Chapter 1

"I'm married!"

As soon as Zelda Cantrell woke up, those words flashed through her mind like a neon sign.

She reached up to rub her temples, which were pounding from a nasty hangover. If she could, she would slap herself awake.

Yesterday, her boyfriend of one year, Virgil Valdez, showed up to break off their engagement. To make matters worse, he was planning to marry her half-sister, Faye Cantrell, in just a week.

Because of this, she was feeling upset and decided to go to a bar. Little did Zelda expect that after getting drunk, she would end up married. If she remembered correctly, the guy she chose was just some random "able-bodied man" she had picked up at the bar.

But it was not just any random guy—he was devastatingly handsome. Zelda wondered if he could have been a male escort.

Her eyes widened at the thought. As if getting married in a whirlwind wasn't enough, she had chosen a… male escort.

Before she could fully process what had happened, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen. It was Belinda Madron, her stepmother.

She picked up the call. Immediately, a sharp, angry voice burst through the speaker. "Zelda, where on earth were you last night?"

Zelda frowned. Belinda had never liked her. Not that it mattered anymore.

She wasn't the little girl who had once tolerated Belinda's abuse. She responded in a calm, detached voice, "I was at a friend's place. What's the matter?"

Belinda took a deep breath and then said, "Your father needs to see you. It's urgent. Get home right now."

With that, she hung up the phone. She didn't give Zelda any chance to respond.

Zelda rubbed her eyes, feeling the headache intensify. If she didn't go home, Belinda would surely make things even worse for her.

Just as she stood up, the door opened. A tall, broad-shouldered man walked into the room. He was strikingly handsome, with a pair of deep, narrow eyes that seemed as profound as an abyss, fixed intently on her.

Zelda blinked, her memories slowly aligning. This was Damian Munoz—the man she married last night.

She opened her mouth to say something, to explain maybe, but then she thought about Belinda's demand over the phone. Zelda hesitated, swallowing her words.

Standing up, she said, "I'll explain what happened last night another day. I have an urgent matter at home and need to leave now."

To her surprise, Damian didn't say a word. He just nodded and said, "I'll drive you."

Zelda thought about it for a moment before agreeing. The area wasn't great for hailing a cab this early in the day. If she dragged her feet and got back late, she didn't know what kind of trouble Belinda might stir up.

Damian drove Zelda back to the Cantrell residence. After a quick thank you, Zelda rushed inside.

As soon as she walked in, she ran into Faye. Faye's eyes widened with surprise. She had just seen Zelda get out of a luxury car—a Maybach.

In Phoypolis, there were only a handful of people who could afford to drive a Maybach. Even the Valdez family didn't have one.

Belinda said that Zelda hadn't come home all night. Faye wondered if Zelda went out partying and got involved with a man who was now supporting her.

Zelda wasn't particularly fond of Faye, who was only a few months younger, so she simply brushed past her and headed into the house.

Upon entering, she was immediately met with her father, Edric Cantrell. He was clearly agitated and questioned her, "Zelda! Where did you go last night? I heard that you went to a bar and stayed out all night. As a young woman, what kind of impression do you think this will leave on others?"

As Edric questioned her, Zelda's face remained expressionless.

It had been nearly a year since she had returned to the Cantrell residence, and Edric had barely taken notice of her before. Now, he was putting on a show of fatherly concern, and Zelda was sure his intentions were far from genuine.

Seeing Zelda's silence only flared up Edric's anger even more. He stepped forward, ready to raise his hand to slap her.

Seeing this, Belinda quickly intervened, grabbing Edric's arm. "Edric, calm down. Don't get yourself worked up. It's not good for your health. I'm sure Zelda didn't mean to cause any trouble."

"Didn't mean to? Who knows what kind of shady man she was with last night? With her behavior, who would want to marry her in the future?" Edric's anger only grew as he spoke.

Zelda couldn't help but smirk. Edric and Belinda were clearly putting on an act for their benefit.

Just then, Faye also walked in from outside. She quickly ran over to Belinda's side and said in a sarcastic tone, "Mom, I just saw Zelda get out of a Maybach. When did this country bumpkin get to know such an influential person?"

A Maybach was worth millions, or even tens of millions. Belinda and Edric wondered when Zelda had gotten involved with someone so influential.

"Zelda, have you done something outrageous?" Edric demanded, his eyes wide with anger.

Zelda thought to herself, "Outrageous? Is marrying someone on a whim considered outrageous?"

Seeing Zelda remain silent, Edric sighed heavily and waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it. I won't press you about what happened last night. Virgil broke off the engagement with you, and after thinking things over, I've found you a new fiancé.

