THE AGREEMENT

It was after eight o'clock in the evening when Diana left the hospital, and a light rain was falling around. With the bustling of buses, she used it to return to the building. As soon as she reached the company lobby, she saw Knox standing straight with one hand in the side pocket of his pants and the other holding the phone to speak with the receptionist. The business hall's strong and sparkling spotlights lit his entire person, making him appear more majestic and distant.

Diana's heart tensed abruptly. "In the past few months, when I haven't slept with him yet, I have never been able to meet him. Now that something is between us, why are we seeing each other so frequently?"

"Mr. Lewis."

Diana anticipated Knox would approach her, so she promptly called out to him, although she did not know if Knox heard her faint voice. She didn't want to act as if they knew one other too well since she didn't want to be gossiped about. Nevertheless, when Knox passed by, Diana inhaled deeply as he did not appear to notice her. Ultimately, she could not do anything but take the elevator and see Knox's disappearance into the greatest darkness.

"It's pouring nonstop. Why did he come down to the rain? I didn't see him holding an umbrella." Diana mumbled, trying to peek at the outside while the elevator door was still open.

In the past, whenever her father went outside, he forgot to bring an umbrella, and Diana always pursued and handed him the umbrella before he went. Her dad would pat her head and say, "My daughter has matured and learned how to love her father."

Tears obscured Diana's eyes.

Hours flew by so quickly after Diana returned to her table. She flexed her bones without realizing that it was already 4 AM. She worked overtime today to make up for the days she always asked to return home early. Even though she desires to return home, she does not wish to squander her opportunity with the firm if she continues to be absent. She will stay here until tomorrow for more work to prove herself.

She yawned once more and was about to close her eyes when the phone on her table began to ring loudly. She quickly answered the phone after recognizing it was Dr. Fuentes' call. In the past two years, Dr. Fuentes has visited her either because her mother's condition worsened or because she requested that she continue paying the hospitalization fee.

"Since you departed yesterday, Diana, your mother has developed a fever. It is assumed that mucus has accumulated in the lungs."

"What?! Is it severe?" Diana rose apprehensively from her seat.

"We have already administered emergency care, and the situation is stable. However, the sum of yesterday's operation charge and this month's hospitalization fee exceeds sixty thousand dollars. Pay it everything at once. It is difficult to speak for you these days." Dr. Fuentes sighed as if disappointed, "Also, your mother's position is different; you and your brother are employed, so perhaps you can hire a caregiver for your mother? Frequently, flipping and washing can prevent numerous illnesses."

After the call, Diana stood there in a trance and sat down after a few minutes to start working again. She must focus on it because she has $60,000 that she needs to pay. However, even though she wants to move, she cannot comprehend big money.

It’s $60,000 not $6,000. She now completely understands the adage "a penny beats a hero." Her monthly wage for an internship in Lewis Group is only $6,500, she must pay rent, and she will not receive her money for another two weeks. Even if she obtains a credential as a certified public accountant and earns a great deal of money, it will take another year. She was also aware that Dr. Fuentes had already given her all. Her mother might have been admitted to the hospital long ago if Dr. Fuentes had not repeatedly praised her. $60,000 is a substantial sum of money. No one is willing to lend them money, as all their family members have already borrowed it.

When Diana was at a loss, she suddenly recalled what Knox had said the previous evening. Compared to five million, sixty thousand is a drop in the bucket. The heart of Diana has been rocked. The "five million" she believed she could make on her own is now she considers different. She is merely a cake painter.

"Hire a caregiver for your mother." Dr. Fuentes has also said this to her, but she has never been able to acquire the necessary funds. Now, the drawbacks of not hiring a nurse have become apparent. Her mother has accumulated mucus in her lungs due to bad nursing, so I must engage a nurse for her.

Diana was aware that, under Knox's conditions, it was relatively simple to marry a random woman. Additionally, he mentioned last night that she is the "most suitable." Diana wonders whether anything has changed since last night. Upon reflecting on this, she was so impatient that she stood up and went to Knox's office door.

It's only 5 AM, and no one is in Knox's office. Diana is standing at the door, waiting for him as if she was a rabbit waiting for the lion to chase her. And while battling with her eyelids, the man she had been waiting for arrived.

"What are you doing here, woman?" When Knox saw Diana standing at the door, he knew she had repented. His contempt for those who played complicated tricks on him or were not self-sufficient grew in his heart.

Diana awoke immediately. She knew she was coming to question Knox this time, and her voice was unavoidably condescending when she spoke, "Mr. Lewis is early."

"Earlier than you always do," Knox replied coldly, opened the door, sat in his office chair, turned on the computer, and went through the files. "Do you have any business with me?"

Diana detected slight hoarseness in his voice, recalled that he had forgotten to bring an umbrella to last night's torrential downpour, and questioned urgently, "Have you caught a cold, Mr. Lewis? You must drink extra water; do you have any medicine?"

"I have a few words to say." The voice of Knox was quite impatient. To him, Diana's worry seemed phony.

"Ahm. Your offer… Is it still void?" Diana questioned daringly.

"What?" Knox's head was not raised.

'Did he pretend to forget, or did he forget?" Diana pondered, "Regarding the marriage."

"Oh. What's an issue about it?" Knox appeared to have just realized it.

Diana had already considered Knox's disposition. As soon as she made the initiative to beg him, he would oblige. Even though she wants to complain about his temperament, she is powerless. Knox is a knife, while she is a fish.

"Are you still searching for a w-wife?" Diana did her best to sound complimentary, and Knox felt it, so he responded.

"Need." Knox smoked a cigarette, sat peacefully in his office chair, and regarded Diana.

"Yesterday, you approached me, but I didn't give it much thought; I reflected about it later, and I want to accept it."

Diana suffered disgrace. In the view of Knox, however, this appearance became a pretense.

"I need someone to marry, so how do you know I have not yet found the right person?"

"Huh?"

Upon seeing Diana's gaze, Knox thought, "An eagle has captured the one who plays with it."

"Why did you suddenly regret it? I recall that you mentioned having a boyfriend."

"Yesterday, you stated that I can impose conditions. I'm in it for the money, and you're in it to explain something to your grandfather; we both take what we need. I believe this to be a very valid argument."

"Okay, that's settled." Knox revealed an erratic grin before asking, "May I ask why you seek money at such a young age?"

Diana contemplated it for some time. If she claimed that her mother was gravely ill, it would be revealed that she always requested time off, which would impair her ability to remain in Lewis Group. Since her boyfriend's lie has been broken, she will continue to use "boyfriend" as a reason. "Currently, the cost of a home in New York is between $60,000 and $70,000. My boyfriend and I can afford to buy a house if we make ourselves starve until death. My lover informed me yesterday that he was leaving town. I intend to use my internship to earn extra money and surprise him upon his return."

"How come your boyfriend agreed to our agreement?"

"Obviously, I didn't tell him. I will hide it from him until I die."

"How much do you want?"

"How much are you able to give?"

Knox first intended to say five million, but because she wanted money so badly and he despised Diana even more in his heart, he tried to delay her. "One million dollars is the base salary. Additionally..." Knox said nonchalantly, "There will be specific conditions. I shall provide you with a formal agreement that includes performance evaluations at the appropriate time. In short, five million dollars yearly is not an issue for me. You will receive a suite if you remain for two years."

"Okay, the transaction is complete. Then, let's add WeChat; please let me know if you have any questions." Diana closed the conversation.