Before the engagement dinner began, I was in the lounge tidying myself up when my fiancée’s assistant, Vincent, suddenly handed me a marriage agreement. Article One: Without Vincent’s written permission, the man may not have any physical contact with the woman. Article Two: The man and woman must live in separate rooms, and all daily communication must be relayed through Vincent. Article Three: The man must remain respectful toward Vincent on all occasions. ….. After reading more than a hundred clauses in the agreement, I forced down my anger and dialed my fiancée’s number. “Miss Young, could you explain Article Ninety-Eight to me?” “What does it mean that I, as your husband, must acknowledge that your relationship with Mr. Vincent takes priority?” 0 Today’s engagement dinner was actually an arranged marriage set up by the elders in our families. Before today, I had never even met the bride. All I knew was that her family was prominent, and that she was a wealthy heiress well known in New York society. But I never expected that the so-called family rules would be this absurd. “You’re nothing but insurance and decoration our family brought in, and Vincent is the one I truly trust, so follow the agreement exactly as it is written, understood?” Over the phone, my fiancée’s tone was full of contempt. I took a deep breath, and my voice left no room for argument. “Sorry, Miss Young, but I will not sign this marriage agreement.” The second I finished speaking, my fiancée’s furious roar came from the other end of the call. “Carter, how dare you talk to me like that?” “It is the greatest luck of your life that I would get engaged to you, and you still dare defy me?” I froze on the spot. Was this really the upbringing of a wealthy heiress? She was completely different from the gentle and refined image my grandfather had described. I was just about to continue arguing with her when the line on the other end had already gone dead. Seeing what happened, Vincent, who was standing beside me, looked at me with disdain and let out a cold laugh. “Mr. Carter, I suggest you obediently sign the agreement. I understand Miss Mandy’s thoughts better than anyone. You are an outsider, so know your place, and your life will be a little easier.” Seeing that I was young and dressed very low-key, he did not take me seriously at all, and his tone carried the superiority of a master. “Whoever wants to sign such a dignity-stripping agreement can sign it, but I definitely will not!” Although the Kosa family was low-key, we were definitely not soft targets anyone could push around. So what if she was a New York socialite? At worst, I would refuse to acknowledge this engagement today! With that, I set down my wine glass and turned to leave, only to be stopped by Vincent beside me. “The dinner is about to begin, so where exactly do you think you are going, Mr. Carter?” I clenched my fists without realizing it and stared hard at him. “My legs are on my own body, so I can go wherever I want, and what does that have to do with you?” Faced with my warning, Vincent not only failed to restrain himself, but became even more reckless as he stepped closer, lowered his voice, and spoke in a tone full of provocation. “Mr. Carter, I advise you to stay put. When it comes to Miss Mandy’s affairs, I have always had the final say. If you sign it, everyone saves face. If you do not… I am afraid you may not even have a place to stand in New York in the future.” He shoved me hard, his eyes filled with threat. Ever since I came of age and began taking part in family affairs, I had trained day and night with private instructors, and the pride carved into my bones did not allow me to compromise. Seeing him act so arrogant, the anger in my heart kept rising. “And what if I insist on leaving?” As soon as I said that, the servers and several early guests in the lounge immediately began murmuring. “Oh my God, is this guy crazy? Mr. Vincent is Miss Mandy’s most trusted person, so if he offends him, how can his life in the Young family be easy?” “He should just sign it. It is just a formality anyway. Who doesn’t know about Mr. Vincent and the young lady’s relationship? Why ask for trouble?” “Exactly. Just pretend not to know and take the benefits from the Young family. Can dignity put food on the table?” As the surrounding discussion grew louder and louder, Vincent’s expression became even smugger, as if he were the real master here. “Did you hear that? Smart people know what to do. A puppet like you, with nothing but an empty title, should be grateful that we are still leaving you some dignity, and yet you still dream of talking about pride?” Faced with everyone’s mockery, I did not care at all, and even found it a little funny. In New York, the Young family could indeed be called rich, with endless wealth to their name. But if they wanted to compare foundations with the Kosa family, that would only be a fight beyond their means. No matter how much money they had, before true power and the rules of the game, it was only a string of cold numbers. “Vincent, I will warn you one last time, move.” Perhaps he was frightened by the cold aura that suddenly burst from me, because Vincent paused for a moment, but then he showed an even more contemptuous smile. “Fine, fine, fine, kid, you… you actually dare talk to me like this. I… I will invite the young lady here right now, and we will see how long you can keep acting arrogant!” I spread my hands with an indifferent attitude. “Be my guest.” 0
