Chapter 5 The marriage clause

"I had to come in right away after receiving your call. Is my mother not here? What happened to her? Is she safe?" Amanda asked the officer at the station. She won't stop panicking. "Slow down, Miss Amanda.

You don't need to get yourself so worked up," While trying to comfort her, one of the officers remarked, "You are getting yourself so worked up." "You dare tell me to calm down?

Do you think I will remain composed after locking up my mum? My mother is not here. I want to see her right now."

She grabbed his shirt. She let out a shriek so loud that other police officers attention were called. "Your mother suffered a seizure.

But she is all right now. First aid treatment was promptly administered to her by our medical team. You did not mention that your mother had asthma. What if she had not survived it?" the officer queried. "Hold on a sec, let me get this straight.

My mother has asthma. This can't be possible," When Amanda learnt of her mother's condition, she was taken aback. "Take me to her immediately." Amanda demanded with a commanding tone.

She was still in denial. She was also hoping that her mother would respond to the questions in her head. The shocking thing was that her mother never made reference to anything like the asthmatic attack during the years they lived together.

"Do not pretend that you were unaware of her illness! It is astounding. Why would she keep that from you? Anyway, let me take you to her right away," the police officer said, guiding her to her mother's location.

It was a special, cramped, and remote chamber for inmates with uncommon ailments. Amanda saw her mother there, lying on the bed, looking so weak and pale.

"Dear mother!" Amanda ran to her mother's sick bed and grabbed her hands. "Why did you keep your asthma a secret from me? Do you realize I'm your daughter" She sobbed and kissed her forehead? "I did not want to bother you. You have already done me a great deal. I plan to receive the appropriate medical care.

I stole the check for that reason, among others. I hoped we would also have a better life. We are worthy of better than this life. After your father died, things have never been the same." With tears in her eyes, Megan embraced Amanda's hands. "I am sorry for bringing you into my problems. But please make me a promise: you will get me out of here. Prison is the last place I want to be! Right now, we cannot afford a lawyer.

Even these wealthy individuals are intolerable. Kindly take action." Megan begged Amanda. She was finally feeling remorseful for her actions again. "I swear to you, Mom. I will get you out of here. I promise to improve your life. You have always desired a better life. You would no longer be employed at the bank as a mere janitor anymore. You are getting close to fifty years old."

Amanda rest her head on the bed. She sobbed uncontrollably as she vowed to do everything within her powers to make Maxwell drop all charges against her mother.

Even if it means doing everything right to please him. Amanda's accompanying police officer was overcome with emotion. She leaned forward to give Amanda a hug. "She ought to get some rest.

I wish I could do something about this. It is very regrettable to find oneself in such a circumstance. You must leave right away. Your mother would be fine." The words from the officer sounded relatively pleasing to Amanda.

It gave her the assurance that her mother will recover really soon. As Amanda left the station, she could not stop thinking about the absurd suggestion Maxwell made. Although getting married to Martinez is a nightmare, her greatest fear is losing her mother. Amidst the troubled soul, Amanda went back to the company. She reached her office and paused at the door of Maxwell's office, muttering.

"Am I choosing wisely? Seeing my mother go to jail while I do nothing is unacceptable. She is worthy of a better life. I do not care if I marry that monster for to rescue my mother. She reassured herself, "You can do this," before landing a knock. After getting a response, she walked inside the office. "How is your mother doing? What happened to her?

We were so worried about her," Maxwell queried. "She is excellent. After three years of marriage, I will file for divorce from Martinez. However, there is a condition." Amanda answered. What a way to announce her agreement. "A circumstance?" Maxwell opened his eyes wide. "My mother gets an extra $50,000 for putting her through the trauma in addition to having all charges dropped, and the loan repaid," Amanda confidently asked. It was as though a spirit possessed her soul to which prompted her to make such audacious demand. "You must be crazy if you believe that I would consent to that. Is your goal to blackmail me? Our agreement was in place. For what reason are you snitching?" He went crazy. "I will stay a calm for some reason. I have nothing whatsoever to lose, except for my mother being prosecuted.

The same thing can't be said about you. I am not one who wants to secure a massive deal. So, are you in?" She puts Maxwell in a difficult situation. "You are a nasty bitch. A deal has been made. I would like the contract completed and signed by tomorrow morning. Don't fucking play games with me. Else, you'd have yourself to be blamed. You have my utmost distrust. He reluctantly nodded and brushed her off. Amanda left Maxwell's office only to bump on Joshua outside carrying a briefcase.

The shocking presence of Joshua nearly freaked the hell out of her. He was the last person she expected to see. Apparently, he recently cashed the One million dollars cheques from the bank. She tried to avoid him, but he came too quickly and blocked her path.

"What are you looking for in me? Haven't you have done enough? Please let me go," she snarled. "Are you getting married to Martinez? You mentioned a contract marriage with the boss. What forced you to do this? Are you aware of the repercussions of your actions?" Joshua probed her. She wasn't aware that he was eavesdropping on their conversation..