2025-03-31 00:24:21A thought crosses Aiden's mind as he steps out of the dressing room. He sure knows Harper loves him but…remembering Wesley's words, he finds himself going across the hall to the party area.
“Sir, you need to interview some of those who applied for the contract,” the man Park sent says after him. Aiden turns to the man. “Why?” The man walks closer to him. “Only five companies were chosen from the one thousand and eighteen companies that applied. So, you might need to be around to select the overall best company because we'll be needing just one.” Aiden nods. “I'll be back in a few seconds.” The man bows as Aiden strides into the hall where a soft music is now playing, the dance ground now filled up. At a glance, he scans the dance floor. There is no one who looks like Harper there. He glances at the tables around even though at the back of his mind, he knows Harper isn't some shy lady that will stay back on her seat while others are on the dance floor. Just as he's about to check her location through his phone, he hears her voice some seat away from where he is. “I'm married,” she says. Curiously, Aiden goes closer to see who she's speaking with. It's a man in a suit, glass of wine in hand, a grin on his face that makes Aiden want to punch out all the man's teeth. “I love you, Harper,” the man says. “Even your parents will be happy if you agree to go on a date with me today.” “Don't you ever listen—” “Shush, girl. Pretty girls don't shout at me. They giggle and smile anytime I'm with them.” The fucking guy grabs Harper's hand as she stands up to leave. “Let go of my hand,” Harper snaps, glaring hard at the man. “Until you tell me you love me, I won't let go of your hand,” the man says with a stupid cocky grin. Without thinking, Aiden grabs a cup of wine from a waiter around. He dashes toward them and pours the content in the glass cup right in the man's face. At once, the man lets go of Harper's hand and she doesn't wait a second more before she leaves. “You bastard!” The man growls. “My gosh, how could I have done something as terrible as this to you, sir?” Aiden's voice drips with sarcasm as he pretends to help the man out. The man jerks Aiden's hand off and with a glare walks off with one eye open and the other closed. Aiden hisses under his breath. Still not satisfied with what he did to the stupid man, he gets a pen and scribbles on it. STAY AWAY FROM MY WIFE IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE He strides to the park. Looking around, seeing no one, he drops the piece of paper in the man's car. He lights a cigarette and drops it right in the passenger seat before walking inside, his anger subsided a bit. *** Inside the waiting room, Wesley smiles at Harper for the hundredth time that evening but she isn't having any of it. “You don't have to look so tense, he's just a man,” Wesley says even though himself is damn cold to the feet with nervousness. “This is my last chance, Wesley. If I mess up, my parents are going to make me divorce Aiden. I promised them…shit, Wesley. I promised them I was going to get this contract at all cost.” Wesley tries all his possible best to keep a smile on his face even though a part of him is hoping Harper will not get the fucking contract. Why the hell is she so obsessed about that fucking poor pant? It's been damn ten years and she's never for once looked him in the face or considered his feelings for her. “It'll be fine,” Wesley says more to himself than to Harper. “Mr Wesley, could you please come in?” A voice buzzes through the small room. Wesley stands up and gives Harper another smile before going in. Inside, Aiden adjusts his sunglasses just as Wesley comes in. “Good evening, sir,” Wesley says, pulls back the chair opposite Aiden's in an attempt to sit. “Did I ask you to sit, Mr Wesley?” Aiden asks. Wesley's face colours in embarrassment. “I'm sorry. I thought…well…I'm really sorry.” “Mr Wesley, it's better to be safe than sorry.” Wesley nods. “Yes. That's right sir. You're just as filled with wisdom as I heard.” “Mr Wesley…” Aiden takes a sip of coffee. “I hate it when people flatter me.” “I'm deeply sorry, sir. But I really didn't mean to flatter you.” Aiden takes another sip from the coffee. “What do you want from me, Mr Wesley?” Caught off guards, Wesley frowns. “Excuse me, sir…I don't…really understand…” “You mean to say you don't understand English? That's weird. I have been speaking English since you came in.” Realizing he's in a tight spot, Wesley leans across the table and lowers his voice. “I really need this contract, sir. Even if you want a percentage of the money—” “Wait a fucking minute!” Aiden says. “What are you implying?” “Nothing, sir. I mean…sir,” he chuckles to keep light of a conversation but it doesn't seem to work at all. “I can go to any length to get this contract.” Aiden raises a brow, a mischievous thought in his mind. “Really?” “Yes, sir. I can do anything, sir. I really need to.” To put that fucking poor Aiden in his place, Wesley thinks. “Alright then.” Aiden takes the cup of coffee. He pours some of it on the floor. “How about you take off your suit and clean the