Rebirth: 100 Days Before Doomsday-Chapter 220: Davian’s Proposal

Back to the Silvercrest Hotel party night-

The grand ballroom of the Silvercrest Hotel was alive with murmurs of high society. The wealthy and powerful moved in their circles, sipping expensive champagne, exchanging empty pleasantries, and sealing silent deals with nothing more than a handshake.

Davian stood near the bar, watching.

Her.

Grace Blackwood.

The woman who had played him seven months ago.

His gaze trailed her movements as she weaved effortlessly through the crowd, her dark gown hugging her figure in an elegant yet sharp way - like a blade hidden beneath silk. Her eyes were unreadable, her expression poised and indifferent, as if nothing in this room could interest her.

She had ignored him after that little conversation they just had.

But Davian didn’t mind at all. He just wanted to introduce himself to her before giving her the big surprise he had prepared for her. His lips curled slightly as his gaze followed her.

Finally, as if sensing his gaze, she turned and their eyes locked.

Her expression remained neutral, but something flickered in those emerald depths - a flash of suspicion. But unlike him, she didn’t show amusement. Instead, she dismissed him entirely once again and turned away without a second glance.

He watched, mildly impressed.

She wasn’t rattled, neither was she interested.

And she left the party only fifteen minutes later.

But that was fine.

Because tomorrow, she wouldn’t be able to ignore him.

* * *

Blackwood Empire Building

The Chairman’s office was a masterpiece of quiet power. It was minimalistic yet luxurious. The glass walls were overlooking the city skyline. The wooden shelves were lined with legal documents and books, and the sleek mahogany desk bore no clutter.

Everything was pristine.

Everything was controlled.

Much like the woman sitting behind the desk.

When Davian walked in, unannounced but expected, Grace didn’t even look up from her documents. "Mr. Parker," she greeted smoothly in a voice that was devoid of warmth. "I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon again. I assume you are here about last night’s party?"

He smirked, taking his time approaching her desk. "Not quite."

At that, she finally glanced up. "Then?"

He slid a crisp white envelope across her desk while settling down on the chair opposite hers. "A proposal."

Grace’s fingers tapped against the desk, while her gaze flickered to the envelope before returning to him. "A business proposal?"

"A marriage proposal."

The office room instantly turned silent.

But then - Grace laughed. It was a soft, amused sound, but it was anything but warm. "You are joking."

He leaned forward slightly, placing both hands on her desk. "I don’t joke about things I want."

Her emerald eyes gleamed. "And you want to marry me? How romantic."

"Think of it as a mutually beneficial arrangement," he said smoothly. "It’s not like you don’t know what will happen if Blackwoods and Parkers will come together. I’m sure you will be able to enjoy countless benefits from this, and I will finally get my grandfather off my back."

She tilted her head. "So that’s what this is about? Your grandfather’s obsession with your marriage? You really must be desperate."

Davian smirked. "Not desperate. Practical."

Her amusement faded. She pushed the envelope back toward him and stated in an emotionless tone. "Not interested."

His smirk didn’t falter. "I figured you would say that."

Grace’s expression sharpened. "And yet, here you are."

"Because I have leverage."

At that, she stilled.

Davian pulled out a sleek black folder, identical to the one his grandfather had sent him weeks ago. Only this one contained something far more dangerous.

He placed it between them on the table and flipped it open. Sitting inside were photographs, documents... evidence of her illegal dealings.

Weapon shipments. Financial records that tied the Blackwood Empire to certain underground networks. A collection of carefully gathered proof.

It might not be all, but enough to destroy the crystal clear Blackwood name.

Enough to make her listen.

"You have been very careful," Davian admitted, his voice light, conversational. "I have to admit, you were too good at keeping this dark side of yours hidden. It took me a lot... almost everything I could do... to find these. But since even the most powerful can make mistakes, I happen to be very good at finding them."

Grace leaned back in her chair, keeping her expression unreadable despite the seriousness of the matter. "And what do you plan to do with this?"

He closed the folder, tapping it once. "Nothing."

She arched a brow, clearly lost at where he was going with this. But his next statement made his intentions pretty clear.

"Only if you agree to the marriage."

The silence that followed was almost suffocating. Seconds turned into minutes, and the two just sat there staring at each other.

Then, slowly, Grace smiled. It was a sharp, deadly one.

"You realize I can kill you faster than you can blink," she murmured.

But Davian didn’t flinch.

"You can try," he countered. "But the question is... can you afford to make that mistake?"

A dangerous glint flashed in her eyes.

Their gazes were locked and the air between them crackled with something - tension, challenge, intrigue.

Neither of them spoke, nor moved... until, Grace finally stood up.

Leaning forward over the desk, she placed a single manicured finger against the folder and slid it back toward him.

"I don’t like being threatened," she said softly.

"It’s not a threat," he murmured back, his eyes darkening slightly. "It’s a negotiation."

Their faces were inches apart now, close enough that he could see the faintest trace of amusement in her gaze.

For a moment, neither of them breathed.

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Then she exhaled, stepping back. "I’ll think about it."

Davian straightened. "Good."

And just like that, he turned to leave. But just as he reached the door, her voice stopped him.

"Tell me, Mr. Parker."

He paused and glanced back at her.

"Why are you really doing this?"

The smirk immediately returned to his lips, and with his gaze fixed on hers, he answered. "Because you owe me."

And then he was gone, leaving Grace alone in her office, staring after him with unreadable eyes.