CH 01~ A Buisness Deal

Immersed in her work, a beautiful lady with light brown hair sat in her quiet study room, where only the sounds of flipping papers and the scratch of her pen signing documents could be heard.

Tonight was special, so she aimed to finish early. Her slender fingers moved quickly, signing documents and turning pages with care.

Rennie Millicent, CEO and chief designer of the leading jewelry company Millicent Jewelers, had her brown eyes sparkle as sunlight touched her face.

She epitomized elegance and dedication, dressed in her work attire, a white shirt tucked into black trousers, sleeves rolled up, and brown hair in a messy bun.

But the sound of the doorbell interrupted her focus on the papers, causing her to look up with a frown.

"Huh?" 

Rennie muttered, glancing at her wristwatch.

"He's early today..."

Rennie was surprised, as he seldom returned at this hour, but her lips soon formed a smile, and she rose to open the door.

"Did he come home early because he remembers what today is?"

She mused, chuckling at the thought that he returned to celebrate their first wedding anniversary.

She had already placed a gift in his study as a surprise.

Though they shared a bed and maintained separate studies for their work purpose... Thus, Rennie rarely gets a chance to converse with him outside of their bedroom, not to mention he rarely says something to her except for work purposes. 

She dismissed his silence, attributing it to her own reserved nature towards others. In truth, she was distant from everyone except him.

This pattern had persisted since their hasty, secretive marriage.

Rennie took a deep breath, glanced in the mirror by the door to adjust her appearance, and then opened the door with a broad smile.

"Welcome, you're early—"

But her smile vanished upon seeing the person before her.

'Why is he here?'

The individual standing before her was not her husband, Alexander Crawford, but rather his attorney, Jeremy.

"Good afternoon, Madam,"

Jeremy said, greeting Rennie with courtesy.

"Good afternoon... Please, come in,"

Rennie responded, inviting him inside with a confused look on her face.

Jeremy settled on the sofa while Rennie headed to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water for him.

The house was without a maid; Rennie had given everyone the day off to celebrate her first wedding anniversary alone with her husband.

Thus, Rennie set the glass of water before Jeremy and took a seat opposite him, her gaze inquisitive.

"What brings you here so unexpectedly, Mr. Jeremy?"

Rennie's question caught Jeremy off guard, prompting him to speak.

"Have you forgotten? Today marks one year of your marriage."

"Yes... I remember."

Rennie's response was tinged with awkwardness, as she struggled to grasp the meaning of his words.

What does a year of marriage have to do with a lawyer?

A sudden thought struck her.

'Could he have prepared a gift that requires a lawyer's involvement?'

Noticing Rennie's silence, Jeremy sensed something amiss and retrieved the documents signed by her husband.

He handed the divorce papers to her, and Rennie, in her bewilderment, failed to notice the door opening.

Alexander Crawford was surprised to see the gate open, which Rennie had intentionally left ajar due to the absence of anyone at home.

Even though Rennie was well-acquainted with Jeremy, her paranoid nature prevented her from trusting anyone completely.

'Why is the door open?'

His ocean-blue eyes swept over the house, noting the absence of the maids who were usually present.

His frown deepened upon spotting a pair of men's shoes in front of the shoe cabinet.

'How daring of her to allow a man inside when the house is empty!' 

Alexander thought.

Meanwhile, Rennie held the contract, poised to read it, but the sense of Alex's presence made her look up.

"Welcome home, Honey," she greeted.

"Mn."

Alex, as usual, didn't verbalize a response and simply nodded. He then cast a sidelong glance at Jeremy, who was seated opposite his wife.

'Why is he here?'

After a moment's thought, Alex remembered that today marked their first anniversary; it was also the day he had intended to terminate their agreement.

'Damn! How could I have forgotten this?'

His marriage was intended to conclude today, as per his plans. However, the necessary conditions have not yet been met.

They failed to satisfy the requirements to terminate the contract, and for reasons unknown, he is also reluctant to fulfill those conditions—a sentiment he cannot quite understand himself.

Whenever he gazed upon Rennie, the contract that bound him like a shackle would resurface in his mind.

It conjured feelings of helplessness and the compulsion of an imposed marriage.

As Alex ascended to the second floor, his expression was somber, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of the contract.

He had vowed to himself to dissolve this bond within a year, to reclaim the freedom he once knew.

'I was supposed to terminate the contract today...'

However, the notion of separation hadn't crossed his mind since the day he angrily drafted and signed the divorce papers before his marriage.

He had dispatched them to his lawyer, Jeremy, with instructions to deliver them to her after a year—today's date.

Alex massaged his forehead, tense from the oversight.

Over the past year, her constant presence had become so familiar that the idea of separation seemed unreal, despite his previous desires for it.

He felt an unexpected sense of relief knowing their relationship wouldn't end since the contract remained unfulfilled.

And now, there's no chance she'll sign those divorce papers.

After all, her position would be at stake if she did.

On the other hand, Rennie, having read through all the documents, gazed at the divorce papers with an astonished expression.

Her face gradually darkened into a frown, and then, in a burst of anger, she slammed the files onto the glass table. 

"What is this? What kind of nonsense is this?!"

Rennie shouted, disbelief evident in her voice. At her outburst, Jeremy flinched awkwardly, causing Alex to halt mid-step.

Alexander Crawford, as Party B, has settled all debts owed to Party A, Vincent Millicent. According to the contract clause, Party B is entitled to pay the stipulated penalty fee and proceed with the divorce from Party A's partner, Rennie Millicent.

