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“I did my due diligence on you, Montgomery. It's your efforts that have kept your company running this long.” Da Han motioned for his Vanguard to step forward.
Monty watched the exchange as Chen gave his boss an envelope. Da Han pulled out three forms, sliding one to Howard and the other two toward Montgomery along with two ink pens. “Your marriage license, it needs your signature. The other is your agreement to honor and cherish my son and if he and only Ren wishes to divorce you, I'll allow it, but under certain conditions. I'll give you a moment to look it over.” Da Han turned to Howard. “The document before you is my promise to buy your shares and pay your debts that you foolishly accrued. I expect you to sign.”
The pain in Howard's hand was still present, but he ignored it to be able to deal with the threat that was sitting at his table. “My board of directors—”
“Are of no consequence,” Da Han said, cutting Howard off. “I've already gotten their approval. Well, all except Mr. Kaiser, and it would seem... he's no longer with the company.”
Howard's mouth dropped open as the triad's boss' words registered. Mr. Kaiser's funeral was just a few days ago. “He died because of a heart attack and had a car accident!”
Da Han shook his head. “No, that was a heart attack brought on by poison put into his morning coffee because he refused my offer. Do you think acquiring your company was something I just thought up tonight? I've already made moves to take over your company, Mr. William-Price. In fact, two of your shareholders have already sold me their shares, and once I have yours, I'll have the irrefutable majority control.”
“My god,” Howard gasped, and for the first time, he began to show signs of the fear he'd been concealing. His hand shook as he fumbled for the ink pen.
Da Han looked at the paper before Howard. “If you will.”
“Howard, just sign it,” Margie urged her husband. She did not want to have any part of her body cut into or off while her husband played hardball.
Montgomery watched his father read over the documents for a few seconds, then he began to read over his own. The marriage license was legal and was already notarized. Next, he read the other document, making sure to pay close attention to those conditions Da Han mentioned. According to the document, if Ren wanted a divorce, it would only be after they were married for one full year and of course, only if Ren wanted it. After the divorce, he would no longer be the CEO of the company. He would also have to give up his shares within the company, leaving him with nothing. His shares would go to Ren entirely as the settlement. He'd be able to leave the marriage with what he entered it with as far as his material possessions.
That last part nearly made Monty laugh out loud considering he was on the verge of selling everything he owned just to break even. In any case, at least he'd be allowed to leave the marriage alive. He also had to swear secrecy about his family and the dealings of his company.
He looked up from his documents to see that his father was already signing the one Da Han had given him. He didn't blame his father for agreeing to the contract, it wasn't like he had a choice. And there was something about Da Han that made Montgomery think that it wouldn't have mattered one way or the other if their company was in turmoil or not. Ren wanted him and Da Han wanted their company. For Da Han, this was a win-win. For Montgomery, this was survival. He sighed and signed both the document and marriage certificate.
Montgomery slid the papers back over to Da Han with another heavy sigh. “It's done.”
Da Han chuckled. “Don't act so gloomy. You should view this as an opportunity to rise to even greater heights.”
“As a triad criminal?” Montgomery retorted.
Da Han shrugged. “Everyone who makes money off the forced labor and suffering of others is a criminal. It doesn't matter ifit's on Wall Street, the White House, or in a dark alley. It's all relative.”
Montgomery remained silent, because he hadn't expected that comeback and it left him thinking about what the man had said.
“I require your signature as well. Marriage is an arrangement between two families,” Da Han said as he slid one more document over to Howard.
“What is this?”
“Non-disclosure agreement, meaning what happens in the family, stays in the family,” Da Han stated.
“If I don't sign, then what?” Howard asked.
“I'll cut off your wife's hand,” Mèng Yáo said.
Margie yelped and grabbed her right hand, holding it to her chest in her anxiety and frustration. The last thing she wanted was for her only child to be married into that violent family, but she also knew they didn't have any other recourse.
“Please stop threatening my wife,” Howard said.
“Then sign!” Da Han snapped, finally losing his patience. He pointed to the paper.
Howard grunted, but signed the paper. Next, his wife signed it, then returned it to Da Han.
Da Han chuckled. “Cheer up, Old Mate,” he said, mocking their British accent. “Your precious, only son and child is still marrying into a prestigious family with enormous wealth.”
Howard glared at Da Han, but remained silent.
“How is it forced labor?” Montgomery asked, replying to Da Han's earlier comment.
Da Han smiled. “You think people really want to work eight to sixteen-hour shifts five—sometimes—seven days a week? And to do so for decades while they struggle to make ends meet. Meanwhile, men like you live in these big, beautiful homes and have servants who wait on you hand and foot. You think you've earned all of this with your hard work? Such hubris.”
