Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption

"An island?" Julian muttered to himself, eyes narrowing in thought.

After a moment, he sighed helplessly; it seemed there was no other option left for him than to purchase an island as a gift for his sister.

"Maxwell, who had been holding his breath, discreetly wiped the sweat gathering on his forehead and let out a silent sigh of relief. At least now they had a decision.

He stepped forward, took the laptop from Julian's desk, and quickly pulled up a list. His fingers flew across the keys with practiced efficiency.

"Sir, Palm Bay Island has a private marina, a helipad, and also comes with three furnished villas," Maxwell explained, turning the screen toward Julian.

"Another sample?" Julian asked calmly, his expression unreadable.

With a few more clicks, another listing appeared.

"This is called Moonreef Shore," Maxwell continued. "It offers a stunning shoreline, private access to a coral reef, and is renowned for its breathtaking moonlit views."

One by one, Maxwell introduced several more islands, detailing each one's potential for sightseeing, luxury living, or business development.

Julian finally made his choice. "Purchase the Palm Bay Island," he said with firm finality, turning to face Maxwell. "Prepare it before midnight."

Maxwell nodded as he left the study to prepare the gift.

~Allen Group~

Jessica lay on the couch in Davis' office, a blanket draped over her while Davis sat at his desk working seriously.

She had intended to take a brief rest but had drifted into a deep sleep, and Davis didn't want her disturbed.

He picked up the intercom and dialed out. It was picked after the first ring. "Come over to my office," he said and dropped the receiver back.

His eyes drifted back to the sleeping lady. He stood up and walked back to the couch.

He bent slightly and removed the few strands of hair covering her face.

If she was awake, she might have gotten a hair band to tie it up, as she doesn't like to have them covering her face.

Her brow furrowed slightly as she readjusted her position without waking up.

Davis smiled. "She must have been stressed out," he muttered to himself.

He walked to the air conditioner and adjusted it so she wouldn't feel cold or too hot.

As he made to return to his seat, there was a light tap on the door and it was pushed in.

He glanced back, and it was Luke with Ethan behind him.

Luke subtly glanced at Jessica sleeping; he retracted his gaze to focus on Davis.

Davis continued to his seat and settled down. He gestured to them to sit down. Luke stared at him briefly as though trying to make out what he intended to do.

Luke hesitated. The gesture surprised him. Since joining the company, Davis had treated him with unpredictable detachment.

One moment cold, the next unreadably neutral. His behavior had been more mysterious than any of the rumors Luke had heard.

He would have thought he had a split personality, but then he is always warm towards a particular person, Jessica.

Before he applied for the post of an assistant, he had done his research, investigation, and drawn up a few roadmaps that would guide him in this journey since every other previous option he tried had failed.

Yet none of his plans had really worked according to expectation. Recalling his ordeal since he resumed, he sighed.

On the first day, he had cast him aside and handed him to his previous assistant Ethan.

On the second day, he had ignored his greeting but had summoned him to tidy a load of files that held no significance to the current situation.

This afternoon, he had graciously served the tea his wife requested while being questioned as though he was being interviewed, and this minute, he didn't know what to expect.

With these situations changing and unraveling in the opposite direction, he drew a conclusion: "People had not actually known him well."

He took a deep breath and stepped forward to take one of the seats before Davis' table.

Ethan followed suit but remained standing, and Davis didn't offer him any seat nor did he spare him a glance, leaving Luke wondering why he was the only person he gestured to a seat.

He felt his heart swirl with a mix of emotions as he questioned the reason why he did such.

"Is Ethan falling out of favour?"

"Is he about to be scolded? Or have I made a mistake?"

But being seated, he wouldn't have to stand up again since that would make the situation awkward.

Davis pulled open his drawer and brought out a manila file; Ethan had brought it in before. He handed it to Ethan. "Make a duplicate of this document, treat it confidential."

Ethan accepted the file and stepped out of the office.

Davis continued his work, treating Luke as an invisible being. Luke took a deep breath, his hands crossed over the other as he waited to hear Davis speak.

After a moment, Ethan tapped the door lightly and entered with two files in his hand. He handed them to Davis, who handed one to Luke.

Staring at the file stretched before him, Luke stretched his hand, accepting it.

"Study that file, investigate the situation, and tender a report to me in four days. All details must be clear," Davis said.

Luke nodded and slowly opened the file and blinked as his gaze fell on the heading. "The Alpha Project," he murmured.

Davis nodded. "Yes, that's the Alpha Project. Some of the information of the participants has been attached; you can start working on that first."

"Okay," Luke nodded, and standing up, he pushed the chair back as he nodded in greeting before he left the room.

With the door closing behind him, Davis retracted his gaze as it settled on Ethan. "Luke's identity is suspicious; you have to investigate him carefully," Davis instructed.

"Why do you think so?" Ethan asked.

Davis leaned back in his seat as he twirled the pen in his hand. "My wife found him familiar. He was in one of the clips she was able to gather during the investigation into Desmond's activities."

Ethan nodded. He had tried digging into Luke's background, but the only information he was able to gather was the same information in the folder he submitted.

Ethan had his suspicion that the documents were so good and the background so clear that it must have been definitely forged.

"Do you also have the same suspicion?" Davis leaned forward and asked.

"I have also tried to investigate him but…" he shrugged.

Davis nodded. "I have already given him the Alpha Project file to investigate."

Ethan took a deep breath. "What do you plan to achieve then?"

Davis turned cold, his eyes piercing. "I just want to find out who he is working for. And the Alpha Project might bring him to the forefront in case he had a purpose to join the group."

Ethan nodded. "I understand, I will guide him."

Davis nodded. As much as he wants to give Luke a chance to prove his purpose, he still hopes he wouldn't turn out to be an enemy.

Just as the old saying goes: "One more friend is much better than one more enemy."

Maybe he is a man with a vendetta that he had misplaced, or a grudge he had directed wrongly.

But then, no matter who he is, who he is working for, or whatever game he is playing, Davis Allen has just one rule…he will win each of them and put them in their place.

Ethan left after a few more instructions from Davis. At that same moment, Jessica stirred.

Davis' expression softened instantly. "Baby, are you awake?"

He stood and walked to the couch. Gently, he uncapped a bottle of water, poured some into a glass, and placed it on the table.

Lifting her head to rest on his shoulder, he supported her carefully and brought the glass to her lips, helping her drink.