Flash Marriage to a Stunning CEO (Alistair and Richard) novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5 Determined to Have Him

Before adopting Eloise, Caroline had been a staunch believer in staying single for life.

Even after bringing Eloise into her world, she naively thought her love alone would be enough to give this little girl, who’d lost her mother at birth and faced a rocky start, a happy, fulfilling life.

But somewhere along the way, things got complicated. The first time Eloise, with her big, cautious eyes, asked why she didn’t have a daddy, Caroline’s heart sank. Raising a child, she realized, wasn’t just about love. Making a child truly happy was far more intricate than she’d imagined.

That was when her ironclad no–marriage rule began to waver.

She started entertaining the idea of marriage. At first, she figured she’d pick someone tolerable from her pool of suitors. to find someone who was kind, patient, and attentive. But every time she mentally sifted through the candidates, ready to take the next step, an invisible force seemed to hold her back, keeping her rooted in place.

Strangely, though, when she met Alistair and pictured him as her future partner, she felt absolutely no resistance.

Alistair was handsome, his features aligning perfectly with her tastes. But looks weren’t what sealed the deal. It was his eyes.

Chapter 5 Determined to Have Him

Sometimes they held a flicker of uncertainty, but they were always clear, almost luminous with a quiet sincerity.

He was unlike any man she’d ever met.

He had the unspoiled purity of a young boy, yet carried a steadiness rare for his age.

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It was as if he’d endured countless hardships but emerged with his kindness and warmth intact. It was a quality no one could fake.

Caroline wasn’t impulsive by nature. Sure, she could be bold, even a little wild at times, but never reckless.

She wasn’t sure if it was Eloise’s instant connection with this man or the uncanny sense of familiarity he sparked in her from the moment they met.

Whatever it was, she’d made up her mind. Alistair was the one she wanted, and she wasn’t letting him slip away.

Eloise bounced back, freshly cleaned, her face glowing.

She clambered into Caroline’s lap for a quick cuddle, then shyly sidled over to Alistair, resting against his leg and fidgeting with her fingers.

Alistair reached down, gently ruffling her hair with a warm smile.

He genuinely liked this little girl.

Chapter 5 Determined to Have Him

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Her bright, sugary smile was like a balm, soothing the wounds left by years of dealing with Daniel’s tantrums and chaos.

For a fleeting moment, he even found himself thinking how wonderful it would be if he could have such a lovely daughter.

Eloise tilted her head up, her eyes wide and hopeful. “Alistair, will we see you again?”

Seeing her expectant expression, Alistair hesitated, then gave a vague but gentle reply. “If fate wants us to, I’m sure we will.”

A voice chimed in his mind. “New life opportunity detected. Host, please make your choice.

“Option one: This mother and daughter are strangers with unknown intentions. Fresh out of a disastrous marriage, you’re wary of diving into something that seems even more absurd. You crave a simple, quiet life.

“Option two: Life calls for boldness. A stunning, enigmatic CEO as your wife, an adorable daughter, and a million dollars a month in spending money… You’re ready to take the leap!

“Choose option one for 10 system credits. Choose option two for 200 system credits. Host, make your decision!”

Alistair let out a wry chuckle.

The system was practically handing him the answer on a silver platter. If he couldn’t figure this out, he didn’t deserve the Life

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Chapter 5 Determined to Have Him

Choice System.

Now, he was certain that this mother–daughter duo was his opportunity.

It was almost comical.

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His so–called golden opportunity seemed to be one where he got to live off a woman.

But if he could do it with dignity, he wasn’t opposed.

The moment he’d agreed to Rebecca’s deal to save his father from prison, he’d stopped being the idealistic, proud young man

he once was.

Alistair lifted his gaze to meet Caroline’s.

She sat across from him, poised and patient, waiting for his

answer.

When he finally said, “Okay,” the tension in Caroline’s shoulders eased, her heart settling back into place.

Only then did she realize her hands, clenched tightly in her lap, were slick with sweat.

She’d negotiated billion–dollar contracts without breaking a sweat, but this? This had her nerves in knots.

Thank goodness he said yes.

If he hasn’t, I wouldn’t have hesitated to pull out all the stops to keep him.

A cheerful ping of 200 system credits deposited into his account brought a wave of unexpected joy to Alistair.

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Exhausted from shopping, she sank into a plush chair in the store’s VIP lounge, sipping coffee with her two best friends.