The Devil’s Convenient Wife

Chapter 10

VICTOR’S POV

“We are here, sir,” my driver said. I lifted my head up and came out of the car, stretching my legs the moment I was out. I took a deep breath right before I entered the mansion. As I passed, maids stopped to give me a short bow. I didn’t react to any of them just like I always have.

The butler, Andy, was a man I had chosen by myself. He started out as a chef in the family fourteen years ago and I took a liking for him. We always had a close knit relationship and the moment Zara’s mother died, I threw out her previous butler and put Andy in charge. He had remained loyal to me since then. I already had plans in place to put him in charge of the house Zara and Cael would live in.

Andy began to approach and I smiled.

“I have been looking to speak with you. It’s a good thing that you found me first,” I said excitedly.

“Sir, you have a guest,” Andy told me gently.

“Who is it?” I questioned.

“Gerald Holt,” he answered. “I would have made him stay in the guest’s living room but I brought him to the main living room since he is a long term business partner of yours. He has been waiting for a while. For about… err… twenty to thirty minutes.”

“I see,” I nodded. “I will go over there. I want you to bring champagne.”

“Champagne?” Andy asked, chuckling. “I see you have something to celebrate.”

I hissed, “Now, don’t be fussy. Go and get it done immediately.”

He bowed instantly and I walked down to the living room. Gerald rose the moment I entered and after I sat, I gestured to him to take a seat. Before we could start discussing, Andy entered with the champagne and poured a drink for both of us. I could see Gerald’s face lighting up but I ignored it.

“Shall we clink glasses?” Gerald asked carefully.

“No, there’s nothing to celebrate,” I replied casually. Gerald’s facial expression went sour almost immediately. I continued talking, “You won’t be able to get married to Zara, not immediately. There has been a situation.”

“What!” he gasped. “But that cannot be. I have told my family and close friends about it already. What would they think of me if I told them the wedding has been cancelled?”

“There is nothing I can do for you in that regard,” I told him without flinching.

“But… But you were the one who raised my hopes up,” he began to say. “I didn’t want to marry Zara before, I never even dreamt of it but you suddenly wanted me to. How could you take back your words?”

I drank the entire content of my glass and then hit it on the table, shattering it in the process. I stood up and moved towards him, holding the severed glass. He started to breathe uneasily and his legs started to quiver.

“I must have overstepped my bounds, sir. I am very sorry,” he blurted out in apology.

“I thought you had gone crazy. It seems you haven’t, not entirely, at least,” I muttered.

“Yes, I haven’t gone crazy,” he affirmed.

“Well…” I looked away for a moment. “If you weren’t crazy when you raised your voice at me, it must mean you have no regard for me.”

“No, that’s not-” he had barely said when I sank the glass into his thigh. He screamed crazily, begging for help.

“You shouldn’t move,” I muttered, smiling. “One simple tweak and I will hit your femoral artery. If I do, you will bleed out and die.”

“Please,” he cried. He was sweating hard and shedding tears.

“Do you know why you have been by my side for so long, Gerald?” I asked rhetorically. “It is because you have been a damn, loyal dog. The kind of dog that barks at my will, that doesn’t question my decisions. The moment you start acting out of character, you will die. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” he cried. “I understand, master.”

I scoffed, “You don’t have to call me master.”

I removed the glass from his thigh and his cries went louder. I removed the tie he was wearing and tied the area of the wound so he wouldn’t bleed out any further. I went back to my seat, looking at him with satisfaction.

“For your information, Zara got married,” I told him calmly. “It was a shotgun marriage with a man she met at a bar. I have investigated it carefully. From the CCTV records, they were both drunk when they got married. However, for some reason, they are hell bent on making it real.”

Gerald swallowed hard and raised his hand.

I smiled, “You can speak. Don’t be afraid to interrupt me next time.”

He nodded, “Do you want me to take care of the man she has gotten married to?”

“No, you don’t have to do that,” I replied, smiling. “I am yet to figure out his true motive. Who knows? I might be able to get him on my side. I have this special connection with him, you see. I think we see eye to eye on some things.”

“I am sorry for saying this but…” Gerald was saying. “Nevermind, sir.”

“No, tell me,” I gave him my full attention.

He swallowed hard, “The thing is, this man could be an ally to you in the long run. However, he could also turn out to be your worst enemy.”

“I know,” I nodded. “I will give him some time to see where his allegiance lies. If he shows no signs of crossing over to my side, he will be dealt with.”

“Of course,” Gerald smiled weakly. “But what about the wealth of your late wife? Wouldn’t it all go back to Zara now that she has gotten married?”

I nodded in agreement, “It is sad news for me but it will all end up in my hands in the end. I have my plans.”

“Do I get to know about those plans of yours, sir?” Gerald asked curiously.

“Find me one of your capable guys,” I muttered. “I want someone who would do whatever I order. I will gift the person to Zara. She will need someone to trust, you know.”