The Royal Contract

"So, Laura tells me that you ask for a meeting. I wonder what you said to her to make her agree to this. My people were not even allowed to have ten minutes alone with me." Ethan said with a smirk on his lips.

He walked towards his desk and sat at the center, looking as intimidating as ever. He might be in house arrest by his wife, but he was still the king in this house.

After their talk the other day, he thought it would take a while before Alex would show himself in his presence. Alex did get on his nerves when he kept insisting that he should undergo the operation.

"Well, Laura was a more sensible person to talk to, compared to you, so it was easy to explain to her the reason why I am here," Alex calmly said to the man that he needed to cooperate with his plan.

He knew that he approached the situation the wrong way on their last talk. In his excuse, he was surprised by the news.. But this was his chance to remedy the situation and possibly get his support.

"Is that so, then you should be talking to her, not me." He raised his brows at him and lifted his feet on the desk, indicating that he was getting bored by their conversation.

He only confided with him about his condition so that he could help him with his daughter. He was sure his wife was about to divulge their little secret to Dani to seek her help in ganging up against him. 

It did not give him the right to meddle with his affair and his decision. Who was he to tell him what was good for him and not? He was the only one who could determine that for himself.

"Come on. I am sorry if I overstep my boundaries. I am here to make amends." Alex remained standing as he observed the man before he proceeded to inform him of his plans.

"Tell me, what bad wind brought you here today," Ethan said, still a bit annoyed with him for siding with his wife and not taking his side.

He expected Alex would understand his situation, but he suddenly felt betrayed when he listened to his wife's opinion. As if his reasons had no merits at all.

How could he take the operation when there was an enormous risk that he could die, while many alternative medications could still cure him, which was far less invasive. 

"Well, for one thing, your daughter. She is very concerned about you. She is blaming herself for whatever happened between the two of you. She is afraid to lose you if you don't get the operation." Alex pointed out.

Alex walked towards one of the chairs and sat down without waiting for an invitation. He knew it was not coming anyway, judging from Ethan's reaction.

But he knew that he was doing all of this because of Dani. He was not leaving this room without an assurance that Ethan would reconsider taking his much-needed medical care.

"All of you don't understand that you are giving me more stress by forcing me with that ridiculous procedure." Ethan felt more exasperated hearing about Dani's condition.

It was the last thing he wanted for his daughter. As much as possible, all he had in mind was to protect her from all of this. Now, hearing that she was blaming herself made it even harder for him to decide on what to do.

But he could not let his company go to waste all because of his failing heart condition. There must be another way, other than going on an operation. 

Because at this point, he could not die without someone he could trust to take over his company. And if ever he did survive open-heart surgery, there was no guarantee what would happen to his company. 

It also took a long time to recover from this kind of surgery if ever he did survive. He was afraid that his investors would pull out and create a panic. His companies would eventually run to the ground.

"Then, let me help you," Alex said as he uncrossed his legs and looked at Ethan directly in his eyes. "Listen to what I have to say."

He needed his attention. He needed him to listen to his idea with an open mind. Or else, he might quickly shut him down. But if he could only convince him, then he believed that things would work out just fine for everyone. Well, at least for Dani and her family.

Ethan gave him a questioning look as if he was doubtful that he had something that he would need from him. What could he possibly offer that the others were not able to provide him?

"Ok. Give me your pitch, and let me see if you have a brain in that head of yours." Ethan was throwing insults at him because he dared to presume that he had something that he needed.

But in truth, he had always admired him. He was just a sore loser, throwing tantrums like a child because he was not getting his way. Laura was calling the shots, and he could not stop her.

He loved his wife too much to make her unhappy. The situation was tearing him between letting her wife win or thinking about the future of his legacy that he wanted to leave to Dani.

"I am talking about your question at the hospital." Alex reminded him, but Ethan only frowned his brows as if he could not recall what he said that day.

But Alex was not falling for his trick. He knew that Ethan's mind was still as sharp as a fox. He would not get fooled that easily, but he was going to indulge his whim and let him play dumb.

"If you don't remember, then let me refresh your memory. You asked me if I would want to take over your company." His eyes never wavered away from his, not wanting to lose in the little staring contest they had going.

He knew to convince him that his plans would be perfect for both their current dilemma, first he had to appear confident and collected. He could never show him that he had any weakness.

"Oh. That one." Ethan still pretended that he was surprised to hear about that again. "So, what about it?"

Of course, he did remember all of it, but he wondered what Alex had in mind. He could see that he was heavily contemplating what he was about to say next. But he was already preparing for it.

"As of now, we are about to go to war as both our enemies just formed their alliance." He took out the envelope that was in his bag and handed it to Ethan.

That was unexpected. It was not what Ethan wanted to hear from him, but it did catch his attention. Ethan did not need to look at what was inside the envelope but could already sense the warning in Alex's tone. 

His business was more in danger with his current health condition. He needed a solution fast. He suddenly felt alarmed that vultures and hyenas were already circling his body when it was not even cold yet.