Blair holds the new contract they already agreed and signed. Blair actually kept a good copy of the agreement.
Her doorbell rang. Blair was alone there. Axel just went to work.
Blair quickly hid the contract copy and went downstairs to open the door.
She was shocked when saw Clarissa standing in front of her house.
"Hi, how are you?" say hi, Clarissa.
Blair was still holding the half-open door. She was reluctant to let Clarissa in but had no reason to chase her away. Blair could only be polite with Clarissa.
"Yes, I'm fine. How about you? What do you need at this hour already in my house?" she asked.
"Sorry I didn't call first and came straight here. Can I talk to you?"
At first, Blair thought Clarissa had come to meet Axel. But because Clarissa said she wanted to talk to her, Blair let Clarissa in.
After serving Clarissa a drink, Blair sat in the living room facing her.
"I want to ask Axel, but I'll ask you first." Clarissa started the conversation.
"What? What is this about?"
"About…" Clarissa shot Blair a sharp look. "Your marriage contract."
Blair was utterly at a loss for words. She didn't understand how everyone knew about her marriage contract with Axel.
***
When just arrived at the office, Axel was greeted by journalists and reporters. They were all standing before the Barney Group office, waiting for Axel to arrive.
Axel didn't know what was going on. The staff and trusted people said nothing about this crowd of journalists.
"How do you feel about the new area development project that has encountered many obstacles, Mr. Axel?"
"I heard that the area's development was rejected by many residents around."
"You also lost a lot of investors and broke up with the Jordan group."
"Before, you were a successful doctor and went to several cities to conduct seminars and training on protecting endangered animals. Why did you finally decide to take over your family company?"
"Isn't this your first big project since you took over Barney's company in place of your late father? How did you feel about your first failure?"
Axel also decided to stop momentarily and answer the journalists' questions that kept bothering him.
"I would be thrilled if every project I tackled would be successful. I wouldn't call this project a failure if it didn't succeed. Because many projects still need to be done and completed."
"Have you chosen your next project yet?" asked a reporter.
"I can't tell you the details yet. After all, this is our company's internal affairs. There isn't any interest for journalists and infotainment media to cover the development of this project, right? Moreover, this does not affect the public interest."
"Axel, you just got married. How's your married life?" asked another reporter. "There are reports that your marriage is in trouble."
"You had an affair with your ex-fiancé to gain the Jordan Group's sympathy again?"
At first, Axel had been so calm in the face of the journalists' questions. But when they started talking about his married life, Axel became provoked and carried away by emotions.
"That is not true!" argued Axel. "Our marriage is fine, and our life is pleased. I am lucky because I have met the woman I love, and I have been looking forward to seeing her for so long."
After getting rid of the reporters, Axel received news that investors were withdrawing their investments. The company suffered a massive loss for the first time. Axel was unable to overcome the loss.
***
“It's strange that Axel suddenly broke off our engagement and married you. Even though he knew the consequences, he would have to face if he did that. I'm sure right now he must be having a hard time. You can't stand it, Blair."
Blair was still silent.
"He called off our engagement after he agreed. At an unexpected moment, he suddenly announced his marriage to you. You are just a stranger who will not provide any benefits for Axel's life and future."
"At first, I believed maybe because Axel really loves you. I don't know why he suddenly married you using a contract?"
"What is the reason? Why did he marry you like that?" Clarissa pressed Blair, even more to get the dads to talk.
Blair couldn't stand it and couldn't help it. She couldn't stay still.
"I also do not know!" Blair replied in the end. "I don't know why Axel married me contractually. You better ask Axel directly."
Even though Blair knows the first reason they got married under contract was because of the debts that Blair owed Axel. However, contract marriages are too expensive just to pay off those debts.
Blair needs to find out Axel's real reason behind their contract marriage. Blair thinks debt is another excuse for Axel to hide the real reason.
"I don't think Axel will tell me. That's why I asked you." Clarissa slightly raised her voice impatiently with Blair's silence.
Even Blair must learn Axel's motives and reasons for renewing and extending their marriage contract. Blair thinks the problem of inheritance and heirs is just an excuse Axel deliberately made. Because if Celine finds out that the baby that Blair is carrying is not Axel's flesh and blood, then all the efforts and marriage contracts Axel intentionally made will end in vain.
Blair only took a deep breath to answer Clarissa's curiosity.
"I don't like you, to be honest," Clarissa said.
Blair wasn't the least bit surprised by Clarissa's confession. A few moments ago, she came with a sweet face and soft words to persuade Blair to admit the reasons for her contract marriage with Axel. When Clarissa doesn't get what she wants, she shows her true nature before Blair.
"Even when our engagement failed, realizing Axel wasn't by my side and preferring another woman instead... it felt unbearable."
"I feel very confident that he will always protect me. Even though I know he doesn't love me. But along with living together, I hope he will slowly open his heart and start loving me. We have been destined to be together since we were children."
Blair couldn't bear to hear all of Clarissa's confessions as a fellow woman.
"Stop!" Blair shouted. "I'm sick of seeing women who are weak and beg for love from people who don't love them."
"I want him back!" she said. "You know nothing about Axel's life, our lives, and who we all are. You're only human, Blair. You're just a foreigner. You better let go and return Axel to me. You have no chance of being in our circle of life, Blair. Because you guys are so different. Please help me, Blair!"
Blair was angry. "Contract marriage… so what? It is also still a marriage!"
"What?" Clarissa is surprised by Blair's defense. Blair's answer was entirely beyond her expectations.