The Billionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Samantha

Chapter 114

Melvin strolled into the dining room to join Ethan, who was seated at the far end of the table. Ethan had his phone in one hand, his laptop open in front of him, and a furrowed brow that spoke of intense concentration.

The sunlight streaming through the large windows cast a warm glow over the table, but Ethan seemed oblivious to the picturesque morning.

Curious, Melvin walked over and took a seat across from him, leaning forward with a grin. "Morning, Ethan," he greeted, his voice laced with amusement.

"What's got you so focused this early?"

Without looking up, Ethan replied, "I'm just looking through my email and checking out the ladies who responded to my ad."

Melvin raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Ad? You mean that ridiculous ad you put out for a wife?" He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms.

"And how's that going? How many applicants do you have?"

Ethan chuckled without looking up, "It's over a hundred."

"What? Do you mean we have over a hundred ladies who are crazy enough to do this with you in this city?

What are you going to do then? Narrow the list down to a top ten?" Melvin asked incredulously.

Ethan finally looked up, his expression half-serious, half-amused. "Yes. I'm trying to do that. There are too many of them, and since I can't possibly meet them all, I'm just finding ways to streamline the process. Gotta narrow it down to at least five before I even think about meeting anyone."

Melvin burst out laughing. "Streamline? You make it sound like a business deal! This is your future wife you're talking about, not a new hire."

Ethan chuckled and shrugged. "Same difference.

Efficiency is key."

Shaking his head, Melvin leaned in again, his expression more serious now. "Why are you even going through this whole process, Ethan? We could hook you up with someone just fine. Take Rayna, for instance. I don't know what went down between you two, but she would've been a good fit for you."

Ethan's face darkened at the mention of Rayna, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Rayna?" he scoffed. "She's not my type; besides, I don't think she's that smart. I read somewhere that kids get their intelligence from their mothers. I want my kids to have the best shot at life, and I don't think Rayna has much to offer in that department."

Melvin couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of Ethan's logic. "You're judging her too harshly, Ethan."

Ethan's frown deepened as he turned back to his laptop. "Harsh? No, I'm not. I'm only stating a fact," he said, his tone more defensive now.

do to you? Why won't you say?" Melvin asked incredulously, and Ethan shook his

in the past. She already gave me an impression of herself, and

overrides mine when

That a person is sad the first time you meet them doesn't mean they are perpetually sad. We need to change this mindset that first impressions define people. Different things can influence a person's behavior the first time we meet them, and you, of all people, should know that. I don't know what she did to you, and I no longer care about it either, but you shouldn't judge

very smart

still glued to the screen, "Now, if you'll

it since I have to leave for

Melvin left the dining room, Ethan continued scrolling through the emails of applicants, most of whom had eagerly provided their social media handles and personal details. Some had gone as far as sending him beautiful and sexy photos of themselves. He was about to

by the

was surprised to find that she hadn't left any social media details, something he had specifically requested in the ad. Instead, she had written a note that piqued his interest even more: [I can't reveal such personal information to a stranger I don't know. If you want my personal details, it's only fair you share something personal about yourself, too, other than your

different from the eager-to-please nature of most of the other applicants.

"Golden Sun."

picked up his phone and dialed the number she had left, his heart

rings, a soft, confident voice

"Hello?"

"This is the guy from the couple ad

I wasn't expecting a response,"

did you apply?"

expecting a call. Maybe an email, yes. But not a call. And I was expecting a rejection

Why?" Ethan asked,

the way you requested. So, I wasn't keeping my fingers crossed on that," she admitted with a

me want to know more about you. Would you

for now," she said, her tone playful. "I'll tell you

laughed, genuinely amused. "Fair

name?" Rayna asked, liking the sound of his

telling me your name, you can call me ET

Like the alien?" she

"Exactly," Ethan replied, grinning.

ET. So, why did you reach

in his chair. "But like I said I liked your response. You stood out, and I wanted to check

teasing. "I just couldn't imagine a stranger staring at my photos without knowing anything about

intrigued. "Do strangers not stare at them on

you think about it," she

me in a vulnerable position. I didn't want to compound that by giving