Before long, the door of the lounge was pushed open. A tall young woman walked in, surrounded by a group of bodyguards, and Vincent immediately put on an attentive expression as he went up to greet her with movements that were natural and familiar. “Mandy, you’re here. This Mr. Carter has a ‘tiny’ issue with the agreement.” “You are Mandy Young, my fiancée?” I carefully looked over the woman in front of me, and I had to admit that she was indeed beautiful. She was nearly five-foot-seven, and her luxurious gown wrapped perfectly around her flawless figure. If I had to find one flaw, it could only be that her gaze toward me was too cold, while when she exchanged glances with Vincent, there was a faint intimacy that was hard to notice. “Miss Young, since this is our first meeting, please allow me to briefly introduce myself.” “My last name is Carter, and my first name is Ash, and I am from the Ko—” “No need!” Before I could finish speaking, Mandy impatiently raised a hand to cut me off while naturally accepting the wine glass Vincent handed her. “I have absolutely no interest in who you are. You only need to remember that once you are in the Young family, you will follow Vincent’s arrangements in everything.” I had wanted to state my background so that she would restrain herself a little, but I never expected this arrogant young lady to refuse to even let me finish speaking. From her eyes and her tacit interactions with Vincent, it was not hard to see that her heart already belonged to someone else, and I was nothing more than an inconvenient symbol in this arranged marriage. “Miss Young, although you and I have never met, and this engagement was our parents’ idea.” “But you will not even let me finish speaking, and isn’t that a little too disrespectful?” As soon as I said that, my fiancée’s expression changed at once, as if she had heard some kind of joke. “Respect?” “Carter, you need to understand your own position. Respect is for useful people, not for a… ‘decoration’ like you.” My fiancée gave me a contemptuous glance and let out a cold snort. “I can tell you clearly that if my father had not insisted on forcing me to get engaged to you, I would not even bother to glance at some random man like you who came out of nowhere!” At the end, she suddenly raised her voice, as if she were saying it for Vincent beside her to hear. “And after you sign the agreement, you may be my husband in name, but in reality, stay away from me. Vincent is enough to worry about my affairs.” I stared hard at her, then swept a glance at Vincent, whose lips held a smile, and my tone carried not a trace of emotion. “Since Miss Young is so unwilling to get engaged to me, why make yourself suffer?” As I spoke, my tone suddenly changed. “Why don’t… we cancel the engagement, which would be good for you, for me, and for your… ‘capable assistant.’” I had wanted to resolve this peacefully, but the self-righteous woman in front of me could not listen at all and instead thought I was mocking her. “You useless loser, stop playing games with me!” “Do you know how many men in New York are lining up to marry me?” Instead of getting angry, I laughed. “Miss Young, I do not care what other people think. I simply feel that since you two are in love, why should I step in and make myself a nuisance?” “As for Mr. Young, I will personally explain everything clearly to him, so you do not need to worry about that.” After several exchanges, the entire lounge immediately erupted into an uproar. “My God, is this guy stupid? He actually offered to call off the engagement? Isn’t he pushing away wealth and glory that were already in his hands?” “Exactly. Miss Young is the goddess in the hearts of so many men in New York, and this idiot has no idea how lucky he is.” “If it were me, I would probably wake up laughing from my dreams if I could get engaged to the Young family’s heiress.” The doubts around me kept coming, but I did not care at all. In families like ours, marriage was never only about matching status, and loyalty and dignity mattered even more. It was obvious that this wealthy heiress, whose relationship with her assistant was murky and ambiguous, was not only not my type, but was also trampling on the dignity of both families. Even now, I still remembered the way Mandy’s father, Michael Young, the CEO of Young Enterprises, had treated my grandfather with deep respect. During a meeting that lasted less than half an hour, sweat had been beading on Michael Young’s forehead the entire time, as if he were afraid of saying a single wrong word. I guessed he still did not know that the protection he had begged so hard for, as well as his family’s dignity, were being trampled underfoot by his daughter and this ill-intentioned assistant. “Carter! I will ask you one last time, are you truly going to break off the engagement with me?” I slowly raised my head and met her eyes, my gaze firmer than ever before. “Without question. I will accept neither this engagement nor this ridiculous agreement.” 0
