CHAPTER 9

At that moment Everyone's eyes burst open in shock.

For the first time since their embarrassing loss, a ray of hope illuminated the room.

This could work. This would work.

They couldn't believe Ramos had fixed the loophole so quickly—and what a perfect one it was.

Without being told they could tell Abigail's husband had married her in urgency, the deal between them wouldn't be that great.

There was simply no way he did it for love. It was all about cash.

And if cash was what it took to move him, then all they had to do was offer him something bigger—

Something finer. And—most of all—something right away, he wouldn't be able to reject.

Because there was no way Abigail could ever offer him a big chunk of cash right away.

No. She was recovering.

She was still fragile.

She would have no time to defend herself or think of a new plan if they attack now.

At that moment Mrs. Penelope let out a slow breath, her sharp eyes now filled with planned intentions.

Ramos smiled back, his confidence regained.

Then Owen cracked his knuckles, his smirk restored.

Amelia flipped her hair over her shoulder, her thoughts already building a plan.

"I can see everybody now understand, then it's settled," Ramos said smoothly.

Owen and Amelia nodded.

"We go to the hospital again," Amelia reaffirmed.

"With Abigail's condition, there's no way she's going home today," Owen went on.

"Which means," Ramos said with a devilish smirk, "we'll definitely meet her husband again."

His grin widened.

"And this time—"

At that moment his voice lowered, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement.

"We'll have a private conversation with him."

**

Abigail felt strangely at ease knowing she was now married.

But that peace was short-lived.

Because as much as she wanted to believe in this marriage, a lingering fear gnawed at her heart.

If Owen—someone she had trusted for years, loved, and was family to—could betray her…

What will a stranger that married her because of money do? She didn't knew Jerry, which was something she didn't like.

And yet he was now her husband.

Would he do the same thing?

Would he betray her too? The mere idea made her chest tighten.

She would not be blindly hopeful.

She would not trust too easily again.

Her grandmother had always warned her to be careful not to be so innocent, and she had already paid once.

She would not make the same error.

At that moment Abigail redirected her attention to Jerry, her expression blank.

"Thank you for helping me," she said at first, her voice firm but polite.

Hearing Abigail words Jerry merely nodded.

There was no reaction on his face—no greed, no eagerness, no anticipation.

However, she could not afford to risk anything.

She sat up straighter, her tone now professional.

"About the one billion dollars I promised you, for all of this," she continued.

Again Jerry's eyes slightly narrowed, but he didn't say anything, silently waiting for her to continue.

"I will pay you, naturally," she assured him.

"But I cannot pay the money immediately."

At that moment she watched his reaction closely, but Jerry didn't react.

She breathed slowly and continued.

" But I have give you two fair options," she said.

"Either I pay you monthly till we both amortize the whole amount within six years—"

"Or," she looked straight at him.

You wait six years—and you get it all at once."

At that moment the door opened.

Abigail's secretary came in, keen eyes wandering around.

She let out a relieved gasp as she saw Abigail was not as bad off as she first thought when she heard the news.

At that moment the charged into a business mode.

The warmth in her eyes was gone, replaced by her usual work ethic.

She was here on business.

She had gotten Abigail's message not long ago, about a marriage contract.

Without wasting anymore time.

She said to Abigail.

"Here are the contract you requested for."

She walked forward and placed two neatly bound files on the table beside Abigail.

Then Abigail took the files, running her fingers over the crisp paper before she faced Jerry again.

Her eyes were steady, concentrated—calculating.

"As I was saying," she continued, her voice businesslike, "I've already drawn up a contract to take care of all I just mentioned."

Jerry's eyes flicked to the papers, but he said nothing.

Abigail tilted her head a little, observing him.

"If you sign this contract," she explained, "you won't be able to divorce me until six years into our marriage."

She looked at his face hard, but he remained unyielding.

"Also," she told him, "you won't have the right to demand intimacy from me unless I consent."

She emphasized those words on purpose.

Because trust wasn't something she was prepared to share so readily.

At this point Jerry's eyes did narrow a bit, but again he didn't cut her off.

Abigail took a deep breath and continued.

"As for the benefits," she said smoothly, flipping the page of the contract,

"I originally promised you one billion."

At that moment she leaned forward slightly.

"But as a reward since you helped me during such a critical moment, I will increase that figure to 1.5 billion."

The atmosphere in the room shifted. Even her secretary gasped at the amount.

But Abigail did not finish yet.

"Like I said before," she said firmly, not budging,

"I can offer you monthly—otherwise, wait six years and receive the total figure all at once."

At that moment She placed the contract directly in front of him.

Then she folded her arms.

"Your decision, Mr. Jerry."

Abigail glared at Jerry, waiting for him to respond.

But Jerry?

He was completely unconcerned.

Instead of seeing the contract, he was casually admiring the flowers he had brought her.

His fingers caressed the petals lightly, as if he had all day.

Seeing Jerry not responding to her, or even looking at the contract she had offered him Abigail's brows flickered. Was he ignoring her? or could it be the money wasn't enough and he wants more money.

The silence lingered there, thick in the air.

Minutes passed. Still no answer.

Her fingers tapped against the contract softly as she narrowed her eyes, at that moment her thoughts was getting the better of her, knowing Jerry want more money.

This was something she did want, people are greedy and he's part of them.

"Jerry," she spat, annoyance coloring her voice.

"Are you going to sign the contract or not?"

Jerry finally moved.

He set down the flowers, his eyes meeting hers.

And then—he spoke.

"Not everything is about money," he said calmly.

His voice was flat, steady, and completely unreadable.

At that moment Abigail's mouth opened a little. She hadn't been expecting that.

Jerry leaned back in his chair, his expression noncommittal.

"And I most definitely can't be bought with money," he added.

Again Abigail's eyes opened a little wider.

For the first time since this discussion started—she was stunned.

He could take 1.5 billion dollars and walk away and he was turning it down?

"Then…" she began slowly, trying to understand what he was saying.

Jerry gave her a small, knowing smile.

"All I want," he said smoothly, "is for us to behave like husband and wife."

Then he leaned forward, just a little, his next words firm and deliberate.

"And yes," he went on.

"The intimacy included."

Immediately Abigail took a breath.

She wasn't sure if it was shock, or disbelief, or something entirely different.

But she didn't move.

Jerry, however, remained as cool as could be.

He reached for the contract, browsing through the pages nonchalantly.

Then, he glanced at her again.

"I'll be keeping my word," he informed her, his tone unflinching.

"As long as you keep yours."