Alexander and Seraphina returned to the living room and stood side by side in silence.
"So, have you two decide the date for your divorce?" Caroline said.
"No, mother, we didn't."
"What do you mean you haven't? Do you think Mr. Bishop has all the time in the world?" she spat at them.
"It's okay, Caroline. I understand this must be hard for them. They can take their time," Ethan said.
"My apologies, It appears my wife didn't make herself clear enough for you. What she means is we are not getting a divorce," Alexander interjected.
"But that can't be possible. How can Seraphina and I get married if you two don't get a divorce?" Ethan said.
Alexander walked up to Ethan, who was seated on the sofa. He squatted to meet his gaze. Ethan Bishop began to feel an immense tension, as if someone had turned the thermostat to max output.
"You are never marrying Seraphina, for she is my wife. Is that clear?" Alexander ordered.
Ethan Bishop was frozen with words. 'How could a pauper command this much presence?' He sprang to his feet and walked away from Alexander, breaking the stance.
"Alexander, what do you think you are doing?" Caroline roared at him.
"How can you be so selfish? My daughter has a chance of living the life she deserves, as well as getting the Maverick contract so she is not kicked out of the Lockwood family, and here you are ruining it for your selfish interests!"
"With all due respect, Caroline, you speak of selfish interests, yet here you are selling your daughter to the first high bidder that came knocking," Alexander replied.
Caroline tried to counter, but she couldn't, deep down she knew he was right.
Suddenly, Ethan Bishop erupted in an outburst of laughter.
"I always wondered who and how a pauper was able to place a ring on the most gorgeous woman in all of Pantheon. And now, seeing you in person, I must admit I didn't expect such resilience from a wretched son-in-law. You really are full of crazy surprises, Alexander," Ethan Bishop said.
"Not as crazy as showing up at a married woman's house, ordering her to marry you," Alexander clapped back.
Ethan was infuriated. 'How could he have such a loose, quick-witted tongue when he couldn't command a single dollar to his name?'
"Look here, you wretched peasant, do you have any idea who you are talking to?"
"I do," Alexander walked up to his face. Standing at 6'4, Alexander towered over him by at least eight inches. "Now tell me, do you?"
There it was again, the high-shoulder attitude that gave him the aura of a king. This condescending tone and aura made Ethan even more vexed.
He swung his fist at Alexander's jaw, but Alexander was quick enough to dodge, and in a split second, he returned the swing. Alexander's punch was too fast for Ethan to weave or anticipate.
The punch landed square on Ethan's nose, sending him staggering backward to his knees, with a bloody nose.
"Alexander!!" Seraphina and Caroline yelled.
Alexander walked toward him, towering over. "Next time you take a swing at me, don't miss, because I won't."
"You bastard, how dare you! I will make you pay for this."
Caroline rushed over to him to do damage control, "Mr. Bishop, I'm so sorry. I'm sure Alexander…"
"Shut the hell up! You and your daughter can kiss the Maverick contract goodbye."
"And who told you I need your help to get it?" Seraphina voiced out.
With a bloody nose and a bruised face, Ethan Bishop burst into extremely audible and uncontrollable laughter.
"Do you really think the likes of you can possibly secure an audience with the Maverick Corporation? Face it! I was your best bet, and you blew it."
"Mr. Bishop, please don't do this to us. I'm sure my daughter will soon come to her senses. Just give her more time. I promise you, she will be your wife."
"Mother!!" Seraphina yelled in disgust. How could her own mother speak of her so cheaply? Alexander was right; the only thing her mother cared about was trading her off to the first available high bidder.
"I will not marry you, Ethan Bishop, not now, not ever," she voiced out.
"Pathetic. You all are pathetic. But soon enough, you will come to your senses, and when that time comes, it will be too late. I will make you go on your knees and beg me to marry you," Ethan Bishop proclaimed in blood, and tears before storming out of their house.
Caroline chased after him to shamelessly plead.
As soon as he left, Seraphina sank into a sofa, as a question pounded heavily against her chest, "What have I done?"
Alexander sensed her worry and went over to her, "It's going to be okay."
"It better be, because I really don't want to crawl on my knees," she joked.
"I will lay my life down rather than let you kneel before any man," he replied.
Seraphina lit up. She found his words extremely theatrical, which made her smile and chuckle. But for Alexander, he had never said anything more true.