The Live-In Son-in-Law Is the Supreme Tycoon

Chapter 2: Part 2 The Marriage Proposal Nobody Expected

The words Diana had spoken did not disappear immediately. Instead, they lingered in the air, heavy and undeniable, as though the space itself refused to let them go.

She didn't think twice; the statement jumped out of her mouth, “...Marry me,” as she almost choked in her own saliva.

For a fleeting moment, the bustling entrance of Imperial Galleria seemed to lose its rhythm. The world did not truly stop, yet to those standing nearby, it felt as though everything had slowed just enough to notice the weight of what had just been said.

Traffic outside continued to move in steady streams. Shoppers passed by with branded bags swinging casually from their wrists. Somewhere near the fountain, a child’s laughter rang out, bright and carefree.

Yet around Diana Sterling, an entirely different atmosphere had taken hold, one thick with disbelief and sharpened curiosity.

Jack Foreman stood before her, silent.

His expression remained composed, as though nothing could easily disturb him, but a faint flicker of surprise passed through his eyes before he smoothed it away.

“I’m sorry,” he said after a measured pause. “Could you repeat that?”

Diana did not look away.

“I said,” she replied, enunciating each word with deliberate clarity, “marry me.”

Behind her, Vanessa quickly pressed her hand over her mouth, barely managing to suppress her laughter. Chloe, however, made no such attempt.

“Oh my God,” Chloe whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief. “She actually said it.”

Another friend leaned closer, nudging her. “I thought she would at least ease into it.”

“So did I.”

The small crowd that had gathered during Jack’s earlier humiliation showed no signs of leaving. The mockery that once lingered had now been replaced entirely by curiosity.

People edged closer, drawn in by the unfolding spectacle, while several phones discreetly rose once more to capture the moment. A luxury mall had unexpectedly transformed into a stage.

Jack’s gaze briefly flickered toward the growing audience before returning to Diana. “That isn’t what I expected.”

“I know,” she replied calmly.

“Do you usually propose to strangers?” he asked casually with almost composure. 

A faint blush threatened to rise to her cheeks, but Diana suppressed it beneath her usual confidence. “This isn’t a real proposal.”

“No?” he said, eager to hear the offer you don't come across every day.

“It’s business,” she continued.

One of Jack’s eyebrows lifted slightly, signaling interest rather than skepticism. “I’m listening.”

Diana inhaled slowly, steadying herself. “My father owns Sterling Group.”

“I’ve heard of it,” he responded, the same company he had postponed their meeting with numerous times.

“Good,” she said, her tone firm. “Then you understand what’s at stake.”

Jack gave a small nod, inviting her to continue.

“My family has one condition before they’ll allow me to become the company’s next president.”

“And that condition is marriage,” he concluded.

She nodded once. “I don’t need a husband,” Diana said, her voice tightening slightly as she chose her next words. “I need an arrangement.”

Vanessa stepped forward, unable to resist adding her part. “It’ll be a contract marriage.”

Chloe followed immediately, as if they had rehearsed it. “One year.”

“You’ll both get what you want, and then it's wrap,” she added.

Jack’s gaze moved from one woman to the other before settling back on Diana. “And what exactly do I want?”

The question caught them off guard.

Vanessa blinked, clearly unprepared. “...Money?”

A faint smile touched Jack’s lips. “Is that what you think?”

“Isn’t it?” she replied defensively.

Diana folded her arms, her tone sharpening. “You asked me to pay for your shopping.”

“I did so?” 

“So clearly, you need financial help,” Diana said confidently.

“I needed temporary assistance,” he corrected calmly.

“What’s the difference?” she asked.

“One disappears once the wallet is found.”

Her friends exchanged confused glances. His composure remained unshaken, his reasoning so simple and precise that it left little room for argument.

Diana stepped closer, unwilling to lose control of the conversation. “I’ll make this simple.”

She reached into her designer handbag and pulled out a sleek silver checkbook. The motion alone drew quiet gasps from those watching.

With steady movements, she wrote a number, tore out the check, and held it toward him. “One hundred thousand dollars,” she said. “For one year.”

She continued, “You’ll pretend to be my husband.”

Jack did not glance at the amount. Instead, he studied her face. “Do you always solve problems with money?”

“If it works.” The response was sharp.

“And if it doesn’t?” he asked

“I increase the amount,” she countered 

Vanessa let out a small laugh. “See? She’s honest.”

Jack’s smile deepened slightly. There was no arrogance in his expression, nor any hint of greed. What he felt instead was something far more unexpected.

He had spent years negotiating multi-billion-dollar acquisitions with some of the most powerful figures in the world. Yet here he stood, being offered a hundred thousand dollars to become someone’s husband for just a year.

Life, he thought, had a peculiar sense of humor. “What exactly would this arrangement involve?” he asked.

Diana relaxed just enough to reveal a trace of relief. At least he had not walked away.

“You’ll attend family events,” she began. “You’ll live with my family. You’ll act like my husband in public.”

She paused briefly before continuing. “But privately, there will be boundaries.”

“What kind of boundaries?” he asked

Her response came without hesitation. “Separate bedrooms. No romantic expectations. No interference in my personal life. And no claims to any rights after the contract ends.”

Jack nodded thoughtfully. “A very detailed arrangement.”

“I would think about it,” he said.

Diana studied him carefully. There was no desperation in his demeanor, no excitement at the mention of money. Instead, he seemed... curious.

That unsettled her more than anything else. “Why aren’t you asking about the payment?” she asked.