"He's Osbert Ferguson, the head of Ferguson Group. He's seen you before and is very pleased with you. We've discussed it, and he'll be coming over tomorrow to ask for your hand in marriage."

If Zelda remembered correctly, Osbert was in his 40s. Moreover, he lost his wife six months ago and had two sons. It was said that even when his wife was still alive, he spent all his time out philandering.

There were rumors that his wife died from the stress he caused her.

"He's nearly the same age as you. Are you finding me a husband or a father?" Zelda finally spoke up as she walked over, her voice laced with sarcasm.

Edric's face turned red with anger. He pointed a finger at her and shouted, "Who do you think you are? You were raised in the countryside, just a country bumpkin. The fact that Mr. Ferguson took an interest in you is a blessing."

"I don't need this blessing. If you want it, you can have it," Zelda retorted. She had suspected that this rushed meeting wasn't going to be good news.

When Edric saw her resistance, he cut to the chase. "This isn't up for debate. I've already accepted Mr. Ferguson's betrothal gifts. He's coming to propose tomorrow, and whether you agree or not, you have to accept."

Chapter 2

Cantrell Group had recently faced a financial crisis, with cash flow issues creating a significant hole. If the situation continued, Cantrell Group was certain to go bankrupt.

At this critical moment, Osbert from Ferguson Group proposed a deal. If Edric could marry off a daughter of the Cantrell family to him, he would help cover the financial shortfall.

Faye grew up under the care of the family, so Edric was reluctant to part with her, and Zelda was already engaged to Virgil. Hence, a compromise needed to be made. Edric planned for Virgil to break off his engagement with Zelda and marry Faye, while Zelda would marry Osbert.

Zelda clenched her fists in anger. She hadn't expected Edric to be so ruthless, showing no regard for their father-daughter relationship and treating her as a mere business transaction.

"Absolutely not!" Zelda's voice was rigid. She was raised by her grandfather, Harlan Cantrell. This so-called father had never invested any effort into her upbringing.

If it weren't for Harlan's illness, requiring Edric to finance his care, she would never be living in the Cantrell residence.

Hearing her refusal, Edric sneered and said, "Zelda, don't forget that your grandfather is still in the hospital, and I'm paying for his care."

Though he didn't spell it out clearly, Edric's words were laced with a threat. Zelda was incredulous that he would use Harlan to blackmail her.

She said, "My grandpa is your biological father too. Do you not feel like a monster for using him to threaten me?"

Edric was exceedingly vain. He pretended to be noble while being selfish and self-serving behind the scenes.

His face reddened with anger as he shouted, "Zelda, how dare you speak to your father like this?"

Turning his back, Edric declared that he had no desire for pointless arguments. "Go stay in your room. Tomorrow, Mr. Ferguson will come to propose. Make sure you look presentable and prepare to marry him. The Ferguson family is wealthy, so marrying him isn't exactly a hardship."

The reasoning was as hypocritical as it was outrageous. Zelda felt a bitter laugh rising within her.

This father, who had never cared for her, was now setting her up with a man in his 40s as her fiancé.

It was absurd—utterly absurd.

But with her grandfather's hospital expenses in Edric's control, Zelda couldn't openly resist. She feared that Edric, this monster, might harm Harlan if she did.

Zelda took a deep breath, remaining silent as she turned and walked back to her room.

Not long after she returned to her room, her phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the screen and saw an unfamiliar number. She was a bit curious, but she still answered the call.

"If there's anything going on at your home, you can tell me." A deep, resonant male voice came through as soon as she answered the call.

Zelda recognized the voice as belonging to Damian, her so-called husband. Although she didn't know how Damian had gotten her number, Zelda couldn't help but give a wry smile. "It's nothing…"

"Your voice doesn't sound like it's nothing," Damian replied, his tone calm and probing.

The Cantrell family's issues were convoluted and deep-rooted. With Ferguson Group's considerable influence in Phoypolis, even if Damian wanted to help, there was little he could do.

"You're just a male escort. What can you do to help? You should take care of yourself first," Zelda said, feeling a dull ache in her head. She had ended up marrying a male escort, and now, she felt regretful.

"Male escort?" Damian's voice rose slightly, and he suddenly found it amusing. "Do you think I'm a male escort?"

Zelda answered vaguely, "What else could you be? You're so handsome, and you were in a bar. If you're not a male escort, what are you? With your looks and figure, you must be a top escort."

Damian's amusement grew as he listened to Zelda label him as a male escort.

He chuckled softly and replied slowly, "Well, even if I'm a male escort, we're married now. If you have any troubles, you can talk to me."

