Chapter 1 Impulsive Vow To An Enigmatic Husband

• Riverton.
• Summer's searing sun feels like it may bake you to a crisp. Cornelia Stewart took a half-day off from her job, left the workplace, and went straight to the city hall in Waterside District to collect her marriage certificate. She knew her grandmother was still furious about what had happened three years ago, believing she did not adequately safeguard Cornelia, which resulted in her terrible reputation and inability to return home. Rebecca was concerned that, as Granny Rebecca aged, she would no longer be able to care for Cornelia. So she sought out Granny Luisa of Riverton in the hopes of introducing Cornelia to a suitable man. Granny Luisa's grandson happened to be an eligible bachelor.
• The older generation always believed that a girl's ultimate purpose should be to marry, regardless of who the husband was; as long as she married, she had completed her duty. Cornelia had low expectations for marriage after what occurred three years ago and seeing so many broken marriages around her. She believed that if she met the right person, she could marry, but if she didn't, she wouldn't mind staying single for the rest of her life. To put her grandmother at rest, Cornelia consented to marry Granny Luisa's grandson. She arrived at her destination swiftly, and as she stepped out of the car, she noticed a tall man waiting at the entrance to the municipal hall. He wore a simple white shirt and black pants, but his look was remarkable, and ladies couldn't stop staring at him. He was on the phone and not looking sideways.
• Cornelia checked her phone and discovered the snapshot her grandmother gave her. The man appeared in the photo, but he was much more attractive in person. She approached him, and as she got close, he hung up the phone and asked, "Cornelia?" Not only was he attractive, but he also had a deep and seductive voice. She nodded. "Are you Jeremy Artis?" Jeremy nodded and turned to walk into City Hall. He took long steps and walked quickly, so Cornelia had to jog to keep up with him. "Um, are you sure you want to get married?" Jeremy paused and checked his watch. "Do you have any concerns?" Cornelia wanted to know whether he knew her or knew her background. But she suspected that he, like her, was pressured into marriage by the elder generation rather than pure love; therefore, knowing each other wasn't necessary. Like her, she simply knew he was Granny Luisa's grandson and had no idea what he did for a living. Cornelia shook her head and said, "Let's go then." They completed it promptly.
• When she viewed the recently issued marriage certificate, she couldn't believe it. At that point, Jeremy handed her a bank card. "I've been really busy at work recently and won't have time to care for you. Take this card; the password is six sixes, and spend the money inside whatever you like." Cornelia was taken aback, and by the time she recovered, Jeremy had already departed in a business car. She gazed at the bank card in her palm, as if it were burning her. She worked for the Hartley Group and had founded a comic book studio with a buddy. With a large monthly salary, she could live a comfortable life without wasting men's money. Her perfect loveless marriage would include obtaining a certificate to deal with the elders at home, refraining from interfering with each other after marriage, and continuing to live normally. However, if Jeremy Artis is eager to live a tranquil life with her, she will manage this marriage from the heart. Cornelia thought about it and emailed a snapshot of the marriage certificate to her grandmother. "Grandma, we've got our marriage certificate."
• Her grandmother said, "Good thing." You should have children with him as soon as feasible." "Okay." Cornelia replied with one word and put her phone aside, feeling a little heavy-hearted. That's how things were in Cornelia's hometown. If a woman was still unmarried, she would be encouraged to marry, and once married, she would be pressured to produce children. It seemed as if women couldn't lead their own lives. Comelia's marriage appeared to have little impact on her life. After their marriage, that man never contacted Cornelia again. Cornelia's life remained unchanged, and she worked ceaselessly throughout the day and night. A year passed swiftly, and Riverton greeted its warmest season ever. Cornelia was reassigned to the secretary's office at the Hartley Group headquarters that year as a result of her great performance.
• The president of the Hartley Group returned from a year overseas today, and everyone in the office was worried, especially Cornelia, who may be shifted to the president's side to continue her job. As everyone waited for the president to emerge, the president's personal elevator door opened, and two men and a lady stepped out. The leading man wore silver-framed spectacles and was at least 6 feet tall, with an immaculate body and face. Cornelia noticed a familiar face and continued to examine him for a few seconds. "Cornelia, that's our president, President Hartley," her colleague Yolanda whispered into her ear. "A girl in our office once had some thoughts about President Hartley and was fired." Cornelia had not seen the president in less than a year of working at the office. She knew he was just 28, but she didn't expect him to be that gorgeous and physically fit. Just as she was going to explain, a sneer sounded from behind.
• "Do you think you're worthy of him?" The speaker was Eden Petersen, who had asked Cornelia out and had made life unpleasant for her when she was turned down. Cornelia never had unrealistic ideas, and she didn't care about such petty individuals. thought Eden, on the other hand, felt he had predicted Cornelia's thoughts and cynically added, "Women these days are always aiming too high." They want to marry a wealthy man simply because they are pretty. "What are you talking about?" Helena, the president's aide, approached them and stared coldly. "Cornelia, Yolanda, and Eden, come with me to the president's office." Helena was a senior employee at the organization. She had spent several years working for the previous president, followed by Marcus Hartley. She was due to be relocated to the West Region, so someone needed to fill her position.
• Cornelia, Yolanda, and Eden were among the top performers chosen from the president's office staff of more than twenty people. It was up to the president to decide who would succeed Helena. They entered the president's office, which was beautifully adorned with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked half of Riverton. President Hartley stood tall and gracefully in front of the enormous window, dressed in a white shirt and black pants. Helena politely stated, "President Hartley, everyone is here." The man turned his head to gaze at them, and his aura was so powerful that everyone was afraid to breathe. Eden had the strength to take a step forward. "President Hartley, my name is Eden, and I've been working in the CEO's office for five years."
• My uncle, Matt Petersen, wanted me to greet you on his behalf. The man's demeanor remained unchanging as he looked at Eden, but those who knew him understood he had no regard for such ass-kissing conduct. He looked to Yolanda, who instantly stood up. "President Hartley, my name is Yolanda, and I've been working in the CEO's office for three years." She attempted to look confident, but her wavering voice revealed her uneasiness. He finally looked at Cornelia, who was also staring at him. Cornelia could see the man's face more clearly this time, as if it had been deliberately carved by an artist. She still thought he looked familiar. How could Cornelia have known Marcus was Jeremy, the spouse she had only met once on the day they picked up their marriage certificate? The Hartley Group was unstable internally the year Jeremy was born, so his family set him up with two identities to safeguard their sole heir. Marcus Hartley was introduced to the world, but his real name was Jeremy, and only his family was aware of it.