Chapter 1

chapter1

“I know, Mom. I’m in front of the café. Call you later!”

Emmanuel Lowe hung up on his mother impatiently. The twenty-eight-year-old man had never been in a steady relationship. After spending seven years in the army, he had transitioned to civilian life, working at a prominent hospital in Yeringham for the past three years.

As a dedicated gynecologist, Emmanuel earned eighty thousand a year. While he was proud of his career, his mother was constantly worried he would end up alone. Since he was naturally reserved when it came to dating, she had taken charge of his social life, setting him up on a relentless string of blind dates.

Thanks to her efforts, he had gone on seventeen so far. Unfortunately, none had sparked a connection. To Emmanuel, these meetings had become a chore—a script he recited just to appease his family.

“Help! Someone help me!”

Just as Emmanuel reached the café entrance, a weak cry for help stopped him in his tracks. He turned to find an elderly man who had collapsed nearby. Moving with the efficiency of his military and medical training, Emmanuel stabilized the man.

“Thank you for your kindness!” the old man replied with a grateful smile.

Emmanuel noticed a strange contrast; despite the man’s tattered clothes, his hands were clean and his bearing possessed a certain dignity. However, he didn't have time to dwell on it. After ensuring the man was safe, Emmanuel rushed into the café, determined not to be late.

The interior was massive, structured almost like a maze. His mother had messaged him that his date was at table number eight. Navigating through the winding corridors, he accidentally wandered into a secluded VIP area.

The lighting was soft here, and the scent of fresh petals filled the air. Emmanuel looked up and froze.

A woman sat alone at a table. She was strikingly elegant, possessing a refined beauty that seemed almost out of place in a public café. She was quietly sipping coffee, a copy of The Power Broker resting on the table beside her.

When she noticed him entering the private space, her expression shifted to one of confusion.

Thump. Thump.

Emmanuel’s heart raced. In all his years, he had never felt such an immediate, visceral reaction to someone. In his professional life, he maintained a clinical detachment, but this was different. This woman had an aura that commanded his full attention.

Am I just nervous, or is this something else? Then, he spotted it: a large number ‘8’ sitting on her table.

She’s my blind date?

Taking a deep breath, he approached and took the seat opposite her. The woman’s eyes flashed with a hint of hostility at his audacity. To her, this stranger was intruding on her private reservation.

Emmanuel, assuming she was just another high-maintenance date, launched into his practiced introduction. “Hi! My name is Emmanuel Lowe. I’m twenty-eight, a gynecologist, and I earn eighty thousand a year. I don't own a house or a car yet.”

He spoke with an unusual calmness. The woman stared at him, then a small, mocking smirk played on her lips.

“Nice to meet you,” she replied coolly. “I’m Mackenzie Quillen. I’m twenty-seven with dual doctorates in finance and business administration from Harvard. I earned three billion last year, and I have both a car and a house.”

Emmanuel was stunned. This wasn't the typical blind date dynamic. He wondered if she was exaggerating to intimidate him, but her confidence was unshakable.

Regardless, he decided to finish the "script" for his mother’s sake. “I don’t make much compared to you, but if we were to date, I promise to be a supportive and protective partner. I’m happy to handle the household responsibilities so you can focus on your career. I only ask for mutual respect in front of our families. If we married, I could contribute five to six thousand a month toward our expenses.”

Mackenzie was momentarily speechless. She had never met a man so earnest about such a modest proposal in the face of her wealth. She couldn't help but let out a short laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Emmanuel asked, slightly annoyed. “I’m being serious about being a responsible partner.”

“Sir, I’m sure you’re a good man,” Mackenzie said, regaining her composure. “But you’ve made a mistake. I’m not here for a blind date.”

Emmanuel’s eyes widened. “Isn't this table number eight?”

“Yes, in the VIP suite,” she pointed toward the exit. “The common dining area is back that way and to the right. You’re in the wrong section.”

Emmanuel felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. He stood up quickly. “I… I’m so sorry! I’ve completely misplaced myself.”

He made a hasty retreat, feeling the weight of his blunder.

Shortly after he left, the old man from the street entered the room, flanked by four bodyguards. It was Terence Quillen, chairman of the city’s most powerful financial group. He had faked his fall to test the character of the man his granddaughter might one day meet.

“Perhaps this is fate, Mackenzie,” Terence said. “That young man didn't know who I was, yet he stopped to help me. And then, by sheer accident, he walked in here.”

Mackenzie remained stoic. “He may have passed your test for kindness, Grandpa, but he hasn't passed mine. I’ll consider him only if he proves his worth under pressure.”

Terence smiled, looking toward the door. “I have a feeling he will.”