Chapter 80: The Perfect Family
After Annie stormed out, Duncan refilled his glass of wine, letting the bitterness linger on his tongue as he picked up his phone to call his assistant, Orson.
[Yes, boss?] Orson answered promptly with a professional tone yet familiar.
"How’s the retraction of the death certificate coming along?" Duncan asked sharply and to the point.
[I filed it today,] Orson replied. [The registry said that since we’ve submitted all the necessary documents, it should take effect next week. That’s the fastest they can process it.]
Duncan nodded to himself, swirling the wine in his glass. "Alright, that’ll do. There are other matters I need to handle in the meantime. Contact Atty. Evans and start drafting an agreement with Annie’s family."
[An agreement, sir?] Orson echoed, seeking clarification.
"Yes," Duncan said curtly. "I told Annie to go back home earlier—there won’t be a marriage. But I still want to honor the arrangement with her father. Have Evans figure out a way to keep the partnership intact without me having to marry his daughter. The investment he promised must remain unaffected."
[Understood, boss. I’ll reach out to Evans immediately and get started on the draft,] Orson assured him.
"Good," Duncan muttered, taking another sip of his wine. His expression was as cold as his tone. "Let me know as soon as you have something concrete. And Orson—keep this discreet. The last thing I need is for anyone else to get wind of it."