10. The Marriage Contract

Scott's Pov

I arrived at uncle Winston's mansion half an hour later after our conversation,

As I headed inside the mansion I couldn't help but feel restless as if something big awaited me, maybe it was because of the suspension, I hated not knowing what I was walking into ”

Scott where have you been, why don't you visit your aunt anymore said  aunt Katherine with a huge smile over her face as she hugged me tightly ”

Fine and you how's your health I asked placing a feather kiss on her cheek ”

See healthy as a horse she said with a smile twirling around two times, oh Scott you have become thin she said raising my arms as if checking for an injury" as always she was overreacting and I couldn't help but laugh, she was still treating me like a child just like she did with my cousins William and Andrew, I guess some things never changed ”

You never change aunt I said, I noticed how her smile fell after I said that

What's wrong I asked as I could tell she was holding back from saying something which was quite strange because aunt Katherine was a talkative person never afraid to speak her mind out,  decided to ignore it as that wasn't the reason I was here”

Where's uncle I asked clearing my throat as I could as she was lost in thought

Your uncle is waiting for you in his study, Good luck, and please try to get angry will you, your  uncle only wants what's best for you she said with a motherly smile before walking away giving me no chance to ask her what she was talking about ”

I headed upstairs puzzled with what just happened, as I got closer to uncle's study I heard an unfamiliar voice inside his office, was he with someone? or maybe it was just my imagination because aunt would have told me so I wouldn't disturb him and his guest ”

But just in case I decided to knock and not let myself in like I usually did, uncle it's Scott I said with a single knock ”

Scott' it's you, come in you know that you don't have to knock he said on the other side”

Without thinking much I opened the door and came inside, I halted halfway seeing a familiar face opposite his desk, it was Walter Blackrose ” the friend he mentioned on the phone, turns out he was here and I didn't feel good about it

I didn't know you had a guest, I'll come back back another time I said about to turn my back but he stopped me ”

Scott you said you wanted to know why he was helping so why are you leaving said uncle Winston as I turned my back,

He was right and I shouldn't have been surprised by his present yet I was

You're right uncle and that's why I'm curious as to what you have to say I said walking further my eyes meeting Walter's who sat opposite his desk twirling a glass of whiskey in his hand ”

Scott' Winston has told me a lot about you I am Walter he said with a friendly smile as he stood up stretching his hand forward for a handshake"

I hope it's good thing only I said awkwardly shaking his hand while trying to read his face, but the man's face remained neutral which I found suspicious ”

And the way uncle Winston awkwardly started laughing out of nowhere as I studied Walter's face it told me he could tell I was on to whatever they were up to” I had my guard on as crazy as it was I felt like I couldn't trust my own uncle

Scott take a seat he said with an awkward chuckle confirming my suspicious ” they were definitely up to something

Scott I'm a man of few words snd I believe in getting straight to the point and that's why I'm not going to waste any time said Walter sitting back on his chair

I see, it seems that we have something in common then I also hate beating around the bush I said studying his face carefully without giving myself away as I spoke

That's good then' he said " your uncle tells me about your situation I can help you if you allowed it... he said leaning back on his chair as if discussing business

Exactly how can you help me I'd like to know I said trying to hide the fact that I was desperate at this point, I would sell my soul to the devil in a heartbeat if I could, that company was my everything and something told me he already knew ”

I have a an offer, a proposition.. no' a contract for you he corrected sitting up straight ”

Scott I can guarantee you that if you accept this contract all of your problems will go away, even better you'll be financially secure for a life time he said with a smile as if it was as simple as that but I wasn't buying it "

And how will this contract of yours make my problems disappear I asked looking at him with a suspicious look, I had my guard on and I wasn't letting it down, I wasn't stupid as not see when someone wanted something in return, I have been in the business world long enough to know that help comes at a cost, but what? what can he possibly want from me, at this moment I have nothing" my bank account is dry as the desert, but still I had to find out what he wanted from me”

Eight hundred million, that's the amount I'm willing to invest in your company, and you don't have to return anything, consider it a gift from a well wisher he said looking at me,

A gift I said with a mocking chuckle

Yes a gift Scott, I my sources tell me you're drowning in debt, correct me if I'm wrong he said looking at me and I looked at uncle who suddenly started admiring his ceiling, it didn't take me long to pick it up, by sources he meant my uncle, I was pissed that he was going around telling people my problems but like a gentleman I contained my anger inside ”

And..I said coldly raising my eye brow

And I can help you solve your problems Scott, besides offering you eight hundred million I'm willing to invest two private islands in Hawaii and Madagascar, you'll also receive three private jet's, a mansion in San Francisco and 30% of my company's shares, all you have to do is sigh this contract he said his fingers tapping on the piece of paper on my uncle's table

I didn't say anything, I was silent as I analysed the situation, the richest man in the world was offering me wealth in the form of a contract all I had to do was sigh the piece of paper on the table, a piece of paper I didn't know what is written on it, now thinking it out loud it sounded crazy, too good to be true" and more than I've ever been in my life I was sure he was leaving an important piece of information about that contract, information that could change everything, and that's why I had to find out what it was ”

That's a generous offer Mr Blackrose but I'm afraid I cannot accept it as I do not trust you one bit I said without thinking about the consequences "

Don't get me wrong but in my experience a contract is for two people, if the other person doesn't benefit from it what's the use I said my voice calculative

What do you want... no let me correct myself what I should be asking is" What's in it for you if I sign this contract I said straightening my body and I waited for him to speak, but nothing came, what followed was a minute of silence that felt like an eternity ”

And then he dropped it, he dropped the bombshell like it meant nothing”

I want you to marry my daughter Scott ”he said leaving me speechless