Love And Leverage

Mr. Ethan sat in Lucas's lit office, his hands shaking as they clasped together. The confident man who had once been pleased in the Real Estate Business finds himself on the brink of collapse. Commitments were mounting, clients were pulling back, and his company was on the brink of liquidation.

Lucas sat silently at his costly oak work region, his fingers clasped underneath his chin, looking at Mr. Ethan with a cold, calculating gaze. Known as one of the wealthiest and most capable experts in New York, Lucas was more than a business person: He was a man who worked with control, power, and opportunity. And for the cost, he seemed to offer assistance in helping business visionaries throughout the city to succeed.

Mr. Ethan cleared his throat, his voice scarcely above a whisper. "Mr. Lucas, you have got to assist me. My business is about to collapse, and I'm losing my mind. I'm presently in need. If it's not too much trouble, offer to assist me, please."

Lucas's cold, impassive eyes never cleared out Mr. Ethan's confrontation as he considered what he requested. "Mr. Ethan, you know I can't offer assistance to anybody without getting something in return." His voice was also tender for the genuineness of the circumstance. "In case you need me to assist you in your real estate business, you've got to donate something in return."

Mr. Ethan gulped. He knew this would be more complex. Asking a man like Lucas for help was like asking almost for the fallen blessed Angel. There were continuous conditions, conditions that may have taken a toll on his life if he hadn't been cautious. Be that as it may, Mr. Ethan was desperate enough to make this deal happen, no matter Lucas's request.

"What do you think is most valuable that you simply can grant me to assist you?" Lucas asked, his lip bending into a knowing grin. It was a smile that sent shivers down Mr. Ethan's spine.

Mr. Ethan felt a hitch in his throat as the question crossed his mind. He had nothing to offer, his savings were depleted, and his business barely survived. His eyes shot around the room, trying to find answers, but there were none. He knew what Mr. Lucas truly needed from him. It wasn't cash, and it wasn't a favour. It was something more significant.

"I-I don't have much," Mr. Ethan stammered. "I don't know what to say."

Lucas raised his eyebrows, his grin obscuring somewhat as his tone got more sharpened. "Come on, Mr. Ethan, you've got something. Think carefully. Everybody has something critical to offer, indeed, on the off chance that they think they don't."

Mr Ethan's heart dashed, endeavouring to get what Lucas was trying to say. What was his most crucial ownership? Was it his work? Is he domestic? His time? But none of this appeared to fulfil a man like Lucas.

"I'll cancel your debts," Lucas said in a nearly trance-like tone. "I'll grant you the associations, clients, and openings you would like to modify your real estate business. You might indeed be more effective than ever. But in return, you ought to know I'd inquire of you for something."

"Mr. Ethan, you know I can't help anybody without getting something in return," Lucas said calmly and calculatingly again. If you need me to assist you with your business, you've got to grant me something in return."

Mr. Ethan gulped, his throat dry. He had anticipated it, but hearing it again was still a chill. He wasn't a man who seemed to deliver little. His investment funds were exhausted, and his property was now mortgage-bound.

Mr. Ethan's heart was still hustling at the question. His mind ran through different conceivable outcomes, but nothing appeared beneficial sufficient to satisfy Lucas. After a few thoughts, he said, "Nothing but--"

A reply shaped in his head, and his heart sank—the foremost profitable individual in the world to him.

"My daughter," said Mr. Ethan, but the words tasted biting as they left his mouth. "She is the foremost profitable individual to me. I will give her to you, as long as you offer to assist me remain out of debt."

There was a long, important silence in Lucas' office. The room appeared to limit as Lucas raised his eyebrows, captivated by Mr. Ethan's reply. Gradually, a grin spread over his face. It was not a neighbourly grin but savage, full of covered-up implications.

"Your daughter, you say?" Lucas thought, tapping his fingers on the work area. "Let me know everything about her."

Mr. Ethan moved awkwardly in his chair, lamenting the words the minute they cleared out his mouth, but he had no other choice presently. "Her name is Grace. She's 27, she graduated two years ago, she studied Business Administration, and since then, she hasn't been able to find any job. She's clever, dedicated, and… His voice split for a minute. "She's everything to me."

Lucas inclined forward marginally and limited his eyes. "You know what, Mr. Ethan? I've needed a secretary for a long time, and if she's as able as you say she is, she may be my secretary."

Mr. Ethan flickered in astonishment. He hadn't anticipated that. Grace had been meeting for a job for what felt like forever, so the prospect of working for a fellow like Lucas, be that as it may be frightening, was nearly a favour. Possibly, it wouldn't be so awful after all.

" Wow," Mr. Ethan said slowly as if attempting to catch up with the abrupt shift. She's been trying to find work for two years and can't get a job." That ought to be great news for us. Thank you for the benefit, Mr. Lucas. " His grin became more threatening.

"Well, Mr. Ethan," Lucas said, his voice dropping to an unsafe mood. "Do not thank me, however. You see, I might require her for more than being a secretary." His look honed, locking onto Mr. Ethan's with unsettling concentration. "She can be my spouse, as well. I want to marry her."

The words were overwhelming, and the discussion was choking.

Mr. Ethan's heartbeat and his confrontation went pale. "Your... spouse?" he said, barely understanding what Lucas meant.