Chapter 1 Get Married

• "Are you willing to marry me right now?"
• Outside the men's restroom in a dimly lit bar, Ariana blocked a stranger's path, rising on her tiptoes as she pinned him against the wall. Her voice was soft and youthful, but her tone was commanding.
• She had to get married today, or her stepmother would marry her off to a creepy, perverted old man.
• Better to hire a man and save herself than walk into hell.
• Even if that man was a gigolo from the bar, she wouldn't mind.
• The dim lighting cast shadows on the man's face, highlighting his sharp eyebrows and striking features, giving him an air of cool detachment.
• He lazily raised an eyelid, his indifferent gaze sweeping over Ariana's deliberately heavy makeup. His tone was flat and uninterested. "Get lost, kid."
• He called me a kid?
• Ariana arched an eyebrow sharply and let out a low, mocking scoff.
• Well done, man. You've caught my attention.
• "It's just a contract marriage," Ariana said and stepped closer to the man, her fingers brushing against his wrist inadvertently.
• "I won't mistreat you. Seriously, aren't you considering it?" Ariana asked.
• Before she could finish, the man raised his eyebrows in surprise, glancing at her wrist before looking back at her with an intense gaze.
• His overwhelming presence bore down on her, leaving her breathless in an instant.
• She shrank back and said, "Forget it. Pretend I didn't say anything."
• Ariana raised her hand, releasing him and turning to leave, but suddenly felt a chill down her spine.
• "Did I let you go?" The man let out a low, cold chuckle, his deep voice edged with a steely chill.
• Ariana turned back and looked at him in confusion, asking, "Didn't you just decline me?"
• The man took a long stride forward, closing the distance between them, his captivating face suddenly magnified before her eyes.
• He looked down at Ariana, his inscrutable gaze casually glancing over her.
• "Did you bring your passport?" the man asked.
• "Of... of course," Ariana said.
• Her lips curled into a smile, her eyes shining brightly again.
• An hour later, they arrived at city hall.
• Ariana clutched her passport tightly and sneaked a glance at the man beside her.
• How has he suddenly agreed to marry me?
• "Are you a minor?" the man asked, turning to look at her. His sharp gaze startled her.
• The man's presence was terrifying. Every casual glance felt sharp and predatory, like the gaze of a hawk ready to strike.
• But Ariana was not easily intimidated. She lifted her chin, proudly holding up her passport. "I'm of legal age."
• The passport clearly stated she was twenty.
• She was born on the last day of an old calendar year, which meant she was counted as two years old at birth. In reality, she was just nineteen.
• After the staff checked their documents, they handed over two declaration forms to fill out.
• Ariana quickly completed hers and tilted her head just in time to see the man finishing his.
• The handwriting was powerful and elegant, each character sweeping across the page.
• So, his name was Simon Hunt. Well, he does look like a hunter.
• Ariana couldn't help but mock him in her mind as she handed in the declaration form.
• At that moment, Simon looked up, his eyes landing on her youthful, flamboyant signature.
• So she's called Ariana Ransom.
• "Are you both voluntarily getting married?" the staff asked indifferently.
• Even with Ariana's heavy makeup, her youthful vibrance contrasted starkly with Simon's mature, cool demeanor.
• Given the obvious age difference, it was no wonder the staff was skeptical.
• Ariana froze, instinctively looking at the man beside her, just as Simon turned to look at her as well.
• Their eyes met, and his gaze held a hint of mockery.
• "Are you scared?" Simon asked.
• In that moment, something flickered in Ariana's heart but quickly vanished.
• Taking a deep breath, she linked her arm with Simon's as if she wanted to prove that she was not afraid.
• "Of course not," Ariana said.
• Simon looked down, his gaze resting on their intertwined arms, deep in thought.
• A few minutes later, after completing the paperwork, they headed upstairs to take the marriage license photo.
• At the staff's insistence, Ariana rushed to the restroom to remove her bold makeup.
• Five minutes later, she emerged from the restroom.
• Her fair, heart-shaped face was accented by delicate features and thick, fluttering lashes.
• Below them were clear, sparkling eyes that easily captivated anyone who looked her way.
• She was a world apart from the earlier punk look.
• As soon as Ariana lifted her head, she caught Simon's deep gaze, scrutinizing her sharply.
• "What's wrong? Never seen a beauty before?" Ariana asked, feigning bravado.
• Simon averted his gaze, his lips pressing together in silence.
• She wanted to ask more, but the staff's urging made her hold back.
• They weren't a real couple, so they stiffly took their photo and swiftly completed the process.
• A few minutes later, they stepped out of city hall, each holding a marriage license.
• As Ariana marveled at the marriage license, her phone suddenly buzzed with a barrage of messages.
• She pulled out her phone to find a series of messages from her father, Jared Ransom.