"Excuse me, ma'am?" The receptionist was clearly agitated.
Rei demanded, "Tell him exactly what I said, word for word, if he is here."
The receptionist found himself stuck in a tough spot. The guest didn't look like one to be trifled with, but the guest she asked for is also an influential figure; he was still processing the situation. Rei understood what he was thinking, but she didn't care about his reactions or the other people watching from a distance.
From some distance, Mr. Monreau's assistant, Jerry, witnessed it all. He was flabbergasted by Rei's introduction. He's been in the industry for nearly eight years and has never heard a more interesting introduction than this one. He was now reconsidering his efforts to convince his boss not to sign the marriage contract.
'It's best that I save the poor bloke from her,' he thought to himself, and walked up to her and introduced himself.
"Good afternoon, my lady, please spare the poor bloke and allow me to be in your service. I am Jeremiah, CEO Monreau's assistant and your chaperone to the private room."
The man was a typical Englishman. Tall and handsome but not a charmer, he looked old for his age and didn't have too many notable features. She knew because she read his file.
Rei raised an eyebrow when Jerry mentioned "private room." Jerry noticed her intense stare.
Even though he was warmly dressed, his back shivered. He thought to himself, 'This is not a simple substitute bride.'
"Mr. Jeremiah, you sure are quite the colorful man. I hope your boss also shares your sense of humor." Rei retorted.
"That, alas, is a distant dream," Jerry sighed, "But I assume it was your sister Lyra who was supposed to come, right?"
She noticed the quick deflect by Jerry. Interesting... I guess he has his skills at the right place, she thought to herself.
"I am sorry to disappoint you, but you are stuck with me. Do not ask me why! I am simply following orders." She quipped back.
"Then please let me show you around." He gestured to invite her and turned to the receptionist, "Bloke, take a breather. She is our guest, and we will take care of her. Send a bottle of Gevrey-Chambertin 2018 and a bottle of Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2021."
"Yes, sir," the man behind the front desk replied, visibly relieved.
As Jerry and Rei walked up to the private booth on the first floor, from the clear glass panel, she could see the River Cam running and some wild flowers growing by its banks, adding color to the otherwise moody English weather.
"Do not mind me asking, lady, but…" As Jerry started to speak, Rei interrupted.
"I do mind, Mr. Jerry, so how about we meet your boss and my prospective groom?" Rei smiled politely, but her calm eyes demanded obedience.
Obedience. Jerry was startled.
He had only just met her, exchanged only a handful of words—yet in that brief moment, she had managed to surprise him, silence him, and even unsettle him. And this was Jerry—one of steady heart, seasoned in the business world, shaped by years of working under one of the toughest CEOs in the country. What unexpected thing has he not faced? He was no novice and not easily shaken. Nonetheless, in the span of a few minutes, he has changed his mind about Ms. Rei four times.
Though he was musing in his heart, he still led the path for Rei.
They reached the second floor. At the end of the flight of stairs, a private room blended the sharp structures of modern designs with the scholarly charm of Cambridge. Bookshelves curated with university memorabilia—rowing, vintage maps, portraits, and more. A single piece of abstract art hung on the far wall. It was minimalistic in nature but definitely of the expensive kind.
The floor-to-ceiling glass framed a view of the river and the old rooftops, one that whispered Cambridge rather than shouted it.
A sleek oak table dominated the space, paired with minimalist upholstered chairs.
Light from the window fell in gentle stripes across the room, illuminating the muted colors—cream, ink-blue, and polished wood.
But they were all pale beside the charming young man in a deep black three-piece suit. The waistcoat fit snugly over his torso, and his soft beige cashmere-blend shirt with an open collar exuded nobility and class. He had no tie, and yet it didn't look casual on him.
Rei stood stunned for a brief second; she didn't expect her pulse to jump, but she moved in nonchalantly.
"Hey, Boss, your substitute bride is here," Jerry announced to the man sitting in a chair. In his hand was a business magazine.
The man raised his head from the magazine and furrowed his brows slightly towards Jerry. He was not sure why Jerry behaved like that.
Jerry understood his nonverbal question and enthusiastically answered, "Boss, the Draven family sent their second daughter, Reina Draven, for the marriage contract."
Saying so, he moved aside and invited Miss Draven in.
"Hello, Mr. Monreau." She offered him her hand for a shake. "I am Reina Draven."
The man opposite her took her hand and returned a firm shake. "Good afternoon, Ms. Draven."
Rei sized up the man—the infamous Finn Monreau, the youngest CEO in the English Isles. His handshake was firm, the kind that spoke of influence and certainty, but his voice was disarmingly smooth. It's the voice that can heal all your pain and trauma, the Morgan Freeman type, only with a younger and more subtle texture.
While she assessed him, he took a moment to measure the girl standing before him as well. She is freer in her speech and definitely bold. Also, her hand had light calluses. Though she looked like a fragile beauty, he concluded that this beauty had more thorns and substance than most of the socialites on the Upper East Side.
"If I am not mistaken, I was supposed to meet your sister Lyra Draven." He lightly inquired as he looked at Jerry. Spoke in a true gentlemanly manner.
"Mr. Monreau, though I am here instead of my sister, I believe that for you it's a business deal. And each deal is based on a contract. Show me what you propose for this marriage." She pointed towards the leather-bound file kept aside on the table.
Both Finn and Jerry were taken aback.
Yes, they intended to propose a contract—and they had already drafted one. But they didn't expect her to ask for it in such a straightforward manner.
Indeed, she is not to be trifled with, Jerry thought to himself.
While Finn was deep in thought, he felt intrigued by this woman in front of him.
He passed the folder to her and said, "I like how straightforward you are; you will find that I have been generous in my offer to you."
Rei noted the difference in emphasis on you and not on the general partner. She looked towards another folder lying on the far side of the table and could guess that this man prepared contracts for all situations. Thinking so, that corner of her lips twitched slightly.
But as she read on, she realized that this man was in total paranoia; he even detailed the amount of time they could meet with their marital status, as well as the meals that were scheduled.
And what's with this ridiculous clause?
Failing to meet any conditions will be used as a basis for an unquestioned divorce from the other party.
All rights and decisions are at the discretion of the proposing party and are subject to change.
Rei almost couldn't control her temper and wanted to slap that annoying face of Jerry. This must be his work.
The man seated across from her hardly looked like someone who could be so utterly… unreasonable.
"Mr. Monreau, who drafted this contract for you?" Jerry was about to say something, but she didn't entertain him. "I think Mr. Monreau is not here for equal cooperation but to buy yourself a bona fide high-class slave. I didn't know that the Monreau family was involved in the slave trade!"