The scene was terrifyingly quiet. Mandy probably never imagined in her dreams that I would give up so decisively, and her face flushed bright red, mostly from the anger of being unable to save face. Just when she did not know how to end the situation, Vincent beside her gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders and comforted her softly. “Sweetheart, do not be angry because of someone like him. It is perfect if he leaves, because we will never need this eyesore of a cover between us again.” My fiancée leaned into his arms and nodded, but there was still some worry in her eyes. “But Vincent… the invitations have already been sent out, and with so many guests watching, where will I put my face if we suddenly announce that the engagement is canceled? Where will the Young family put its face?” Vincent glanced at me with ill intent, then lowered his head and spoke to Mandy in a gentle but clear voice loud enough for the people around us to hear. “Babe, what is there to be afraid of? As long as you insist on choosing me, Mr. Young will understand in the end. We have been together for so long, and how much have I done for you and for the Young family? How could a fiancé with nothing but an empty title compare to someone as caring, attentive, and capable as me?” He extended a few fingers, not to show any money trail, but as a gesture of comfort and promise. “Besides, haven’t I been the one helping your father handle several of the Young family’s recent major deals? What I can give the Young family is far more than this kid ever could. In the future, we can be together openly, and the Young family will be better off too.” Mandy lifted her head and looked at Vincent, her eyes showing dependence and love. “You’re right… Vincent, you are still the one who understands me. Then you… are you really willing to stay with me forever and help my dad manage the family business?” Vincent looked at her affectionately and vowed with certainty. “Of course! Everything I have is yours. My heart and my body have belonged to you for a long time. Your family business is naturally our future too.” Seeing this scene in front of me, I finally understood completely. It turned out that this absurd agreement was a shackle this man and woman had created in order to completely exclude me and allow Vincent, this so-called “insider,” to permanently control the situation. He wanted not only the woman, but also to use this relationship to gradually control the Young family’s business. It was just a pity for the Young family’s heiress, who was so blinded by love that she had no idea where she was being led. “That is enough.” “Miss Young, although I have already broken off the engagement with you, isn’t this impatient display from you and your ‘capable assistant’ a little too ugly?” As I spoke, I raised a hand and pointed at Vincent, who was holding her tightly. “Right now, I only want to know one thing: which one of you came up with this agreement that treats me as invisible and even requires me to remain respectful toward your assistant?” Based on what I knew of Mandy, although she was arrogant and domineering, her brain might not have been capable of drafting such detailed and controlling clauses. In this, Vincent had “contributed greatly.” However, her expression at this moment just happened to confirm the guess in my heart, because the way she looked at Vincent was full of complete trust and reliance. “What does it matter whose idea it was? This was a joint decision made by me and Vincent! You are an outsider, so what right do you have to question it?” “You need to keep your word. Didn’t you just say you wanted to cancel the engagement? Now you are asking questions left and right, so are you trying to go back on it?” I raised an eyebrow lightly and let out a cold laugh. “Go back on it? You think far too highly of yourselves.” “I just wonder what your father would think, Miss Young, if he knew that his capable assistant was planning how to sideline his future son-in-law and even further control his family business.” Halfway through, I turned my head and looked at Vincent beside her. “Or, Mr. Vincent, does Mr. Young know about this affectionate performance and long-term plan of yours?” For Mr. Young’s sake, I had wanted to wake up this foolish woman, but who knew she would not appreciate it at all and would instead act like a cat whose tail had been stepped on? “Carter, I am warning you, stop trying to drive a wedge between us!” “Vincent is loyal to me and to our Young family! Weren’t you the one who swore you wanted to cut ties with me just now? What, now that you see Vincent treating me well, you are jealous? Regretful?” After hearing those words from her, the last shred of pity in my heart disappeared. The Young family had at least been a powerful force in the business world for so many years, so how had they produced such an idiot who was being played in the palm of her lover’s hand? “Kid, did you hear that? You are not welcome here, and Mandy does not need a fiancé like you. If you know what is good for you, hurry up and get lost!” Vincent stared at me with a provocative expression, his arm tightening around Mandy as he declared his ownership. I merely smiled faintly, my gaze sweeping toward the door. “It is still uncertain who should get lost.” “But before I invite the two of you out of my sight, I would like to see what you, Vincent… actually amount to without the status of the Young family’s future son-in-law.” As soon as I finished speaking, the door to the lounge was pushed open, and it was not someone Vincent had arranged, but Michael Young’s butler, who glanced inside nervously before bowing and stepping aside. Michael Young himself was standing at the door with a livid face. 0
