Chapter 280
At ten o’clock the following morning, outside the city hall, Lacey stepped out of the car and immediately spotted Mark, impeccably dressed in a formal suit, waiting beside the cat for her.
“Layton I’m feeling a bit anxious,” Lacey said, turning to grasp the car door. But Layton brusquely pushed it open.
“Demand a hefty price. If he still wants to marry you, then by y all means, go ahead. Layton declared. “It’s pretty hot outside: don’t keep him waiting
too long. Hurry up
fily shut the car door and instructed the driver to leave. Watching Layton away. Lacey felt a surge of unease.
Layton swiftly
“Is there anything you need to clarify? We can talk in the car,” Mark said, turning his attention from Layton back to Lacey and ushering her into his
The air conditioning was strong in the car, yet Lacey, seated in the passenger seat, found herself sweating profusely. Meanwhile, Mark remained composed at the wheel.
“Mark” Lacey uddenly clutched his arm, her voice trembling. She looked into his eyes, tears welling up. “Mark, I made a mistake. Can we renegotiate the terms
Mark looked at Lacey with a serious expression and said. “You have to honor the wager; it’s what you taught me.”
Lacey felt an urge to tear her hair out in frustration. Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile. “Mark, I’ve developed feelings for someone else marrying you is just not an option.”
Mark replied. “In Steven’s livestream, you definitely didn’t say that”
Lacey’s expression twisted in distress as she leaned against Mark’s arm. With a muffled voice, she lamented, “I never expected to lose to you. caught off guard–just think of me as a bit crazy at that moment”
I was
“Not an option” Mark rejected firmly. “If you really want to hack out, I want repayment for the things I’ve given you. Our wager can be canceled.”
That’s unacceptable, Lacey shot back, her expression shifting as she considered the implications of returning the money. Once it was in her hands, it fch like it was rightfully her; she could not imagine giving it back.
Their eyes met, and Lacey’s gaze darted around. “Mark, even though we’ve known each other for years, we’ve never truly spent time always seen you as a brother.
“Suddenly becoming a couple is just too much for me to handle. What if we consider a contractual marriage instead?”
together.
I’ve
Tentatively, Lacey proposed, “I understand your family is pressuring you. Let’s have a contractual marriage for one year. If, after that, my feelings haven’t changed, we can part ways amicably, agreed?”
Mark responded with a neutral expression, “What other requests do you have?”
“If during this year I happen to develop feelings for someone else, you wouldn’t try to kill me, would you?” Lacey asked cautiously, her heart racing,
Mark replied decisively, “I am a doctor who saves lives, not a murderer. We will proceed with the contract for a year, if we don’t fall in love by then. we can get a divorce.”
“Can we keep our marriage private without a wedding”
Mark gave is some thought. “Having both families sit down for a meal shouldn’t be considered public, rightr
“Of course. Outsiders can stay in the dark, but our families will definitely find out.”
Thral
“I knew you’d come through for me, Mark,” Lacey exclaimed, her excitement palpable. “I promise I won’t misuse your money this year and will do my best to avoid causing you any trouble”
Slr leaned her head against Mark’s arm, continuing to express her gratitude genuinely.
Mark watched Lacey’s enthusiasm with a hint of amusement as he retrieved a stack of documents. The contract can be signed later; are you ready to register our marriage now!”
“Let’s go register,” Lacey responded enthusiastically, flinging open the car door and exiting without hesitation.
Diana, hiding in the shade, observed as Mark and Lacey strolled hand in hand into the city hall, Relief washed over her. “Oh my goodness. Mark has finally found a partner. Diana fanned herself, her flushed face glistening with sweat.
“What are you doing here at this hour?” Aaron, along with several colleagues, unexpectedly found Diana crouched behind. atree
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2:03 PM c c ·
Chapter 250
“Aaron, I’m about to melt away, Diana exclaimed, lowering her head to wipe her sweat onto Aaron’s white shirt.
Aaron’s colleagues immediately erupted into teasing. “Lunchtime is coming up–would you like to join me for a meal in the cafeteria?” Aaron asked gently
Without a moment’s hesitation, Diana linked her arm with Aaron’s in front of his colleagues and walked forward. Despite Aaron’s reminders that “people are watching“, she held onto him until they reached the cafeteria
Upon their entrance, Aaron’s colleagues erupted with excitement. Eligible bachelors swarmed to tease the two. “Aaron, introduce us. When did you land such a beautiful girlfriend?”
Aaron shot a calm glance at Lacey before gently nudging his colleagues back to their seats.
“Aaron, I thought you were going out for lunch, a tall and attractive woman approached, her eyes landing on Diana. “Hello, I’m Ophelia, a colleague of Aaron’s.”
Diana covertly pinched Aaron’s arm and responded brightly, “Hello, I’m Aaron’s friend, Diana” Her emphasis on the word “friend” was intentional.
Aaron tilted his head down to look at Diana, mildly puzzled. He couldn’t believe how easily she shifted her attitude.
“So you’re a friend of Aaron’s? Let’s ear together then,” Ophelia said.
Diana glanced at Aaron as he said, “Till take her to the next table; we wouldn’t want to interrupt your meal. With that, he led Diana away. Diana shot an impudent look back at Ophelia, who remained awkwardly at her table.
Seated at a quiet table near the window, Aaron ordered a wide array of tasty dishes for Diana. Hot and hungry, she devoured her food eagerly.
“Take your time; no need to rush,” Aaron encouraged gently, handing her peeled shrimp, which she quickly accepted with her mouth open wide. He continued feeding her with ease.
Aaron’s rare display of care left their colleagues astonished. “Aaron, Ophelia has a thing for you, Diana remarked,
“Nonsense; we’ve been colleagues for years, Aaron replied calmly, keeping his composure even while eating. Just then, Diana’s phone lit up. Seeing the message urging her to meet Mark’s wife, Diana leaped up with excitement
“Mark has finally found someone. Aaron, I have to go; the Grant family has just gained a new member she exclaimed, hurriedly stuffing her phone, hairpin, and compact mirror into her bag.
“Don’t rush, wipe your mouth first, Aaron suggested, taking a tissue and, reminiscent of a doting father, dabbing at her lips.
Aaron’s flurry of actions thrilled their colleagues: they could scarcely believe the usually stoic Aaron might be in love.
Before she could leave, Diana’s phone rang. Whitney said, “Be at the Grant Manor for dinner at eight tonight; go along with Elli
At the same time, nearly a thousand members of the elite circle received the invitation to the Grant family’s dinner at eight that evening-
