บท 4: A Pie From Heaven
"I know your sister has stolen your jewelry design, Miss Russell." Sebastian sips his coffee, looking calm after messing with Irene's heart. "What does it feel like when someone crushes your dream? Are you upset, disappointed, or feel helpless?"
Irene gripped the wine glass firmly, her fingers trembling as she thought Sebastian was making fun of her failure. "I'm driven in a fury right now, Mr. Delacroix."
CRASH.
The glass in Irene's hand shattered as she gripped it too tightly. The sharp shards scraped her skin, making blood drip onto the table. "If you just want to mock me here, I'll consider our conversation already over by now."
Irene stood up from her chair, picked up her bag, and was about to walk toward the door. However, before she could take a step, Sebastian held her back. "Why are you so impatient, Miss Russell? I thought exchanging pleasantries before talking about important matters was better."
Irene clicked her tongue. "I guess you don't have the talent of making small talk."
Sebastian chuckled. "I guess you're right." He took a handkerchief and wiped the blood from Irene's hand. "I invited you here because I want to offer you something. Do you want to hear it first, Miss Russell?"
Irene took the handkerchief so she could clean the wound herself. She wondered why a tyrant like Sebastian would want to offer her something when Irene had nothing in return.
Still, there was no harm in hearing an offer from someone like Sebastian.
"Alright, I want to hear it." Irene asked firmly, "However, I can refuse the offer if I think it will harm me, right?"
"Of course, Miss Russell. I am not a vile person." Sebastian smiled. "However, I'm sure this offer will favor you."
Irene said nothing more and waited for Sebastian to make his offer. He placed a document in front of her, then tapped his finger on it to get her attention.
"This is my offer," said Sebastian.
Irene read the document carefully, but as soon as she read the title, she slammed the table so hard that the glasses fell over.
"What kind of nonsense is this?!" Irene shouted. "We barely know each other, and you've already handed me a marriage contract? Mr. Delacroix, are you insane?"
Sebastian touched his chin and said casually, "Marriage is like a business relationship. If I find it profitable to marry you, nothing else matters."
"I don't understand." Irene furrowed her brow. "Why are you suddenly offering me something like this?"
"Please consider my offer after you read the contract," Sebastian said.
Irene held the paper hesitantly but decided to skim the document before rejecting it. Besides, she wasn't interested in getting married—
—wait.
Irene blinked her eyes a few times after reading the crucial things in the document. She raised her head, looking at Sebastian, who was sipping his coffee calmly.
"Can you take responsibility for the contents of this contract?" asked Irene.
Sebastian put down his coffee and nodded. "I wouldn't have made this contract if I couldn't fulfill it."
Irene held her breath, her shoes tapping the floor repeatedly as she felt excited. She had no interest in getting married after being betrayed by her ex, but Sebastian's offer tickled her brain and made it difficult for her to refuse.
There were three important points in the contract that caught Irene's attention.
1. This contract marriage was valid until one of the parties wanted a divorce.
2. As the husband, Sebastian Delacroix would give his wife, Irene Russell, permission to access all his physical and financial assets.
3. As the wife, Irene Russell was not obliged to fulfill her husband's sexual needs or provide offspring if she did not wish to.
Even a fool would understand that the contract favored Irene over Sebastian.
Irene gulped, her hands shaking at the thought of being able to touch all of Sebastian Delacroix's assets that probably couldn't be calculated using a calculator.
With that much wealth, Irene didn't have to worry about the lack of funds to build her business again.
But would it truly be that easy?
Irene held back the corners of her lips that were about to form a smile. In this world, there was no way she could eat a delicious pie without paying a dime. Someone like Sebastian must have considered many things before handing her such a costly contract.
"What do you think, Miss Russell? Are you interested?" asked Sebastian confidently.
"Can I ask you a question before I answer you?"
"Go on."
Irene placed the document on the table, then looked at Sebastian through her emerald eyes. "Why did you choose me to be your future wife? No matter how many times I think about it, I'm not an ideal wife for a big shot like you."
"You think too lowly of yourself, Miss Russell." Sebastian smiled, but the smile wasn't enough to warm up his face that always looked cold. "You're the perfect candidate to be my future wife."
Before Irene could reply, Sebastian said, "When Mr. Hawkins was still working at my company, I accidentally saw your portfolio on his desk. The jewelry designs in that portfolio were so beautiful and unique that I couldn't forget them until now."
"However, I saw the same jewelry designs in Catelyn Russell's works yesterday." Sebastian rubbed his chin. "You're a talented young woman, but your luck isn't excellent."
Irene chuckled inwardly. She was sure that Sebastian had the talent of mocking people, even his expression did not look guilty after saying such a vile thing.
"You're right. I'm talented, but I have nothing. That's why you will be the big loser if we get married, Mr. Delacroix."
Sebastian furrowed his brow. "What are you talking about? Besides your extraordinary talent, you also have a beautiful appearance, the kind of beauty suitable for display when I attend the parties of prosperous people."
Irene gritted her teeth; she sighed harshly numerous times as she tried to hold back the anger that was beginning to stir in her heart. "If you want to use your wife as a wallflower, why not find a more beautiful and submissive woman? A woman like me can give you a headache, Mr. Delacroix."
Nathan Russell always said that Irene was the root of all his problems. She never obeyed the rules and behaved the way she wanted, so her father decided to send her to boarding school.
"Oh, it's such a coincidence," Sebastian said with playful intonation. "I often face many problems, so handling one more is not a big deal."
He tapped his fingers onto the table before continuing, "Like you said, I can easily find a woman more beautiful than you, but not all beautiful women have an extraordinary talent like you."
"Didn't you need a lot of capital to start your bankrupt business? Tell me how much money you need, and I'll become your first investor." Sebastian leaned toward Irene. "But of course, I'll also put a stake in your company. What do you think, Miss Russell? Are you interested?"
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