When Love is a Question Mark
Chapter 184: Steven’s Condition

Chapter 184: Steven’s Condition

Steven leaned back in his chair, his expression calm but thoughtful. His gaze landed squarely on Samuel.

"But before we move forward," Steven said, his voice carrying weight, "I have one condition for you."

Samuel raised an eyebrow, his tone curious but cautious. "What is it, Dad?"

Steven clasped his hands together on the table, leaning forward slightly. "I want you to propose to Zinnia first."

The words hung in the air, unexpected and heavy. Samuel blinked, unsure if he had heard him correctly. "Huh? What do you mean, Dad? You just said earlier that—"

Steven raised a hand to stop him mid-sentence. His voice remained steady, but there was a subtle warmth in his tone. "Yes, there’s no need for you to be married to get the 30% shares I own in the company. But still, I want you to propose to Zinnia before we announce your full takeover."

Steven continued, "That’s true. There’s no requirement for marriage anymore. But this isn’t about the shares. This is about you and Zinnia."

Samuel opened his mouth to speak, but Steven wasn’t finished. "I know what’s been going on these days. The two of you are getting closer. Don’t miss this opportunity to have her before someone else does. She’s a remarkable woman, Samuel, and I can see how much she means to you."

Steven’s gaze softened as he added, "I just want you to be happy, son. So go on and plan your proposal. The two of you have been engaged for so long now. How much longer are you going to postpone your marriage? It’s time to do it properly. Go and propose to her formally."

"Don’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers, son. If you don’t act, someone else might, and you’ll regret it for the rest of your life."

The words hit Samuel hard. He clenched his jaw, his mind racing.

Steven leaned back in his chair. "Propose to her, Samuel. Not because I’m asking you to, but because you want to. Because you love her."

Samuel felt his throat tighten. His father’s words had struck a nerve. He did love Zinnia, more than he could put into words.

For a moment, he stared at Steven, trying to process everything.

"I..." Samuel hesitated. His mind raced with conflicting thoughts. Could he do it? Was this the right time? But deep down, he knew Steven was right. He couldn’t risk losing Zinnia. The thought of another man taking her away sent a sharp pang through his chest.

After a moment of silence, Samuel straightened his posture and nodded. "Yes, Dad. I will."

Steven’s face broke into a wide smile, pride evident in his expression. "That’s my son. You’ve made the right decision. If you need anything for your proposal, just let us know. We fully support you."

Samuel returned his father’s smile with confidence. "Thanks, Dad. But I’ll handle it."

Steven chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, son. I’ll look forward to the good news."

Around the room, the other board members smiled and nodded in approval. "Good luck, Samuel," Raver said, raising his glass.

"Yes, best wishes," Edward added warmly.

Steven cleared his throat, signaling the end of the serious conversation. "Alright, everyone, let’s enjoy our lunch. We’ve had enough business talk for now."

He motioned to a server nearby. "Please bring out the other plates and serve food for Samuel and Timmy."

The room settled into a more relaxed atmosphere as the servers brought out an array of dishes. The faint clinking of utensils and soft murmurs of conversation filled the space.

Timmy, who had been silent the entire time, leaned toward him. His voice was low but full of excitement. "I’m happy for you, boss. I really wish you success with your proposal. I’m so excited about it!"

Samuel turned to him, a small but genuine smile on his face. "Thanks, Timmy. It means a lot."

Soon, the food was served, and they all began eating. The flavors were rich, but Samuel’s mind wandered to the task ahead. Proposing to Zinnia wasn’t just another challenge—it was the most important decision of his life.

---

Meanwhile, Zinnia had just finished her lunch at home. She wandered to her art studio, a place she hadn’t visited in weeks.

As she pushed open the door, a smile crept onto her lips. The familiar scent of paint and canvas greeted her. Her eyes immediately landed on the portrait of Samuel that hung on the wall. It was the first thing visible upon entering the room.

She chuckled softly to herself. "That guy... I can’t believe he actually hung it here."

Walking closer to the portrait, she smiled widely, taking in every detail. "Oh, my Sam-Sam," she murmured. "I gave this to you, but why hang it here? Do you want me to be reminded of you every time I paint?"

Her fingers lightly brushed the edge of the frame. She shook her head, her heart warm with a mixture of amusement and affection.

Looking around, she took in the sight of her studio. The place was exactly as she’d left it, but it felt like an eternity since she’d last been here.

Her gaze landed on a painting she had completed during her last livestream—a bright and cheerful piece with a sun, a little grasshopper, and vibrant flowers. It had been dedicated to her fans, the Little Flowers, who had supported her through everything.

A wave of nostalgia washed over her. She picked up her phone and opened her social media account. Notifications flooded her screen—messages and comments asking when she would stream again.

After a moment’s thought, she typed out an announcement. "Hi, Little Flowers! I’ll be livestreaming in two hours. Can’t wait to see you all!"

She hit "post" and set her phone aside, feeling a renewed sense of excitement.

---

Back at the office, Samuel had just returned when his phone buzzed. He absentmindedly picked it up, expecting a routine message or email. However, as he glanced at the screen, his eyes widened.

It was a notification from Zia_L’s social media account. She was going live in two hours.

A mix of surprise and excitement flashing across his face.

"Goddess Zia..." he murmured to himself, already feeling his heart race at the thought of her livestream.