Transferred to another life

Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Proposal**

**The tension in the parlor thickened as Olivia set her tea cup down on the table, the soft clink of porcelain almost startling in the quiet room. Vincent, seated across from her, still wore his self-assured smirk, but Olivia had already decided on her next move. His offer was tempting, but if she was to survive the power games of Darkwood Manor, she needed more than just words.

Slowly, purposefully, Olivia rose from her seat and moved toward the desk in the corner of the parlor. Her fingers traced the delicate wood, her mind already racing ahead, formulating the next part of her plan. She pulled out a piece of fine parchment, the quill trembling slightly in her hand as she dipped it into the ink.

Vincent watched her from his seat, his curiosity piqued. "What are you doing, Olivia?" he asked, his voice tinged with amusement but also a hint of suspicion.

Olivia glanced at him over her shoulder, a small smile curling her lips. "You've made an intriguing offer, Vincent. But if we are to move forward, I believe we should make things more... formal."

She turned back to the desk and began to write, her pen gliding across the parchment with deliberate strokes. The words took shape quickly—each one precise, calculating, binding. She could feel Vincent's gaze on her as she worked, and she knew she was holding his attention with every passing second.

When she was done, Olivia carefully placed the quill down and folded the parchment neatly. She held it in her hand for a moment, feeling the weight of her decision. Then, with a composed expression, she turned and walked back to Vincent, holding the folded contract out to him.

"Read it," she said simply, offering him the paper.

Vincent raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. He took the parchment from her and unfolded it, his eyes scanning the elegant handwriting. As he read, his smirk faded, replaced by something far more calculating—a seriousness that revealed just how much the words affected him.

The contract was simple, but it was audacious. Olivia had outlined a proposal for marriage between the two of them, but it wasn't just a romantic gesture. It was a pact—a legally binding agreement that, if signed, would tie their fates together in both personal and political ways. It offered Vincent the power and influence he desired, but only if he agreed to help her secure her position and eliminate the threats against her.

In exchange, Olivia demanded his loyalty, his assistance in removing her enemies, and his silence regarding anything he might learn about her past and her use of dark magic. The marriage was a means to an end—a way to combine their strengths and secure mutual control over the estate and the future of the family.

When Vincent finished reading, he lowered the parchment, his expression unreadable. For a long moment, neither of them spoke, the silence thick with unspoken thoughts.

"Well," Vincent said finally, his voice low and contemplative, "this is quite the proposal, Olivia. I must admit, I didn't expect you to take such... decisive action."

Olivia smiled faintly, her eyes gleaming with the fire of determination. "If I'm to survive this family's endless power struggles, I need to be bold. And so do you. We both know what we want, Vincent. This way, we can get it together."

Vincent leaned back in his chair, holding the contract loosely in his hand. His eyes flickered with interest, his mind clearly weighing the possibilities. Olivia watched him closely, waiting for his reaction.

After a moment, he met her gaze. "You're asking for a lot. My loyalty, my help... and my hand in marriage."

Olivia didn't flinch. "I am. And in return, I'm offering you everything you've ever wanted. Power, influence, control. The estate, the family's fortune... all of it could be ours."

Vincent's lips twitched into a small smile. "And if I say no?"

Olivia's gaze hardened. "Then you can leave Darkwood Manor and take your chances on your own. But I don't think you want that, Vincent. You've come this far for a reason. You want to win as much as I do."

Vincent chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You always were a clever one, Olivia."

He rose from his seat, still holding the contract in his hand. For a moment, they stood facing each other, the crackling fire casting flickering shadows on the walls around them. Vincent's eyes bore into hers, as though he were trying to peer into her very soul.

Finally, he nodded. "I'll think about it."

Olivia didn't let her expression change. "Take your time. But don't take too long. The family won't wait, and neither will I."

Vincent tucked the parchment into his coat, his smile returning as he gave her a mock bow. "Always a pleasure, Olivia. I'll be in touch."

With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Olivia standing alone by the fire, her mind already racing ahead to the next phase of her plan. She had set the wheels in motion. Now, it was only a matter of time before Vincent made his choice.

But Olivia knew one thing for certain—no matter what happened next, she would not allow herself to lose.