Skyscrapers and Starlight – The Dragon’s Daughter

By Lea von Löwenstein

Epilogue: The Dragon’s Heart

The ink on the historic alliance contract was barely dry when Marcus Drake stepped forward again, his jade cufflinks catching a thousand shades of light as he moved to the podium. The live stream cameras followed his every move, capturing what the world thought was merely the conclusion of a corporate merger.

“Before we conclude this evening,” his voice carried easily through the expo hall, “there’s one more matter of… family business.”

Wei’s smile held knowing warmth as he turned to the audience. “Miss Alexandra Chen.”

She moved through the crowd like midnight silk, her McQueen gown catching the ethereal glow of the lighting. As she reached the stage, Marcus took her hand, his eyes holding hers with an intensity that made even the most cynical observers catch their breath.

“Alexandra,” he began, his voice soft but carrying clearly through the perfect acoustics, “we’ve signed contracts that will reshape the construction world. But there’s one more agreement I’d like to propose.”

The collective gasp was audible as Marcus Drake, CEO of Drake Industries, dropped to one knee before the daughter of Chen Wei-Ming. From his pocket, he produced not a ring box, but an ancient jade pendant – a Chen family heirloom that made Victoria Blackwood’s diamonds look like costume jewelry.

“Chairman Chen,” Marcus addressed his future father-in-law without rising, “I formally request your daughter’s hand in marriage, joining our families as we’ve joined our empires.”

Chen Wei-Ming’s smile held all the warmth of a father and all the satisfaction of an emperor as he stepped forward, the quantum light reflecting off three pairs of matching jade cufflinks.

The processors’ hum seemed to hold its breath as Alexandra looked down at Marcus, still kneeling with the ancient jade pendant – its deep green matching perfectly with the three pairs of cufflinks that had become symbols of their united empires.

Chen Wei-Ming stepped forward, his voice carrying the weight of generations. “My daughter,” he spoke in perfect English but with the measured tones of his heritage, “has already proven herself worthy of both our family’s legacy and the future we build. Marcus Drake, you have shown yourself to be her equal in every way.”

The live stream cameras captured every nuance as Alexandra’s fingers traced the jade pendant’s intricate design – a dragon and phoenix intertwined, symbols of perfect union that had been in the Chen family for centuries.

“Yes,” she said simply, her voice carrying the same quiet authority that had just reshaped the construction world. “In business and in life, yes.”

As Marcus rose to place the pendant around her neck, the light caught all three pairs of jade cufflinks in perfect synchronization. The symbolism was lost on no one – especially James Harrison, who watched from the sidelines as the woman he’d once thought to control became empress of an empire he could never have imagined.

Lord Rothschild raised his crystal flute. “To the future – of family, of innovation, and of power perfectly paired.”

The February evening light painted Manhattan’s skyline in shades of triumph as the Chen-Drake-Rothschild Alliance celebrated not just a corporate merger, but a dynasty’s birth.

The light softened to a gentle glow as Alexandra and Marcus stood center stage, the ancient jade pendant resting against her midnight McQueen like a promise made manifest. The February evening painted Manhattan’s skyline in watercolor hues through Drake Tower’s windows, casting them in nature’s spotlight.

Marcus’s hand found the small of her back, the same protective gesture from years of partnership, but now holding new meaning. His jade cufflinks caught the light as he drew her closer.

“Ready to build impossible things?” he murmured, just for her despite the cameras still rolling.

Alexandra’s smile held all the warmth of their private moments, yet now shared with the world. “We already are.”

When their lips met, it wasn’t the showy display their audience might have expected. Instead, it was a kiss that spoke of shared dreams and possibilities, of empires united and futures entwined. Her fingers found his jade cufflinks as his hand cradled the pendant at her throat – past and future meeting in perfect harmony.

The processors hummed their gentle song, and somewhere in the background, Emma’s voice could be heard declaring, “Finally! Now can we talk about implementing my new structural algorithms?”

But Alexandra and Marcus were lost in their moment, sharing a kiss that promised not just corporate dynasties and construction empires, but a love story written in steel, starlight and jade promises.

The End.