Chapter 4 Contract Marriage

"No! I can't leave now! Do you see what you've done to my mother?" Regina struggled to free herself from the strong grasp of this handsome, muscular man.

Henry shouted in anger, "You still consider that woman as your mother after what she did to you? Miss Regina, I truly don't understand you, accepting such inhumane treatment without a fuss."

"Exactly, Mom, neither of them deserve to be considered family," Kevin chimed in, criticizing the Tan family. His innocent eyes showed concern as he looked at Regina.

"You both know nothing! Let go, I have to make sure my mommy is alright!" Regina rebelled, trying to break free.

Instead, Henry tightened his grip on Regina's hand. He glanced at the boy who resembled him. "Kevin, go inside first!"

Kevin didn't say much and went inside. Henry pushed Regina into the car and locked the door. He firmly held onto the woman's shoulder as she glared at him with hatred. "Miss Regina, why are you so stubborn? I didn't grab that old lady's hand forcefully, and besides, I've provided ample compensation for it."

"In that case, just take back what you've given!"

"Take it back? Do you think Mr. Tan will accept that?" Henry sneered, leaving Regina speechless. "You're the one who knows that old man better. However, if you're still stubborn enough to stay in your immoral family, I won't force you, I'll give you 10 seconds."

Regina contemplated. She could imagine the expressions her family would make and the other punishments she would endure. Regina's grip tightened.

"Time's up. Since you're silent, I'll take it as your agreement." Henry smiled smugly. "Quick, get in!"

"Mommy, you won't regret living with me and Daddy. You'll surely be happier," Kevin said enthusiastically.

"What happiness is there in living with two oppressors?" Regina muttered softly, almost like a murmur to herself.

"What did you say?"

"What did Mommy say?"

Father and son asked in unison.

"Nothing. I don't feel like talking to both of you!" Regina said.

Instead, Henry pinched Regina's cheek. "You can sulk and make this cute expression too? I thought you could only show the face of a Tigress ready to pounce on everyone."

"Let go of your hand, it's not funny!" Regina said, pushing Henry's hand away.

"Mommy, should I pinch Dad's cheek for you?" Kevin suddenly suggested.

Regina turned to the boy. "Alright, pinch his cheek hard!"

Regina moved the petite body closer to Henry's.

"Oh, you want to pinch my cheek? Look, it's faster whether it's me or you who does it!" Henry saw this as a challenge.

"Okay!" The small hand deftly pinched Henry, just as Henry did to her.

"Daddy can't yield to a little kid?" Kevin said in a reproachful tone.

"This is a contest, there's no such thing as giving in. Everything must be equal."

Regina just watched as the grown man and a little child both refused to back down even though both of their cheeks were already red.

Regina suddenly laughed at their red faces. The uncontrollable laughter made Kevin and Henry turn.

"Miss Regina, did you just laugh?" Henry asked, as if inquiring about a rare phenomenon.

Regina quickly stopped laughing. "No. You must have seen it wrong. It's better if you both stop arguing and behave calmly." Regina looked away, returning to her usual mask of a flat expression.

***

They arrived home. Kevin got out and went inside the house casually.

The servants greeted them.

"Uncle, you haven't changed much, have you? No, you no longer have wrinkles," Kevin said to the head servant.

The head servant looked at him puzzled. Not only he was confused, but Henry was also.

"Daddy, I'll go to my room first, okay?" Kevin left immediately and headed towards the stairs.

"Hey, wait! Let the servants escort you to your room."

"No need. I'm not a 3-year-old who can't recognize my own room." Kevin quickly climbed the stairs.

"Follow him, in case he goes into the wrong room," Henry said.

One of the female servants quickly stepped out of line and chased after the boy.

"Head Servant, are you familiar with that child and brought him home?" Henry asked the head servant suspiciously.

"No, sir. I would never dare to bring someone in. Who is that child? He looks like Young Master."

"I'll inform you later, for now, treat him well!"

"Very well, sir. But why is Miss Tan also here at this late hour?" the head servant asked, puzzled.

"She'll be staying here for a while." Henry took Regina's hand. "Come, accompany me to my study."

The servants looked at the two of them in surprise as two enemies were together.

***

In Henry's study, his assistant was already there. "Have you prepared the contract I asked for?" Henry asked.

His assistant handed him the document. "I've also sent samples to the lab, and the DNA test results can be accessed online in at least 1 week."

"Ask them to expedite it!"

"Yes, sir."

"Regina, sit down. We'll start drafting the marriage contract. Review it and tell me what concerns you have about this contract." Henry handed it to Regina.

"CEO Jian, isn't the child still not confirmed to be mine? We don't have to get married!" Regina said.

"No need to get married you say? I've given you land in city B, but you're refusing it? Do you want to remain under the control of those wicked parents?" Henry looked displeased.

"What if I open it with other land or set up an apartment in--"

"Are you sure you can do that? Isn't all of that still under Mr. Tan's control?"

"Whatever it is, I'll pay for it as long as we don't get married. Moreover, we don't suit each other, and there's only hatred and rivalry between us. Continuing will only lead to destruction." Regina firmly refused.

"Miss Regina, you'd better read the contract first. Besides, we both will experience a marriage for the sake of business. Instead of getting a stranger, why don't we work together? Just 2 years as a couple, then we'll divorce!" Henry made an offer.

Regina hadn't had a chance to answer when a loud noise was heard.

Crack

The door suddenly opened roughly. "Divorce? No! There must be no separation!"