The Billionaire Son-in-law

9. Announcement.

"I have told my wife to place the bid. And here's my proposal. If she wins, you must all promise to make Ivy over here," he paused to steal a glance at her, and the worried state on her face propelled him to speak faster, "the family CEO, and never ever, mention us divorcing again."

"And if she doesn't win?" Said Peter, almost instantly. He was losing his patience already. 

"Then, I'll leave her and never bother this family ever again." 

There was a loud gasp from Ivy, a slender hand covered on her opened mouth. This reaction followed a raucous laughter from Blanche, and Peter followed in the footsteps of his mother. 

Her mouth twitched with a smile, and let out a triumphant yelp. "Oh... So you, you want to tell me that... Seriously?" Another series of thundering laughter followed. 

"You think that she would win? That you can win this bet? Ha!" A faint tremor of amusement was on his lips. 

Lucas watched in silence all through their drama. He was certain that his wife would win. All of their mocking would only be temporary, he was sure of that. His heart better hoped for the positive side than the negative. 

"Oh God," Blanche wheezed in, trying to catch her breath. "Alright alright, I mean, your husband can be a comedian sometimes. Ha!" 

"I know right!" Agreed Peter, he too laughed out loud. 

"Alright. To be serious now," she said, managing to keep her face straight. "Well, I accept. I mean, it's a pretty stupid dare anyway. But, we accept. We accept."

They both rose up to their feet, and began to take their leave. 

Blanche stopped, after seeing both her daughter and Lucas get up as well, "oh no, you sit down." She said to her son in law, then gestured a wave for Ivy to come forward. 

Ivy managed to make her feet move as she trudged over to meet her mother. Blanche took her by the arms and dragged her forward till they reached outside on their porch. 

"Are you sure your husband is all fine? Because I for one don't think he is." Peter was the first to speak, but clearly, Blanche didn't appreciate his action as she spanked him on his shoulder. "Ouch!" Mumbled Peter, rubbing his shoulders to cool the pain. 

Ignoring her son, she leaned in forward till her mouth was near Ivy's ears. She was quite taller than her mother, slightly a handful, but taller, so Blanche had been slightly tip-toeing. "Clearly, that was your husband's wish. Once the results are out, I hope that you'll understand what to do by aborting that baby inside of yours, and finally meeting at an agreement to Andreas' wedding request." 

Then, Blanche and Peter disappeared right before her eyes and it wasn't until a roaring sound of a car's engine that Ivy took it as her cue to step back inside. 

Her husband was already standing up, trying to observe her mood. "What did she say?" He asked the instant he saw her come in. 

With a darkened expression, Ivy marched forward and slapped his shoulders hard—at least she hoped it would be painful enough. "How can you do that? A dare? Seriously!" 

Lucas, who had already been expecting that much from her, began to say. "I'm sorry, okay. Really." He quickly placed her hands in his, then fought for attention because his wife would not bring her gaze to meet him whilst all the chattering and complaining. "Hey hey, my love, I'm sorry. I really am," finally, her eyes met his. 

"Listen to me, I really am sorry that tonight happened like this. But I promise you that it wasn't a blind dare. I truly have some connections at work." He couldn't understand the expression on her face, so he added to emphasize his confidence. "Really." 

Her expression softened a bit, but she was still furious and worried. "Yes? How?" 

"Oh, uh... I know the CEO. He's really nice. And it's my area of specialty. I can handle this. I promise." He assured her, then decided to brighten the expression on her face with a little tease. "Ok, on unrelated matters, you really should join the avengers because with that strength of yours--" 

A faint, transient wistful smile lightened her brooding face. "Oh shut up." 

✩★✩

Unknowingly to Ivy, Lucas had secretly instructed his staff to take her bid only. He had that much power to make that decision. 

A week later and it was already time for the grand announcement to be made. The day to announce the winner of the bidding. 

He closed an hour earlier than normal time, hoping to head home on time.

Blanche and Peter had both. been present again that evening, waiting for the result of the bidding. Also because Lucas had invited them over. Milo was absent. 

The deciding day was already here, so the Mochi had been in Lucas's home, waiting for the news release. 

Blanche had been on a long red dress that exposed the right amount of cleavage to taunt any man—and women! The sexy long sleeve was styled in a V Neck design. Although her sole purpose hadn't been to seduce anyone, she only wore on the red attire for her confidence and pride to be unleashed, as she had promised Peter they would stream a live video, mocking her enemies—Lucas. 

True, she wanted Blanche to win, just not through Lucas's connection. Andreas was the key to their answers. 

"Well, time to say goodbye to your husband. I'll meet with Mr Thomas, our family lawyer, to ready your divorce papers." Peter said, trying to sound jovial, but not also hiding the seriousness in his tone. He couldn't even believe his eyes that Lucas would do something as foolish as making such a dare, and now, he would be losing his wife. A tiny part of him felt bad for his sister. He was on a brown fancy shirt and dark pants, striding in a pair of Oxford shoes. Yea, they'd been meaning to mock Lucas, and they, it meant he and his mother. 

He quickly went up to change from his suits to a more comfortable shirt and pants. He washed his face, praised himself in advance for his success, then went to the living room to face the hell of beings. His wife had quickly stopped him at the door entrance, serving him some freshly baked chocolate cake along with his favorite; a famous brand of chilled non alcoholic wine. It was chilled and the cake was still warm, as well as enticing. 

Though his wife wasn't much of a great cook, she baked delicious delicacies. He was the cook of the house, whilst she prepared the best desserts. "Eat this before you come outside. 

He muttered a quick; "thank you," before gobbling down the dessert. A while later, he was done, so he straightened his posture and walked to the living room. 

"Oh look at him, finally." Blanche said, eyeing him with disdain. They were seated the same way as they did the last time they visited, Peter and his mother together, so he went over to stay beside his wife. There was a small center stool in the middle, and on it was the rest of the baked cake, along with wine beside it and two glasses of cup. Ivy hadn't been interested, and she knew her husband wouldn't be either. He wasn't much of an alcohol lover. 

"We thought you'd never come out, Princess Barbie." Teased Peter. "I see you're done with your makeover games," 

"I just hope that after all this mess is cleared, you will truly stick to your own side of the bargain. Else, I'm suing you to court." Blanche said. 

"Okay mother, no need for --" 

"No, dear daughter, listen to me. This man here, he's a weak ass husband. Do you think he loves you?" She replied with a scoff. "He only wants to take all your money and run." 

"You're not even making any sense." With a blank expression on Ivy's face, she replied. 

"Yea mother, the news will be up soon. Let's listen." Peter muttered, and his mother flared up in anger. But she did kept her mouth shut. 

The floor around them had been littered in cake strands and—although Blanche had claimed it was an accident—spilled red wine on the thick cream colored rug. They were treating his house like a bin, calling him all sorts of names in his own home. But Lucas had to remain calm. 

Soon, it will be their turn. 

The news was on, and a young man began to make the announcement.