No Boss of Mine

Tougher Than You Thought

This is just so typical of my grandfather," Ashley scoffed, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. "He dangles a bit of money in front of you and expects you to sell your soul for it."

Finn Jagger remained unfazed, folding his arms with a firm expression. "Marrying me wouldn't exactly be selling your soul."

"Wouldn't it?" Ashley shot back, her eyes narrowing. "Maybe it wasn't your grandfather's idea. Maybe mine thought you could change me... make me do something good with my life, like join you in the charity business."

She paused, contemplating her own words, before fixing her gaze on him. "Do you believe that?"

Finn chuckled darkly, shaking his head. "Not one bit."

"Good." Ashley smirked. "Then you're not as stupid as I thought. I still don't get it though why are you here? Do you think making a donation is your way of getting the last laugh over your grandpa?"

At that, Finn's expression shifted, his smile fading. "Not quite."

Ashley's eyes widened, her voice sharp with disbelief. "What? You'd marry a complete stranger just to get his company?!"

Finn met her gaze, his tone unnervingly calm. "Maybe I would. This might just be the most insane idea I've ever considered."

Ashley blinked, taken aback. "You're thinking I might consider it too—bloody hell, is this a proposal?!"

She stood there, stunned, unsure how to react.

"I'm considering it," Finn replied, without hesitation. He then added, "But it's not a proposal in the way you think it is. It would be a business arrangement. I'll donate a substantial sum of money upfront, and we can draft a contract so the charity gets a percentage of the profits each month." His voice was steady, calculated. "We can really make this work for both of us."

He finished with a smile, but Ashley's jaw dropped, words failing her. She finally managed to stammer, "God, Finn, are you hearing yourself? This... this arrangement of yours is completely, utterly, and totally insane."

Finn remained calm, his voice smooth as ever. "I can explain everything. Your life wouldn't need to change in the slightest."

"And our marriage?" Ashley asked, her anger rising.

"Stashed in the back of a dark cardboard box, like our marriage certificate," Finn said matter-of-factly. "You don't ever need to see me."

Fury boiled within her, and Ashley snapped, "Why don't you start now and leave?"

Finn let out a short, dry laugh, shrugging as if her outburst didn't faze him. "Come on, after a while, we can initiate divorce proceedings."

"Then why get married in the first place?" she demanded, her voice sharp.

Finn's eyes darkened slightly as he answered, "Think of how many of those 15-year-old boys you can save with all that money."

He stood up, but it wasn't because he was giving up. His eyes locked on hers, firm and resolute. "Believe it or not, the idea of being married to someone as stubborn as you isn't exactly my dream either."

Ashley's anger faltered for a brief moment, her voice dropping to a softer, smaller tone. "Glad we have that in common."

Finn raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching. "But I can see the benefit of it for both of us."

He reached into his pocket, pulling out one of his business cards, and slid it across her desk. "Here's my card... just in case you decide to think before your personal prejudices."

Ashley's lips tightened, but she remained silent, watching him intently.

Finn lingered for a moment, then left the card on the desk and started walking toward the door. "If you change your mind..." he said over his shoulder, leaving the sentence unfinished as he stepped outside.

Ashley stood there, frozen, watching him leave. The door closed softly behind him, and she was left staring at the card he had left behind, her mind whirling.