floor with it?” Wesley's face turns red. He wants nothing more than to stand up and slap the owner of the Vicholas group but remembering that he's more of a disadvantage than doing something stupid now, he plasters a smile on his face. He takes off his ten million dollars suit and with a damn heavy heart, cleans a coffee worth less than ten dollars. “Oh wow…” Aiden mutters after Wesley cleans the floor. “You really are a man of your word, Mr Wesley. I had no idea you could do it.” Wesley manages a smile even though his face and ears are now damn red with anger. “Now that you have proved to be a man of your word, let's get straight to the interview,” Aiden says. Wesley clenches his fist. What the fuck! Lazily Aiden flips through the document Wesley presented earlier. He closes it and shoves it across the table. “Mr Wesley, you don't meet the required qualifications.”
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Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 5
“I don't—what? If this is a joke, Sir, it's too creepy, I mean, what the…” the rest of the words hang in his throat as he sees that Aiden really meant what he said. Wesley straightens up, wears back his coat and hisses. “You must think this company of yours is worth something because everyone is all over the place wanting a contract with it.”“Will you leave my office if you're done ranting?” Aiden asks. “Trust me, no one is going to get this contract other than me. You'll come back to beg me. There is no one here who deserves this contract other than me.” With that, he goes out, slamming the door after him. Outside, Harper rushes to Wesley, hoping to hear some good news from her best friend but the look she sees on Wesley's face causes her to freeze. “Miss Harper, could you please come in?” A voice echoes around the room before she can ask Wesley any question.“Forget about the contract, they're all a bunch of fools anyway,” she hears Wesley say as she goes in. With cold hands a
Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 6
“Have you been sleeping since we left?!” She shoots a murderous glare at him. With a head bow, Aiden mutters some series of sorrys. “He's growing lazier day by day,” Aiden's father-in-law says. “Why won't he? All he does is wake up, eat, sleep and then repeat the circle over and over again.” “Mom…” Harper cries. Her mother looks at her. She opens her mouth to talk but soon closes it. “I'll let it slide this morning because of you, dear. But you…” she shoots another glare at Aiden. “Be prepared to start working before the end of this week. It's time you started contributing to this family. I can't continue feeding a useless full-grown man.” She hisses and goes in with her husband. Harper sighs as soon as they are gone. “You're not going to say anything to that either?” Aiden shrugs. “It's time to start working if you actually think about it.” “Damn! Do you know how much work you do in this house? Do you know how many hours of sleep— four hours of sleep is all you get everyday
Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 7
“He also gave you a contract?” Harper asks, bewildered. “Well…I don't want to say this, but I actually instructed him to give the contract to Harper because…” he shrugs. “I'm not really in need of the contract. I'm here to settle down, have a family and…things like that.” By the time he's done talking, all the other three people on the table are staring at him in surprise. “Wait a minute. I want to understand this…” Aiden's father-in-law says, “you gave out your contract to our company? For free?” Wesley chuckles. “Come on, dad, you're making it too much of a big deal. You're the only family I have if you actually think about it.”“Oh…my Wesley…” Aiden's mother-in-law cries. “You're too good to be true.”“Shit. Why would you do that?” Harper asks. “You're making me feel indebted to you.” “But…” Wesley quickly says. Once he misses this opportunity, he might not be able to get it back. “Actually…” he bites on his lower lip, staring into his plate. “I messed up.” “What's that?” Wes
Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 8
“Oh, you don't have to look so sad about that,” Aidan's mother-in-law says. “I don't know how Harper will feel about it…we've…” he looks down, deliberately lowering his voice. “She's my best friend and I don't…I don't want to do anything that will make her feel bad.” “Oh, gosh, you're so sweet,” Aiden's mother-in-law says. “I already said that is nothing to worry about.” “But…” Wesley looks at Aiden, faking a concerned look. “Will you be okay with it?”Aiden scoffs. “I sure look okay. What damn sort of man will hear this shit you're saying and still remain sane?” “Aiden, this is going to be my last warning,” Aiden's father-in-law says. “Shut up right now.” Aiden looks at his father-in-law and shakes his head. “I'm sorry, sir, but there is no way this is going to happen when I'm still in this house.” “That's what you want? I can now see how ungrateful you are. Park your things and get out of this house,” Aiden's father-in-law orders. Immediately, Wesley gets on his feet in front
Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 9
