When the meeting finally ended, and people began filing out of the conference room, Cameron felt intimidated, caught between two powerhouses. Aaron's terrifying aura had returned. He flicked through the share transfer agreement wordlessly, affecting casualness, though Cameron knew his boss was scrutinizing every word for loopholes.

Aaron looked up and said coldly, "It says here you'll transfer me another ten percent of your shares when my wife gives birth to a son."

Alistair replied haughtily, "Your grandfather did the same thing when you were born. It's traditional."

"I see."

The temperature in the room plummeted. Something about that clause clearly bothered Aaron.

He handed the document to Cameron. "Read it. You'll sign as a witness."

Feeling as if he'd been handed a bomb, Cameron gingerly accepted the paper. It seemed straightforward, but he noticed the wife's name was absent. The agreement was valid regardless of Aaron's spouse.

It was suspiciously favorable to his boss. The agreement stipulated it was "on the condition of Aaron Hale's engagement," not marriage. Even a broken engagement wouldn't void the transfer.

The child clause, similarly, lacked a specific name. As Aaron said, he'd receive another 10% upon his wife giving birth to a son.

Despite the suspicious omission of "Bethany Carlisle," the document seemed legitimate, so Cameron signed and returned it. Aaron and Alistair also signed; Aaron retained the original.

After they left, Aaron whispered, barely audible, staring straight ahead, "Come to my office in an hour."

He wanted to discuss the agreement. Aaron clearly found the circumstances suspicious too. The hour crawled by.

Countless reports requiring his approval had piled up during the two-hour meeting. This further fueled his desire for the day his boss reclaimed his shares and dismissed him from the board. He couldn't afford to lose this much time.

He sometimes considered early retirement—he had a couple of million in the bank—but he lived in an expensive city and was starting a family. Besides, he'd be bored. He hoped his business travel would decrease soon. He could only take Jennica on so many trips, assuming she was even available. Once they had children, someone would need to stay home.

Cameron stretched, checked the clock, and headed upstairs.

Before he could close the door, Aaron commanded, "Tell me your impressions of the document."

Cameron sat, shrugged. "Honestly? It seems too good to be true. But hey, you're closer to your goal."

Alistair was down to 32% of the shares. Considering all of Aaron's shares (including those held by others), he had 2% more than his father. It wasn't enough, but an extra 10% was significant.

"That's because it is too good to be true. I imagine you noticed the lack of a wife's name."

"Yeah, what was that about?"

Aaron could marry Keeley (if she forgave him) and still receive the shares if she bore a son. His earlier anger over the clause didn't make sense.

"He still expects me to end up with Lacy Knighton," Aaron said, his fist pounding the desk. "He must be planning something. If he didn't expect my fiancée's identity to change, he would have included the fake name I gave him."

Cameron thought Aaron was paranoid, but he had a point; Alistair had gone to great lengths to pressure him into marrying Lacy.

Cameron felt pity for Aaron. His life was difficult.

"I thought you said he was satisfied with your fake fiancée."

"That's what he claimed…" Aaron rested his head on his hand. "What are my odds of getting away with murder if I get rid of that woman permanently?"

Cameron chuckled. His boss never joked like this. Unless… "You're kidding, right?"

"Maybe. I don't know. She's been a thorn in my side for so long, I wish she were dead."

"I don't recommend it. Even if you got away with it, it's illegal," Cameron said, unsure if this would backfire. "Keeley wouldn't want you to either."

Aaron deflated. "No, she wouldn't. I don't know how to get rid of Lacy. She doesn't give up. She must have brain damage. For seven years, I've told her I hate her, and she still thinks she has a chance."

Cameron tried to cheer him up, but he was at a loss. He hadn't dealt with such problems.

"Don't worry; New York is a big city. It's easy to hide. She doesn't know where you live. Stop going to those parties you hate, and you'll be fine."

"I suppose," Aaron sighed, then explained he needed Cameron to gamble in Monaco while negotiating land for their overseas branch.

Great. His wedding was in less than two months, and he had another business trip. He couldn't be Aaron's loyal dog forever, but now wasn't the time to say so. He didn't want to provoke Aaron before Aiden returned.

The final sentence, seemingly a website plug, has been removed as it's irrelevant to the narrative.