MTL - The Problem with Marrying Rich: Out of the Way, Ex - Chapter 17 : She is angry

[Mature Content:]Alaric was too close to Nicolette.Her mouth was just inches away from his.He could smell the lavender on her skin, the heat radiating from within her.But he held back, refusing to be carried away by her charm…“Mr. Allens…” she purred, and he looked down at her.Her eyes widened with desire, and he knew, in that moment, that if he wanted to kiss her, she would let him.The last thing he wanted was commitment. He knew that Nicolette didn’t want that either.But why was she this tempting?So willing?It was that willingness that confused him.She blinked, then swallowed as she pulled the jacket off her shoulders. His eyes lingered on her exposed neck.God.He just wanted to bury his mouth in that hollow spot.“Here,” Nicolette said calmly, extending the jacket to him.He took the jacket, his hand brushing hers just a second. She flinched, her face turning pink as she clutched the towel against her chest.His stomach flipped at the sight.If only that towel would give way to…Before he could stop himself, Alaric pressed his arousal against her stomach, pushing her against the wall, cornering her.She gasped at the sudden movement and for a moment, he lost his mind.“Cole…” he breathed, crushing himself against her.Her eyes gleamed with desire and a vulnerability that rocked him to his core.He would be foolish not to give in to this feeling.But he would also be a fool if he did.She had chosen to marry him.Not her boyfriend.And definitely not Lucian Crawford.Yet, he couldn't help it.She was only his for a year.But still…***************When her business and the gallery she inherited from her mother burn to the ground, Nicolette Voss is determined to rebuild—and get revenge on her father.She turned to her father’s rival, Alaric Allens, for an alliance.Alaric is willing to help, but on one condition—she must be his wife for a year.They called him Ruthless Alaric after an infamous incident 6 years ago. Alaric is back in town, and so are the crumbs of his past. But he is determined to change everything with a wife.He has his hidden agenda.She needs her revenge.But will this marriage between storm and steel survive the heat? And what will they do when deep secrets threatens to destroy them both?

【Arranged Marriage, Love After Marriage+Sweet Pampering+Blessed Pregnancy+Clean Hands+Child Rearing Daily Life+CEO+Beloved Wife】Caden Hawthorne, the head of the Hawthorne Family, is a paranoid and domineering figure, ruthless and decisive in business battles, navigating both the underworld and high society. Due to his consistent wearing of Buddha Beads, he is known in the underworld as “The Patriarch.”Everyone says that the heir of the Aethelgard Circle's wealthiest Hawthorne Family is a faithful monk-like figure, sexually abstinent and cold, never tempted by beauty.Until the arrival of Vivian Lynch, the Lynch Family's adopted daughter, unloved by her parents and burdened with a leech of a spoiled younger brother.After their one-night reckless encounter, it was assumed their paths would not cross again, but surprisingly, a little over a month later, she was pregnant — with twins.She was brought into the Hawthorne Family, marrying Caden Hawthorne for the sake of their children, becoming the envy of all as Mrs. Hawthorne.Initially, Caden tossed her an agreement, coldly stating, “After the children are born, we'll get a divorce.”Later, her true lineage was revealed, and Caden was slapped in the face by his own actions, desperately clinging to her leg, crying, “Baby, I was wrong, please don't leave me.”One day, Caden was supporting a heavily pregnant Vivian in front of the reporters, announcing, “That's right, we're having a second child.”Vivian, aggrieved and holding her pregnant belly, her eyes tinged red, angrily retorted, “Get lost! Who wants to have your child, you jerk?”Henceforth, the abstinent Patriarch descended from his pedestal, transforming into a doting husband, insatiable in his affection.【Paranoid, abstinent heir of The Aethelgard Circle VS gentle, soft, truly blessed heiress】

In a world where most wolves her age have already found their mates and embraced their destined roles, one she-wolf remains unmated—not out of bitterness, but because a deeper calling stirs within her. Haunted by a vivid dream that feels more like a prophecy than a passing vision, she begins to question whether her life was meant for more than becoming someone’s Luna. As her family pleads for caution, she stands at a crossroads: remain in the safety of the familiar, or follow the pull of fate into the unknown, where purpose, danger, and destiny await.

I’m a high school student who became an author after debuting at Dengeki Bunko. After taking a year of hiatus from school to write my work, I transferred out to another high school to study, and met a girl called Eri Nitadori in school, a rookie voice actress cast as a character in the anime adaptation of my work.

In school, we treat our professions as a secret. However, Nitadori’s very popular in class, and I’m a loner…the only chance we get to talk to each other is when we take the Limited Express train together every Thursday, seated side by side as we head off for an anime, After Recording.

To improve her skills, she asked me questions regarding the profession. While I was answering the questions regarding the process–how did it end up like this.

This is what I last remembered before I lost consciousness, and the story of my near-death experience.