He Offered Him a Marriage Deal… After His Pregnant Daughter Was Abandoned
Chapter 8
The following weeks became a legal war.
Investigators uncovered shell companies.
Bribes.
Forged documents.
Offshore transfers.
Victor’s network reached deep into the company.
But the most damaging evidence came from Ryan.
He testified that Victor had planned to manipulate the board and seize the voting shares.
The case became national news.
Alexander remained silent publicly.
Noah hated the attention.
But Emily surprised everyone.
She gave one interview.
She told reporters:
“My baby isn’t a bargaining chip.”
The statement went viral.
Public opinion shifted.
The board backed Alexander.
Victor was removed.
Charges were filed.
And the company stabilized.
But the marriage deal remained.
Noah approached Alexander.
“You’ve won.”
Alexander smiled.
“Not yet.”
“The company is safe.”
“Mostly.”
“Then the marriage can end.”
Alexander looked at him.
“Yes.”
The legal agreement allowed termination after twelve months.
Only six months had passed.
Noah hesitated.
“Why do I feel like you’re disappointed?”
Alexander smiled faintly.
“Because I am.”
Noah stared.
“Not because I need the marriage.”
“Then?”
“Because I got used to having someone honest around.”
Noah looked down.
“You have Emily.”
“She’s my daughter-in-law.”
Noah raised an eyebrow.
“Not by marriage.”
“Technically.”
They both laughed.
Their relationship had changed.
Not romantically.
Something deeper.
Respect.
Friendship.
Family.
Then Alexander’s health deteriorated.
He collapsed during a board meeting.
Noah received the call.
He rushed to the hospital.
The doctor said:
“We can perform the procedure.”
“Then do it.”
“There are risks.”
Noah didn’t hesitate.
“Do it.”
Emily arrived with the baby.
She cried when she saw Alexander unconscious.
“He helped us.”
Noah nodded.
“He did.”
The surgery lasted six hours.
When Alexander finally woke, Noah was sitting beside him.
Alexander whispered:
“Why are you here?”
Noah smiled.
“Because you’re family.”
Alexander’s eyes filled.
The word affected him deeply.
He had spent years afraid of losing control.
He hadn’t realized how badly he wanted something he couldn’t buy.
Family.
The surgery was successful.
His condition improved.
The doctors still warned him to change his life.
Less stress.
More treatment.
A new medication plan.
Alexander listened.
For once, the CEO wasn’t negotiating.
He was accepting.
After leaving the hospital, he returned home.
Emily was there with the baby.
She placed the child in his arms.
“You’re part of his life now.”
Alexander looked at the baby.
“I’d like that.”
Noah watched them.
He realized something.
The marriage had begun as a contract.
But something real had grown around it.
Not romance.
Trust.
Then Alexander’s attorney arrived.
“There is a problem.”
Noah sighed.
“What now?”
The attorney placed a document on the table.
Victor had challenged the marriage itself.
If the court ruled that the marriage had been entered under coercion, the inheritance agreement could be invalidated.
Alexander looked at Noah.
“We’re not finished.”
Noah nodded.
“Apparently not.”