“Where is the invitation to the party? He must have given you one when he invited you,” Aiden says. “When should I come pick you?” Wesley asks, deliberately ignoring that stupid question that Aiden asked. “That's true, Wesley, he must have given you an invitation or some sort,” Harper points out. “Come on, girl, don't pretend as if you don't know how things work. He didn't give me an invitation of any sort.” Harper frowns. “How is that possible?” “Wow. So you actually have to be given an invitation to every party?” Wesley asks. “Back in the US, you don't need an invitation if it's a really special party for special people. The owner of the Vicholas group must have had my picture given to the people manning the door.” “That's so cool,” Harper mutters. “But, are you okay? You look so stressed.” “I'm fine.” Harper signs. “I'm really fine.” “You don't have to be worried. I promise everything will be okay. If I knew things were going to get out of hand like this, I wouldn't have d
Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 10
Outside by the door, Aiden notices a man walking toward him.At first, Aiden thinks it's because of the cigarette he's smoking. Not wanting some shitty conversation with some security men, he stubs the cigarette under his feet. But still the man comes closer. Bracing himself, Aiden waits, hands in his pocket. “Hand over all you have stolen,” the man says. Aiden frowns. “I saw you going from car to car. I have been watching you over there for the past few minutes,” the man says. Aiden frowns again. This man cannot be drunk, right?“Oh, you want to prove to be stubborn.” Aiden's phone beeps. He takes it out of his pocket. He reads the message.A man in black clothes is on your tail; the message reads. He looks at the man in front of him, the man is in black clothes. Swiftly, he grabs the man and drags him to a corner with dim light. Aiden pushes the man to the ground, his right boot presses tight against the man's chest.“Are you going to tell me now?” Aiden asks, his voice no
Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 11
The other people in the room except Harper hisses. A phone rings, everyone in the ring springs toward the phone. Harper answers the call“I have checked all of the chairman's schedule but he won't be less busy in the next two months,” someone at the other end says. “Two months?! Come on, that's too long,” Harper says. “To be honest, people who want to meet with the chairman have to book the appointment five months to the scheduled time,” the person at the other end says. Harper sighs and so do the other people in the room. “Alright. Thanks.” “I'm just tired, dad,” Harper's brother says as soon as the call ends. “What are we going to do now, honey?” “At this rate, we might just lay off the workers and close the company down.” “How could you say that?” Harper snaps at her brother. “Harper? What's that supposed to mean?” “You can't be talking like that!” “Dad, did you just hear your daughter?” Harper's brother turns to their father. “This girl doesn't have a bit of respect f
Humble son-in-law in the day, Billionaire at night 12
Aiden relaxes in his seat. “You said that the last time and…two times ago…and three times ago and what?” He scoffs. “You have been repeating the same old shit since I met you.” All the men on the table don't dare look Aiden in the face even though his face is all concealed with a mask and cap. “You have one more chance left. If any other worker dies due to your carelessness again, I'm giving the company over to another capable person,” Aiden says. Pissed off with the other people at the table, he gets on his feet and goes to the other end of the room. His phone rings. It's a call from his personal assistant. “How is the surgery going?” Aiden asks. “It was successful, sir. I called you to ask you something, sir.” “No. For now, take care of your sister. Family comes first.” “She's okay, sir. Trust me, sir. She's fine.” Aiden sighs. When you think you're a workaholic, you only have to meet Park and he'll definitely blow your mind away. “Two seconds ago when I checked, you had
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Aiden looks around before whispering, “give me more time, Beatrice. Just a little more time.” “I can't, sir,” she says, sounding a bit…desperate. Aiden can't really tell but he's damn sure something is wrong with her because she is rarely nervous. “Give me say one hour,” Aiden whispers, looking around the room to be sure no one is near. “Sir, you said you were going to be back within three years, it's past that time and you don't seem ready to be coming.” “Come on, Beatrice, be a little more patient with me.” “If you don't come here within the next thirty minutes, I'm sorry, I'm going to have to quit. You didn't tell me the company was going to expand this big when we started.” Just as she hangs up, Aiden hears a male rough voice at the other end that sends some chill—chill of bloodshed—down his spine. “Shit,” he curses under his breath. He turns around and bumps directly into his wife. His heart skips a beat. Has she been listening to the conversation all these while?
