Femme Fatale: The King's Deadly Temptress

Chapter 176: Marriage of Convenience

It was almost lunchtime and Katherine and Damien were supposed to go out for a meal. However, because of Frederick and William's unexpected visit, their lunch date will just have to wait. Because the father and son were special guests, Katherine had asked the pantry to serve excellent tea and snacks. In just less than five minutes, the staff arrived with a pushcart filled with light pastries and drinks.

"Your business is going well, I heard that you're going to have another project soon," Frederick Park started, his body relaxed on the leather sofa next to his son William.

Damien looked nonchalant as he replied with an emotionless expression, "I'm just doing what I believe is best for my company."

"Well, if you ever need anything, you know that you can always ask me anytime. I would be glad to extend help What are families for..." 

Just then, a knock sounded before the door opened and in came a couple of people from the pantry who started serving snacks and drinks on the coffee table. Katherine stood by the door and glanced at Damien who just gave her a brief smile as though he was reassuring her that everything was okay. 

On the other hand, William had a lazy smile on his face as he shifted his eyes to Katherine, looking at her body up and down before taking a sip from his cup of tea. "Mmm thank you, Ms. Katherine, this tea is excellent," he commented.

Putting on a fake smile, she bowed slightly before closing the door after the staff had left, giving the gentlemen their privacy.

There were a few moments of silence while Damien took a sip of his tea. After placing it back on the table, he turned to his uncle with a serious expression and said, "Uncle Fred, I already know what you came here for. There is no need for small talk. I would appreciate it if you just get on with it."

A smirk broke on William's handsome face as he remarked, "Damien, you are always so uptight. You should live a little, you know?"

"I don't play games like you have been doing all your life, Will. You may have the luxury to play around but I don't." Damien threw a glance at his cousin and their eyes met briefly before they averted their gaze. 

Clearing his throat, Frederick answered, "Yes, I'm here to see you because I have heard from your grandmother that you planned to get married. Is that true?"

"Yes," Damien answered without skipping a beat.

"To whom? Don't tell me it's that secretary of yours?" Frederick used a tone that was obviously meant to degrade Katherine's character and Damien already knew his uncle's dislike towards his woman. Damien hated the way his uncle judged her without giving her a chance. Frederick hadn't even talked to Katherine that much except for that charity gala where he blatantly offered her money to shoo her off.

Damien was still pissed that he did that but because he was still an elder, he tried his best to maintain his calm self if he could help it. "Yes, I'm going to marry her. Is there a problem?" he asked as though he already knew what was going on in his uncle's head.

"How well do you really know that woman? Don't you think it's absurd to get married after dating for only a few months? You know how our family is. You can't just bring a stranger inside." Frederick Park's voice was low and calm but there was so much hostility in the way he carried the words. 

Damien hadn't even had the chance to respond to it yet when Frederick continued, "Why do you insist on this woman? There are so many others out there who are worthy of your surname! Just tell me your qualifications and I will make sure to give you a filtered list of the daughters of my friends."

Hearing what his uncle had said, Damien couldn't help but let out a chuckle. "Your friends? Or do you mean business partners?" He stared intensely at his uncle and watched as Frederick paused slightly before revealing a sly smile, drinking his tea and setting it down casually. 

"Friends business partners Is there really a difference? You're a businessman too, Damien. And I'm your uncle. I'm only doing this for you."

Damien's jaw tensed and he breathed out heavily before shifting in his seat. "And who do you think is worthy of my name? Those heiresses who know nothing but spend their fathers' money and had not contributed anything in their company? Whose priorities lie on climbing the social ladder?"

Frederick Park could feel a vein throbbing on his head. Having a discussion with this smart nephew of his was always a challenge, much less argue with him. Damien was nothing like his son William who was almost always in sync with his thoughts despite having his evil ways. 

He swept his gaze from his son to Damien and added, "I understand your concern. Those young women don't seem to appeal to you. But I tell you what, if you tell me what you're looking for I will help you choose your future wife who will be exactly to your liking. In the process, you and your company will benefit more that way"

Damien threw his head back and laughed, amused by the words that his uncle was spouting at him. He shook his head and a devilish grin flashed on his face, "Marriage of convenience?" he asked mockingly. "This company doesn't need that. 'I' don't need to marry a rich, self-entitled woman for business benefits. My company functions and thrives even without it." His voice became stern at the last statement and his gaze was intense as he stared back at his uncle.

Frederick Park knew that very well. Damien had built his reputation with his own hard work and achieved heights that couldn't be achieved by many. Truth be told, his nephew didn't need any marriage of convenience for the sake of his company but he couldn't let him just marry anyone into the family. So as much as possible, he had to make sure whoever Damien's future wife was, has to be worthy.

This time, it was William's turn to laugh upon hearing Damien's response. The other two men turned their heads to him, waiting for his reaction to come to light. Damien raised a brow and William shrugged his shoulders as he probed, "Really?"

William didn't hear any reply from Damien so he could only continue, "If you don't then what about what happened years ago? Wasn't that"

Before William could even finish his statement, Damien slammed his hand down on the coffee table the action was so hard that it caused the cups and dishes to clink. His eyes turned dark as he shot his cousin a glare so intense that William felt it in his gut. But despite the tension, William knew he had struck a nerve so his smile only widened.

Damien, on the other hand, was furious. "Don't you dare bring that up. That was different," he spat his words under gritted teeth. The air around them had turned colder at the same time that his body had turned rigid.

Despite seeing Damien's expression, William didn't falter. He was so relaxed as he pressed on the matter at hand just to spite his cousin even more. He was amused by the thought that a gentle reminder of his past shook him this much. "I'm guessing our dear Katherine doesn't even know about this, huh? How do you think she will react once she finds all about your past? Do you think she will still want to marry you?"

Rubbing his forehead, Frederick Park could feel a headache coming. He always hated it whenever these two were in this kind of situation; there was never a calm and peaceful conversation. "William, that's enough." Frederick Park turned to Damien and asked, "Why don't we go and have lunch together?"

Brushing off the thoughts in his head, Damien calmed himself down and got up from the sofa. "I can't. I have a meeting. Thanks for stopping by."

And just like that, Damien opened the door to let his guests out of his office.

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