Chapter 4 The Bet (Part 1)

Galvin exited the elevator in a foul mood. He missed noticing the security guards greeting him a good night. He walked straight to his car, slammed the door, and punched the steering wheel.

The two security guards assigned to the second-floor parking lot for the executives and used as their boss’ garage shared a confused look.

They wondered why the president looked glum when they saw Mrs. Hudson was wearing such a sexy dress hours ago.

Mrs. Hudson used to dress plainly. Seeing her effort tonight, both grinned when they thought their boss would have the best time of his life.

The security guards, aware of the secret marriage, became familiar with Kristel, who arrived almost every night in the past year.

When their new boss started to live in his office, the missus came over to take care of him, and most of the time she came in, she was carrying grocery bags, and they would help her bring them over to the elevator and even press the button for her.

Mrs. Hudson would frequently bring freshly baked pastries and loaves of bread, which she’ll share with them. She said the night shift is tough. Thus, they must have something delicious to accompany their coffee to stay awake.

Mrs. Hudson is such a considerate missus. Therefore, they like her and admire their boss for having such a beautiful wife he hid at home.

They could tell that although he kept his marriage a secret, he was faithful to her as they had never heard of any scandal in the past year. He stayed at arm’s length to any women who threw themselves at him.

They presumed their boss must love the missus so much that he wanted to keep her for himself by never letting the media have a glimpse of her.

He assigned several security guards at night to secure the building from his enemies and the paparazzi, who planned to snoop around to dig for any information they could release to the public.

Although the public is unaware of the penthouse on the rooftop, his enemies must have known about it.

Meanwhile, the man, highly praised by his security guards, actually was fuming inside his car. Opposite to what they thought, his marriage would last forever. It was about to end, is the truth.

Galvin was irked that Kristel seemed relieved when they reached an agreement regarding their divorce.

He was in disbelief that the woman who just gave him a head and swallowed his loads in his office would agree to the divorce immediately. Now he doubts whether she genuinely cares about him in the one year they were married.

Has she only after the luxurious life he showered her with within the past year in exchange for her body?

“Marry me. You don’t have to do anything but accompany me.” He remembered he told Kristel when he proposed a marriage agreement.

He could recall clearly that Kristel was thrilled when he proposed.

“Fiona, will you marry me?”

Two years ago, the night before Fiona left for France, he was desperate to stop her from going. However, Fiona rejected him.

“Galvin, aren’t we young to settle down?”

“We’re both 25, Fiona. It’s the perfect time for us to start a family. Don’t you think so?”

A chill ran down her spine when she heard the word ‘perfect to start a family’. The last thing that she wanted was to get pregnant. Having a child would be a hindrance to her modeling career. She loves her freedom more than anything in this world. However, she could not state it to Galvin.

Seeing she was silent, Galvin took Fiona’s hand and persuaded her. “I promised you’ll live a grand life once you marry me.”

“How was that possible?” She couldn’t help doubting Galvin. Although the Hudson family is among the wealthiest families in the country; however, Galvin was a son of an illegitimate child the older Hudsons raised. Even so, Galvin is not the heir of the entire Hudson wealth. How would she live like an empress if she married Galvin now?

She loves Galvin but has other plans, and giving up her freedom is not on the list.

Then, after a year, Fiona visited her parents. He brought her to a high-end restaurant and proposed to her once again.

“Fiona, if you marry me now, Grandpa will give me the Hudson Enterprise and a large inheritance. We can have a fresh start. Isn’t a great story we can tell our grandchildren that their grandparents had started from scratch, but now we were standing on top of the world?”

Galvin was too ambitious; Fiona could see that. Hudson Enterprise is about to collapse. There are more competent new companies that dominate the industry. But he’s determined to save it.

Not only that, Galvin plans to use her so that he can acquire this rotten company. What if Galvin failed to save it? Then she’ll be a laughingstock to marrying a failure entrepreneur.

“Galvin, we’re good, right? We can continue this relationship without settling down. You know I’ve been dreaming of entering the fashion world and was offered to work with several brands.” She works her ass off to be noticed in France. She would not throw everything away just for a small inheritance.

“How about after I acquire my inheritance, I’ll accompany you to France and put up my company there? I have a French friend who plans to try a new business.”

Hearing this, Fiona was in a panic. “Galvin, you don’t understand. My contract isn’t a solid one. It signed me up for just a tryout within one month, and it has clauses declaring that I should not date, especially to get pregnant. So I cannot live with you or announce that I have a boyfriend. You know the consequences I must face and fines for breaching the contract.”

Galvin’s face sank. He was disappointed and hurt at the same time that Fiona had to keep their relationship a secret.

“How about this…. One year… Give me one year, okay? If my career blossoms and I make a name. Then, I am free to do whatever I want.”

“But Fiona…” Galvin told Fiona that his inheritance could not wait for one year.

Fiona clenched her jaw and looked around. Then an idea flashed through her eyes.

“Galvin, I understand you want to build our future. Why don’t you marry another girl you can introduce to your grandparents?”

“What?” Galvin thought he heard it wrong, and she was joking. But Fiona continues blabbing, which gives him a headache listening to her, explaining that if they genuinely love each other and are meant to be together, he can divorce his contracted wife, and she will give up her career. “You’re kidding me, Fiona! You know you are the only rightful Mrs. Hudson!”

Galvin became irritated. Hence, Fiona racked her head to find a way to appease him.

“Galvin, if it’s about the company and inheritance you want to acquire, then I don’t mind if you marry someone else for that intention. Look… Did you see that waitress? She is beautiful, don’t you think so?”