Ava's POV

The echoes of his proposal vibrated through the conference room, but I barely heard the gasps, the whispers, the rustle of shocked disbelief. I focused on one thing—Orion, still kneeling, his expression a mask of barely concealed rage and confusion.

It would have been easy to admire him then, the proud man forced to bow before me, but I had long learned to discard softness when it came to him.

Being soft made me foolish once. I wouldn’t make that mistake again.

"Stand up, Orion," I said coolly, a touch of amusement in my voice. "You’re embarrassing yourself."

He didn’t move at first. The muscles in his jaw...