“Sir!” The butler reminded him in a low voice. Michael Young ignored everyone else, his gaze first pausing briefly on me as he nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then locking fiercely onto Vincent, who was still holding his daughter, with fire almost shooting from his eyes. When Vincent saw Michael Young, he instinctively released the arm wrapped around Mandy, but there was not much fear on his face, and instead, he carried a hidden, almost provocative smugness as he nodded at Michael Young. “Mr. Young, you’re here. Perfect timing, Miss Mandy and Mr. Carter have a small misunderstanding between them, and we need you to make the decision.” Michael Young jogged all the way over to me, then bowed slightly. “I am sorry, Mr. Carter, I am late. What… is going on here?” I raised my hand in a slight supporting gesture, my tone calm. “Mr. Young, you came at just the right time. Half an hour ago, I just broke off the engagement with your daughter. The reason is that she and your assistant, Mr. Vincent, jointly drafted a ‘marriage agreement,’ and I find it unacceptable.” Before Michael Young could even digest those words, Mandy beside him violently shook off Vincent’s hand as he tried to comfort her and shrieked. “Dad! Don’t listen to his nonsense! This kid doesn’t know what’s good for him, and I asked him to sign the agreement for everyone’s sake, but he actually dared call off the engagement with me! He even slandered Vincent!” I looked up at her and spoke coldly. “Miss Young, slander? Do I need to read Article Ninety-Eight aloud in front of Mr. Young? ‘The husband must acknowledge that the wife’s relationship with Mr. Vincent takes priority’—is this the kind of clause a ‘loyal’ assistant should write in, or is it a power claim from an ambitious lover?” Michael Young’s face instantly turned deathly pale, and he suddenly turned to look at Vincent, his voice trembling with anger. “Vincent! That agreement… you drafted it? And this clause… you and my daughter…” Vincent stepped forward and actually managed to remain calm. “Mr. Young, please listen to my explanation. This agreement… is for Miss Mandy’s good, and also for the stability of the Young family. Mr. Carter is an outsider after all, so setting some rules in advance avoids trouble later. Miss Mandy and I… we truly love each other. I can take better care of her, and I can also better assist you in managing the Young family.” “Truly love each other? Assist me?” Michael Young shook all over with rage. “So the two of you joined hands to draft this humiliating agreement and drive away the honored guest I worked so hard to invite? Vincent, I treated you well, and you actually dared… actually dared covet my daughter and interfere in the Young family’s marriage arrangements!” Seeing this, Mandy hurriedly stood in front of Vincent to protect him. “Dad! Why are you yelling at Vincent! I asked him to draft it! I am the one who likes him! What is so good about that Carter guy? He is some poor kid from who knows where, and in what way is he more thoughtful or capable than Vincent?” “You… shut up!” Michael Young pointed at his daughter, his fingers trembling. “You idiot! Do you know who he is?!” “I don’t care who he is!” Mandy stiffened her neck. “In any case, I want to be with Vincent! This engagement must be canceled today!” Vincent also seized the chance to put on a helpless yet affectionate expression. “Mr. Young, I know my status is low and that I am not worthy of Miss Mandy. But my feelings for Mandy are real, and my loyalty to the Young family is also real. As long as you agree, I will definitely…” “Enough!” I finally spoke and interrupted his clumsy performance. I looked at Michael Young, who was so angry he was about to faint, and my tone was icy. “Mr. Young, it seems your daughter and your capable assistant have already made a ‘thorough’ plan for your family business and future. Since that is the case, I will not disturb you further. The engagement is canceled, and from now on, our two families are even.” With that, I turned to leave. “Mr. Carter! Please wait!” Michael Young hurriedly shouted, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. He knew better than anyone what offending the Kosa family meant. That was not business damage. That was destruction. “Wait? What else is there to say?” I stopped, but did not turn back. “Does Mr. Young also think that agreement was fair and reasonable? Or do you also think your assistant is more suited than me to become your son-in-law and take charge of your future family business?” “No! That is not it! Mr. Carter, this is all a misunderstanding! My daughter is ignorant and was deceived by a villain!” Michael Young was so anxious that his voice changed pitch, and he glared fiercely at Vincent. “You traitor! Get out! From this moment on, you are fired! Get out of the Young family!” The calm on Vincent’s face finally cracked, and he had not expected Michael Young to show him so little mercy. But he still forced himself to hold on, because he knew he controlled many of the Young family’s internal affairs and secrets, and that was his final bargaining chip. “Mr. Young, you cannot do this! I have made great contributions to the Young family! I know a lot about the Young family’s…” He did not finish his sentence, but the threat in his words was already obvious. Mandy also screamed. “Dad! You cannot drive Vincent away! Without him, there are many deals you cannot handle! If you drive him away, I will leave with him!” The scene completely spun out of control, and an ugly family farce was displayed vividly in front of all the guests.
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