His Contractual Mistress

"How are you?" Hilda asked Hailee afterward.

A pained in her heart to see the bandages on Hailee's arms. It infuriates her every time she remembers how Eva pushes Hailee, and then she fell on those vases.

She's been noticing this in their first meeting and wondering what skincare she was using. Her skin was so smooth and fair. She's praying it wouldn't leave scars after her wounds healed. 

Hailee, gazing at Vince, turned her eyes to Hilda and replied with delight. "I am a lot better now, mom."

Every time she calls Hilda 'mom', it creates a warm feeling in her heart. 

"I'm glad. Are you having morning sickness or feel nauseated?" she asked further. 

Hailee answered, "Sometimes during the night, I throw up. And as long as my nostril didn't catch any fragrant or odors that would turn up my stomach, I didn't feel sick." 

"I see. Then everyone should mind what perfume they were using." Hilda suggested, and her lecture began. 

Sheena and Dee shared a glance. Although their mom checked them out as well when they got pregnant, she sounded fierce. But when it comes to Hailee, she is warmer and gentle. 

When their brother was forced to marry Eva, their mom was also nice to that snake. Or to say she is trying. 

Well, they understood that Vincent, who will be the one to continue the family Shen or to point out the Xing bloodline. Having the rumors that he is gay, questioning his sexual orientation, their mom freaks out. Then she dug a pit for their poor brother, ended him marrying the woman he didn't love.

It was an outdated system to arrange a marriage with your family friend or business partner's daughter or son. But their mom wanted to preserve a good reputation for the sake of the history of the Shen ancestors. 

She stressed to pair them to marry an outstanding family in High Society. But as they failed to meet their mom's expectations, Vincent carried the burden not to disappoint their mom. 

*

DAVIES GROUP HQ

Inside the conference room are Hailee's executives gathered together.

"Is it true that Vincent's dad is now having a meeting with uncle Jacob?" asked Geoffrey. His brows partly furrow from irritation.

'What's this? A father-to-father talk? Are they discussing marriage?'

Geoffrey couldn't help but beat himself up. Last night, his parents heard Hailee was back but was sent to the hospital for almost having a miscarriage. And then, they brought up the topic of him being slow. Over the phone, his parents scolded him. He may have said nothing, but it was apparent that he was head over heels to Hailee. 

He refused to take over the Wilson Industry because he wanted to focus on managing Hailee's company. Instead, he asked his parents for his inheritance as he will invest in the company. They let him do whatever he wants as long as it has a great result, and that is to court Hailee to become Mrs. Wilson. 

But that girl is too naïve to notice his feelings for her until he was used to being her only fourth favorite person in the world. Now, someone has taken her away!

Geoffrey is not the only person who felt gloomy inside that room. They all had a heavy heart as sadness filled their chests, thinking that the princess was getting married, which will be real this time. 

Meanwhile, Jacob and Fred are seated opposite each other, having coffee while discussing crucial matters. 

"Shun and Nicholas are convincing the Elders not to meddle with my daughter's life. But those hard-headed royals are persistent," Jacob muttered. 

He doesn't want to deal with the High Royal family, as he believes it was just a waste of time.

"Especially now that Hailee has to take easy on her pregnancy, those elders would only trouble and stress her out." He added. 

Fred put down his cup and retort, "That is why we came as soon as possible after we heard of what happened. I apologize on behalf of my son. Although he married Eva Lan, my family persuaded him to marry her, a woman he never loved or was familiar with. I just learned that three years ago, he searched for your daughter to marry instead to avoid his arranged marriage to another woman." 

"Yeah. I received reports about that, but I am hiding my daughter during that time around. I had my reasons. I am indebted to your family, so I don't mind if my daughter gets close to your son. However, that was a crucial time in her life. Fewer people are involved with her, the better. But who could have guessed? None of us… That one day, our children will cross paths again, and this time, it was my daughter who is searching for him." 

"You can't stop the soul searching for its twin mate." Fred quoted. 

Jacob gaped at Fred. He chuckled after he contemplated. "I didn't know you believed in that stuff."

Fred was slightly flush as Jacob sounded teasing him. He shook his head and replied, "Nah. I'm just quoted what my daughters and niece talked about the entire flight we have. Although my elders have these beliefs, as we are in a new era now, people less in believing about this mysterious force surrounding us." 

"Actually, my late wife also believes in this, so I cannot fully disagree but concurred. Nothing we can do if they are fated to love each other. Also, my daughter's happiness only matters to me. I don't care who she wants to marry as long as this man loves her true and will be faithful throughout their marriage." 

"You have nothing to worry about. My son is madly in love with your daughter. Since he met her again, Vincent firmly stood up for your daughter. He never disobeyed us, but for the first time, he was rebellious toward us. And so, even if she's not your daughter or from a prominent family. My son will fight his love for her and is ready to abandon us to be with her." 

There is proudness in Fred's voice. He said this was true, but he wanted to impress Jacob that his son was a great lover and is a perfect match for his daughter. 

On the other hand, Jacob keeps nodding his head. He could sense that Fred wanted to boast about his son. He need not do that; still, it made him happy to hear it. 

The information he gathers impressed him already. He admired all Vincent's achievements in these passing years. 

The two fathers continue to talk about their children. Both are praising the success of the company they put up on their own. 

Hailee has her sister branch of Davies Group, jewelry stores, and cosmetic company, while Vincent's company in building a yacht to billionaires is doing well, aside from his apartments, penthouses, rental buildings, and investment within the country or internationally. 

"I think our children would do well without our help," Jacob stated afterward. 

Fred concurred, "Yeah. I agreed, they can stand on their own. I believe they could do more being together."

"You are right, Fred. Dream City is in good hands." Finally, he could breathe with relief to see that his daughter found a mature and responsible man. He will be a beneficial influence on his daughter.

But as Hailee had said to him, Vincent was also spoiling her a lot. In what he notices, his daughter acts maturer than before, and with that gladdens him.

"Alright. Let's visit my daughter." Jacob announced; Fred nodded and followed him out of the office. 

*

EXTRA SCENE: 

The executives were keeping an eye on the Chairman's Office. They saw the door open. From what they were seeing, Jacob had a great talk with Frederick Shen, Vincent's dad. 

Now, they all felt at a loss. Soon, Vincent Shen will officially take the princess from them.