Chapter 6 Fake Marriage

• Adeline shook her head vigorously. “No. I've never had a boyfriend, so it's impossible for me to receive a ring as a gift, much less bed a man. I'm still a virgin!”
• After saying that, she felt secretly pleased. Isaac is testing me. Fortunately, I'm witty. Even if I had been with over a dozen men, I wouldn't tell him.
• Isaac's facial expression gradually darkened.
• He had thought that his grandfather had arranged the night six years ago, so when the latter regained consciousness and insisted he married the eldest daughter of the Aniston family, he instinctively assumed she would be the person he was looking for.
• Now, it seemed to him that wasn't the case.
• Returning to his usual indifference, Isaac pushed an agreement to Adeline. “Ms. Aniston, I'm meeting you today to propose a deal.”
• Adeline had never met a man like him. Didn't he ask me out because he liked me? Why is he bringing up business now?
• She gazed at the agreement in her hand in confusion. There were three pages, but she could only understand the simple clauses. “Mr. Arnold, are you proposing that we have a fake marriage?”
• Isaac nodded. “The fake marriage will last for a year. I can end the contract early, and as long as I haven't done so, you can enjoy all the rights of being my wife. After the agreement is dissolved, you will receive five million as compensation.”
• Adeline was tempted after hearing she would get to enjoy rights as Isaac's wife. After all, he was extremely influential and famous in Appleby, with countless women yearning to marry him.
• If she were associated with him, no one would dare to bully her. Moreover, members of the Aniston family would treat her differently. Adeline figured her grandfather might even pass her their family's inheritance rights. If, during this one-year period, I manage to make Isaac develop feelings for me and become the actual Mrs. Arnold, that'll be even better!
• Despite the surge of excitement within her, she maintained a calm facade, trying her best to suppress her joy.
• “Why me, Mr. Arnold?” Adeline asked.
• She reckoned it must be because of her outstanding beauty. She puffed out her chest confidently and smiled more dazzlingly.
• “It's because my grandpa is gravely ill, and I want to fulfill his wish.”
• Isaac didn't have a single clue about the whereabouts of the woman he was searching for. However, he did leave a ring before he left, hoping she would see it and accept it.
• His gesture was also to express his sincerity.
• In the past, he had always thought his grandfather had drugged him to force him to get married and that woman was arranged to be there by his grandfather. Now, it seemed that wasn't the case.
• Still, Isaac wouldn't give up. He was determined to find the woman.
• Noticing the expression of the man opposite her turning darker, Adeline thought she had annoyed him by asking too many questions.
• She immediately picked up the pen and signed the agreement. It's fine, even if it's a fake marriage. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to get close to such an esteemed and wealthy man. As long as I work hard, I can definitely turn this fake marriage into a real one!
• Isaac retrieved the signed agreement and said emotionlessly, “Ms. Aniston, I will visit your place to propose marriage next Friday.”
• “I'll be waiting for you, then, Mr. Arnold. I'm going to take my leave now.” Adeline got to her feet and left.
• She could hardly contain her exhilaration after stepping out of the private room. I'll become the mistress of the Arnold family soon and be able to do as I desire in Appleby!
• All of a sudden, she saw someone who looked exactly like Patricia, causing her to widen her eyes in fright. Isn't Patricia dead?
• After pondering briefly, Adeline strode over and called out tentatively, “Patricia.”
• Patricia turned around and saw the bewildered look on Adeline's countenance.
• Instantaneously, resentment churned within her as an urge to lurch forward and strangle Adeline washed over her.
• When Sylvie heard someone calling her mother, she glanced at the beautifully dressed woman.
• “Tricia, your friend is calling you.”
• Hearing that, Adeline took a step back in astonishment. Patricia is really still alive!