His Contractual Mistress

"Damn that guy. He's only making it hard for the princess!" Pitt blurted out. He leaned his back on the sofa and pulled out his phone, and he made several chats with random people from the Asian Mafia Association. 

"Eva died inside the prison. Citizens in Metro City knew she was Vincent's wife. A possibility that there are people will point out the issue toward the Shen and Lopez family since it was already announced about Hailee and Vincent's upcoming wedding." Carl concluded after he contemplated the situation. He felt pity for Vincent; he is still not enjoying a peaceful life.

"The media will dig Master Vincent and Miss Eva Lan's marriage." Bruce, who commented. 

"But we can point out that everything is just an agreement. After Vincent and Eva's wedding, they never lived as husband and wife.." Carl quickly added to Bruce's opinion. He won't give these men the idea of accusing Vincent of anything. He is innocent; it only forced him into that marriage because of some circumstances. 

"We could connect all the things that happened in the past. Even though Eva got married to someone else, she was still in a relationship with Bryan." Tom chimed and clarified a few things. 

Pitt and James shared a glance while Alex was nodding his head. They actually agreed with Tom's statement. They should not overlook that Vincent did nothing after they got married. Instead, Eva receives a lot of benefits.

"After the marriage, Vincent and Eva continue living like they were not a married couple except that Eva receives so much favor from the Shen." Alex stares at Vincent. "Eva took $20,000 a month as allowance. Vincent also gives her a sports car and a spacious apartment in New York, plus a yacht as a wedding gift." 

Vincent gape at Alex with awe. This prince is running an investigation about him. But he should not be surprised. He understood that Alex just wanted some security for his beloved cousin. The same as Andre—Hailee, was also very close to Alex. 

Carl glanced at Vincent before he fixed his gaze on Alex. "That is true, your highness. Vincent was too generous to his nominal wife. But Eva only abuses this kindness. Except for Shen's help to the Lan family, they enjoyed all the privileges as the in-laws to all Shen and Lopez establishments. Besides, Eva also accepts holiday gifts."

"The Lan has a thick face. They do not only abuse these privileges." Bruce chuckled and shook his head. "They acted as the first family. And worse is, they actually have the guts to betray the Shen." 

"But now they are all rotten in prison." Carl echoed. 

"However, our major concern now is to clean up this mess that Liam Huo created." Pitt pointed out the problem, and he was only listening to analyze the issues.

James eyed Pitt with a meaningful stare. He senses Pitt is completely sided with Vincent now. Anyway, as long as the princess is happy with him, that matters most for them—her knights. 

"So, what should we do about this?" He opens the floor for discussion regarding Eva's death. They cannot just ignore it. But take care of it before the media accuses Vincent. 

Hailee was in a sensitive condition that caused her to be extra emotional at any moment. 

"Bruce and I will work on it. I already made a phone call to Uncle Fred. They will come back tomorrow to have a meeting with the PR team. We must prepare a statement in case the media bombard both Shen and the Lopez family. It will also have an impact on us all." said Carl. 

Vincent, who was only silent the whole time, extended his arm and patted Carl's shoulder. "Thanks, Carl. But I think you better fly to the US instead and personally visit Liam Huo. I actually wanted to go, but Hailee was in a delicate pregnancy, and I don't want to keep things a secret from her." 

Carl found this idea a brilliant move. But Vincent is right. Hailee has had mood swings lately. "You're right, cousin. I better go. Brent phoned me already, and he will sail toward South Prison. He already asked permission to visit Liam Huo. It would be best if I were there as well." 

"But that's a good plan," Alex said to Vincent. "You should go instead. In what I am seeing, Hailee is listening to you rather than us." 

Vincent thought about what Alex had said. All he needed was a heart-to-heart talk with Hailee. He knew she would be against this, but it isn't enough that we just put Liam in prison. If Liam has this freedom, even after he is convicted, he needs to be pressed firmly on the wall. 

"Alright. I will go." 

