Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 66

Stephanie was surprised. Do soldiers in the army have assistants now? Was she just out of the loop? She’d never heard of such a thing.

“Ms. Jackson, the Vasquez family is not like an ordinary family. You deceived the matriarch of the family into arranging this marriage with the young master. I’m sure you know your own motives.”

Stephanie stared at him, bewildered. “Me? Deceive his grandmother?”

Steven continued, “The young master will not tolerate a con artist as his wife. And let me be frank, he has a short temper. He sent me to speak with you because he was worried he might hurt you, or accidentally break an arm or a leg, which would only give you more reason to latch onto him.”

Stephanie’s eyes widened. “So, your boss hits women?”

Steven was silent. Was that really the point?

He didn't answer the question, which Stephanie took as a confirmation.

What kind of freak was this new husband of hers? A soldier who hits his wife?

And hadn’t Mrs. Vasquez Sr. said he was always stationed at his base and never came home?

It seemed she could only trust half of what the old woman said.

But Stephanie quickly came to a conclusion: this Mr. Vasquez had a major problem with their marriage.

It made sense. No one liked being forced into something, especially marriage, which should be a matter of free will and personal choice.

Stephanie knew you couldn’t force a connection that wasn’t there.

Besides, his own assistant had said it—his boss hits his wife.

If even his subordinate said so, it had to be true.

A sense of dread washed over Stephanie. Marrying a man like that could get her killed.

Stephanie pressed her lips together as she took the agreement and flipped through it.

The clauses were meticulously detailed. From what she could see, they mostly stipulated that once she was paid, she was never to bother him again, or she would have to pay him double for emotional distress.

Stephanie had to laugh. Did he really think she would chase after an abusive man she’d never even met?

What a joke. This egomaniac clearly had an inflated sense of his own charm. She wasn’t a masochist.

Stephanie put the agreement down and looked at Steven with a smile. “I don’t need any financial compensation.”

She hadn’t done this for money in the first place. Besides, she was now a multi-billionaire. She didn't need his pocket change.

She had agreed to this sham marriage to sell her company.

Even with a divorce… it should be more than enough time for her to finalize the sale.