Zelda shook her head and replied, "No, it's fine. Just take care of yourself. My family's situation is complicated, and I can handle it myself."

Their marriage happened by chance, and she didn't want Damian to worry about her family's problems. After finishing her sentence, Zelda hung up the call.

Damian looked at the disconnected call with raised eyebrows, finding Zelda's price amusing.

Beside him, Warren Frazier leaned in with a smirk and looked at him. "Who's that? Is it that woman who insisted on marrying you?"

Remembering the scene from the previous night, Warren couldn't help but smile. It was rare to see his friend in an awkward situation.

"Yeah." Damian nodded in response.

Warren leaned in with a curious and teasing look, his eyes lingering on Damian.

"In the end, wasn't it that woman who took you away? So, did anything happen? Besides, hasn't your grandmother been pressuring you about marriage? Why not just go along with it? At least she's good-looking and has a certain charm."

Warren's voice was filled with teasing.

Damian picked up his water, sipped it slowly, and then responded in a calm voice, "Yes, we've already got our marriage certificate."

Warren sprayed his tea everywhere, coughing. He stared at Damian in shock.

He clearly couldn't believe what he had just heard. "You… You… must be crazy," he finally managed to say after a long pause.

Warren wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his brows furrowing slightly. "Damian, your family is prestigious. You just casually married a woman like that? What if she's after your money—"

Before Warren could finish, Damian interrupted him, "She doesn't know. She thinks I'm a male escort from the bar."

Warren was stunned into silence. The head of Munoz Group was mistaken for a male escort. The Munoz family was one of the top business tycoon families in the world.

…

Meanwhile, at the Cantrell residence, Faye strode into Zelda's room with an air of superiority. Crossing her arms and snorting, she asked, "Zelda, did you find yourself a sugar daddy last night?"

After returning to her room, Faye couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. When Zelda came back, she was dropped off in a Maybach. Faye wondered if she somehow latched onto a wealthy man last night.

Faye was resentful. Despite having been raised in the countryside, Zelda was constantly compared to Faye once she returned to the Cantrell residence. The result was that Zelda always seemed to outshine her.

Now that Faye had finally managed to get engaged to Virgil, she couldn't let Zelda find an even more powerful match.

Zelda didn't want to engage with her. She attempted to bypass Faye and turned to leave.

But Faye grabbed her and spoke in an aggressive tone, "Zelda! Anyone who can afford a Maybach in Phoypolis is usually older. How shameless can you be to climb into his bed?

"Fortunately, Virgil broke off the engagement with you. Otherwise, he would've been disgusted by you."

Hearing Faye bring up Virgil with such audacity, Zelda couldn't help but sneer. "Faye, how pure do you think you are? Virgil was my fiancé, and you shamelessly got involved with him. Don't you think you're disgusting?"

Faye's face turned red with shame. Clenching her fists, she glared at Zelda with hostility and shouted, "Virgil and I are in love. Who do you think you are? You're just a country bumpkin, but you dare to criticize me."

After hurling insults, Faye's anger subsided a bit. She exhaled and raised her chin, suddenly asking, "By the way, Zelda, do you know why Dad is marrying you off to Osbert?"

Chapter 3

Zelda's expression remained calm as she glanced at Faye. She wondered if there could be something more behind this whole situation.

Faye's smile grew even more smug as she said, "Cantrell Group is in a financial crisis. The Valdez family did provide some money, but it's not nearly enough. Osbert from Ferguson Group recently lost his wife, and due to pressure from the outside world, he has to remarry.

"He told Dad that if he could marry a daughter from the Cantrell family, he'd help Cantrell Group through this tough time."

Faye continued, "When Virgil found out about this, he was afraid I'd be sent off to the Fergusons. That's why he immediately broke off his engagement to you and decided to marry me instead. It was all to make sure you'd be the one marrying Osbert."

As Faye's words sank in, Zelda's face drained of color. She had considered many reasons for their breakup and thought that maybe Virgil had just grown tired of her. But it never crossed her mind that Virgil ended their engagement so that she could marry Osbert in Faye's place.

A year's worth of feelings felt like a cruel joke. Thinking back on the past year and Virgil's supposed kindness toward her, Zelda could only find it laughable—bordering on disgusting.

Seeing Zelda's pale face, Faye looked even more triumphant. She raised her chin and smirked. "Zelda, you'd better sit tight at home and wait for Osbert to come by tomorrow with his proposal."

With a smug look of victory, she turned and left the room, shutting the door behind her.

