Chapter 3

“Understandable?” I sneered. “What does the agreement I signed with Mindy count for? Waste paper?”

“Sylvester!”

There was an edge to Mr. Holmes's voice.

“As the son-in-law of the Holmes family, you need foresight. As long as that man doesn’t marry into the family, your position isn’t threatened. There’s no harm in preserving Mindy’s dignity and reputation to the public. What’s more…”

Mr. Holmes’ gaze swept past my legs as he made his point.

“Over these five years, you and Mindy haven’t had a child due to your leg injury. We do need someone to inherit the Holmes family legacy. It’s for the good of the Holmes family that Mindy has a child and a potential successor.”

I felt my blood run cold in my veins.

To them, being childless was an original sin.

Mindy’s unfaithfulness to the marriage was only due to her being softhearted, and her illegitimate daughter was a potential successor of the family legacy.

My anger, on the other hand, was insensible and short-sighted.

“What if I insist on a divorce?” I said, my gaze fixed on Mr. Holmes.

His face darkened with anger. He smashed his tea cup against the table.

“How audacious!

“Do you think this is child's play? Our research commercialization company cannot afford any reputational damage given its volatile stock prices right now.

“The agreement you have stating that Mindy will leave the marriage without a single cent to her name isn’t just a promise to you from the Holmes family, but also a form of restraint.

“You want to leave after leaving her without a cent to her name and her reputation in shreds? Not so easy!”

Mr. Holmes’ eyes narrowed.

I clenched my fists so hard, my nails dug into the flesh of my palms.

There was no warmth in this family; only cold, calculative self-benefit.

Just then, someone knocked on the door. His assistant walked in, looking sheepish. “Mr. Holmes, Professor Holmes is here…with that child.”

Mindy came in right after.

Yvette was in her arms. Henry was right behind her, looking stiff.

“Dad,” Mindy said as she brought the child to Mr. Holmes, not daring to even look my way. “Yvette heard that her grandpa was here and demanded to come see you.”

Despite Yvette’s pale face, she greeted Mr. Holmes politely. “Hello, Grandpa.”

Mr. Holmes' taut jawline relaxed. “What a good girl you are.”

He stretched a hand out to caress her head.

Henry stood at a corner and snuck a glance at me. Instead of looking meek and innocent, there was a hidden tinge of conniving manipulation in his eyes.

As long as Mr. Holmes acknowledged his granddaughter, Henry would still be a very significant figure to the Holmes even if he couldn't marry into the family.

I would sooner or later be thrown out of the family.

Mindy looked at me, her voice sounding a tinge firmer. “Sylvester, since Dad has said so, for the sake of the Holmes family…”

I felt my blood boil, which agitated the nerves around my old injury. The sudden pain made me break out in cold sweat and I almost lost my footing.

When I recovered, Henry suddenly walked toward me and bowed deeply, his voice sincere and resolute.

“Mr. Graham, I know I shouldn’t have returned, but Yvette requires surgery for her heart issues. The best experts in this field are all in the neighboring city. I’m doing this to save her life!”

He lifted his head, his brows knitted tight.

“Once Yvette’s surgery is a success, I’ll take her away at once and will never appear before you ever again. Mr. Graham, you’re a man yourself. Please understand the heart of a father…”