” I cut in.
She blinked at me. “What?”
“I’ll talk to Grandpa.”
Her expression was unreadable. “Ariana—”
“Rest now, Mom,” I said, pressing a kiss to her forehead before standing up. “I’ll be back soon.”
With that, I turned and walked out of the room, my heart hammering.
I knew exactly what needed to be done.
GRANDPA’S STUDY
I knocked on his study door, waiting for his deep voice to call me in.
“Come in.”
Stepping inside, I found my grandfather sitting at his desk, his reading glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. Despite his age, he carried himself with the same authority that had built the Miller empire.
“My baby girl,” he greeted, smiling as I walked toward him.
I hugged him tightly before sitting down.
“How’s your mother doing?” he asked, removing his glasses.
“She’s stable, but she needs rest,” I said. “And you? How are you holding up?”
He chuckled. “I’m an old man, Ariana. I’ve seen too much to be rattled by this.” But there was exhaustion in his voice—something he tried to hide but couldn’t.
I leaned forward. “Grandpa, I have a request.”
His lips twitched in amusement. “Straight to the point. That’s why you’re my favorite.”
I smiled, but inside, I was tense.
“What would you like me to do?”
Taking a deep breath, I squared my shoulders.
“As you know, Mom is expected to take over as CEO. But given her condition, many people will try to use this against her. They’ll question her ability to lead. They’ll spread rumors. They’ll attack our family when we’re already vulnerable.”
He watched me closely, saying nothing.
I continued, my voice steady. “We can’t let that happen. We need a solution before they make their move.”
“What do you suggest?”
I met his gaze head-on.
“Make me CEO of Miller Corporation.”
For a moment, there was silence.
Then, my grandfather leaned back in his chair, his eyes sharp.
And I knew—this was the start of something big.