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The frown on Aiden's face deepens. Is this guy filming so something? “Mom!” He screams again. The next moment, Aiden's mother-in-law comes running into the room in her night dress. “Are you okay? Bryan!” She rushes to where he is and manages to get a hold on him. “Oh my goodness!” She screams in horror, examining Bryan's hand. Aiden takes a step closer to see the hand she's looking in horror at. He can't see anything wrong with it. “You bastard, what are you waiting for? Get me the first aid…no, dial the emergency number.” “Emergency?” Harper's voice calls across the room. She too comes running toward her brother. She stops dead, confusion on her face. “What is going on?” She asks.“Can't you see?” Her mother snaps. “Your brother is bleeding!” Harper looks toward Aiden in confusion as if trying to ask him if she's the only one seeing what she's seeing. Aiden shrugs slightly. This is actually the first time he'll be seeing a fully grown man making a fuss about a slight cut
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Aiden relaxes in his seat. “You said that the last time and…two times ago…and three times ago and what?” He scoffs. “You have been repeating the same old shit since I met you.” All the men on the table don't dare look Aiden in the face even though his face is all concealed with a mask and cap. “You have one more chance left. If any other worker dies due to your carelessness again, I'm giving the company over to another capable person,” Aiden says. Pissed off with the other people at the table, he gets on his feet and goes to the other end of the room. His phone rings. It's a call from his personal assistant. “How is the surgery going?” Aiden asks. “It was successful, sir. I called you to ask you something, sir.” “No. For now, take care of your sister. Family comes first.” “She's okay, sir. Trust me, sir. She's fine.” Aiden sighs. When you think you're a workaholic, you only have to meet Park and he'll definitely blow your mind away. “Two seconds ago when I checked, you had
11
The other people in the room except Harper hisses. A phone rings, everyone in the ring springs toward the phone. Harper answers the call“I have checked all of the chairman's schedule but he won't be less busy in the next two months,” someone at the other end says. “Two months?! Come on, that's too long,” Harper says. “To be honest, people who want to meet with the chairman have to book the appointment five months to the scheduled time,” the person at the other end says. Harper sighs and so do the other people in the room. “Alright. Thanks.” “I'm just tired, dad,” Harper's brother says as soon as the call ends. “What are we going to do now, honey?” “At this rate, we might just lay off the workers and close the company down.” “How could you say that?” Harper snaps at her brother. “Harper? What's that supposed to mean?” “You can't be talking like that!” “Dad, did you just hear your daughter?” Harper's brother turns to their father. “This girl doesn't have a bit of respect f
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Outside by the door, Aiden notices a man walking toward him.At first, Aiden thinks it's because of the cigarette he's smoking. Not wanting some shitty conversation with some security men, he stubs the cigarette under his feet. But still the man comes closer. Bracing himself, Aiden waits, hands in his pocket. “Hand over all you have stolen,” the man says. Aiden frowns. “I saw you going from car to car. I have been watching you over there for the past few minutes,” the man says. Aiden frowns again. This man cannot be drunk, right?“Oh, you want to prove to be stubborn.” Aiden's phone beeps. He takes it out of his pocket. He reads the message.A man in black clothes is on your tail; the message reads. He looks at the man in front of him, the man is in black clothes. Swiftly, he grabs the man and drags him to a corner with dim light. Aiden pushes the man to the ground, his right boot presses tight against the man's chest.“Are you going to tell me now?” Aiden asks, his voice no
