A Billion-Dollar Proposal: Her Offer to Divorce
Chapter 1 Encounter
In July, the lingering sun cast its glow over the horizon, the clock striking 7 o’clock. A nameless grave sat in Beryl Hill. Elvia Gilmore stood before the grave, her stunning visage devoid of emotion. “Mom, it’s been almost ten years. I kept my promise and concealed my abilities from the world for a decade. I’m returning to the Gilmore family tomorrow.” Only the whispering wind responded. A sudden noise disrupted the serene mountain. Elvia tilted her head, narrowing her eyes. Turning slightly, she peered ahead. A black car was parked askew on the road, its tire deflated. A man in a black tracksuit emerged from the car, stumbling forward, seemingly injured. More than ten men in black suits chased after him. Henry Bradshaw glanced back with a dangerous look, clutching his abdomen, his lips pale. “Stop running. We paid a hefty price to catch you.
You’re not getting away,” a man with an intimidating air threatened, his expression stoic. “Do you think you can catch me?” Henry’s eyes narrowed, his gaze icy. The pain in his abdomen clouded his mind. With the rapid loss of blood, he doubted he could hold on much longer. “Let’s find out,” the man declared, lunging at Henry. “What?” The man knelt, struck by a small rock from nowhere that hit his hand. Startled, he growled, “Who’s there?” Elvia’s voice remained calm, devoid of emotion. “You’re disturbing my mom. Leave before you continue.” All eyes swiftly turned toward her. The men in black suits adopted solemn expressions. Henry’s dark eyes gleamed with surprise. These were international assassins. Each one was capable of taking on ten men single-handedly. Yet, this young woman effortlessly subdued their leader with a mere rock. She must be someone extraordinary. “You shouldn’t interfere. Now, you’ll die too,” the leader’s gaze turned frigid as he ordered his men, “Kill her.” The men lunged at Elvia without hesitation. Elvia’s eyes narrowed, her demeanor turning somber. “Watch out.” Henry intervened before the assailants could reach Elvia. Abruptly, he halted, his expression registering disbelief. The attackers collapsed before they could lay a hand on Elvia. Elvia stood composed, her stance unwavering. She didn’t even blink. If her hands had been visible, Henry might have questioned his sanity. “Leave.” Elvia tilted her chin, her tone frosty. The assassins regarded her as if they’d seen a ghost. “Who are you? What did you do to us?” They were clueless about how she overpowered them. All they knew was that Elvia raised her hands and released some unknown powder, rendering them unconscious. Their clothes hadn’t even brushed against hers. Before they could glean an answer, they lost consciousness. Elvia glanced at them before shifting her gaze to Henry, standing a few paces away. Henry’s heart skipped a beat as their eyes met. He mused, “Her eyes sparkle like the stars.” Collecting himself, Henry approached Elvia.
He spoke cordially, “Thank you.” Elvia glanced at him indifferently. “I didn’t do it to save you.” Her intention had been to have a private conversation with her mother. She turned and patted the gravestone. “I’m leaving. Take care.” Just as she was about to depart, Henry called out to her. “Could you tell me your name? I’d like to repay you.” “I didn’t intervene to save you.” Elvia waved dismissively and continued on her way. Before Henry could finish speaking, he collapsed to the ground. Elvia turned, furrowing her brow, before departing. However, a gust of wind rustled through the trees. Elvia paused, glancing at the grave. “Are you asking me to save him?” There was no response. Elvia deliberated for a moment before resigning herself. “Fine.” She crouched down and lifted Henry’s shirt, quickly noting the severe wound in his abdomen. Fortunately, she had the means to treat it. Retrieving a bottle from her backpack, she applied the powder to his wound. Then, she produced a pill from another container and administered it to Henry. If Henry had been conscious, he would have recognized the pill as one of the Healing Pills on the black market. Each pill was valued at $800,000, with only a few available. Having tended to Henry, Elvia departed without hesitation.
At the Gilmore estate in Banyan City… “As long as I’m alive, I won’t allow Elvia to return to the family,” echoed an enraged shout throughout the mansion. In the living room, Elvia observed Diana Horne, her grandmother. Concealing her emotions, Elvia masked her smugness with a subtle smirk. Leonel Gilmore, her father, had just picked her up. Without a moment’s respite, Diana summoned them to the Gilmore residence. Upon their arrival, Diana made it abundantly clear that she would not permit Elvia’s return. Elvia snickered inwardly. “Mom, Elvia is my daughter and your granddaughter.” Leonel clenched his fists, restraining his anger as he stood silently. For ten years, he had yearned to be reunited with Elvia. Diana’s refusal to accept Elvia back and her public humiliation only stoked his ire.
“She isn’t worthy of being my granddaughter. I’ll never acknowledge her as such,” Diana declared, slamming her palm onto the desk. “Kirsten is my only granddaughter.” Diana’s icy gaze fell on Elvia, shooting daggers at her. Elvia met Diana’s gaze briefly before averting her eyes. Diana could glare all she wanted. Leonel lifted his chin. “Now that I’ve found Elvia, I won’t let her leave my life. We may be estranged, but you can’t dictate my life.” “How dare you,” Diana seethed, rising swiftly from her seat. “If you bring her home, I’ll fire you from the company and reclaim your shares.” Leonel smiled wryly. “Fire me? Shares?
Mom, I’m just a lowly office manager earning $600 a month, the lowest salary in the company. I’ve wanted to resign for a long time, but you’ve always refused. As for my shares… you’ve already reclaimed them all.” “You…” Diana ground her teeth. “Are you defying me?” Leonel, typically obedient and submissive, surprised her with his defense of Elvia. “I knew it. Elvia is trouble, just like her deceased mother. They exist solely to turn you against me,” she thought. Leonel wanted to retaliate, but Kirsten, who had remained silent until then, interjected, “Grandma, please allow Elvia back into the family.” Diana scoffed, though her expression softened when addressing Kirsten. “Allow her back? Never.” “But…she’s Mr. Bradshaw’s fiancée,” Kirsten stated, blinking and offering a smile.
