"Like me? What about me?" he said innocently.

"Cut the c.r.a.p. Could we just move on to when will this be?"

"Next weekend, since we need to clear our schedule first. I am counting on you. Prove to me that you are indeed what they say you are." Ingrid's brows rise. "Also, you could bring Clark along," he suggested but it's as if it's a command.

"Clark? No way!" she said up in arms.

"Well, it's an offer. In view of the fact that it'll be weekend, think that you'll be away from him for two days. So to spare you of the inconvenience of missing him, at least bring him along."

"No." Ingrid feared that something might happen to them if Clark is around she could not trust anyone with him around.

"Okay. Just tell me if you change your mind." She just looks askance on the man.

"If there's nothing more to discuss, I'll leave now."

She immediately stood up and left without looking at him.

Lance was so frustrated on the outcome of that night, so he buried himself with wine inside his hotel room and became drunk and he fell asleep. Ingrid's parents did not have any idea how the date turned out.

The next morning, while having a breakfast, her parents asked her nonchalantly about their night, she just told them the good side of it and paid no attention to the part where Clifford entered the scene.

"By the way, do you have plans on coming back to our home?" her father asked.

"I plan to visit you, dad, but to be back home, I still haven't decide it yet."

"Clint and I talked about your status and he said he is willing to release you if you decide that you want to be back home."

"What will be my role then, dad? A devoted mother and wife to Lance?" she casually answered back. His father was caught off guard.

"Did Lance already tell you?" It was her mother who asked.

"Yes, he did, last night. How could we sever that contract, dad?" Ingrid is now firm of her decision not to have any ties with the McNaught's. The man gave her some eerie feeling after that night.

"Only if you are married to someone else."

"Oh come on! That's unfair!" she loudly protested. Her mother then holds her hands trying to calm her. "... why did you agree with it, dad? Didn't you think of me when you agreed with it?"

"Of course, I do... that's why I agreed on that idea."

"Gos.h.!.+ Is it still in connection with the tradition of the family?" his father lowered his head.

"I'm afraid, yes. I could not break it. If only I could do it. I was desperate then, because we are the last generation of the Howard family. And it's a tradition that the first male heir should be the one who could inherit the business and be the CEO. Unfortunately, your mom could no longer bear a child after you were born." His father's eyes were full of gloom. "...if I could not find a suitable man for you to marry before I retire, the company will be given to a distant relative." Ingrid felt so helpless.

"But I already have a son, could he inherit it? He is a Howard."

"He could, however, he is but a child and he is born out of wedlock. You have to find the father of the child first and marry him or else, the company will be handed over to other people or you will marry Lance."