Chapter 3 The Marquess of Cantonbury

"Oh man, I thought you were going on vacation for a few days?" The voice came from Chris, Devon Smith's friend and business partner.

Devon smiled, "You know me, bud. I can think better when I'm in the office and have a lot of work to do."

Chris shook his head and went toward the door. "Whatever floats your boat, man. Just in case you need a coffee buddy later, just let me know."

"I will, bud, thanks!" Then, Chris stepped out of the room leaving Devon in his solitude.

Devon smiled remembering his best friend. Chris knew what had happened to Lily yet didn't dare to ask questions more than what Devon had informed him. In return, he convinced him to take a short leave of absence o take care of his sister. This gave him the time and space he needed to heal.

And now, he was back in action. Life goes on, as others said. Other than being Lily's brother, he was also a businessman. He was needed by his company and his employees.

He was currently reading some important documents when he heard a gentle knock. Then, the door sprang out his secretary.

"Sir, someone wants to see you."

Devon frowned. "I didn't know I had an appointment this early."

"You haven't," replied his secretary. "But the man said you'll be happy to meet him once I told you he was here because of your sister."

"My sister?" uttered the young businessman. Now, he was curious who this man was. Still confused, he agreed to face the unexpected visitor. "Send him in."

Moments later, his secretary entered again. This time, she was followed by an old man. His demeanor shouted nobility seeing the way he dressed. He was posing himself with a tailored suit and a black top hat. In his right hand was a wooden cane that he was using to support his weaker leg. Behind him stood three men in uniform. Based on their black suit and black shades, they look like agents of Men In Black.

"You must be Mr. Devon Smith? " the old man uttered after Devon's secretary had left the room.

"Yes, sir," the young man casually greeted while showing up gesturing to the visitor in the seat. "And you are?"

"Lord Arthur Charles William Henry Hamilton, Marquees of the Cantonbury. I am Sebastian Hamilton's grandfather.

The young man's face showed astonishment. The old man seemed to notice what Devon was thinking so he continued talking. "In case you didn't know, Sebastian was the man your sister was abducted with."

"And what does it have to do with my sister?" he asked the old man directly. "As far as I know, they both moved on with their lives after that unfortunate night."

The man laughed slightly. "Believe me, Mr. Smith. Everything has to do with your sister especially now that she is carrying my grandson's child. "

Devon swallowed hard. He was slightly surprised by what the old man said. He didn't expect the words that come out of his mouth. More importantly, how did he find out about his sister's pregnancy when only he, Lily, and Jane knew about it?

For the second time, the old man seemed to have guessed what he was thinking. "You're probably wondering how and where I got the information about your sister's pregnancy but that doesn't matter anymore. The important thing is to talk about the welfare of the baby she is carrying. "

"I'm sorry, Lord Hamilton," Devon replied. "Why are you so interested in the child my sister is carrying?"

"Sebastian is my only grandson, the current heir to the Hamilton family. And the baby your sister was pregnant with is his only heir," he explained simply.

Devon's eyebrows creased after hearing the words. "Only heir? How can that be possible? Sebastian is a man. If he wanted to, he could have children with any woman he wanted. Why do we have to be involved in this? "

"I wish it would be that easy, Mr. Smith. But Sebastian will never have children again because his reproductive organ was damaged when they were abducted. " The young CEO was amazed at what he heard but chose to remain silent.

There was a look of sadness on the old gentleman's face. However, it was replaced by a gentle hope, "You see, your sister's child is the only hope of our dying clan. And I am ready to marry off my grandson to your sister for the sake of the baby. "

Marriage? The Marquess of Cantonbury asked for the hand of his beloved sister in marriage!

Devon wiped his face. It is no joke for a man to lose the ability to have children, especially in families like the Hamiltons. He understood where the emotion shown by the elder Hamilton was coming from. But his sister's life and future were at stake here. Would he be able to entrust it to a family he had only heard of until now?

No, he wouldn't allow it. He promised their parents that he would protect his sister as long as he could. Especially now and she will have a child born to a horrific event. Lily had nothing left to rely on except for him.

"And if I don't agree?" the young CEO had challenged. "Why do we care if your family is wiped out on the face of the earth? My sister and her unborn child's lives were at stake here. I will not allow your grandson to marry my sister just like that."

The Lord of Cantonbury did not budge. He waved his hand at the uniformed men. One of them responded by reaching for an envelope. Lord Hamilton grabbed it from behind and gently laid it on the table.

"That envelope contains all the assets and properties of the Hamilton Empire. If you think we can't- "

"I'm not selling my sister's hand!" Devon yelled. "I can raise them on my own. We don't need your money! I'm sorry but you'd better leave before I can say anything I'm sure I'll regret. "

The old man's bodyguards were alarmed by the sudden rise of his voice. One of them turned slightly to the left as if whispering in the air. He saw Lord Hamilton's hand waved slightly again. Then the uniformed men immediately calmed down.

He did not see the slightest shock in the face of the old man in his front. He remained calm. From its peaceful gaze, it was replaced by inexplicable ferocity.

For no apparent reason, he felt a mild fright of it.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Smith. I didn't want to insult your ability to support your sister. Most of all, you have impressed me with the strength of your principle. But how far will your integrity take you if it will bring harm to the people around you? If it's easy for me to find out about your sister's pregnancy, it won't be difficult for me to go through the people around you one by one. "

Devon gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. "Are you threatening me, Lord Hamilton?

"You know very well that this is not an empty threat," Lord Hamilton answered casually. "There's nothing I wouldn't do just get our heir. I'm not a bad person, Mr. Smith. I could be warm and gentle. But I could also be a demon if, in return, our dying clan would ensure continuity. Like you, I can do everything for my family. "

Devon only responded with a deep sigh. He knew what the other person could do. Lord Hamilton could even break the law. He knew that in a snap of his fingers, he and everything around him would go down if the old man wanted to.

"I promise on behalf of our clan that I will take care of and protect your sister and the child inside her womb. I will not allow anyone to hurt and oppress the girl who will save our family. Think carefully, Mr. Smith. I know you are smart. Right now, start organizing your sister's future. Especially now that your company is in a very bad situation," Lord Hamilton said meaningfully.

Devon's eyes widened at what he heard. "Don't tell me you also knew about-"

"I know everything about your family, Mr. Smith. I've done my research well. I know that your company is on the brink of bankruptcy and I am willing to help you with that. I am offering you a deal of a lifetime. If you agreed to marry off your sister to my grandson, I will make sure your company would be free from its debt and more."

Devon wiped his face with his hands. He didn't know the right thing to react. He knew that the person he was talking with had pinned his back on the wall where he no longer had another choice. He knew that if he still refused, not only he and his sister would be ruined but also the people around them.

But more importantly, his offer of helping his sinking company was a deal that was very hard to pass on!

"You don't have to decide right now. I know things were going fast. I'll give you enough time to think- "

"There is no need. Why should we prolong this matter if, in the end, I will still be forced to agree with what you want?" Devon said sarcastically. The person he was talking with smiled.

"I only worry about one thing," Devon continued. "How is your grandson? Does he know what is bound to happen between him and my sister? "

"Leave everything to me, Mr. Smith, " Lord Hamilton said. "I'll take care of my grandson."