She read the same line over and over, her gaze fixed on his signature at the bottom of the papers.

It bore the date of a year earlier, coinciding with their wedding day.

Rennie's eyes fluttered as dizziness overcame her.

Nothing made sense to her.

What money?

What contract?!

Alex observed her bewildered expression and frowned, feeling let down.

'Wasn't she aware of it already?' 

His hands clenched into tight fists as he pondered in anger.

'How long do you intend to continue this facade?'

Ultimately, he chose to approach and walked over to the sofa, taking a seat across from her with a mocking smile.

"When will you stop pretending to be all innocent? Daddy's Princess?"

Rennie didn't speak, merely gazing at him with her eyes wide in shock, which showed she was oblivious to the accusation.

"What does this mean, Alex?"

Her heart trembled and ached in pain as she asked, where the sarcastic smile on Alex's face slowly faded away.

With his heart racing from an inexplicable fear and his brows furrowed, Alex inquired in a deep tone,

"Don't play dumb now! You're asking me the meaning of this? Seriously?"

His voice dripped with sarcasm, yet she remained silent.

"Although we don't have a child yet, don't worry, I will transfer the money right now and—"

"What money?"

Rennie interrupted him, her voice laced with confusion, causing the frown on his face to deepen.

He had previously been relieved that he hadn't transferred the money, but now he was compelled to do so since she had already received the divorce papers.

He would be foolish to delay the divorce now when he has the chance to liberate himself, and isn't it just a matter of time before she becomes pregnant?

Alex always told himself that he embraced her only to meet expectations, yet he subconsciously always used protection to avoid pregnancy.

So as long as he stops using protection, she will conceive, and he will get his freedom after the child is born. 

Yet, her reaction suggested something different, causing him to feel uneasy.

"...Didn't you know about it?" 

Alex asked hesitantly but Rennie didn't reply; instead, she turned away, her gaze wide and shocked.

Absentmindedly, she picked up the divorce papers from the table and began to climb the stairs to her room. She needed to be alone to think it all through.

Just what is going on?!

"Rennieeh!!"

Alex leapt from his seat, anxiety gripping him as he called out to her. She didn't turn back, just kept climbing the stairs.

'What's happening?'

'Why is she acting this way?!'

His fear grew, fueling his restlessness.

Then, Rennie chose to glance down at the first floor, her gaze landing on Alex, who stood below with a look of concern.

The sarcastic expression that once adorned his face had vanished, eliciting a sneer from her. 

As she spoke, her lips twisted into a derisive smile.

"Alexander Crawford, you have given me the greatest gift imaginable, one that no one else may have ever received—a gift beyond anyone's wildest dreams!"

With those final words, she slammed the door shut, and from her reaction, Alex was certain she did not know of it whatsoever.

'Oh God... What kind of mess is this?!'

'Is it what I think it is?!'

For an entire year, he resented her for misusing her powers and ensnaring him in a contract with the help of her father.

Into a marriage he never wanted...

But who could have known that perhaps she was unaware of this?

Alex's world collapsed in an instant when he saw the chaos around him.

"Umm... Sir?"

In a hushed tone, Jeremy addressed Alex, sensing the strain between the couple.

'But I only did what I was expected to do!'

"Go back. I will contact you later." 

With those words, Alex commanded in an icy tone, settling onto the sofa and shutting his eyes, overwhelmed by stress.

"...Take care- Goodbye, Sir!"

Without further delay, Jeremy quickly excused himself and returned. 

After all, it was their private affair, and he shouldn't intrude or know more than necessary.

The house was engulfed in silence until the sound of objects crashing broke the quietude of the mansion.

Rennie, unable to reach her father for an explanation, vented her frustration by smashing a flower vase beside her.

This only served to deepen his misery. Alex harbored a deep-seated anger towards her father, reflecting on past grievances.

It was her father who had suggested the contract! 

As her name was already mentioned in the contract, he assumed she also knew about it and he just didn't want to talk about that topic.

Rennie hadn't mentioned it to him throughout the year, and now that he reflected on it, perhaps she was unaware of it too!

That would explain why she never brought it up.

'How did that never cross my mind?'

Alex had always perceived Rennie as a spoiled daughter doted on by her father, who would fulfill her every desire.

She was appointed CEO immediately after their marriage, confirming the deal he had learned about from his father-in-law.

He secures funding for his project, Rennie ascends to the CEO position, and her father gains a successor to nurture.

Alex believed he was the ideal match for them.

A perfect candidate of equal status to her, deserving of her.

If he doesn't marry her, his company could face a billion-dollar loss, his father might be arrested for mismanaging funds, and their family reputation could be tarnished.

In contrast, marrying her and divorcing after she becomes pregnant appeared to be more advantageous.

Her father even suggested that if she becomes pregnant before the contract ends, he could seek an early divorce by paying a penalty fee.

Alex worked harder every day to increase his profits and gather enough money to terminate the contract.

He yearned to throw the divorce papers in her face, to reclaim the dignity he had lost in front of her father when he signed the contract. 

He had sold himself to preserve his family's reputation.

Yet, he hesitated until now; he didn't want to let her go so easily.

Due to his conflicting emotions, he behaved coldly towards her.

If she had treated him coldly, it would have been easier for him to dismiss his feelings.

However, her eyes, always brimming with love, intensified his guilt over his actions and Alex sighed, opening his ocean-blue eyes to stare at the ceiling.

"What am I supposed to do now?" he wondered.

"Did she really know nothing about this?"