Chapter 2

• SANDRA'S POV
• Both Uncle George and Uncle Richard were unwilling to sacrifice their beloved daughters because they were their ticket to the upper class, especially now that they're both dating rich men from influential families.
• Even our grandfather looked unwilling to let his favorite grand-daughters suffer in an unwanted arranged marriage. But he was also loathed to give us anything from the Smith family fortune.
• Well, too bad! It's not up to him anymore.
• He glared at me and my parents with cold, disdainful eyes as if we were his biggest enemy. We probably were because no one treats their family this way.
• "What are your conditions? What will it take for you to marry Levy Anthony and leave this family for good?" He asked, gritting his teeth in anger.
• Unable to stop myself, I laughed, my gaze and words filled with mocking firing their anger. “Don't worry Grandpa, I wasn't planning on staying with the Smith family anyway. Neither was I planning on letting my parents stay here,” the shocked look on everyone's face was worth it. They exchanged gazes looking uncertain, not completely believing my words.
• “Your conditions,” my grandfather asked once again. The look of victory and cheer my uncles and their families had on their faces was proof enough that they couldn't wait to be rid of us.
• “Sandra, honey, calm down. Don't rush and make any rash decisions involving your future. I know I haven't been a good father to you or the best husband to your mother for that matter but I've let you both suffer long enough. I can't let you ruin your future like this. You have your whole life ahead of you, I'll do everything I can to send you back to school. Please, sweetheart, I promise I'll be a better father but don't do this,” Dad’s pleading voice broke my heart but I knew I had to do this. It was time to break free of this viciously toxic cycle.
• “Dad, I know you did the best you could, and don't worry. I've thought it through and getting married is not a bad thing and I have to get married eventually so why not now?” I replied, doing my best to reassure my father who looked so hurt and broken.
• “Marriage is built on love, trust, respect and most importantly friendship. You're still young and you're agreeing to marry a man you don't know, one that doesn't have a good reputation.” The love and worry in his voice warmed my heart.
• “Dad, you should know better than to trust any rumors. Besides, it doesn't matter because I've made up my mind. I think Levy and I can become good friends and if he does turn out to be a jerk I can always divorce him.” There was nothing in the agreement that could stop us from getting a divorce if things go wrong. It was also the only way I could calm my parents down.
• Turning to my grandparents, I said— “I'll marry Levy if you terminate the exclusive work contract you have with Dad and pay him every single cent he's owed for the work he's done since he joined the Smith group. Oh and you'll let us leave the Smith family for good without a fuss. If you can do that I'll agree to the marriage; if you can't then ask one of your beloved grand-daughters to break off their relationship and join Levy at the altar. It'll ruin their prospects— sure, but you'll get to keep everything. You have five minutes to decide. I don't have all day to wait for you.”
• The sudden panic in Stellah and Stacey’s eyes was comical. They pleadingly looked at their fathers shaking their heads with identical pitiful expressions on their faces. Meanwhile, my grandparents looked at me like I had grown a second head or perhaps they thought I was stupid.
• I could see my grandfather's eyes flickering with uncertainty. He knew very well the only reason the company is still afloat is because of my father. Although, he'd never accept it but he knew that his grandsons were a bunch of playboys. There was no way he'd leave the company in their care but he was also unwilling to lose the favor of the influential families Stellah and Stacey's relationships afforded him.
• “Dad, let him go. Let's see what he'll do when he's spent all the money we give him. He'll come crawling back, begging for mercy because no company will hire him without the Smith family name. Everyone will know he's not a part of our family anymore.” My Uncles urged. It was killing them to know their father was unwilling to cut ties with my father.
• “Grandpa, you can't make us marry that man! You know we're in committed long-term relationships and it will be in our family's best interest to marry into such highly influential families.” Stellah and Stacey cried.
• From the corner of my eye I watched William scoff and shake his head in disbelief. I was right to think Levy Anthony is not as simple as everyone thinks and neither is his family. He was also silently observing me and everyone else, his sharp eyes and ears noting every detail. It suddenly made me a little nervous but I decided I was going to focus my energy on the matter at hand.
• “Fine, I agree.” Our grandfather relented. And after a minute's thought he looked rather pleased and smiled. Of course, he'd still have the company and all of the Smith family assets while also keeping the influential connections Stellah and Stacey's relationships brought him. The only thing he's losing is the money he should have paid my father for his hard work.
• “Look Sandra, Grandpa has agreed to your conditions. You cannot go back on your word now.” Stacey said, giving me an arrogant smirk.
• “Unlike you, I'm a woman of my words. However, we need an agreement made and signed between us. You should contact your lawyer to come and terminate the exclusive work contract my father has with Smith group. Then I'll contact my lawyer to make a new contract. How does that sound, Grandpa?” I asked with a sweet smile as if I didn't just openly insult him.
• I know better than to trust anyone in this house. The dark look on my grandfather's face confirmed that he wasn't going to be honest without something binding him legally.
• “Call Enoch from City A Law Firm,” he said, turning to Uncle George.
• ‘City A Law Firm? Great, let's see what he has up his sleeve this time.’ I thought as I typed a message to my lawyer. We didn't have to wait long before a man in his fifties arrogantly walked in with a heavy looking briefcase.
• “Good, you're here.” My grandfather said, nodding his head in greeting at the man. He then went straight to the point— "Well, we'd like to make some changes in an agreement I made with my son."