Cassidy knew Ryder was right. Every word he said hit the mark. She needed to be pregnant to inherit Ashton's estate, but she wasn't.
If she didn't figure out a way to handle this mess today, she might get booted out of the Cooper Manor. She couldn't let that happen.
Declan saw Cassidy's struggle and jumped in to defend her. "When Dad had Cassidy sign that agreement, it was just to get her into the Cooper family, not to tie her down. Since Dad decided to let Cassidy inherit his estate, that old agreement doesn't matter anymore!"
Owen, hearing Declan, couldn't help but side with him against Ryder. "Declan's right. This is Dad's will, and we should respect it. Otherwise, what's the point of his will? Ryder, I know you don't like Cassidy, but this is Dad's order. Are you really going to go against it?"
Ryder glared at Owen, his eyes cold and intense.
Owen took a step back, scared, but knowing Cassidy needed him, he stood firm and challenged loudly, "And it's been so long, we all forgot about this agreement, but you suddenly bring it up. What if you forged it?"
"But this agreement is real, and it clearly says Cassidy has to have a kid to inherit everything from Dad." Ryder almost laughed at his brother's naivety. He tossed the agreement to the lawyer. "If you doubt it, let the lawyer check it!"
Everyone turned to the lawyer, who quickly started examining the document.
Cassidy wasn't focused on the bickering stepbrothers. She knew the agreement was legit; there was no way to dispute its authenticity. What she needed now was the safest way out of this mess.
As the stepsons watched the lawyer, Cassidy felt a burning gaze on her. Without looking up, she knew it was Easton, waiting for her to signal for help.
Since Easton brought the agreement to Ryder, he must have seen this coming, which meant he had a plan to fix this. If Cassidy asked for his help, he could solve it.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Easton.
A simple message: [Beg me].
Cassidy bit her lip, her face pale. If she begged, he'd help. She didn't understand why Easton would do this. They were partners. How did causing her trouble help him?
Was he just trying to force her to agree to have his child? Was he mad because she had refused?
'Damn it!' Cassidy cursed silently.
The lawyer finished reading the agreement, looking uneasy. He hadn't known Cassidy signed such a thing, but it was valid.
Even if he wanted to side with Cassidy and lie about the agreement, it would be exposed soon. He reluctantly placed the agreement on the table. "This agreement is real."
Everyone's eyes turned back to Cassidy.
Cassidy took a deep breath, her mind racing through possible solutions, each one quickly dismissed. It seemed she had no choice but to turn to Easton for help.
"Ryder, the agreement says if I don't have an heir, I can't inherit the Cooper estate. It doesn't mean you can kick me out of The Cooper Manor," Cassidy said, trying to stay calm.
She needed to buy some time. "I don't have to sign the inheritance agreement today. There's still half a year left."
"Why not sign it now? My father is dead, how are you going to get pregnant?" Ryder pounced on her words. "What are you stalling for? The lawyer says everything is in order, so this needs to be settled today!"
Ryder saw Cassidy as a cunning woman. Now that he had her cornered, he wasn't about to let her find another way out.
Seeing her troubled expression, Ryder laughed. "If you can't think of a solution, come over and beg me. Maybe if you beg and say something I like, I'll let you delay this. How about that? I'm being very generous!"
Everyone's faces changed.
Owen rushed over and grabbed Ryder by the collar. "Damn it, you bastard! Do you know what you're saying?"
Ryder looked at him coldly, pulling back his collar. "She hasn't said anything yet. Why are you in such a hurry?"
Owen swung his fist, hitting Ryder in the face. "Ryder! She's not some woman you can insult! Why do you keep targeting Cassidy? She hasn't done anything wrong!"
Ryder didn't block the punch, and his face quickly reddened at the corner of his mouth. He wiped his mouth, glaring at Owen, then kicked him in the stomach.
As Owen doubled over in pain, Ryder grabbed his hair, forcing him to look up. "Owen, you're my brother, so I've tolerated you. But my patience has limits. Keep this up, and I won't hesitate to kill you!" His voice was cold and menacing, not a hint of a joke.
Seeing Ryder and Owen fighting, Declan was both surprised and angry. "Enough! Are we here to fight or solve the problem?"
Ryder snorted, letting go of Owen, and turned his gaze back to Cassidy.
Cassidy was startled by Owen's sudden action. She noticed that when Owen attacked Ryder, Easton's expression changed too.
Easton had questioned her more than once if she was trying to seduce Owen. She denied it every time, but Easton didn't seem to believe her.
Cassidy had always seen Owen as her little stepson, yet he had just fought his brother for her. This made Cassidy suspect that Owen might have feelings for her, and Easton had noticed, thinking she was seducing Owen.
Cassidy felt helpless. Why did trouble always find her when she was just minding her own business?
"Cassidy," Ryder's voice was sinister.
Cassidy looked around the room, gritted her teeth, and made a decision. She placed her hand on her belly and said calmly, "I'm already pregnant."