Page 48 of The Alpha's Crimson Vow

“The Winters will give Pinnacle Group the investment it urgently needs to avoid bankruptcy… on the condition…” He pauses, his eyes locked on mine, a glint of something unreadable passing through them before his lips curve into a faint smile.

“That you marry me, Katherine.”

If the situation wasn’t so dire, I would’ve laughed. I almost do—a small, bitter laugh rising up in my throat—but instead, it comes out as a scoff. I shake my head, eyes fixed on nothing in particular as I turn away from him again.

Predictable.

Of course, Chris Winter would wait until my darkest hour to pull something like this. It’s so… on brand for him.

But he isn’t finished. He leans in closer, invading my personal space like he’s entitled to it, his voice is more insistent now. “Come on, Katherine, don’t be stupid. You’re on the verge of losing everything. Your company goes bankrupt, and you won’t even be around to see how they attempt to salvage the wreckage, because your board will kick you out faster than you can blink.” He pauses, letting his words settle for a beat, as if he’s delivering some profound truth.

I stay quiet, my fingers tightening ever so slightly against the edge of the table.

Chris exhales, his tone turning smooth again, the voice of a man who thinks he’s sealing the deal. “I’m offering you an opportunity to save your company. To make it better than it’s ever been. Think about it—our families’ companies, unitedunder my leadership. Together, we’d take Pinnacle Group to heights it’s never even dreamed of.”

The words hit me like a slow, icy wave, and for a second, I can only stare at him, eyebrows lifting ever so slightly. He’s not just proposing marriage. He’s proposing absorbing Pinnacle Group into his company. My father’s legacy, reduced to a footnote in Chris Winter’s empire.

It’s laughable. Insulting. The heat rises in my chest before I can stop it, burning away any iota of curiosity or hope that might’ve lingered in the corners of my mind.

“You can go to hell with your offer, Chris.” I say, sharp and clipped, and I advert me eyes from his after I say it.

He doesn’t take it well.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” His voice snaps, louder now, his cool facade cracking. “Are you that stupid? Do you not see what’s happening here? You don’t have much of a choice, Katherine! You’ve already proven you can’t lead a company—you’ve run it straight into the ground.”

My jaw tightens, but I don’t interrupt him.

“I’m offering you a way out of this mess. A chance to save your reputation! You’ll have a husband who knows how to actually run a business, and you’ll even get praised for making the smart decision to save Pinnacle Group.” His voice is rising now, drawing the attention of the few scattered guests still left in the hall. A couple of curious glances dart our way, but Chris doesn’t seem to care.

“You should be thanking me for this,” he growls, his words dripping with arrogance. “You should be showering me with gratitude, because take a look around, Katherine. I’m the only one here trying to help you when no one else would.”

Help.That’s what he’s calling this?

And even if I were to entertain this ridiculous proposition, what’s the point? I’d sacrifice everything—my freedom, my dignity—only to watch Pinnacle Group disappear, devoured and reshaped into something unrecognizable under his control.

That will never happen.

I turn to him, my gaze hard and unflinching. “The answer is no, Chris.”

The color rises in his face, his expression twisting with frustration. “Stop being so stubborn!” he barks, his voice echoing off the high ceilings. “Stop being so stupid! You’re throwing away the one chance you have to—”

“I’ll make the investment needed to avoid bankruptcy.”

The voice cuts through the room like a whip, calm but commanding, reverberating through the speakers. Chris freezes mid rant, his head snapping toward the stage. My heart skips, the sudden interruption yanking me from the moment.

The energy in the entire hall changes, murmurs rippling through the remaining guests as all eyes turn toward the stage. Lawrence and the elders, Frank and the rest of the board. Everyone turns to the speaker.

My own gaze follows, and when I see the man standing behind the microphone, my breath catches.

What?!

My mind stumbles, trying to process what I’m seeing.

“Pinnacle Group isn’t going bankrupt,” the voice says again, steady and assured. “I won’t allow it. I’ll make the investment needed and execute a plan to put the company back on track.”

Chris bolts to his feet, anger practically radiating off him. “Who the hell are you?!” he yells, his voice booming through the hall.

There’s a brief tap on the microphone, a faint metallic sound cutting through the tension, and then the man speaks again, histone cool and authoritative. “Let’s just say I’m a businessman based in Europe.”

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