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.

to you? Why won't you say?"

it in the past. She already gave me an impression of herself, and that impression overrides anything you're going to tell me about her," Ethan

what? Once or maybe twice, yet you think your opinion of her overrides mine when I've known

the time, it doesn't. 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.

very smart

replied, his eyes still glued to the screen, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I

sighed, realizing that Ethan wasn't going to be swayed. "Alright, alright," he said, pushing his chair back. "I'll leave you to it since I have to leave for work anyway. But don't say I didn't

his focus already back on his task. As 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

by the uniqueness of

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 requirements. I have every right to check if you're my ideal man as well as

her response was refreshing, something different from the eager-to-please nature of most of the

"Golden Sun."

number she had left, his heart

a few rings, a soft, confident voice

"Hello?"

Ethan began, trying to keep his tone casual. "This is the guy from the couple ad

a response," Rayna responded,

why did you apply?"

But not a

Why?" Ethan

lots of responses, and then again, I didn't exactly respond the way you requested. So, I wasn't

want to know more

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

laughed, genuinely amused.

name?" Rayna asked, liking the sound of

me ET for now," Ethan

the alien?" she

"Exactly," Ethan replied, grinning.

find someone on the list this entertaining. "Alright, ET. So, why did you reach out to

like I said I liked your

just couldn't imagine a stranger staring at my photos without knowing anything about him

intrigued. "Do strangers not stare at them

if you think about

your ad already puts me in a vulnerable position. I