Chapter 1 Marry Me (1)

• Luxurious presidential suite, grand in every detail.
• Various items were scattered across the carpet by the door, creating a chaotic scene.
• A pair of high heels, a men's belt, a tie, and a white shirt.
• Near the bed, gleaming Italian leather shoes and a beige cocktail dress lay alongside a bra and black trousers ...
• On the expansive, plush double bed.
• A woman slept, her expression serene, features delicate, skin porcelain-like; her dark hair fanned out on the pillow. She was covered by a blanket, though red and blue marks marred her pale, soft shoulders, adding a stark and suggestive contrast.
• Beside the woman, a man lay asleep, his long, honey-colored arms encircling her waist from under the blanket. The blanket modestly covered their vital areas, displaying his well-defined muscles and long legs, the epitome of physical perfection.
• "Mm ... "
• The woman grimaced slightly in her sleep and made a soft sound before lazily turning over to continue sleeping.
• On the other hand, the man, a light sleeper by habit, stirred at the noise. His eyes snapped open, instantly alert to the presence next to him. He sat up sharply.
• His gaze, cool and penetrating, fell on the unfamiliar woman beside him, her body marked by their previous passion.
• A flicker in his deep, dark eyes betrayed a fleeting emotion, but his chiseled face remained impassive, his thoughts inscrutable ...
• ...
• Time slipped by unnoticed.
• The woman gradually woke, her eyelids fluttering open as she stretched languidly.
• Her eyes then unwittingly caught sight of the man in the bed—
• "Ah!" Dana Tyndall screamed, tumbling out of bed.
• "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice shaky as she clutched the blanket tightly around herself. Her tone was a mix of anger and fear.
• Seeing a man she did not recognize in her bed, Dana felt her mind go blank with confusion.
• "Edwin Eliot," the man stated flatly, his voice cool and detached, his strikingly handsome face expressionless.
• "No, I didn't mean your name ... Wait, did we ... Did anything happen last night?" Dana stuttered, only to be cut off by the man.
• "Yes." His tone was frosty.
• Stunned, Dana's eyes welled up with tears, and she struggled to hold them back. "You're clean, right?"
• "It's my first time," Edwin added sharply, his deep, dark eyes revealing a flicker of intensity.
• "You ... " Dana glared at him, annoyed. "That's not what I meant!"
• Catching a glimpse of his now noticeable lower half, her face flushed deep red from embarrassment, and she quickly averted her eyes.
• Oh my God, it's huge.
• Could he possibly cover up before we continue talking?
• "I will take responsibility," Edwin declared abruptly.
• "What?" Dana blinked in disbelief, her wide eyes fixed on him.
• "I'll marry you," he clarified, noting her baffled expression. His dark eyes seemed to grow even more intense.
• "No, no, no," Dana protested, waving her hands dismissively, trying to maintain her composure. "Look, hookups and one-night stands are common these days. We're both adults. If it's about guilt, just think of it as a dream. You don't need to feel obliged to do anything for me."
• Internally, Dana cringed—she had always looked down on casual flings.
• Despite his allure, which was nearly divine, she was only 23 and not ready to settle down. She had planned to think about marriage around 28.
• Edwin's brow furrowed at her response, displeasure flickering across his usually impassive face.
• Checking the time, he stated firmly, "We're going to the registry office in half an hour."
• Dana, incensed by his presumptuousness, jumped up, her face burning with anger. "You can go if you want, but I'm not planning on getting married anytime soon—not for another five years at least."
• Unlike others who would typically flee from responsibility, why is this man so eager to tie the knot?
• This guy is crazy, and completely out of line.
• "I'm letting you know, not asking for your opinion," Edwin's voice was icy as he narrowed his eyes.
• "Are you out of your mind? I said I was not ready to get married! If you're so eager to tie the knot, go find someone who wants that too." Dana was fuming, outraged by his audacity.
• Unbelievably, he was not content with a one-night stand. Now, he wanted a lifetime commitment.
• What wishful thinking!
• Just as they were locked in this impasse, the doorbell rang, startling Dana into dashing for the bathroom.
• Edwin, unbothered, donned a bathrobe and answered the door.
• "Sir, your items," a hotel staffer said, handing over several bags.
• "Thanks." Edwin acknowledged, taking the bags.
• After that, he shut the door, approached the bathroom, and knocked.
• "Here are some clothes," he said, passing them through the slightly opened door.
• Dana took them quickly and shut the door again.
• Sitting in the bathtub, Dana inspected the bruises on her body, feeling humiliated, aggrieved, and sad.
• Yet, she could not bring herself to cry.
• She vaguely recalled coming to the hotel the previous night for a celebration banquet hosted by her school, which included some notable alumni donors. After drinking a bit, she felt unwell and retreated to a lounge to rest ...
• What happened next was a blur.
• ...
• Half an hour later, Dana, despite the aches, got dressed and stepped out of the bathroom.
• She caught sight of a strikingly handsome man lounging on a single sofa, clad in a crisp white shirt paired with black trousers. His long, straight legs were casually crossed, radiating a blend of elegance and authority, wrapped in a cool, imposing air.
• Wow, where did this breathtakingly handsome god-like figure come from?
• Dana was momentarily spellbound, lost for words.
• It was not until he approached and said, "Let's go," that she snapped back to reality.
• "W-What are you doing?" She stammered, utterly confused.
• "We're getting married."
• His words jolted her back to full alertness, staring at him in total disbelief.
• Was this refined, almost divine man the same guy who was just shirtless a moment ago?
• "I already told you I'm not getting married right now, especially not to you," she stated resolutely.
• Despite his striking looks, no sane person would leap into marriage with a stranger over a fleeting one-night stand.
• "Why not?" he pressed.
• "I still have so many things to do: I haven't traveled enough, haven't earned enough to indulge, haven't seen Lavender Vale or the Northern Lights, haven't explored Pariton or Bergville ... Once you're married, it's all about raising kids, homemaking, and being tethered to domestic duties. It restricts your freedom, so I'm not planning on getting married until I'm at least 28."
• Her plan was to live her youth to the fullest, savoring her freedom because those carefree days would end once married.
• Hence, she was in no rush to enter what she saw as the confines of marriage.
• "I bring looks, wealth, power, and stamina to the table. Marry me! You could have the run of Crownhaven. After we're married, you'd have access to a billion-dollar fortune, and having children would be your choice."
• He laid out his proposal coolly as if brokering a deal on the battlefield, presenting an enticing package for an impromptu marriage.