Zelda slumped onto the bed, her eyes cloudy as her heart ached painfully. It was hard to breathe as her chest tightened with frustration and hurt. She clenched her fists and bit her lip in anger. She realized just how despicable people could be.

Taking a deep breath, her gaze grew sharp with resolve. She thought, "Marry Osbert? Over my dead body."

The next morning came too quickly.

Before Zelda could even wake up properly, several people barged into her room and dragged her out of bed.

Belinda barked orders at the maids, "Make sure she's dressed up nicely. Mr. Ferguson will be here soon."

Zelda was forced into a chair in front of the vanity, where they styled her hair, applied makeup, and dressed her in an elegant cobalt blue gown.

As Belinda looked at the dressed-up Zelda, a flicker of hatred crossed her eyes. Despite being sent off to the countryside for years, she had still grown up to be so beautiful. Her skin was flawless, her lips red, and her teeth white.

Even with minimal effort, she looked like an angel descended from heaven. She was exactly like her wretched mother.

Belinda suppressed her anger. No matter how stunning Zelda was, it wouldn't matter. Once she was married off to Osbert, life would become unbearable for her.

"Now that you're all dressed up, go downstairs. Mr. Ferguson will be here soon, and you'll be his wife soon enough." Belinda tugged at Zelda, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Zelda frowned, clearly unwilling.

Belinda's voice dropped to a low, threatening whisper. "Don't forget about your grandfather's situation."

Left with no choice, Zelda reluctantly followed her downstairs.

Harlan was gravely ill due to organ failure. Despite her advanced medical skills, there was nothing she could do for him. The machines were all that kept him alive.

Over the years, she had dedicated herself to her medical research and made great achievements in the field. However, she didn't have much money to show for it.

When Harlan fell seriously ill, the person he still cared about was Edric. That was the reason she returned to Phoypolis with Harlan.

She just never expected that Edric and Belinda would use Harlan's illness to manipulate her now.

Zelda clenched her fists tightly. Though she felt repulsed, she complied with Belinda's demands and made her way downstairs.

In the living room, Edric was chatting warmly with a man who, despite being in his 40s, appeared even older at first glance. He looked well into his 50s with his balding head, greasy complexion, and large belly.

A thick gold chain hung around his neck, and a costly watch adorned his wrist. The man exuded the vibe of a wealthy but tasteless nouveau riche.

Edric was exceedingly polite to him. He maintained a constant smile as he flattered him throughout the conversation. "Mr. Ferguson, rest assured. I'm sure you'll be satisfied this time."

Just as he finished speaking, he heard footsteps and turned to see Zelda coming down the stairs. The moment Edric laid eyes on her, his face lit up.

He stood quickly and pulled her over, eager to introduce her. "Mr. Ferguson, this is my daughter, Zelda Cantrell."

Osbert's beady eyes swept toward her. His gaze landed on Zelda, and his eyes widened in surprise.

His predatory stare crawled over Zelda's body, making her stomach churn with disgust. The nauseating feeling only worsened under his lecherous scrutiny.

Edric noticed Osbert's lingering gaze on Zelda. He smiled and pulled her over to sit next to Osbert.

Osbert nodded in satisfaction, his eyes reluctantly leaving Zelda's form.

He cleared his throat and said, "I'm very pleased with Zelda. If possible, let's get the marriage certificate next week. Since this is my second marriage, we'll keep the wedding simple—a casual meal will suffice."

Edric readily agreed, "Indeed, a grand wedding would be a waste of money. Saving is a virtue."

Hearing Edric's flattery, Osbert smiled even more broadly. "Don't worry, Mr. Cantrell. Once Zelda and I are married, you'll be my father-in-law. I won't turn a blind eye to Cantrell Group's troubles. As soon as we have the marriage certificate, I'll invest in Cantrell Group."

Upon hearing this, Edric's smile widened into a beaming grin. "Great, great. I'll have Zelda cooperate with you to get the marriage certificate as soon as possible."

Edric and Osbert proceeded without asking Zelda's opinion, treating her like an item to be exchanged.

After speaking, Osbert gestured for someone to bring in the betrothal gifts and set them on the table. "These betrothal gifts are valued at one million dollars. I'll have the jewelry delivered tomorrow. Rest assured, once you're with me, you won't be lacking in anything financially."

The more Osbert looked at Zelda, the more satisfied he became. She was a beauty, her gaze enchanting. She sat gracefully on the couch in a stunning cobalt blue gown. She looked like a delicate porcelain doll, with every inch of her skin appearing flawless.

Zelda didn't even glance at those betrothal gifts. Once they had discussed and settled all the details, she said in a cold tone, "I'm not marrying."

