Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption-Chapter 250: A deal...

Watching as Deborah padded toward the door to usher in the guest, Jessica let out a slow sigh. It seemed all mothers shared a similar trait, a tendency to be selfish when it came to their children. Her own mother had been no different.

Years ago, while her mother battled a grave illness counting and living out her last days, she had been more concerned of herself as she continuously made more arrangements to secure her future.

She set aside education funds, preparing her dowry, and transferring shares of various companies to Jessica’s name.

Ensuring she’d have something—anything—when left alone.

Meanwhile, George had played family man with his mistress, uncaring whether Jessica even made it through high school. Rather immediately her mother died just in a few days she became a stranger they dealt with her and sent her to the countryside.

She sighed again, but a worrying thought crossed her mind. "If Deborah has a son for the Watts family... doesn’t that make her the wife of the Watts family?" she muttered.

"What happened... and what’s the mystery behind it?" she mused, trying to piece the puzzle together.

While she was still contemplating, Deborah returned, leading in a young, handsome man. His tanned skin, well-toned muscles, and long legs gave him an intimidating aura. Even from the distance, Jessica could feel the cold yet harmless energy radiating off him.

She blinked. She couldn’t believe she had just analyzed the man’s body so thoroughly. "What would Davis think if he could read my mind right now?" she thought with amusement, imagining his stormy expression.

A low chuckle escaped her lips as she clicked her tongue. "Not my type."

Redirecting her gaze back to the files in front of her, she focused on finishing her work.

"Madam, he is here," Deborah said, stopping before her with the young man.

Jessica took a deep breath and lifted her gaze to meet theirs. "You’re welcome. Please, have a seat," she said, nodding toward the chair opposite her. Then, she returned to her work. "Deborah, please serve him tea while I wrap this up," she added quietly.

Daniel sat down as indicated, his expression calm and gentle, his gaze lingering on Jessica with a thoughtful look.

Though tagged as the illegitimate son of the Watts family, he had his own connections and insights—and seeing Jessica stirred a strange familiarity in him.

After a few moments, he nodded subtly to himself, realization dawned on him. A smile tugged at his lips. He hadn’t expected to stumble upon a secret the world would pay millions to uncover. The secret of Jessica’s location.

Jessica completed the final touches on her design, then downed the contents of a glass beside her in one gulp before shifting her attention back to her guest. Deborah remained standing quietly beside them.

"You are...?" Jessica asked, casting him a brief glance.

"Daniel," he replied curtly.

"Daniel Watts," Jessica stated, meeting his gaze directly. She didn’t miss the subtle flicker in his eyes at the mention of the surname.

She knew that reaction all too well. she had worn it herself whenever someone attached her to the Brown family, she usually felt her stomach churn with anger or amusement.

"Better not let the Watts hear you say that," he retorted, his voice calm, carefully measured to give nothing away.

His composure intrigued Jessica. He was guarding something—something significant.

She chuckled. "So, what can I do for you?" she asked.

Daniel took a deep breath, his gaze meeting hers as emotions flickered in his eyes.

He had seen his share of chaos within the Watts family. When his mother had suggested over the phone that he meet with her boss, he had agreed without hesitation.

Watching Tricia make a mess of things worked in his favor yet now they wanted him to clean it up? Why should he let himself be used again and again?

His mother was supposed to be the legal wife of Watts, but thanks to the injustice and scheming of the previous generation, she had been labeled a mistress and he, the illegitimate son. He was only "legitimate" when convenient and whenever he had to clean up after them and now —He was done being their fallback.

Now, Jessica was the only key to his liberation without alerting anyone.

Jessica, perceptive as always, noticed his hesitation. "Deborah, can you give us a moment?" she asked gently.

Deborah nodded, rubbing her hands together while subtly signaling to her son to stay calm. Then she left the room.

Jessica leaned back comfortably on the couch and chuckled. "Can we drop the good boy act now? So, what’s the game?"

Daniel exhaled. "You’re really not simple, Lady Bright," he smirked.

"Neither are you. Just that your mother doesn’t know," she snickered.

In him, Jessica saw her past self. Someone hiding strength beneath layers of meekness. Someone whose worth was only acknowledged when it served others. The kind of person the family ignored until they needed a solution.

"Well, she doesn’t need to know. Not yet. Not until I avenge her," he said, then smirked slightly. "So, in for a deal?"

Jessica’s lips curved into a cold smile. "Don’t you think I should be the one to set the rules?"

"Of course," he nodded. "Besides, I know my mom cares about you as much as you care about her. I just want you to help me secure the leadership rights."

Jessica was surprised. "Only the leadership? Not the shares?" She had expected him to aim for profit, not power.

"Tricia wants me to plead their case and salvage the family’s reputation," he said, his gaze hard. "But why should I hand it back to her after clawing it back myself?"

His voice was quiet, yet there was a chilling edge to it. He didn’t crave their legacy. He only wanted them to understand the pain of turning to someone they once looked down on for help.

Jessica felt the cold conviction emanating from him. Suddenly, Deborah’s deep connection to her made perfect sense. They had all had a fair share of pain inflicted by another, endured as fate..

"Well, I’ll do as you ask," Jessica replied. "I already have the shares sold to me by family members—under your subtle manipulation, I presume?"

Daniel averted his gaze, but he didn’t deny it. He’d known the time would come, and if those family members couldn’t hold onto their shares, they didn’t deserve them.

"I’ve started my own company too," he added, a rare smile lighting up his face. It softened his features, making him look like the sunny, spirited young man he could have been in another life.

After sorting through the arrangements and making a few needed decisions, they found themselves chatting more freely.

"It’s not every day your son comes to visit," Jessica teased with a smirk. "So, spend some time with him. She addressed Deborah and casting a subtle glance at Daniel "Make her day worthwhile." she smirked.

Daniel smiled sheepishly.