C12 12
Over the next few days, Chloe Bishop didn't step foot outside. She stayed at Jake Tully’s place, spending every waking hour working on the dress. It wasn't until five days later, calculating that Rob Stark should be back from his business trip, that she finally set aside her needle and thread to give him a call.
"Hello," Rob Stark’s indifferent voice traveled from the cold receiver into Chloe’s ear.
Chloe took a silent, deep breath. Skipping the small talk, she went straight to the point. "This is Chloe Bishop. I’ve considered what you said. I agree to marry you."
Hearing her well-considered answer, Rob didn't seem surprised at all, as if he had known this would be her choice all along. He gave a faint, emotionless grunt of affirmation.
"Where are you? I’d like to meet and discuss the details of the marriage," Chloe said. Having made the decision, she felt an unexpected sense of relief, making the words flow much easier.
"The Nightfall," Rob named a place. After a pause, he added, "I’ll text you the address."
Shortly after hanging up, Chloe received a text. After glancing at the location, she grabbed her bag and headed out.
The Nightfall was a high-end club—not the low-tier nightclub or bar variety, but an exclusive business club. It was famous in New York; members of high society considered it a point of pride to hold a membership there. After all, the annual membership fee alone reached seven figures. Those who entered and exited this place were either extremely wealthy or powerful; it was a pure symbol of status.
The address Rob sent was very specific, down to the exact room number. Upon arrival, Chloe took the elevator upstairs and easily located Room 8888. She gave a soft knock on the door.
Rob Stark was the one who opened it. He was very tall, and Chloe had to tilt her head back slightly to offer him a small smile. Rob’s response was entirely expressionless. He turned back toward the others in the room and said, "You guys keep playing."
He then stepped out, muttered "Follow me," and led Chloe further up to a different floor and into another room.
Chloe took a quick glance around. It looked like a luxury hotel suite; she assumed this was a private room Rob kept for resting.
"Sit." Rob sat on the sofa and gestured to the spot opposite him.
Chloe sat down. Knowing Rob wasn't a man of many words, she pulled out a pre-drafted prenuptial agreement and pushed it toward him. "This is the prenuptial agreement I had my lawyer draft. Look it over. If there are no issues, we can sign. If there are, I’ll have the lawyer revise it."
Rob’s eyes, calm as a still pond, flickered almost imperceptibly. He lowered his gaze and saw the words "Prenuptial Agreement" on the cover. However, he didn't reach out to flip it open. He remained silent.
Seeing his silence, Chloe grumbled internally. What kind of person is he? Can’t he just speak? If he stays silent, how am I supposed to guess what he's thinking? We aren't exactly close.
"Actually, there isn't anything too complex in the agreement. Would you like me to go over it with you?" After a long silence, Chloe yielded and asked tentatively.
"Yes." Rob leaned back against the sofa, one arm resting on the side as he propped up his forehead with his hand. He answered quite bluntly.
Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, Chloe controlled her temper and spoke slowly. "The agreement covers two main areas. First is premarital property. I don't have much; I only have one property in my hometown of Suzhou. I previously held ten percent of the Bishop Group’s shares, but a few days ago, I traded them for a boutique and a clothing brand. That brand is currently worthless, and the shop is perhaps worth a million or so. Those are my total assets, and they are all listed here.
The second part is about the details of our marriage. I require a grand engagement ceremony and a lavish wedding. The engagement should ideally be set for next spring, and the wedding date can be discussed later depending on the situation. Finally, there can be no divorce within one year, no infidelity, and no scandals with other women. Ideally, we should maintain the appearance of a very loving couple to the public.
That’s essentially it. As for your assets, they will remain your personal property after marriage. Even if we divorce later, you won't have to give me half. That’s all. Are there any parts you are dissatisfied with?"
Chloe’s pace was steady and her voice was neutral. Her tone was strictly professional—she didn't sound like a woman discussing marriage with her future husband, but rather like a businesswoman negotiating a profit-sharing deal with a partner.