The Royal Contract

“Fine. But I will not stay on the sideline, knowing that Nick is still out there, planning again how to strike against us.” Alex would take this situation into his own hand if he had to, just to make sure that Nick would not bother them again.

He had sworn to protect Dani at all cost, and he intended to keep his promise. He was not about to break his oath for a man like him.

“I promise you that it will never happen again. Nick will never have that opportunity again.” Ethan said, unable to control his resentment against the man who caused too many troubles in his family.

He would stop him even if he had to make a deal with the devil. Because Nick did not deserve another chance to live in this world. He had already used up all his life. This was his last.

“Then, let me help you,” Alex said, confirming that Ethan was really up to something.

He would do anything to make Nick pay for his crime. Especially after what he did with Dani. He did not care if he suffered under his hands, but what Dani had gone through was unforgivable.

.....

He still had no idea what happened to Dani during their abduction. She only kept telling him that she was not harmed in any way. However, he could feel it in his heart that she was affected by it more than she wanted to admit.

And for that, he wanted Nick to pay. Not by rotting behind bars. It would not be enough punishment for a man like him. Besides, he believed that would not stop him from his evil schemes.

If he had it his way, Nick would die first before he could get his filthy hands on Dani ever again. Nick had not shown them any mercy, then he did not deserve one either from him.

“Anyway, Dani’s birthday is coming soon. Do you already have any plans to surprise her?” Ethan quickly shifted their conversation to another topic.

He could see the effect of Nick on his son-in-law. He could not blame him for feeling the way he did. It could not have been easy for him.

However, he would continue their conversation later when they were in the privacy of his office. At the moment, it was not wise to continue talking about Nick, not in the company of other people.

He decided that discussing his daughter’s special day was more appropriate at the moment. It had been a while since he last had a birthday party for his daughter, and somehow he had missed it.

She always opted to celebrate it with her friend or some other charitable organization, refusing to have a party prepared by them. He could not blame her at the time, but things had changed now.

“I was hoping that we can have the groundbreaking ceremony of the foster home at least on her birthday,” Alex informed his father-in-law. “Use it to form a small gathering among friends and the people she had helped.”

It was why he wanted to hurry the permits of the construction. He believed it would be the perfect gift he could give his wife. She never wanted a gift for herself. She would prefer others to receive it instead.

“Yeah. I think that will be perfect.” Ethan agreed with his plans, knowing how much the surprise would mean to his daughter.

He never understood it before. The obsession of Dani to provide assistance to those who were less fortunate than them. He thought that it was enough that they were donating through charitable organizations.

But his daughter went beyond that. She did not simply give them financial help, but she provided them with hope. Helping them, at the same time, giving them a chance to stand up again and rebuild themselves.

“Hey, what are you two planning? I hope it has nothing to do with world domination.” Dani suddenly appeared in front of them, surprising them both.

Dani entwined her arms around her husband as she waited for them to respond to her question. She was tired of smiling while talking to their guests. So, she decided to check on her husband.

On the other hand, the two men were so engrossed in their topic that they barely noticed Dani came over to their side. Thankfully, she did not seem to hear what they were talking about.

“I think that was part of the program. But the broader issue has something to do with the housing project,” Alex told his wife, kissing her on her temples while wrapping his arms around her waist.

He was not about to confess to her that he and her father had just talked about Nick’s impending doom. He knew that she would totally disagree with their plan.

She was against taking the matter into their own hands. She believed that the justice system would be enough to make Nick pay for his crime.

But she could not see the bigger picture. It might put Nick behind bars, but it would not stop him from continuing his plan. It would be just a matter of time before he was out again and scheming against them.

“Oh, you are meddling with my project again.” She accused the two, but in truth, she did not mind.

She was glad for the first time, his father was actually taking a more significant role in the community. He was not just providing financial aid but helping rebuild their society.

She always believed it was the first step in making a better world not only for her but for the future generation. Somebody had to begin the change, or all would be lost.

“Just trying to help in any way we can.” Ethan leaned to her side, giving his daughter a light peck on the cheeks.

It was just the same when she was a child. He believed that his obligation to her would never stop. Not probably until his last breath.

He would continue to protect her daughter from anyone who would do her harm. He was just glad that he was not alone anymore.

He finally had someone he could depend on to carry his obligation in the eventuality of his death. But he was not dying soon, not yet. But someone else would, soon.

“I am glad to hear that.” But she did not buy their alibis.

She could tell from their faces that they were talking about something else. But she was too late. She did not hear much from their conversation.

She guessed it might have something to do with the case. But she knew they would never admit it to her. She still believed despite her plea, her father was still working secretly.

She could not blame her father or her husband. They had to deal with the situation in their own ways. But she still believed that taking the law into one’s hands was not the way.