Chapter 13 - The Foundation
Chapter 13 - The Foundation
With my grandfather's blessing echoing in my heart, I knew we had to do more than just run a profitable hotel. Alexander and I sat down with our legal team and drafted a new charter.
We established the Arthur Sterling Foundation, a non-profit organization funded by a percentage of the lodge's annual profits. The foundation was dedicated to providing scholarships for hospitality workers across the country who wanted to pursue degrees in business and management. We were going to train the next generation of leaders, ensuring they understood that empathy and business were not mutually exclusive.
We announced the foundation at the start of the winter season. The press coverage was incredible. The 'Undertaker' of Wall Street and the Heiress had built something beautiful out of the ashes of a scandal.
That night, after the press conference, the lodge was quiet. The snow was falling softly outside the massive glass windows of the penthouse. I was standing by the fire, holding a glass of wine, feeling a deep, abiding sense of peace.
Alexander walked into the room. He wasn't wearing his usual sharp suit. He wore a simple black sweater and jeans, looking relaxed and devastatingly handsome.
He didn't say a word. He walked up to me, took the wine glass from my hand, and set it on the mantle. He took both of my hands in his.
"We make a good team in the boardroom, Miss Sterling," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
"We do, Mr. Vance," I smiled, my heart beginning to race at the intensity in his eyes.
"But I don't want to just be your partner in business anymore," he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.
Slowly, he sank to one knee on the plush rug. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. When he opened it, a flawless, vintage diamond ring caught the firelight.
"Elena, you challenged me, you infuriated me, and you completely stole my heart," Alexander said, looking up at me with absolute vulnerability. "I want to build a life with you. Will you marry me?"
May you like
I couldn't speak. I dropped to my knees in front of him, cupping his face in my hands, and kissed him with everything I had.
"Yes," I breathed against his lips. "Yes, absolutely."
