Hendrick dared not imagine what the Youngs would do if the worst had indeed happened to Hannah while she was undergoing the blood transfusion. More importantly, when the Blackwood family came to demand Hannah’s return, what answer could he possibly give them?
Hendrick fixed a piercing gaze on Fabian for a long time, speechless. Fury burned within the depths of his dark eyes. Hendrick said nothing, but his eyes were accusing. What if something had happened to Hannah then? Would you have been able to bear that responsibility?
Fabian met Hendrick’s gaze unflinchingly. He was well aware of the reproach in Hendrick’s eyes.
“Why don’t you look at the second document?” Fabian said gently. He nudged another stack of documents into Hendrick’s hands.
Hendrick picked it up, weighing it in his hands. This set of documents was much thicker than the marriage papers he’d just seen. It consisted of at least ten pages.
Hendrick held it up. It proclaimed in bold, black letters: Phoenix Group, Share Transfer Agreement.
Jason peeked over from the side. When he’d made out what the letters read, his nostrils flared in astonishment and his jaw dropped. Jason would have yelped if he hadn’t had the decency to hold himself back.
Phoenix Group’s shares? Hendrick may not have fully grasped the significance of the documents, but it was not lost on Jason. As the heir to the Goldstein Family’s business and fortune, Jason was completely awed by Fabian’s prowess.
What a guy! Jason thought admiringly. He felt entirely affirmed in his worship of Fabian.
What else can I say? Let me sit at your feet for the rest of your life, Fabian! Jason feverishly vowed. Only Fabian could hand over shares belonging to the biggest company ever without batting an eyelid. Then again, nobody else would have such a unique combination of capability and boldness in the first place.
Hendrick could nonetheless feel the gravity of the Phoenix Group’s stamp that these simple A4 papers belied. He felt a tinge of exhilaration as he slowly turned each page.
Hendrick soon arrived at the final page, only half-comprehending the contents of the document. He’d roughly understood what it meant and thus hadn’t the patience to examine it too closely.
The crux of the entire document lay on the final page, where Hendrick could see Ten percent of shares clearly spelled out. He wasn’t a businessman, but he had more than an inkling of what this ten percent was worth.
Hendrick’s eyes traveled downwards, noting where Fabian had initialled three of his signatures with a flourish. The other side, however, was blank.
Fabian hastened to explain. “I had this document written and signed when the second half quart of blood was drawn from Hannah. If anything had happened to Hannah, I would have delivered these documents to your family. As long as I possess more than ten percent of shares in Phoenix Group, anyone who signs their name on these documents will set this contract into effect. This was what little compensation I could offer Hannah.”
Hendrick handed the contract over to Gillian, who likewise flipped through it. She, too, felt the importance of the papers she held in her hand.
“You can take a look at the third document now,” Fabian said serenely.
Hendrick frowned. He then said directly to Fabian, “There’s no need. I believe that you do love Hannah as much as you say you do.”
Besides her husband, Gillian nodded vigorously.
“Both of us know what Hannah is like. She’s stubborn and isn’t easily swayed. I don’t blame you for signing the contract,” Hendrick continued.
He paused, then went on. “As for your marriage to Hannah, I admit I was shocked when I first heard it. After listening carefully to your explanation, however, I think you made the best choice given the circumstances.”
Hendrick sounded infinitely more reasonable now that he had calmed down visibly. There were even traces of a smile hovering over his thin lips.
Jason felt a renewed sense of admiration for Fabian. Fabian, I’ve hung around you for so many years! When will you finally impart your ways to me? You’re successful in your business, propelling Phoenix Group to the very top. You’re even so successful in love that even when you got married behind your father-in-law’s back, he didn’t blame you for it! I’ve really got to take a page or two out of your book.
