Dane Beaumont sat in a plush armchair in a top-floor VIP lounge at the DDA, his sunglasses now resting on the polished mahogany table. His deep gray eyes, devoid of any warmth, scanned the report on the "matching incident."

His lawyer, Marcus Sullivan, a meticulously dressed man in a three-piece suit, was delivering his report. "The problem originated with Justen. He forgot to process your quarterly Celibacy Tax payment."

The assistant in question, Justen Oneal, stood rigidly to the side, his face pale, sweat soaking the collar of his shirt. He didn't dare meet Dane's gaze.

Dane's fingers began to tap a soft, rhythmic beat on the tabletop. Each tap was a hammer blow to Justen's heart.

"So, because of your negligence," Dane's voice was low, but it carried the weight of absolute authority, "I, Dane Beaumont, have become the star of a reality show?"

"Boss, I-I..." Justen stammered.

Marcus cut him off, turning to Dane. "The priority now is damage control. I've run a check on the girl, Journey Burch. A community college student from Florida. Clean background, but poor."

Marcus adjusted his glasses, his confidence unwavering. "As you know, sir, initiating the annulment comes with draconian penalties. While the fine is pocket change for you, the law dictates that the initiator will face a lifelong deprivation of political rights, a permanent ban on bank loans, and be blacklisted from high-speed trains and commercial flights. It would ruin your credit score completely."

He paused, his tone turning serious. "More importantly, with your older brother currently running for president, we cannot afford for you to take that hit. It would irreparably damage his campaign. Therefore, I've prepared a settlement agreement for the girl. One million dollars. It's more than enough to ensure her silence and cooperation to be the one who formally initiates the annulment. She has no reason to refuse."

Dane's gaze lingered on the name "Journey Burch" in the report. For a fraction of a second, his expression flickered, but it was gone before Marcus could notice.

"Ms. Kaylynn also called," Marcus continued. "She is... displeased. She advises we handle this quickly, to avoid any impact on your... relationship, and your brother's presidential campaign."

At the mention of Kaylynn Sterling, a flicker of annoyance crossed Dane's brow.

Suddenly, every screen on the room's media wall lit up with the same breaking news alert.

A reporter stood breathlessly outside the DDA building. "We have breaking news! Billionaire Dane Beaumont has officially been matched! However, due to strict DDA confidentiality laws, the identity of the lucky bride remains a heavily guarded secret!"

Instead of a photo, a generic silhouette flashed on the screen, representing the mystery woman who had just turned the nation upside down.

Marcus's face went rigid. The media had moved faster than he'd anticipated, even if they didn't have a name yet.

At that exact moment, Journey stepped out of the DDA building and into a frenzy of flashing cameras and shouting reporters who were swarming the entrance, desperate for any angle on the story.

"Excuse me, miss!" a reporter shouted, thrusting a microphone into Journey's face. Assuming she was just another random citizen exiting the registry, the reporter eagerly asked, "What's your take on the breaking news? Dane Beaumont just got matched! Do you think this mystery girl is the luckiest woman alive?"

"And what about his rumored fiancée, Kaylynn Sterling?" another chimed in. "Do you think this anonymous match is a homewrecker?"

Journey shrank back, her mind went blank.

Just as panic threatened to consume her, two large men in black suits pushed through the media scrum, clearing a path for a third man.

It was Marcus Sullivan. He ignored the reporters, smoothly shielding Journey from the cameras, offering her a practiced, impersonal smile. Lowering his voice so only she could hear, he said, "Ms. Burch. I'm Marcus Sullivan, Mr. Beaumont's attorney. Could we speak somewhere more private?"

Minutes later, Journey found herself in the secluded booth of a nearby café, a document slid in front of her.

"This is a settlement agreement, Ms. Burch," Marcus said smoothly. "Sign it, agree to be the one who formally initiates the annulment application, and this certified check for one million dollars is yours."

Journey's heart skipped a beat as she stared at the number. One million dollars. It would solve everything. Her father's illness. Her family's debt.

For a moment, she wavered. But then she read the clauses. The ones that explicitly required her to be the sole initiator of the annulment. She knew exactly what the law dictated for the person who filed the request: lifelong deprivation of political rights, a permanent ban on taking out loans, and being blacklisted from high-speed trains and flights. Her credit score would be permanently destroyed.

They wanted to buy her off and turn her into a pathetic, greedy fool whose entire future would be paralyzed just to protect his brother's presidential campaign.

"This is the best option for you," Marcus added, sensing her hesitation. "Mr. Beaumont's partner will be Kaylynn Sterling. You should know who she is."

Journey looked up. The panic was gone from her sea-blue eyes, replaced by an icy calm.

She picked up the agreement.

And, under Marcus's disbelieving gaze, she tore it in half.

"Tell your boss," Journey said, her voice steady and clear, "that my future is not for sale."

She stood up and walked out, leaving a stunned Marcus Sullivan staring at the two halves of his perfectly crafted solution.

Marcus's call came through, his voice tight with anger. "Sir, the girl refused!"

Dane's voice was flat. "I know." He hung up.