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4

Maisie's POV

The day after Alexander and I's wedding reception, Alexander took me to live with him.

"This is my son, Neo, and this is my daughter-in-law, Erina." Alexander introduced me to two people I actually knew very well.

I smiled sweetly, greeting them. "Do you guys live here too?" I asked innocently as if we had just met.

"Yes. This house is too big if they go out of the house." Alexander replied.

My smile grew wider. "Wow, that's great. This house is starting to get cramped."

"Come in, there's something important we need to talk about!" Alexander walked first, passing Neo and Erina.

I followed behind him. But my steps stopped when Neo grabbed my wrist.

"Don't you dare mess around, Maisie!" Neo whispered warningly.

I just grinned thinly. "What do you mean mess around? I just came, haven't done anything, and I'm already accused of all sorts of things," I replied, pretending to be innocent.

"You poor girl!" Erina cursed in annoyance. “You don’t deserve to live in luxury here, you know!”

“You two should learn some manners because from now on I’m the mistress of this house.” I smiled arrogantly. “Enough, okay? My husband is calling me,” I said when I heard Alexander’s voice calling me.

I jerked my hand away from Neo’s grip and rushed over to Alexander. Leaving Neo and Erina who still looked very upset.

As soon as they arrived at Alexander’s office, a man around Alexander’s age was already waiting.

“This is Roni.” Alexander introduced him briefly. “He’s my personal lawyer.”

I nodded, sitting next to Alexander.

“Wow, getting a woman who fits your criteria is like a jackpot, Alexander.”

Alexander only smiled faintly, not responding to Roni’s joke. “Get to the point, Roni!”

“Okay.” Roni took out some documents and a laptop.

“So, Maisie, according to our agreement, you asked for 3% of the shares in my company in your name, correct?”

I nodded firmly. I did ask for that as payment for agreeing to Alexander’s terms. The number 3% did seem small. But for Alexander's medium-sized company that can generate profits of up to tens of billions per year, I can earn hundreds of millions every year as passive income.

"As I promised, your shares in my company will be safe even if I die or the company goes bankrupt. You will still get your share of the company's assets. Our agreement will also be included in my will, so no one can interfere with it. Isn't that what you want?"

I winced inwardly, feeling like a money-hungry woman. The thought gnawed at me, but I quickly dismissed it. I was determined to start my new life now—one where I could finally take control of my future.

"Yes. I want my passive income source to be safe forever," I said confidently, my voice steady despite the turmoil within.

Roni chuckled, shaking his head as he typed Alexander's words into the will of his client and friend. "She's blackmailing you, Alexander," he joked, a playful smirk on his face, but the tension in the air was palpable.

Alexander's expression hardened, his gaze icy. "But I will make sure she is pregnant with my child," he replied coldly, each word laced with a bitterness that hung heavily between us.

I felt a chill run through me at his declaration. What kind of power play was this? The stakes were higher than I had anticipated, and I could sense the weight of his intentions. Did he truly believe that a child would bind me to him? Or was this just a twisted game in which I had unwittingly become a pawn?

Roni glanced between us, his humor fading. "That’s a strong move, my friend. Are you sure you want to go down that path?" His voice was cautious, probing.

Alexander leaned back, arms crossed, as if dismissing Roni's concern. "It’s not about want, Roni. It’s about necessity. She thinks she can play me, but I’ll turn the tables."

I felt my heart race. I had stepped into a world of manipulation and control, and I was losing my grip on the narrative. "You don't know me," I interjected, my voice rising. "I’m not someone to be toyed with."

Alexander's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something—fear, perhaps? Or was it recognition?

"I know enough," he replied, his tone chilling. "And I will make sure that you and this child become part of my legacy."

Roni shifted uncomfortably, the laughter evaporating. "Guys, let’s not forget why we’re here. We need to focus on the will and the business at hand."

But the air crackled with unresolved tension, and I knew this conversation was far from over. I had entered a dangerous game, and now I had to decide how to play my cards.

As I looked at Alexander, I realized that my determination might not be enough to shield me from the storm that was brewing.

**

"Ouch, can you be careful?!" Erina exclaimed in annoyance when I accidentally bumped into her while carrying a plate of food. "My clothes got dirty, so annoying," she grumbled as she cleaned the food stains on her clothes.

I raised an eyebrow. "Can't you see I'm here? Why are you guys walking so close? The kitchen is big like this."

Erina frowned, a little surprised by my response. She thought I would apologize and avoid conflict, but instead I retorted Erina's words.

"You're the one who has no eyes! You knew I was walking, but you bumped into me!" Erina was furious, her voice shrill.

"Haven't you ever been taught manners or something? Is that how you talk to your mother-in-law?" I stared at Erina sarcastically, almost condescendingly.

Erina gaped in disbelief. "Mother-in-law, you say?!"

I grinned widely, walking past Erina. I stopped right next to Erina who was now growling in annoyance.

"Don't forget that I'm now your father-in-law's wife," I whispered right into Erina's ear. "So in this house, the queen is me, not you. Get that into your head."

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