Chapter 7~ A contract

After Roxanne played the last notes, she stood up and curtsied while the audience erupted in applause. 

She whipped around to face the shell-shocked Maya. Smirking, she remarked, “Thank you, sis. I was wondering how I would introduce myself as Henry's future wife. Look around,” Roxanne said as cheers and praise echoed around them. “They love me.”

Maya clenched her hands into fists and gritted her teeth. She didn't expect Roxanne to know how to play the piano. She was even better than her!

How did she know? Roxanne never went for piano lessons. She was useless! Her mother made sure of that!

Maya couldn't fathom how her plan to humiliate Roxanne changed into an opportunity for her to look good in front of figures from wealthy families. 

This was not supposed to happen!

A malicious glint flashed through Maya's eyes as she glared at Roxanne. 'I can't wait to get rid of her.'

On the other hand, Victor frowned but he didn't say anything. Deep down, he was impressed. He initially thought Roxanne behaved like a country bumpkin. He thought she was useless. But she proved him wrong that night. 

She looked so sophisticated and classy. Her pearl-white skin glowed under the night sky as she smiled at the crowd after melting their hearts with her lovely song. 

As Roxanne returned to her seat, Diego approached her and presented, “Miss Smith, Mr. Ford wants to see you.”

She followed him into the mansion and all the way to Henry’s study. 

“Mr. Ford,” she greeted Henry and he just stared at her with his face devoid of any emotions. 

“You keep surprising me, Miss Smith,” Henry said after a few seconds of silence. 

“I've thought about your proposition.” He picked up a file and slid it across the table to her. 

Roxanne took out the document and gasped when she realised it was a contract. 

“Be my wife, Miss Smith," Henry proposed, his voice calm and husky. 

Henry Ford was on the balcony the whole time. As he sat there, he saw everything that was going on in the backyard. 

Normally, he wouldn't be bothered but he couldn't seem to keep his eyes off Roxanne. 

She looked so elegant and sophisticated in her ivory gown. The high slit on her right leg would expose her milky long leg each time she moved. Her figure was accentuated perfectly in the mermaid gown she wore. It was a mix of elegance and sexiness. 

'She's so beautiful...' Henry observed, a small smirk curling on his lips. 

He had yet to give her a response about their marriage and he invited her to the banquet so that they could discuss their future. 

His eyes narrowed when Maya suddenly went on the stage and called for Roxanne to play the piano. From his background check, Henry knew Roxanne wouldn't know how to play the piano, so he knew what Maya was up to. 

He wanted to show up at that moment but Roxanne surprised him yet again. It turned out that she didn't need him to save her like she was some damsel in distress.

She walked to the stage with open confidence and awed the audience with her excellent piano skills. 

Henry felt something stir in his heart when he watched her play the piano on stage. She looked every bit the epitome of perfection.

Without wasting time, he instructed Diego to bring Roxanne to his study. From there, he made a shocking request. 

"Be my wife, Miss Smith." 

When Roxanne's eyes rounded, he took in a breath and added, “Of course, it will be in public only. I won't pressure you to be my real wife at home.”

As Henry said this, there was a fiery glint in his eyes but Roxanne didn't notice this.

She read the contents of the contract carefully. There was nothing complex about it. His conditions were what she wanted too. 

It stated that they would only be married for a year. After which they would divorce and she would get an alimony of ten million dollars.

Roxanne gulped as she read the last condition. 

[The wife will not interfere with the husband’s private life and likewise. Since there’s no love between the involved parties, this marriage will be in name only.]

A year was enough for Roxanne to establish a strong footing in the management of the shopping mall. By then, she would have gotten full control of it and no one would ever steal it from her again. 

In fact, marrying Henry was not a bad idea. There was no love between them but they both needed to fulfil the family's marriage arrangement. 

“I don’t need the alimony, Mr. Ford. I’ll be able to make that ten million dollars in a year from my shopping mall,” she said haughtily and Henry arched one of his eyebrows at her. 

This woman was feisty and had a fighting spirit. He liked it. 

After a few seconds, Henry nodded and said, “Ok. I’ll look forward to seeing that. I’ll do whatever you want when the time comes.” 

Smirking, Roxanne took the pen and signed the contract without hesitation.  

Stretching her hand towards Henry, she declared, “It's a deal, Mr. Ford.”