Sophie Shaw turned her head, wanting to leave.

But her legs felt as if they were filled with lead, unable to move an inch.

Alaric Blackwood was currently her only option to escape the Kane Family. This man cared about his childhood sweetheart, and it was so late, yet there was a woman at his place...

It seemed the rumors were true.

’This is fine, too...’

"I want to talk to you about getting married."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Sophie Shaw wanted to slap herself hard across the face.

Just last night, she had so seriously and adamantly declared that she wouldn’t marry him.

Today, she was eating her own words.

Alaric Blackwood watched her without blinking, his charming eyes holding a hint of a teasing smile.

He had already investigated Sophie Shaw’s situation with the Kane Family and knew she would come to him eventually. It was just a little sooner than he had expected.

"Come in and talk."

He turned and went back inside.

Sophie Shaw stepped onto the marble stairs and followed the man inside.

The living room was spacious and bright. The sofa and floor lamp were minimalist in style. A glance around revealed a palette of black, white, and gray, impeccably clean, with everything neatly in its place.

The man sat on the sofa and casually lit a cigarette.

He sat in a lazy posture, the collar of his white shirt slightly open, clearly revealing a reddish scratch on his neck.

Sophie Shaw couldn’t help but think of the woman in hot pants...

"Sit."

Alaric Blackwood jutted his chin toward the sofa opposite him.

Sophie Shaw walked over and sat down primly. She sat up straight with her purse on her lap, her hands gripping it tightly. Her expression was also very serious, a stark contrast to Alaric Blackwood’s relaxed posture.

The man squinted at her. He had finished a whole cigarette, yet she remained silent, as if wrestling with something.

He pressed the cigarette butt into the ashtray, draped his arms naturally over the back of the sofa, and curled his thin lips. His tone was playful. "Didn’t you want to talk about marriage? You haven’t said a word this whole time. Are you planning some kind of big move?"

Sophie Shaw: "..."

"You can state whatever conditions you have."

Sophie Shaw hadn’t expected him to be so direct. Composing herself, she said, "Then I’ll state them?"

Alaric Blackwood let out a low chuckle. "Let’s hear it."

"A marriage of convenience."

The man raised an eyebrow but didn’t interrupt, letting her continue. "The marriage will last for one year, and I won’t interfere in your private life."

The implication was that he could do whatever he wanted with whomever he wanted.

"Just one year?"

Alaric Blackwood gave a faint, unreadable smile. "Isn’t that a little short?"

"If Mr. Blackwood is satisfied with our partnership, we can discuss renewing the marriage after a year."

"Renewing the marriage?"

It was the first time he’d ever heard the term, and Alaric Blackwood burst out laughing.

When the man smiled, his features were refined and strong, but his deep, luminous eyes were filled with a wildness. His smile gave off a roguish charm that was both elegant and unruly.

Those charming eyes, in particular, were incredibly bewitching and seductive.

Born so devastatingly handsome, it was no wonder he could pass through a field of a thousand flowers without a single petal clinging to him.

"Interesting."

Alaric Blackwood was in a great mood, his eyes crinkling with his smile. "I agree."

"I’ll have the agreement ready tomorrow. After we sign it, we can head to the Civil Affairs Bureau and get the certificate. The families will meet next Saturday. If you’re not busy, Mr. Blackwood, I suggest you make an appearance. We still have to go through the motions."

Sophie Shaw said this all in one breath. Seeing the man was still smiling, she asked politely, "Does Mr. Blackwood have anything to add?"

"I do."

"Please, go ahead."

"Since we’re getting married, both parties need to fulfill their responsibilities. When needed, you have to be on call."

Sophie Shaw thought for a moment. ’Since it’s a partnership, we’ll definitely need to maintain the appearance of a married couple.’

"Alright. What time is convenient for you tomorrow, Mr. Blackwood?"

"Any time is fine."

As he spoke, the man held out a hand. "Give me your phone."

