Chapter 9: Bear my children

…

There was a long silence between them before Eve laughed sarcastically, "Ha… ha… ha… Where did you get your clown degree?"

She didn't believe that Alexander Langford, this billionaire bastard who played with her heart, had just said that lame joke. There was no way he was serious, right?

However, Alex's devious grin and deep-set eyes kept staring at her unblinkingly. He didn't look like he was joking at all.

Eve's lips turned flat. She clenched her arm as she tried her best not to show weakness in front of this dangerous man. "You know how to joke, Alex. Now tell me the real price and we can—"

"Bear my children," Alex repeated without hesitation as if he already knew what he truly wanted. "Carry my seed. Be the mother of my children. Give me an heir. Need me to say it in other ways for you to understand my intention?"

…

Eve was silenced once more. She bit her lower lip nervously, as she never expected that offer.

It was truly the price to pay because carrying the seed of a bastard who lied to her for years was out of her equation.

She would rather stay chaste for the rest of her life rather than THAT. 

However, could she give up all the access and benefit she could get from Langford's connection? She had a golden ticket waved in front of her, and she only needed to reach out to take it. 

'Well, I might not need his help if I fight against Pierre with blood, sweat, and tears. But, why do I have to do that when I can take an easier and faster route?' 

Eve's resolution wavered, and she was unsure whether to accept the offer or not.

Thus, Alex tried to entice her. He took a step forward once more and pinched her chin, "Think of all the privilege you can get by using me, Sweetheart. Do you want to ruin that bastard's and his family's life? Do you want to stand on the top of the world? Or maybe you want to be the richest woman to ever exist? Use me as your tool, and I will help you with all my heart. That is if you agree with the requirement, of course."

Alex knew that Eve wouldn't listen to any of his words if he presented himself as a man in love, and he knew how to tick her interest. They were once a truly loving couple, embracing each other at night, and he was the only one who knew all of her secrets and her real self. 

Now, he wanted to use all of his knowledge to win her back.

The first thing he needed to do was to wrap everything as nothing but a business deal, so Eve would lower her guard for him. 

And he was right because Eve began to consider it, but that didn't mean she also didn't have a devious intention.

'I hate to admit it, but he is right. I can use him to ruin that bastard's life, and also my mother, who almost sold me as—' Eve quickly dispelled that line of thought before her mood soured. Other than dealing with both Julia and Pierre, she could also use his power and connections for other things. 'I can also use his power against him. If I can be stronger and more influential than his family could ever be, I can kick him out of my life permanently, so I don't need to see his lying face all the time.'

"So, what do you think, Sweetheart? It's a sweet offer, no?"

Eve gritted her teeth, "Fine. I have to admit that you have a tempting offer, but before I agree to it, I have one question and one requirement."

"Sure, tell me those."

"I want to know what you will get from this. Surely, this is not out of love or whatever sappy things I could think of," Eve rolled her eyes. "Tell me why you need ME to bear your child. You can get any woman in this world to do that, and I don't think I am special enough for your oh-so-rich family."

"Hah, don't think so lowly of yourself, Eve," Alex responded. He seized her up and down with his gaze and added, "You are fucking hot, smart, and business savvy. You have the discipline and dedication that I've never seen from a woman before. I want our children to have the best from both of us."

Truthfully, Eve still didn't understand why it had to be her when Alex had all the access to those high-quality women out there. 

It also made her feel a little relieved to know that Alex didn't see this deal in a romantic way because that would make her reject the offer immediately. 

"Well, you're a scumbag, so this is only fair. I know you never intended to get back together with me in the first place," Eve muttered. "I know you never loved me anyway."

"Get back with you? Hah…" Alex scoffed. He was a bit disturbed because Eve looked ten times more relaxed when she thought that he would never love her. Day and night, Alex was always thinking of this woman over and over to the point he thought he had gone mad.

"In my family circle, we do not marry based on love. It's either to strengthen political ties, business expansion, or to reproduce. Love has nothing to do with marriage and children."

"Then, I have no reason to reject the offer," Eve grinned. "Fine, I agree to be the mother of your child, but with one requirement."

Alex was already impatient at this point, but he knew not to push her, at least not when his prize was already right in front of him, "And what's that?"

"I will leave after I give birth to that child. You can tell the child that their mother died or something. I don't care. The child should NEVER know about the identity of their real mother," Eve said ruthlessly. "Our contract will end right after that child is born."