CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Raven walked into the towering glass windows of Raven Enterprises, his mind clouded with the events of a few days ago he needed to get to work immediately but Mirabelle's ultimatum hung over him like a dark cloud, casting it's pale shadow over his every thought.

He had barely slept in the last few days, his nights plagued by anxiety and worry,that was made worse when he lay with Fiona at night.

Every day he had to try to act normal around her so that she was not suspicious about him and today, he had to put on a façade of calm and focus for his job.
He had important meetings lined up, and any sign of weakness or distraction could be disastrous to both him and his company. He couldn't afford that now.
He turned away from the window and walked to the elevator.

The elevator ride to the top floor felt longer than usual, the silence allowing his racing thoughts to take flight in his head unaided.
As the doors slid open, he straightened his tie and stepped into the bustling office. as Zane met him and greeted him with a warm smile.

" We have lots of meetings now " he muttered and he nodded looking at him
" Who are we starting with first
" Your first meeting is in ten minutes with the marketing team. After that, you have a conference call with the board."

"Thank you, Zane" he replied,
" Are you ok, Mr Qing" he asked and Raven nodded forcing a smile.
" Let's get started." He ordered draping his jacket over the chair.

The morning passed in a blur of presentations from idealistic men and women before flowing to discussions about what to do with those suggestions.

Raven did his best to stay focused doing what needed to be done but every so often in between meetings and strategies his mind kept drifting back to Fiona and the impossible choice that was being forced upon him.

He couldn't marry Mirabelle, apart from the Fiona problem he didn't like her enough to want to stay with her for a long period of time.
But the alternative—exposing Fiona to his father's wrath—which would definitely occur was unthinkable. He was not going to let that happen at any cost.

His phone kept on ringing and be sighed picking it up he looked to the table and grabbed his phone from off the desk switched it off immediately.

As the clock struck noon, Zane walked entered his office with a concerned look on his forehead.

"Mr. Qing, your father has arranged a lunch meeting with the investors. He insists that you attend." Be mumbled and he froze
" He called you" he asked running his hands over his forehead, this was frustrating and he was not liking it at all

Tell him I'm busy, Zane, I have too much on my plate today." He mumbled and he sighed
" I will try"
He went off but it didn't last too long before his phone rang in his pocket and he sighed.

Raven's heart sank. He had been dreading this moment, knowing his father, he was certain he would use any opportunity to push the marriage agenda with Mirabelle and he didn't want to hear y not when he was sti worried about Fiona.

Zane popped back into his office and hesitated at the door before turning to him
"I'm sorry, sir, but he is being very adamant. He said it's crucial for the future of the company."

Raven sighed, running a hand through his hair.
" Fine. I'll take the call, you're excused ."

" Dad " he muttered and voy a gruff
" So it takes five calls then" he muttered
" Meet me at the Cloud, " he gritted and he nodded
" I'll be there"

The Cloud restaurant was an upscale establishment that his father liked ,it was a place for the city's elite.
And his father liked to think of himself as an elite.

As Raven entered, he spotted his father, Bernard Qing, seated at a large table with several men, he recognized a few of them, and walked towards them
The older man waved him over, a broad smile on his face.

"Raven, my boy! Come, join us."

Raven forced a smile and took a seat, exchanging polite greetings with them.

" How are you doing" he asked and Raven shrugged
" Busy but I can spare a few hours for you all" he said and his father laughed patting his shoulder
" Good boy"

The lunch began with light conversation about the state of the market and the company's recent successes and sometimes about their family.

It was the normal push and pull of thing , normally he would have been into it but at the moment he was unable to concentrate all that much.

Raven participated, but his thoughts were elsewhere, drifting to Fiona and their marriage at inane moment
As the meal progressed, the investors began discussing potential new projects and expansion plans. Raven listened with half an ear, nodding along and making the occasional comment. He was doing his best to appear engaged, but it was a struggle.

" We'll be glad to do business with you " one stood shaking his hand strongly and he nodded
" Of course sir, it would be an honor to work with you" he mumbled

The meal was over after a long song and dance , as the investors prepared to leave, one of them clapped Raven on the shoulder.
"Great to see you again , Raven. We have high hopes for the future of our enterprises. "

"Thank you," Raven replied, mustering another smile.

The investors filed out of the restaurant and Raven felt a sense of relief, this lunch had been exhausting, almost as much as the waiting game that followed.
He turned to leave, but his father called him back.

"Raven, wait. We need to talk."

Raven froze his shoulders tensed with unease. He knew what was coming but asked anyway
"What is it, Father?"

Bernard Qing's expression turned serious.
" You've still not made up your mind"
" About what, " he asked feigning ignorance

" Marrying Mirabelle" he said simply
Raven's jaw tightened.

"I'm not interested in marrying her, Father. We've been over this."
Richard's eyes narrowed.

"This isn't just about you, Raven. This is about the future of our family and our company. An alliance with the Hale family would be incredibly beneficial. How do I have to explain this for you to get it " he hissed

Raven shook his head.
"I'm not marrying her. I won't be forced into a marriage even for the sake of business."

Richard's face darkened.
"You're being selfish brat Raven, putting your personal feelings above the needs of the company. After all I've done for you "


Raven's expression hardened.
" I don't know what you think you've done for me but everything I have now, I've gotten on my own strength"
" You can take the Qing companies, I don't really care" he muttered
Bernard leaned in, his voice low and dangerous.

"If you don't marry Mirabelle, I will sink the investment. I'll withdraw my support and make sure the company suffers."

Raven scoffed
"You wouldn't."

"Try me," his father said coldly.
"This is your final chance, Raven. Marry Mirabelle, or watch everything that you claim you've worked for crumble."

Raven stared at his father, his mind reeling.

He couldn't believe the man was willing to take it that far.

Those were now his two choices
Marry Mirabelle and betray Fiona, or defy his father and risk the destruction of the company that had been his life.

"I need time to think," Raven said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
His father rose from the desk sparing him a glance

"You have until the end of the week," he replied.