"I will come with you," James announced. "Don't think too much. I am doing this for the princess, and it is for the peace of her mind," he explained. 

Vince curled his lips. "I know."

"Then, much better! We have to prepare sooner…." Carl clapped his hands. He looks at Vincent to ask, "But how about the filming of your documentary?" 

"It can wait," Vincent retorted to Carl.

"Okay! Since you guys are going to the US, let me help Bruce take care of things around here." Pitt volunteered.

Of course, he would not just sit around but take care of everything to suppress Eva's death to become a backlash to the princess. 

She just became so happy after she got through. Things are going smoothly, but then, Liam's psychopathic behavior has triggered again. 

They have to find out who possibly reported this to Liam, who already suspected someone. He has to do something. 

"I am sure Keith will help, so there is nothing we must worry about," Pitt added; everyone nodded at his statement.

"Okay. I think I better go back to my room and talk to Hailee. Eventually, she will hear the news about Eva's death on social media, and before she learns from others, she better hear it from us."

"Vincent is right. Let us continue the discussion. We will let you know what further we come up with," said Carl.

Everyone agreed with Carl. Vincent leaves the five men, and he has to head back not to make Hailee worried. She may not ask further earlier, but her eyes were revealing how anxious she was.

Vincent pushed the door of his bedroom open; he found Hailee having a video call. As she was wearing an AirPods, she didn't notice he was back already. She was undoubtedly engrossed talking to whoever was on the other line.

He sat down on the bed opposite her. He took her legs and placed them on his lap, and began massaging them.

Hailee was not surprised anymore as she had already caught Vincent's scent of his body wash. She lifted her head and smiled at Vince. "You're back." 

"Yeah. But you go ahead and continue." 

"Ah...." Hailee glanced at the three women she talked to. 

"Alright. It's getting late. You preggies must take your beauty sleep." As older than Hailee, Cassandra, and Nikki. Riley suggested ending the video call. Daichi also came back from putting the kids to bed.

"Okay, sister Riley. Thank you so much for tonight!" said Hailee happily. 

"You're welcome, Hail. Good night, girls!" 

"Good night!" the three girls replied.

Vincent helped Hailee put away her laptop. He took it from her hand and got up from the bed; he placed the gadget on the coffee table, including their cellphones.

"How was it? Is everything okay?" asked Hailee, watching him lovingly as he was moving around the bedroom.

He didn't answer her queries until he came back to the bed and slipped under the quilt. Vincent wrapped Hailee inside his arms and kissed her passionately. 

After the kiss, Hailee panted and chased some air. She looked at Vince, eyeing him meaningfully as he didn't reply to her yet. 

Her gazes are telling Vince how eager she is to know what brought Bruce into the mansion. 

Bruce would not come unless she or Vince summoned him with something very important. Maybe he brings some news, but why did Bruce not report to her first?

Hailee was anxious to know. "So?" 

Vince stared at Hailee's delicate face. He was sure that she would not sleep well tonight without confirming something, so he had to feed her a little information. 

Initially, he plans to inform her about Eva's death, and it was Liam who ordered to kill her. But after he saw she was in a better mood tonight, he couldn't dare to ruin that, so he will just inform Hailee tomorrow. 

She was very happy after that call. He wants to keep this beautiful smile on her lips until tomorrow morning. 

"Hubby… does something dirt on my face?" she asked anxiously after Vince just remained staring at her face. 

Vincent shook his head. Instead, he places tiny kisses around her face. "I am just making sure I wasn't dreaming until now. Sometimes, I couldn't help but wonder if everything was real." 

Hailee lifted her chin and reached for Vince's lips; she placed her lips on top of his and kissed him tenderly, but Vincent deepened the kiss. 

After the kiss, Hailee murmured between her breaths... 

"It is real. I am here. You were not just dreaming, because I am thinking the same as well. But every time I touch my belly, I know I am not dreaming as well." 

"I love you, Mrs. Shen…." 

"I love you too, Mr. Shen..."