Leila Jameson’s life had always been one of comfort and stability. As the only daughter of a wealthy family, she had never known a world without privilege. At twenty-three, she had just graduated from a prestigious university, filled with ambition and dreams of making a name for herself in the corporate world. Her father, Richard Jameson, had always been her greatest supporter, proud of her intelligence and independence. But nothing could prepare her for the phone call she received late one evening.
Leila sat in the sleek, modern office of her father’s private study, looking over an assortment of documents. The soft hum of the city outside, mixed with the occasional tapping of her fingers on the desk, created a peaceful atmosphere. But when her father’s personal assistant, Margaret, entered the room with a solemn expression, Leila felt a knot tighten in her stomach.
“Leila, your father needs to speak with you. It’s urgent,” Margaret said, her voice tinged with worry.
Her heart skipped a beat. “What’s happened? Is he okay?”
Margaret hesitated for a moment before answering, her voice soft. “I’m afraid he’s not well. You should go to him.”
Leila’s breath caught in her throat as she stood up, her body trembling. She had always been close to her father, and the idea of him being unwell made her heart ache. She hurried down the hallway to his study, pushing open the door.
Her father sat behind his large mahogany desk, his face pale and drawn. There was a look of concern in his eyes, one that she had never seen before. The air felt thick with tension.
“Dad?” Leila asked, her voice shaking.
Richard looked up at her, his eyes softening. “Leila, sweetheart, I need you to listen carefully. I’ve been diagnosed with a serious illness. The doctors are doing their best, but…” He trailed off, unable to finish his sentence.
Leila’s world seemed to tilt. “No, Dad, you’re going to be fine. You have to be.”
Her father smiled weakly. “I wish I could promise you that. But even if I recover, I may not have much time left. There’s something more important I need to discuss with you.”
Leila took a seat beside him, her anxiety growing. “What is it?”
“Jameson Enterprises,” he began, his voice growing more serious. “The company is in financial trouble. We’ve been facing mounting debts, and I’ve exhausted all options to save it. There’s only one way left to secure its future.”
Leila’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What are you saying, Dad? You’ve always been in control. You’ve always made sure the company was stable. What happened?”
Her father sighed deeply. “I was too proud. I took risks, made mistakes… and now the company is on the verge of collapsing. But there’s someone who can help us—a man who has the power and resources to turn everything around.”
Leila frowned. “Who?”
“Victor Langford,” her father said with a heavy heart.
Leila blinked, not quite understanding. “Victor Langford? The CEO of Langford Enterprises? He’s one of the wealthiest men in the country! What does he have to do with Jameson Enterprises?”
“He’s offered to buy us out,” Richard explained. “But there’s a condition.”
Leila’s pulse quickened. “What kind of condition?”
Her father’s gaze fell to his hands. “He’s agreed to save the company, but only if you marry him.”
The words hung in the air like a dark cloud. Leila felt as though the ground had been pulled out from under her. “Marry him? You want me to marry a stranger to save the company?”
“I never wanted it to be this way, Leila,” her father said, his voice cracking. “But I have no other choice. I’m afraid if we don’t agree, the company will be lost. I’m doing this to secure your future and the future of Jameson Enterprises.”
Leila sat in stunned silence, her mind racing. She had never imagined her life would come to this—a forced marriage to a man she had never met. A man who was wealthy, powerful, and at least twice her age.
“But I don’t even know him,” Leila protested. “How can you ask me to marry someone I don’t even know? This isn’t right.”
Her father’s eyes were filled with sadness. “I know it’s hard, sweetheart. But sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the people we love. Please, Leila. For the company, for the future. Marry him.”
Leila felt a surge of anger. “And what about me? What do I get out of this? I don’t want to be some pawn in your business deal.”
Richard’s eyes darkened. “I never wanted it to be like this. But you have to understand, there’s no other way. I’m sorry.”
Leila stood up abruptly, her heart pounding. “I can’t do this. I won’t do this. There has to be another way.”
Her father’s voice was soft but firm. “Leila, I’m not asking you. I’m telling you. You will marry Victor Langford, and you will do what it takes to save this family.”
As the words settled in her mind, Leila’s world turned upside down. She felt trapped, cornered by a decision she never wanted to make. The man she would marry had already been chosen for her, and the future she had envisioned for herself seemed to slip further away.
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