Chapter 4 A Contract Marriage Deal

Renée looked at him in bewilderment and snickered. 'This guy is crazy. He thinks he is the President of this country, who can do anything he desires,' she thought.

"Well, you have no idea of my power," Killian's response was immediate as if he had read her thoughts. Tucking his hands inside the pockets of his trousers, Killian continued, "You can search more about me and give me your decision by the evening. I want you to live as my wife for one year. After that, you are free to leave me. You'll be given enough alumni money in which your three generations can survive too."

Renée's jaw tightened to hear that. How could he throw a deal like that on her? That too a deal for being his wife for a year. She left her seat and said, "I don't have to think about it. I am not interested in becoming your wife."

Renée began walking away, tears formed in her eyes. She was already in pain since yesterday evening when Killian's voice again stopped her.

"Poor don't have choices, Renée," this time Killian took her name. "Do you think you can survive on your own in this cruel world? You have no one to support you. And the job you do isn't enough for you to survive. Your house is already gone and you are homeless now. Sometimes lowering your pride won't hurt you." His words stung like a sharp knife, but Renée didn't back off and walked out of the door.

Killian's secretary came to the living hall with a file in his hand. "It seems Miss Findlay isn't interested in you, Sir," said Mark Carlson.

"She will return in the evening and sign a deal with me. Just wait and watch," Killian confidently said with a stoic expression on his face.

Meanwhile, Renée walked into the pavement while holding her head. She took out her phone to book a cab. However, seeing the distance, her eyes almost popped out. "Why am I so far away? All because of this jerk!" Renée cursed, looking at the mansion behind her.

She walked till the bus station and sat on the bench, waiting for any bus to come. Suddenly her phone rang. It was from Ellie, her other friend. Answering her call, Renée brought it to her ear.

"Where are you, Renée? I've been calling you since last night Why is the engagement suddenly called off? Is everything okay?" Ellie asked worriedly.

Renée's eyes again turned misty, the ache in her heart grew more. "Because Shawn cheated on me. I'll talk to you later," she disconnected the call and a tear dropped on the screen of her phone. She wiped the tears from her eyes and told herself not to cry because of those bastards.

Renée checked the messages after some time and saw mostly were from the guests, who were supposed to come today for the engagement. Her eyes fell upon the message from her office colleague.

Tapping it Renée read the message.

"What? No!" She almost screamed in fright. Without wasting another second, Renée booked a cab and arrived at her company after an hour. It was a publication company, where Renée was a part-time assistant editor. Panting she reached outside the manager's office and steadied herself.

Once Renée turned calm, she walked into the cabin after knocking on the glass door.

"Good morning, Sir," Renée greeted her manager, Paul Parker.

He lifted his eyes from the screen of the computer. "Miss Findlay?" Paul hadn't expected her to see in the office. "Why are you here? I thought you were on leave," he stated.

"Yes, I was. But not anymore. I got the message that I will be laid off from my job. Why, Sir? I worked diligently in this job. I even did over time. I was supposed to become a full-time employee," Renée blurted out.

"Have a seat, Miss Findlay," Paul said as he relaxed himself on the chair.

"I'm fine this way, Sir. Please explain to me. Why am I being laid off?" Renée asked, her tears were on the verge of spilling.

"It was a decision made by a higher authority. Sadly, I've no say in that. I'm sorry, Miss Findlay," Paul clarified to her. "Your pay for these ten days will be given to you," he added.

"That's wrong. I worked daily," Renée said and the tears finally poured down her eyes. It was the only job on which she had to rely in this tough time. Renée walked out of the office in a broken state. The employees walked past her and watched her crying, but no one consoled her.

As she finally reached the first floor, Renée's cell phone rang. She answered the call without checking the caller ID.

"Renée, you shouldn't have slapped me. Now, wait and watch how I destroy your life," Shawn said from the other side with an evil grin.

"Why? Don't tell me you were the one who did this," Renée said.

"You have no idea what I can do, Renée. Be happy that I didn't kill you. Well, I will make sure your life becomes a living hell. Then, you will come begging me on your knees to apologize," Shawn said with a sinister laugh.

"That will never happen," Renée hung up the call.

Pushing open the door, she stepped out of the building. She never imagined Shawn to be this dangerous. How did he know about her company's boss? A lot of unanswerable questions still existed. But no matter what Shawn did, she swore to herself that she would not break. She would fight back and bring Shawn on his knees one day.

Renée searched for Killian's name on the internet and was stunned to find out he was the top ten richest billionaire in the world.

"That's why he kept saying I don't have any idea who he was," Renée murmured. Even if Renée had to sell her soul to avenge her ex, she would willingly do that.

"I will sign a deal with him," Renée told herself with a determined gaze.