Chapter 2

Eric regained his senses in the hospital and was confused upon seeing the unfamiliar surroundings.

"Eric, you're finally awake!"

When a man noticed Eric had regained consciousness, he sprung to his feet hastily. He was none other than one of Eric's colleagues, Andy Bikman.

Eric looked at Andy and asked, "What happened?"

"You're really fortunate to be alive. You got electrocuted in David's office and almost died!" Andy blurted.

Eric was stunned. He finally recalled what had happened previously.

He had threatened David, but the latter caught him off guard and punched him.

Andy glanced at Eric and said, "I'll return to the office now that you are awake. Listen to me, Eric. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater."

Then Andy left the ward.

Eric had no time to figure out what Andy's words meant because he needed to rush to the hospital where his parents were.

When Eric arrived, the red light of the operating theater was still on. Eric's mother and a woman in her 30s were waiting anxiously outside the operating theater. The latter was none other than his elder sister, Elly Johnson.

"Mom! Elly!"

Looking at the red light, Eric grew anxious as well.

Tears began trickling down Mrs. Johnson's cheeks when she saw Eric had arrived.

"Eric, we're sorry to be a burden to you!"

"Mom, that's nonsense. How is Dad's condition?" asked Eric.

Mrs. Johnson wiped off the tears on her cheeks and replied, "The doctors are trying their best to save him. They were willing to carry out the surgery after Elly came up with $1,500. However…"

Eric gnashed his teeth and said, "Mom, don't worry about the bill. Please, take good care of yourself instead."

As Eric finished speaking, his gaze shifted toward Elly, and a glimmer of gratitude shimmered in his eyes. He knew times were also difficult for Elly, and the $1,500 was all she had.

The surgery would take some time, so Eric headed to the staircase and brought out his phone. He scrolled through the list of numbers in his phone before making a call.

Eric squeezed a smile on his face. "Hey buddy, it's me, Eric."

However, the person laughed when Eric said he needed to borrow some money. Eric knew he was rejected immediately and hung up hastily after a few words.

Eric made a few more calls to his friends, only to be rejected repeatedly.

After scrolling through his contact list for a while, he stumbled across an unfamiliar number.

Sylvia Williams was his classmate back in high school. They had exchanged numbers during their previous class reunion gathering.

Sylvia was cold and aloof, but Eric remembered her family was loaded.

Eric desperately needed money for his father's medical bill, so he gnashed his teeth and called Sylvia's number.

The call went through and rang for a moment before a cold voice sounded. "Hello, who is it?"

Eric took a deep breath and said, "Is this Sylvia?"

"It's Sylvia speaking. May I know who's on the line?"

"It's me, Eric Johnson…"

Eric remained silent. He was not certain if Sylvia would remember him.

"Eric Johnson? From high school? What's up?" asked Sylvia.

Eric pressed his lips and said, "I-I know this is abrupt, but I urgently need money for an emergency. C-Could you lend me some money, please?"

Eric braced himself for yet another rejection. He knew that he and Sylvia hadn't been close in the past, so it was only natural for her to turn down his request.

A few moments of silence later, Sylvia's voice sounded again. "How much do you need?"

Eric was ecstatic and filled with great hope.

"$15,000!" Eric replied hastily.

"Alright. I remember you living in Salt City, am I right? Come meet me at the Williams Corporation Tower."

Sylvia hung up before Eric could even respond.

Despite this, Eric could hardly contain himself. $15,000 was a large sum for Eric. He had been living a frugal life in order to save a little, but all his money had been spent on Jasmine.

As such, Eric could not even fork out $1,500, let alone $15,000, for his father's medical bills. Thus, Sylvia was his life-saver.

Eric returned to the entrance of the operating theater, bade farewell to Mrs. Johnson and Elly, and headed over to the Williams Corporation Tower in a hurry.

Williams Corp. was one of the best corporations in Salt City, on par with Sonex Corp. Eric had submitted his resume to the two corporations in the past but had not received a response from them.

It was only natural for such corporations to hold high standards and recruit only the elite. As such, a graduate from a local university like Eric could only dream of joining such corporations.

Eric's eyes were filled with envy when he looked at the lofty Williams Corporation Tower.

A local university graduate like Eric was common in the city at this time and era. As such, it was only a matter of time before a fresh graduate replaced Eric.

Sylvia excelled academically during high school, so it was no surprise that she worked for Williams Corp.

Shortly afterward, a tall, slender woman in high heels emerged from the Williams Corporation Tower.

Eric could feel a chilling sensation even from a distance, which grew more intense as Sylvia approached him.

Sylvia called out, "Eric?"

Her voice was melodious, as if God had meticulously tuned it.

Eric nodded and said, "Sylvia, I—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Sylvia raised her hand and interrupted him. "A man would never ask a woman for money unless he is in a desperate situation. I can lend you the money, but I have a favor to ask in return."

"What is it?" asked Eric.

He couldn't care less as long as she was willing to lend him $15,000.

Sylvia glanced at Eric and said, "Are you married?"

Eric was startled. Was his marital status that important in this matter?

"I'm not married. But I do have a girlfriend who's about to break up with me," Eric said truthfully.

"That's great," replied Sylvia.

At the same time, she took a set of documents out of her briefcase and added, "That means I won't be called a relationship wrecker since the both of you are breaking up. Take a look at the contract. The $15,000 is yours if you agree to the contract."

Eric was curious to know what sort of favor Sylvia was asking for and was shocked upon receiving and skimming through the contract she handed to him.

It was a marriage agreement—Sylvia wanted to marry him!

Eric did not know that a marriage agreement existed.

The agreement clearly stated that they would be legally married for three years, omitting the responsibilities of husband and wife. After the divorce, Eric would receive a substantial amount from the divorce settlement.

It was impossible for Eric to earn such a huge fortune for the rest of his life.

However, Eric was filled with doubts.

According to the contract, it was evident that Sylvia was wealthy. It would be impossible for a beauty like her not to find a partner. As such, why did she choose Eric?

After many years of working experience, Eric knew this was too good to be true. However, after recalling the rejections he had faced earlier, he gnashed his teeth and agreed. "I'll take the offer."

Eric was left with no choice and needed the money urgently.

Sylvia glanced at her watch and said, "Meet me at the town hall with your marriage registration permit an hour later. I'm very busy, so please be punctual."

Eric stood and stared blankly at Sylvia's delicate figure as she walked away.

He could hardly recover his senses, even after an hour.

After Sylvia left, Eric received a notification indicating $15,000 had been transferred to his bank account. On top of that, he had a marriage certificate and a set of keys to a house in the Rosewood Estate in his hands.