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“Where is the invitation to the party? He must have given you one when he invited you,” Aiden says. “When should I come pick you?” Wesley asks, deliberately ignoring that stupid question that Aiden asked. “That's true, Wesley, he must have given you an invitation or some sort,” Harper points out. “Come on, girl, don't pretend as if you don't know how things work. He didn't give me an invitation of any sort.” Harper frowns. “How is that possible?” “Wow. So you actually have to be given an invitation to every party?” Wesley asks. “Back in the US, you don't need an invitation if it's a really special party for special people. The owner of the Vicholas group must have had my picture given to the people manning the door.” “That's so cool,” Harper mutters. “But, are you okay? You look so stressed.” “I'm fine.” Harper signs. “I'm really fine.” “You don't have to be worried. I promise everything will be okay. If I knew things were going to get out of hand like this, I wouldn't have d
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“Oh, you don't have to look so sad about that,” Aidan's mother-in-law says. “I don't know how Harper will feel about it…we've…” he looks down, deliberately lowering his voice. “She's my best friend and I don't…I don't want to do anything that will make her feel bad.” “Oh, gosh, you're so sweet,” Aiden's mother-in-law says. “I already said that is nothing to worry about.” “But…” Wesley looks at Aiden, faking a concerned look. “Will you be okay with it?”Aiden scoffs. “I sure look okay. What damn sort of man will hear this shit you're saying and still remain sane?” “Aiden, this is going to be my last warning,” Aiden's father-in-law says. “Shut up right now.” Aiden looks at his father-in-law and shakes his head. “I'm sorry, sir, but there is no way this is going to happen when I'm still in this house.” “That's what you want? I can now see how ungrateful you are. Park your things and get out of this house,” Aiden's father-in-law orders. Immediately, Wesley gets on his feet in front
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“He also gave you a contract?” Harper asks, bewildered. “Well…I don't want to say this, but I actually instructed him to give the contract to Harper because…” he shrugs. “I'm not really in need of the contract. I'm here to settle down, have a family and…things like that.” By the time he's done talking, all the other three people on the table are staring at him in surprise. “Wait a minute. I want to understand this…” Aiden's father-in-law says, “you gave out your contract to our company? For free?” Wesley chuckles. “Come on, dad, you're making it too much of a big deal. You're the only family I have if you actually think about it.”“Oh…my Wesley…” Aiden's mother-in-law cries. “You're too good to be true.”“Shit. Why would you do that?” Harper asks. “You're making me feel indebted to you.” “But…” Wesley quickly says. Once he misses this opportunity, he might not be able to get it back. “Actually…” he bites on his lower lip, staring into his plate. “I messed up.” “What's that?” Wes
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“Have you been sleeping since we left?!” She shoots a murderous glare at him. With a head bow, Aiden mutters some series of sorrys. “He's growing lazier day by day,” Aiden's father-in-law says. “Why won't he? All he does is wake up, eat, sleep and then repeat the circle over and over again.” “Mom…” Harper cries. Her mother looks at her. She opens her mouth to talk but soon closes it. “I'll let it slide this morning because of you, dear. But you…” she shoots another glare at Aiden. “Be prepared to start working before the end of this week. It's time you started contributing to this family. I can't continue feeding a useless full-grown man.” She hisses and goes in with her husband. Harper sighs as soon as they are gone. “You're not going to say anything to that either?” Aiden shrugs. “It's time to start working if you actually think about it.” “Damn! Do you know how much work you do in this house? Do you know how many hours of sleep— four hours of sleep is all you get everyday