Sophie Shaw didn’t think much of it, took her phone out of her purse, and handed it to Alaric Blackwood.

The man took it. "Passcode."

"Six sixes."

A small smile played on Alaric Blackwood’s lips. He unlocked the screen, saved his own phone number to her contacts, and added himself as a friend on WeChat while he was at it.

Sophie Shaw’s profile picture was a little lamb.

Handing the phone back, he pulled his own phone from his trouser pocket and accepted the WeChat friend request.

Sophie Shaw received a notification. She opened WeChat and saw a message from Alaric Blackwood: [You can call or text me on WeChat.]

The man’s profile picture was simple and crude: a huge banknote.

It practically screamed "nouveau riche."

A phrase inexplicably flashed through her mind—’so tacky it’s trendy’.

Sophie Shaw picked up her bag, her expression unchanged. "See you tomorrow, Mr. Blackwood."

"Leaving already?"

"Our business is concluded. I won’t disturb you any further."

Sophie Shaw stood up.

Whether she stood up too fast or for some other reason, her vision suddenly went black. She pitched forward, her head nearly crashing into the coffee table.

In the nick of time, a strong, powerful arm wrapped around her waist, lifting her up with a single hand.

She didn’t hit the coffee table, but her feet left the ground. Her whole body was draped over the man’s arm, held up by his single hand. His warm palm pressed against her lower abdomen, and she could feel its heat through the thin fabric of her clothes.

As her vision cleared and the dizziness passed, all the blood in her body rushed to her face.

She began to struggle, her legs kicking wildly. "Mr. Blackwood, let me go!"

With a flick of his arm, the man tossed her back onto the sofa.

She landed so hard she saw stars. Just as she was about to get up, his tall frame loomed over her.

Alaric Blackwood knelt on the sofa with one leg, his knee pushing between hers. He braced his arms on either side of her body and leaned down.

"My future wife, are you a little too delicate?"

The man was very close. A faint scent of ebony and agarwood tickled her nose. She instinctively held her breath, turning her face to the side, too embarrassed to meet his gaze. "No, I slept all day and haven’t eaten yet. It’s probably low blood sugar."

"That’s serious. We’re getting our marriage certificate tomorrow. I can’t let my future wife starve to death today."

Alaric Blackwood chuckled lightly, pushed himself off her, and said, "Wait here," before striding toward the open-plan kitchen.

A few minutes later, the man walked straight toward her, carrying a round plate in one hand and a glass of milk in the other.

On the plate were two sandwich halves—a single sandwich made with two slices of toast, cut diagonally. It wasn’t a large portion, but it was enough to stave off hunger in an emergency.

"Eat."

Alaric Blackwood’s tone was a bit domineering. He shoved the plate of sandwiches and the glass of milk into her hands.

Sophie Shaw stared at the sandwich on the plate. It was generously filled; she could see red tomato, bacon, ham, lettuce, and even savory, sweet cheese.

"Thank you."

She placed the milk on the coffee table, balanced the plate steadily on her lap, and picked up a sandwich half to eat.

Alaric Blackwood sat down across from her, his long, slender fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of the sofa.

The woman was clearly starving. She polished off one sandwich half in just a few bites, then picked up the other and began eating it in big mouthfuls, completely unconcerned about her image even though he was staring at her.

’Good. She’s not pretentious.’

After finishing the sandwich, Sophie Shaw picked up the milk, tilted her head back slightly, and drank the entire glass. GULP, GULP, GULP.

The milk wasn’t cold, nor was it hot. It was warm.

She put down the glass, and as she slowly raised her gaze, she noticed Alaric Blackwood was still staring at her.

Her cheeks grew slightly warm.

She licked the corner of her mouth and realized she still wasn’t full.

The sandwich had been small, and even with the glass of milk, she was only about half-full.

If she went back to the Kane Family’s house at this hour, there would definitely be no food.

"Can I have another one?"