billion book
Contract marriage
Vivian impatiently stood outside the school gates, waiting for her sister. As she scanned the street, her attention was caught by a black Maybach pulling up across the road.
Before she could look away, the car door flung open, and Mia dashed out of it. Vivian’s mouth fell open in surprise. However, she quickly composed herself and looked away, pretending to search for someone down the road.
Mia was taken aback when she saw her sister. The first thought that crossed her mind was, “Did she see me?”
“Vivian,” she called softly.
Vivian turned at the sound of her name and finally noticed her sister.
“Huh? Mia! I was waiting for you. When did you get here?” Vivian seemed surprised.
Relieved that Vivian hadn’t seen her arrive in the Maybach, Mia sighed inwardly. She was convinced.
“You were waiting for me?”
“Yes!” Vivian’s face turned to worry. Then she noticed Mia’s puffy, swollen face.
Vivian had heard about the altercation between Mia and their father in Mia’s class the previous day. She felt bad for Mia and even worse that she couldn’t do anything to help her.
But right now, that wasn’t the main issue.
“I’m sorry about yesterday. Are you okay now?” Concern was evident on Vivian’s face.
“Yeah,” Mia smiled reassuringly.
“Thank goodness.” Vivian nodded and handed Mia her bag. “Here.”
She had collected the bag from Martha after school yesterday. In fact, it was from Martha that she had learned the details of what happened.
The two sisters started walking towards the school entrance.
“Thank you, Vivian,” Mia said, grateful for her sister’s support.
Vivian was the best. She was completely different from her mother, Barbara, in every way. Mia was thankful to have her.
As they walked side by side, Vivian observed Mia silently. After a while, she suddenly stopped. “Mia, did you see the news?”
News? Mia also stopped walking, her curiosity piqued.
She didn’t have her phone with her, and yesterday had been hectic. So…
Vivian heaved a weary sigh. “There’s a problem. A serious one.”
The worried expression on her face alarmed Mia. She started feeling anxious herself. What could be wrong?
“What’s the problem?” Her heart raced with anticipation.
“The company has gone bankrupt. Our family company. Mom called me this morning and told me. Dad has also fallen gravely ill-he’s bedridden as we speak. He collapsed as soon as he heard the news. What do we do now, Mia? It’s really bad-bankruptcy.”
Although the two sisters didn’t know much about business, they understood the word “bankrupt,” and they knew it was not a good word. It was bad. Really bad.
Mia’s heart skipped a beat. Her dad was bedridden?
Despite the strained relationship between Mia and her father since the death of her mother, he was still her father. Her heart pounded heavily in her chest. What would become of them now? Of her…
Already having lost her mother, she couldn’t bear losing her father as well.
“What happened?” Tears welled up in her eyes.
“I don’t know,” Vivian replied, on the verge of tears herself. “All I know is that we have to go home together after school to see them. Mom has been crying since last night too. I could barely recognize her voice when she called this morning.”
Mia nodded, lost in her thoughts. They would go home later and face the situation.
—
“Your job is to protect her. Never let her out of your sight.”
They had arrived in the Beats Corporation’s underground parking lot, and the CEO was clarifying Jasper about his role with the girl.
“Yes, Big Boss,” Jasper nodded.
Without further ado, Shawn stepped out of the car, and Jasper drove out of the corporation to begin his new job.
The CEO strode purposefully into the building, his personal assistant following closely behind him.
Suddenly, Shawn blurted out, “Buy the school no matter the cost.”
“Sir?” Lucas was taken aback.
Shawn ignored him and walked directly into the elevator.
Lucas blinked rapidly, understanding what his boss was referring to. “Boss, the madam will be done in a couple of weeks. We don’t have to buy the school,” he cautiously responded.
Shawn pressed his lips together, considering Lucas’ words. It was true that the girl would soon be done with her studies. Transferring her to another school wouldn’t make sense either since she would soon be done. Besides, Jasper was already there to protect the girl.
He remained silent, and Lucas secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
In an attempt to lighten his boss’s mood, Lucas shared some positive news. “XY Company has been dealt with. They’re currently suffering huge losses.”
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. Shawn strode out. “Good.”
No one dared to bully his wife. That would serve as a warning.
—
As soon as school was over, Mia and Vivian headed straight to the Thompsons’ residence. Upon seeing her daughter walk into the house, Barbara cried out and hugged her tightly.Content is © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.
“Vivian, darling! We’re finished!” She cried.
Mia stood silently to the side, her only concern being the well-being of her father.
“Mom, it’s okay,” Vivian tried to console her mother.
“No! You don’t understand. It’s not okay at all. We’re going to lose everything! Everything!” Barbara wailed, pulling Vivian into a chair.
“Baby, we need to find a solution. We need to find a way out. I can’t bear to suffer…” Barbara ignored Mia’s presence, focusing all her attention on Vivian. “Your father is lying upstairs, terribly ill. He’s been unconscious since morning. What do we do now? I’m finished-we’re finished.”
Vivian sighed wearily, feeling helpless as she looked up at her sister. What would they do now?
—
Since the kids had to attend school the next day, they decided to leave after seeing their father and spending a few hours in the Thompsons’ residence. The sun was setting, and darkness was creeping in.
But just as they were about to leave, a group of people walked into the house.
“Oh, you’re welcome,” Barbara curtsied quickly upon spotting them and grinned at Mia.
The girls stood silently on the side, observing the unfolding events. Who were these people?
In a blink of an eye, Barbara discreetly pulled her daughter upstairs to her room.
“Stay here, I’ll be right back.”
“Mum, what’s going on?” Vivian asked, confused.
“Don’t worry, my dear. Everything I’m doing is for our family,” Barbara assured her before leaving the room.
Barbara made sure to lock the room from the outside, knowing Vivian’s curious nature. She didn’t want her daughter to ruin her plans by interfering.
Straightening her dress, she headed downstairs.
“Oh, please, have a seat,” she offered politely to the guests, smiling widely.
“Servants, bring refreshments for our guests,” She called out.
One of the visitors, a middle-aged man, spoke in an unfriendly manner. “Woman, we are not interested. We’re not here for that. Let’s get straight to the point. Where’s our bride?”
Bride? Was someone in the family getting married? Mia blinked, trying to make sense of the situation.
“Ah, pardon me, Mr. Andrew. Don’t worry, the bride is here,” Barbara quickly responded, rushing over to Mia’s side and pulling her towards the visitors.
“Here she is, my precious daughter,” She proclaimed, grinning sweetly.
Mr. Andrew’s gaze immediately fell upon Mia, and he scrutinized her. After a few seconds, he nodded in approval. She wasn’t bad at all. Young, beautiful, and likely to bear an heir and more children for his son.
He turned to the rest of his family members, and they too had approving expressions on their faces. Good.
All this while, Mia remained completely unaware of what was going on. She turned to her stepmother, confused. “What’s going on?” She couldn’t help but ask.
Smiling apologetically at the guests, Barbara pulled Mia aside.
“What do you mean, ‘what’s going on’?” Barbara’s fake gentle countenance vanished from her face.
“Just so you know, those are your in-laws! Our in-laws!” She snapped.
“In-laws?” Mia was still confused.
What did Barbara mean by in-laws? What in the world was going on?
“Yes, stupid! You’re getting married-what am I even saying?” Barbara snickered. “You’re already married to the heir of the Andrews. I’ve already signed the marriage contract.”