SEAN'S POV.

"I can't force Evelyn to agree to the marriage. She just went through a terrible thing."

I knew my words wouldn't be accepted easily by Father. But seeing what happened to Evelyn, I was worried that she would be even more depressed. She had nowhere to go but this mansion-not even another family.

"That's right. You can't force it now, but... the company inheritance election is in three months, Sean. You must be married or our family will no longer hold grandfather's company," Dad said, as I expected.

"Is all you have in mind is the company and money?" I asked with a serious look.

"Why do you say that as if what I want is so bad?" Father threw the question back.

I let out a long breath. There was a big doubt in my chest that Father was acting like this. Thinking of Evelyn and the baby in her womb, I didn't want anything to happen to them.

Maybe if I were selfish, I could force Evelyn to use various means. Just for me to get the inheritance of grandfather's company since I'm the first grandchild. I also had to continue Father's succession as the holder of grandfather's company.

But I didn't do that. Evelyn deserved peace of mind after the terrible things she went through.

"Your grandfather's condition has deteriorated, Sean. He must have wanted to find a successor to his company," Dad emphasized his words.

My feelings were conflicted. I thought of various possibilities if I said the request for Evelyn to be my wife. But all the possibilities I thought of made me feel awkward.

How could I make an offer of marriage to her?

She wasn't even divorced yet and had just gone through a bad thing in her marriage.

"Evelyn won't be able to love me," I replied before exhaling heavily.

"But you've loved her for a long time," Dad said, reminding me of my feelings for Evelyn since we were in middle school. "Love doesn't matter anyway, Sean-"

"For her who just experienced infidelity, marital love is important, Dad," I interrupted him. My tone was firm.

Dad was silent for a moment. He looked at me with a look that I couldn't interpret. Then, Father let out a long sigh while leaning back.

"Do you have other plans? You never even loved any woman, that's why you became her personal bodyguard to protect her," Dad said.

I felt agitated again. I had nothing more to say.

Right at the moment of our silence, suddenly one of the maids came in. She informed me that someone was coming-the notary for Evelyn's family. Father and I already knew the purpose of his visit, so Father immediately agreed for the notary to come in.

"Call Evelyn," Father ordered one of the maids.

The maid did as Father instructed, while we waited for Mr. Hans to come into the living room.

As soon as he saw Mr. Hans, Father greeted him.

"Mr. Hans! Ah, did you come secretly without Evelyn's family knowing?" asked Father.

Mr. Hans nodded reassuringly. "Yes, they don't know that I came to tell them about this."

"Good. You must tell them this so that Evelyn will feel relieved," replied Father with a reassuring smile. "She's already-"

"Mr. Hans, why are you here?" Evelyn's voice rang out as she stepped closer to our presence.

Evelyn looked both confused and surprised. Her steps slowed down then stopped right in front of me, Mr. Hans, and Father. She watched the three of us with a questioning look.

"I have something to tell you, Miss Evelyn. I lied when I said Mr. Frank, your grandfather, didn't leave anything for you," Mr. Hans explained.

Then Mr. Hans opened the document in his hand.

"You might be surprised, but there are two important assets of Mr. Hans that he did not tell anyone about. They are the Bourjè Chigarates restaurant, which he owns. Also a mansion located in San Francisco."

I saw Evelyn gaping in disbelief. But I don't think she understood what Mr. Hans was about to say.

"Mr. Frank will give you those two important assets, Miss Evelyn. And... Mrs. Jasmine your mother also left a will," Mr. Hans said.

"What?" Evelyn's voice sounded almost lost in her disbelief. "Wait, so I get the inherited assets?"

Mr. Hans nodded. "Only Mr. Michael and I were entrusted with this inheritance. The two assets were kept secret by Mr. Frank. If your family finds out then they will take them away as well."

Evelyn seemed to arch a relieved smile, but there was an awkwardness on her face. I don't know what she was thinking but my heart felt her relief. I couldn't help but curl the corners of my lips.

"And this is Mrs. Jasmine's will," Mr. Hans handed a letter to Evelyn.

The letter was accepted by Evelyn.

"Your mother must have something important to tell you," Father said enthusiastically.

Evelyn opened the letter and read for a moment. At first her face looked normal-just confused and enthusiastic, but over time her face turned tense.

Slowly, her gaze shifted to me. For a moment, she could only flinch.

"Mother asked me to agree to the marriage with you, Sean," Evelyn said in a languid tone. "As our business cooperation."

***

"If you don't agree, you don't need to force yourself, Miss Evelyn."

"Don't call me Miss, Sean, I'm no longer your boss," Evelyn retorted quietly but firmly. "I can't refuse my mother's will. Besides, my grandfather already has an agreement with Mr. Michael, right?"

I was really uncomfortable seeing Evelyn in a daze. Ever since reading Mrs. Jasmine's will, Evelyn had not said anything. I had been watching her for an hour as if she was hiding her anxiety.

"That's right. My family needs me as the first grandchild to carry on the company," I finally explained. "Father doesn't want grandfather's company, which he's held all these years, to fall into the hands of my cousin-because my cousin always harms the business."

Evelyn watched me. I didn't understand what the meaning behind her gaze was.

"But she was already married and qualified grandfather for the company's inheritance. That's why Father asked me to get married too-and he wants you as my wife," I continued to explain rather awkwardly.

I had resigned myself to the fact that Evelyn would reject my request. Or even hate and abuse me after this. For a few seconds, Evelyn still watched me through serious eyes.

"Alright. I agree to marry you, Sean. But... you know, I don't love you and I'm carrying Matthew's child."

I couldn't believe Evelyn agreed to our request for marriage. I was silent for a few seconds. While she nodded reassuringly as if realizing the doubt on my face.

"I know," I said firmly. "I'm not forcing you to have a real wedding. But we have another way that you and I can do the will."

"How?"

"We can do a contract marriage. One year, or two years, I'll guarantee the life of the child in your womb."