Z City
That afternoon, Kaira had no classes, so she rode her bicycle home to greet her grandmother Elisa, took her household registration book, and headed toward the Bureau of Civil Affairs.
Kaira had rejected her grandmother Elisa’s marriage proposal a long time ago, but last night, she accidentally overheard their plan to have her replace their adopted daughter, Nora. For that, she was supposed to marry into the Brooks family, and that too for a hefty engagement gift – something she immediately disagreed with!
Kaira had been living with them for three years, and they had never seen her as anything but a careful, guarded guest. Now, they wanted her to replace Nora in the marriage for a little fortune? Sorry, but Kaira was not going to let them manipulate her like this!
Therefore, she agreed to her grandmother Elisa’s proposal... and decided to marry a man named Michael.
Kaira waited for half an hour at the entrance of the Bureau of Civil Affairs, and just as she was about to assume that she had been forgotten, a black sedan stopped in front of her.
The driver’s door opened, and a man got out of the car. He was tall and straight, like a pine tree, dressed in a white shirt and black pants. His facial features were deep and three-dimensional, sharp, and he was so handsome that it was nearly impossible to look away.
When Kaira went home to fetch her household registration book, she had seen Michael on her grandmother Smith's phone and recognized him.
Michael walked up to Kaira and asked, "Are you Kaira Carter?"
Kaira was pulled back to reality by his sweet voice. She wet her bright red lips and nodded, "I am Kaira."
"Let’s go inside and get your marriage certificate." Michael's voice was encouraging, but still carried a slight coldness of command.
Surprised, Kaira asked, "Mr. Smith, don’t you want to know more about me?"
"I trust my grandmother's decision." Michael’s voice was neither warm nor cold, and there was no hint of unnecessary emotion on his handsome face, only a look of seriousness.
Thus, Kaira had nothing much left to say. After all, her marriage registration with Michael was simply to get rid of some troubles, so she didn’t need to know much about him.
Michael walked straight towards the Civil Affairs Bureau, with Kaira following him. There weren’t many people at the Bureau, and Kaira and Michael quickly got their marriage certificate.
Reaching the side of the road, Michael took out a key and a bank card and handed them to Kaira. Even though Kaira and Michael had registered their marriage, there was no affection between them, so Kaira refused to accept Michael’s bank card or his house keys.
Kaira refused directly, "I already have a place to stay. I don’t need to live in your house. As for living expenses, I have a part-time job and can support myself. So, I’m sorry, I can’t accept these."
Kaira’s words surprised Michael. He had assumed that Kaira would willingly accept his house and bank card, but Kaira surprisingly refused.
Nevertheless, Michael still handed the keys to Kaira without waiting for her second refusal. He immediately got into his car and drove away.
Kaira looked at the keys and bank card in her hand, still warm with his lingering warmth, her face complex. The reason for their registered marriage was entirely based on other reasons; she had never thought of getting his money or house. Yet, he forcefully handed her both things, not giving her a chance to refuse. Well, when the time came, she would return them.
Taking a deep breath, Kaira placed the bank card and keys in her bag, got on her electric bike, and rode back to school.
Smith Corporation, Conference Room.
Seated at the prominent position, Michael exuded an overwhelming presence that was enough to astonish everyone in the room. The managers seated beneath him were fully alert, watching him with deep respect.
Suddenly, Michael’s personal phone rang, interrupting the conversation. Fortunately, it was his own phone ringing. If it had been anyone else’s phone at this crucial moment, they would undoubtedly have been subjected to Michael's stern reprimand.
Looking at the phone, Michael saw it was a call from his grandmother.
"Grandma, I’m in a meeting right now. If it’s not urgent, can we talk later?" Michael's cold, dark eyes softened, and the sternness in his voice disappeared. Only when speaking to his grandmother could he suppress his powerful aura.
"There’s nothing urgent, I just wanted to ask if you and Kaira have already received your marriage certificate?"
Michael nodded, "Yes, we’ve received the marriage certificate."
The top executives sitting beneath Michael were astonished.
A marriage certificate? Who did their CEO marry? This was so sudden, wasn’t it? They knew absolutely nothing about Michael’s personal life.
Getting a marriage certificate was already planned! Who was this rich girl who managed to captivate their demon-CEO?
"Kaira is such a well-behaved girl, I hope you two will live a good life together, and make sure to give me a lovely grandson as soon as possible!"
Grandma Susan had been praising Kaira in Michael's ears every day. Now that Michael had married her, she couldn’t stop smiling.
"Grandma, don’t worry, I know what to do," Michael said.
"Also, don’t bully her, treat her well, or I won’t forgive you!" Grandma threatened Michael.
"Hmm," Michael replied.
Knowing her grandson was in a meeting, Grandma didn’t say anything more and hung up the phone.
In Michael’s mind, he naturally thought of Kaira. As long as Kaira didn’t betray him, he would certainly fulfill his duties as a husband.
Michael put his phone down and, not one for unnecessary chatter, said, "Continue."
The next day, Saturday afternoon, Kaira was working part-time at a coffee shop when her phone rang. It was Advisor Ryan's call. The café wasn’t crowded, so Kaira leaned over the counter to pick up the phone.
"Kaira, I have some good news for you. To develop design talents, the Smith Group is sponsoring foreign education, and each university has only one spot. After returning to the country, you will have a high chance of being employed by the Smith Group. The principal and other teachers think highly of you, and they have reserved this spot for you. Don’t let everyone’s expectations down!" Hearing these words from Advisor Ryan, Kaira was stunned.
Really? Is her luck this good? There are so many outstanding students at the school, and they all recommend her?
"Advisor, is this true?"
Kaira was still doubtful. After all, there were many excellent students at the school, and she considered herself an ordinary person. How lucky was she to be recognized by the principal and others?
"The principal and others have already made the decision. The principal even asked me to inform you about this matter. There’s no need for doubt," Ryan said.
Kaira was studying jewelry design. She wanted to improve herself and work for the Smith Group in the future, so she agreed. She was supposed to leave for abroad next Monday. It was all happening very quickly. Advisor Ryan gave Kaira some advice and then ended the call.
Kaira called her grandmother Elisa to share the good news. Grandma Elisa was very happy, but when she thought that her granddaughter would be going abroad right after getting the marriage certificate, the smile on her face disappeared.
"Coco, isn’t it inappropriate to leave for abroad immediately after getting the marriage certificate?"
