Chapter 422: A Secret Marriage

"Dad, wait! Let's talk about this," Theodore's eager voice echoed through the hall.

Laird looked at him. "Talk about what?"

"Marriage is fine, but can we wait to have a baby? After we, you know, cultivate our relationship," Theodore stammered.

"Now that you're getting married, shouldn't you have a child?" Laird countered.

"But—" Theodore began, but Laird interrupted.

"Don't you want to talk?" Laird's tone was sullen.

Theodore lacked the courage to contradict his father. He winked at Oscar, silently pleading for help. Oscar, don't fail me now! he thought frantically.

Oscar, noticing Theodore's distress, set down his teacup. "Uncle Laird," he said, turning to the elder man, "you can't pressure Theodore so much."

"If I don't teach him a lesson, he'll keep making foolish mistakes!" Laird exclaimed, exasperated.

"True," Oscar agreed.

"Oscar," Theodore called out, desperation coloring his voice.

"Who told you to call Master Oscar by his name?" Laird snapped.

Theodore fell silent.

"I think Uncle Laird's arrangement is quite reasonable," Oscar stated smoothly.

"I'm not your brother!" Theodore shouted at Oscar, his frustration reaching a breaking point.

"Shut up!" Laird roared, silencing his son.

Theodore felt utterly wronged. He couldn't believe he'd trapped himself in this marriage because of a single night.

"The wedding is set for the sixth of next month. And you're keeping the baby," Laird declared.

Theodore remained silent.

Laird turned to Little Bunny. "Your name is Little Bunny, correct?"

Little Bunny appeared bewildered. Wasn't she supposed to have an abortion today? Now, her future was ruined. If she'd known, she might have followed that man's unspoken rules that night.

"Yes," she replied quickly, intimidated by the Wold family's prestige.

"Where's your home? Who's in your family? We'll visit tomorrow to discuss the marriage," Laird stated firmly.

"Mr. Wold," Little Bunny hesitated before speaking. Laird's tone softened, a contrast to his treatment of Theodore.

"Yes?"

"I'm estranged from my family. I'm not from Kensbury City; I'm from a small county. My parents disapproved of my acting career, so I haven't contacted them in a long time," she explained.

"Go on," Laird prompted, his expression unchanged.

"The baby... do we really have to keep it?" Little Bunny asked, acknowledging her guilt but revealing her reluctance to raise a child with a man she didn't love.

"Yes," Laird answered without hesitation.

"What about not getting married?" Little Bunny ventured.

Laird frowned, surprised by her request. While he held no prejudice against Little Bunny, he suspected the type of women Theodore associated with. Little Bunny's rejection piqued his curiosity.

"I mean, I'll give you the baby, but I won't marry Master Wold," Little Bunny clarified quickly, seeing Laird's silence.

"So you'd leave your child motherless?" Laird's disapproval was clear.

Little Bunny bit her lip, ashamed of her selfishness.

"That won't happen. The marriage is going ahead," Laird declared.

Fearful of the consequences, Little Bunny dared not object. She looked at Theodore, usually so boastful, now kneeling in submission. His demeanor underscored Laird's power.

After a tense silence, Laird asked, "Any more questions? If not, on the sixth of next month..."

"Mr. Wold," Little Bunny gathered her courage.

"Yes?" Laird's unexpected patience surprised her.

"My parents and I are estranged. I don't want to see them."

"So we skip the family discussions?" Laird clarified.

"Since my parents won't be there, can we cancel the banquet and have a secret marriage?" Little Bunny proposed.

Laird frowned.

"Dad, we agreed to marry and have a child. Will you grant us this request too? We barely know each other. If we can't make it work—and we want a happy family for the baby, but compatibility is unknown—a secret marriage minimizes the hurt if we separate," Theodore pleaded.

Laird considered this, remaining silent. Theodore and Little Bunny waited anxiously.

Finally, Laird sipped his tea. "Very well. It's your decision."

Relief washed over Little Bunny and Theodore. A secret marriage meant an easier, less scandalous divorce later.

"However, I have conditions," Laird stated authoritatively. "First, since there's no wedding, you'll get the marriage certificate tomorrow. Second, Little Bunny will move in with Theodore tonight. I'll arrange for her belongings. Third, Theodore must be home by six every evening..."

"Six is too early!" Theodore protested. "Dad, our nightclub doesn't open until seven. How can I work?"

"Don't lie. I know all you do is drink and chase women. I'll arrange for someone else to manage the club," Laird said coldly.

"So what will I do? Eat at home all day?" Theodore grumbled.