"An apartment in Mirth City, a commercial building, and a brand new car?" Lina Herber burst out in excitement. She ran to the window and peeked outside. As the lawyer has mentioned, a brand-new red car is parked in front of the fountain.
"Ahh, it's a red Ferrero!!!" The older lady was almost jumping.
Aleckin snorted at how simple-minded she was. Until now, Lina Herbert didn't realize that Ferrero Motors belonged to his family, and a few million euros was just a cent to the entire Ferrero Empire. All he needs to do is sell one or three limited gold and diamond fountain pen editions, which will cover the sum of the alimony he offered for this divorce.
But Aleckin has no interest in compensating his soon ex-wife more than he offers already. In fact, he wants to jail them, which is his genuine desire.
He was still puzzled about how these women deceived the ruthless Aleksandr Ferrero into marrying his only grandson to a mentally impaired girl.
That's right. The marriage is not only a mistake but an extreme scam in the history of the Ferrero lineage.
"Ahem." Aleckin coughs to get the older woman's attention. He said, "If this agreement is signed today, all the properties I mentioned will be automatically transferred to Miss Herbert's name."
Aleckin opened his briefcase again and pulled out a stack of folders, which he laid on the center table.
When she returned to her seat and gazed at the folders, Lina Herbert asked, "Can we also encash the money from the bank?"
"Yes, Madam. Your daughter can do whatever she wishes with the money." Aleckin genuinely wishes his nominal wife would start a business besides the properties he gives her.
To be honest, he is only attracted to hard-working women. A few of them dominated in his circles, managing their own empire.
Those women who are matched to stand by his side. In his world, connection and power are what matter most. Hence, a full-time homemaker would never be suitable as his wife. Not to mention mentally impaired.
"You're telling us, sir, that these folders are the ownership certificates to the apartment you mentioned and the lease building downtown?"
"Hmm..." Aleckin nodded in confirmation. He smiled and added, "Once your daughter signs the Divorce Agreement, all these properties will be hers today."
Lina Herbert's eyes sparkled with excitement. She turned to her daughter and urged her on.
"Sign it up before Mr. Ferrero changes his mind," she whispered to her daughter, but it was still loud enough for Aleckin to hear.
"Mom…" The woman is hesitant to proceed with it.
Lina glared at her daughter for a fleeting moment, then picked up the pen and handed it to her.
She grinned and said, "My daughter Yelena Herbert, you don't need to complain when Mr. Ferrero is so generous to you! Here's the pen. You must sign it now."
Before these fortunes slipped away from her hands, she had better grab this opportunity to have them.
However, Yelena was hesitant to sign her name, which annoyed Lina. She couldn't display her signature in front of the lawyer, however.
"Yelena, since Mr. Ferrero doesn't want this marriage anymore, you have no choice but to agree to the divorce. After all, Mr. Ferrero is very generous to you."
Lina cast a quick look at the lawyer and then, with a meaningful look, shot her daughter when she still hadn't moved her hand.
Seeing what Lina was trying to do, Aleckin was grateful for the old lady. It was a good thing that she knew her place. With her encouragement, he could achieve his divorce more quickly.
After a moment of hesitation, both Aleckin and Lina sighed with relief. Finally, Yelena signed her name next to Aleckin.
Lina then snatched the Divorce Agreement and handed it to the lawyer with a grin. Then she picked up the folders and brought them close to her chest. She seemed afraid that the lawyer would back out with his words, so she took the ownership certificate before that happened.
Aleckin grinned with satisfaction. The mother and daughter hadn't realized the treasure they had let go until now.
"Well, then... I will take my leave, Madam," he said with a smile. Aleckin no longer hides his delight.
"Yes, yes… you may take your leave, Attorney Larsen. Thank you for dropping by." Lina smiled and ushered Aleckin out. The two had the same sentiment. The former wants the latter to leave, while nothing the latter wishes is to leave this place in a heartbeat.
"Hmm." Aleckin turned around and did not attempt to shake hands with either of them.
"Wait!" Yelena's trembling voice rang from behind. Aleckin and Lina abruptly turned around and looked at her nervously. They prayed she would not make a fuss or something.
"What do you want, Yelena?" Lina snapped, suppressing her irritation to transpire. She shot her daughter a warning stare to behave.
Yelena ignored her mother, but her gaze fixed on Aleckin.
"I'm… I'm just wondering if I—I can keep the pen." Holding the pen with her shaking hands, Yelena clasps it tight; she seems afraid she will lose it. Her eyes locked with Aleckin. They were pleading, and Aleckin noticed their desperation.
"Sure, it's not a problem," he agreed briefly. The pen is not very valuable to him—it only costs a few hundred thousand euros. Giving it out is more likely compensation for his effortless negotiations today.
"Thank you." Yelena beamed with joy, her eyes glistening with tears. She resembled a child who had just received a bag of sweets as a reward.
Aleckin was momentarily startled when he saw those tears stain her actually smooth skin. He averted his gaze and said, "Don't mention it."
He suppressed the strange feelings surging in his chest. He turned around and resumed his pace, hurrying towards the door.
A chilly wind blows inside when his bodyguard, who he brought over, opens the front door.
Yelena's body shivered, embracing herself to keep warm. The door gradually shut, blurring out Aleckin's silhouette.
"Aleckin…" she whispered.
Yes, that was Aleckin Ferrero. But Lina Herbert did not recognize him. Even so, she remained mum and watched how this show unfolded before her.
"What should I do now?" She shut her eyes tightly as she debated within herself. "This is my only chance!"
Making up her mind, Yelena ran to the door.
"Aleckin, wait for me! Hmmm."
Before she could grab the frozen doorknob, someone covered her mouth and dragged her to the staircase.
"Where do you think you're going, Rebecca?"
Rebecca, Aleckin Ferrero's stand-in wife, trembled upon recognizing this voice. She kicked her foot, barely reaching the ground, as she struggled to get free.
But her strength was no match for the man. Not to mention their height difference.
"Hmmm!" She desperately grabbed the hand covering her mouth, but the man was not only a mountain size, but his body was as hard as a rock.
Tears streamed down her face. Her eyes were desperate, hoping Aleckin would return. She actually has this wishful thinking that he would take the pen back.
Lina seemed unaware that the pen cost a fortune. But Rebecca is familiar with it and hopes Aleckin will change his mind.
However, Aleckin never returned. Car engines ignited, and the clangor of the convoy leaving the manor sounded outside.
"Stop resisting, my dear niece. After all, Mr. Ferrero isn't originally your husband, nor are you his real wife."
Listening to the blab above her ears, Rebecca felt the sky fall on her, and her surroundings darkened.
"It's all over."
She was just one step from her absolute freedom, but it slipped away from her palm like snow landed in a blazing fire.
"No! Please, come back!" Rebecca desperately screamed inside her head. "Please, take me away from here! I don't want to be here anymore! Please help me! Please save me! Aleckin!"