Building The Strongest Family-Chapter 129: Marriage Proposal

Whatever intentions the mayor had toward him, Arthur wasn’t particularly afraid. He pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind and immersed himself in the festivities of the party.

Eating, drinking, and mingling with the city’s elite, he exchanged pleasantries and even forged a few business friendships.

His heart-to-heart conversation with Ophelia was a highlight, he even managed to invite her for a dance!

All in all, Arthur felt that this night was far from wasted; he genuinely enjoyed it.

After four hours of laughter and celebration, the mayor’s birthday gala finally drew to a close.

As guests began to trickle out one by one, the grand ballroom started to thin out. Laughter echoed softly as clusters of friends shared murmured goodbyes.

The massive chandeliers cast long shadows across the obsidian floor, their light dimming as evening turned into night.

Arthur straightened his suit and exchanged final words with some guests before signaling Ashley that it was time to leave.

She sighed dramatically, swirling the last drops of Starlight Nectar in her glass.

Ophelia had left much earlier, citing "more important matters" as her reason for departure.

"I could get used to this," she mused wistfully as she watched the remnants of the party dissolve around them.

Arthur smirked playfully. "Try not to get too comfortable. The mayor’s hospitality always comes with a price."

Just then, Jessica appeared before them like a vision in an ice-blue gown shimmering under the fading lights.

She stopped just short of their table, her sharp gaze locking onto Arthur.

"My father wants to see you," she said coolly. "Alone. On the balcony."

Arthur raised an eyebrow in intrigue. "Does he now?"

Jessica’s lips curled slightly into a knowing smile. "Consider it a private discussion." Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked away, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

Ashley frowned and asked, "What was that about?"

Arthur exhaled through his nose dismissively. "In my opinion? Nothing good."

The balcony offered a breathtaking view of Neo-Luminara’s glittering skyline, its towers reaching toward the heavens like jagged shards of light against the starry backdrop.

The crisp night air carried distant hums of hovercraft along with whispers from remaining guests inside.

Mayor Damien Armitage stood at the railing with his back turned toward Arthur, holding a half-empty glass of Solaris Vintage wine.

"You’re late," he remarked without turning around.

Stepping forward confidently with hands clasped behind his back, Arthur replied dryly, "I didn’t realize we were on a schedule."

The mayor chuckled, finally turning to face Arthur. His sharp eyes glinted under the moonlight, calculating and shrewd. "Always with the wit, Arthur. It’s one of the things I admire about you."

Arthur inclined his head slightly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Flattery, Mayor? Should I be concerned?"

Inside, he scoffed at the absurdity of it all. Admiration? They had only just met today! But he kept those thoughts tucked away in his heart, where they could fester unnoticed.

The mayor took a slow sip of his wine, savoring it like a predator sizing up its prey.

"Concerned? No. Thoughtful? Perhaps." He set the glass down on the railing with deliberate slowness. "Tell me, Arthur, how old are you now?"

Arthur didn’t blink. "Old enough."

The mayor smiled knowingly. "And yet, unmarried. No girlfriend or attachments to speak of. A man of your standing should have a family by now."

Arthur’s fingers twitched behind his back as he fought to maintain composure. "I’ve been busy," he replied coolly.

"Besides, I don’t have the luxury or time to find a wife; women only slow down your momentum when it comes to making money!"

The mayor chuckled softly, amusement dancing in his eyes as they locked onto Arthur’s.

"Ah yes, business," Damien nodded sagely. "But even the most powerful men need heirs, stability and legacy."

Arthur remained silent for a moment, allowing the mayor to lead this peculiar dance.

With an exaggerated sigh that hinted at disappointment over Arthur’s lack of engagement, the mayor continued: "You know my Jessica is also unmarried, a brilliant woman, ambitious and beautiful! A perfect match for someone like you."

Arthur’s expression didn’t flicker; he was unimpressed by this blatant matchmaking attempt.

"Jessica is many things," he replied dryly, "but ’perfect’ isn’t one I’d use."

Inside him churned disbelief at how shamelessly this man spoke about his daughter, wasn’t she just another big-breasted stupid woman?

The mayor’s smile tightened slightly as if sensing Arthur’s reservations but not quite understanding them fully.

"She’s an Armitage," he declared with pride. "That alone makes her invaluable."

Arthur met his gaze evenly and asked pointedly: "And what exactly are you suggesting?"

Stepping closer with an air of conspiratorial intimacy, the mayor lowered his voice: "A union between our families, marry Jessica and together we can reshape Neo-Luminara."

Arthur stood still as stone; suspicion crept into every fiber of his being. "And what do you get out of this?"

The mayor’s smile turned razor-thin and calculated: "Sixty percent of Osborn Holdings, as bride price."

A beat of silence hung in the air. Arthur stared at the mayor, his eyes void of emotion, finally grasping the depths of this man’s shamelessness.

Then, a cold, humorless laugh escaped him. "Sixty percent? That’s not a marriage proposal; that’s a hostile takeover."

The mayor’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "Call it what you will. The offer stands."

Arthur exhaled slowly, his voice dangerously calm. "And if I refuse?"

The mayor picked up his glass again, swirling the golden liquid thoughtfully. "Neo-Luminara is a city of opportunity, Arthur. But also...consequences."

He took a sip as if savoring more than just the drink. "Your businesses thrive here; your family enjoys its protections. It would be unfortunate if... complications arose."

Arthur’s gaze darkened like storm clouds gathering overhead. "Is that a threat?"

The mayor chuckled softly, almost mockingly. "A reminder. Alliances are everything in this city, and right now? You stand alone."

Arthur studied him for a long moment before responding with steely resolve: "I’ll take my chances."

The mayor’s smile remained intact, but his eyes turned icy as he leaned closer. "Think carefully, Arthur. Opportunities like this don’t come twice." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

With that, Arthur turned to leave but paused at the balcony’s edge to deliver one last cutting remark: "Neither do warnings."

He walked away, leaving the mayor standing in the moonlight with his untouched glass of Solaris Vintage, a symbol of unfulfilled promises.

---