The incessant ringing of the doorbell disrupted a man who was relaxing in the bathtub. With reluctance, the man, Bryan, got up and wrapped a kimono towel around himself. Water droplets trickled down his wet hair as he made his way to the door. He glanced at the monitor and saw a woman he recognized.

Bryan furrowed his brow and checked the wall clock, which showed it was ten minutes past ten at night. The woman appeared pale, much like the first time they had met. Bryan unlocked the gate and let Angeline into his house.

Angeline stood in front of the door, waiting for Bryan to open it. After a few seconds, Bryan, now dressed in a black T-shirt and black sweatpants, opened the door.

"Come in," Bryan said without asking. Angeline entered and sat in the living room.

"Tea? Coffee?" Bryan asked again, and Angeline shook her head.

"Just some hot tea, please. Thank you," she replied.

Bryan proceeded to make tea for Angeline. Although she had intended to decline, her response came too late as Bryan had already headed to the kitchen.

As Angeline waited, she looked around the room. She only now realized that there was no security or even a guard in the house. Everything was automated and incredibly sophisticated. It was indeed different from the homes of the wealthy, she thought.

Before long, Bryan returned with two cups of hot tea and several slices of warm bread. Angeline sipped her tea while keeping her head down, nibbling on the fragrant bread.

"My time is precious, so what do you want to say that brought you here at this late hour, after rejecting my offer?" Bryan asked without beating around the bush. He strongly disliked wasting time.

Angeline placed her tea cup down, swallowed the bread in her mouth, and looked at Bryan with swollen eyes.

"Can you provide me with a job, something other than what you mentioned before?" Angeline asked with hope in her voice.

"No," Bryan replied without hesitation.

"I'll do anything; I need a substantial amount of money. But I thought your previous offer was too difficult for me to undertake," Angeline said, holding back her tears.

"How much do you need? I'll give it to you, consider it... an act of charity," Bryan said with an arrogant and conceited tone, showing no empathy whatsoever.

Angeline continued to hold back her tears and emotions. Her lips quivered as she felt offended by Bryan's recent words.

"I'm sorry; it seems I was wrong to come here. My mind is a mess, and I can't see what's right or wrong anymore. Excuse me," Angeline rose from her seat, intending to leave.

"One hundred million?" Bryan uttered, causing Angeline to stop in her tracks.

"Two hundred? Five hundred? One billion? I will give it to you. With one condition, no, two conditions. Not just money, I can give you anything you desire," Bryan continued.

Angeline couldn't take it anymore. She turned around and stared sharply at Bryan, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Is it so easy for you to pay someone to fulfill your desires? Why should it be me? I thought there were many women out there who would willingly do it even without being paid. I just need a job, not charity," Angeline said emotionally.

"If I ask another woman to do it without conditions, it would be difficult for me to control her. You owe me, so I believe you'll do anything to repay your debt. You know, I'm just a businessman who still thinks about the profit and loss of making a deal with you."

"Are you just trying to take advantage of my vulnerability?"

"Hmm... I'm just considering what would be beneficial for both of us. You need money, so I'll give it to you, no matter how much. And I, I just want you to bear my child. Of course, with a legally recognized marital status."

Angeline fell silent, her head bowed with many thoughts. She knew this was an opportunity that wouldn't come twice. If she refused again, Bryan might not offer it a third time.

This urgent situation left Angeline deeply conflicted. She was truly torn. On one hand, she desperately wanted to free her brother and help her mother. But on the other hand, her self-esteem felt trampled upon because she needed money.

"Your name is Angeline Felicia, isn't it?" Bryan asked, surprising Angeline. She lifted her face to look at Bryan, who had been observing her expressionlessly all along.

"I know your brother is in jail, and you need money to free him. Today, your mother had to undergo surgery because her condition has worsened," Bryan continued, sipping his tea very casually.

"How... how did you know?"

"Do you think I would randomly choose who will be the mother of my child? At the very least, you have a beautiful face and a good educational background. You received a scholarship for your bachelor's degree, right? That means you're smart or at least a diligent learner. You also don't have any serious illnesses, aside from anemia due to fatigue. I've been gathering information about you since you left that night."

Bryan set down his tea cup, remembering the moment he immediately called his driver and requested Angeline's phone number after she had dropped him off. He also instructed his secretary to gather information about Angeline up until now.

"I even know that you intended to commit suicide two hours ago. Do you think that if you die, your mother will instantly recover? Or your brother will be instantly freed? They will blame you for running away and choosing to die peacefully. Your brother will resent you while he's in prison. And your mother... she will die in pain because she can't undergo the surgery."

Bryan picked up a document and walked closer to Angeline, handing her the document.

"If you're willing to work with me, read this document. If you agree to the offer I'm making, sign it. Then, your mother will have the surgery tomorrow, and your brother will be released immediately. Two problems will be resolved even before you become my wife. How about it?"

Bryan gazed sharply, his aura arrogant and brimming with confidence, which annoyed Angeline. Her eyes displayed anger and resentment toward Bryan because he had discovered her vulnerability and knew what Angeline desired most.

Angeline had no other choice. This was the only way to save her mother and brother. Without a word, she took the document, not even bothering to read it, and signed it.

"You're not reading it? I might be deceiving you," Bryan asked, surprised.

"You said you need me to become your wife and bear your child, right? I trust you won't deceive me. Just make sure to keep your promise," Angeline said, feeling utterly defeated.

"Alright, you can go home and be with your mother. I'll give you one week to spend time with your family before we start our contract."

"One more condition," Bryan added, causing Angeline to furrow her brow.

"Stop calling me 'sir.' Just use my name, Bryan."