Her voice was firm and resolute.

Edric's previously friendly demeanor instantly turned sour. With gritted teeth and a cold tone, he warned, "Zelda, don't say foolish things! This marriage is not up to you to decide."

Zelda looked up, her clear gaze filled with icy resolve. "I'm already married."

Her calm words were like a bombshell, instantly causing waves of shock and disbelief among those present.

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Edric leaped to his feet, his face flushing with anger.

"Zelda, as your father, these are the arrangements I've made for you. You have no right to argue. The marriage is set, and you can't back out now. Isn't it laughable that you're coming up with such flimsy excuses?"

After all, she had just been jilted by Virgil two days ago. No one would believe that she was already married now.

However, she did have a marriage certificate with Damian.

Osbert's expression darkened slightly at the side. Seeing this, Edric hurried to reassure him, "Mr. Ferguson, don't listen to her nonsense. How could she possibly be married? Rest assured, next week, I'll make sure Zelda accompanies you to get the marriage certificate."

Just as he finished speaking, a deep, resonant voice came from the doorway. "What are you planning to do with my wife?"

Chapter 4

Damian slowly walked in through the door. Today, he was dressed in a tailored gray suit that accentuated his tall, lean figure.

With his strikingly handsome features, he immediately captured everyone's attention as soon as he entered.

Zelda was startled when she saw Damian walking in. She stood up quickly and hurried over to him. She asked softly, "What are you doing here?"

Damian wrapped his arm around her waist with a firm grip. His sharp eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized everyone in the room. "We just got married. I should accompany you to visit your family. Are you hesitant?"

Zelda's cheeks flushed slightly. It wasn't that she didn't want him here, but given the current situation, Damian's arrival only made things worse.

As an insignificant male escort, he couldn't possibly confront Osbert effectively.

Zelda pulled him aside and whispered, "You should go back for now. The situation here is complicated, and I can't explain it all in just a few words."

This was her family matter, and she didn't want to drag Damian into it. However, Damian stubbornly held onto her, showing a surprising resolve despite the situation.

He said, "You're my wife, so your problems are my problems."

This statement infuriated Osbert. Although he had been pleased with Zelda in every way, this unexpected interference infuriated him. He felt his dignity was insulted.

Enraged, he slammed his hand heavily on the table. The loud bang echoed through the room, causing Edric's face to flush with embarrassment.

He quickly apologized to Osbert, "Mr. Ferguson, it's not what you think. Zelda is just causing trouble. Please don't take it seriously."

The Cantrells had to depend on Osbert's investment, and any anger from him could spell disaster for Cantrell Group.

Osbert stood up from the couch, his gaze cutting as he scanned Zelda before settling on Damian. Damian carried an innate air of sophistication that immediately suggested wealth or high status.

However, Osbert, who held a prominent position in Phoypolis, had encountered most of the city's notable figures. After a glance confirming that he hadn't seen Damian before, Osbert's arrogance only grew more pronounced.

He said, "Edric, I'm not desperate for a wife. Don't humiliate me like this. If you don't want your daughter to marry me, just say so. There's no need to bring in some pretty boy to undermine me."

Edric's expression was also grim. He hadn't expected Zelda to use such tactics.

He approached Damian, but due to his shorter stature, he lacked the imposing presence. He asked, "Who are you? Why are you here?"

Damian's expression remained indifferent as he wrapped his arm around Zelda and pulled her closer. "Naturally, I'm here for a visit."

"How dare you? Zelda is my daughter, a pure young woman. Who do you think you are, to tarnish her reputation?" Edric questioned him, his face turning red with fury.

At that moment, he seemed like a father genuinely concerned for his daughter.

Damian was not intimidated by Edric's anger. He glanced over at Osbert with an indifferent look and said, "You must be around 40 or 50 years old, which is old enough to make you Zelda's father.

"Are you really planning to marry her? Are you just an old man pursuing a younger woman, or are you merely dreaming beyond your means?"

Zelda almost laughed out loud. Damian had a sharp tongue.

Osbert's face turned an angry shade of red. He glared at Edric and spat out his words, almost through clenched teeth, "Edric, forget about any help from me regarding your family matters."

With that, he stormed out in a huff.

Edric tried to call Osbert back, but Osbert was too enraged to listen. He marched out briskly.

What was supposed to be a straightforward negotiation had turned into chaos because of Damian's arrival. Edric was on the verge of losing consciousness from frustration. He glared at Damian and pointed a shaking finger at him, stuttering, "Y-You…"

He couldn't get a complete sentence out.

At that moment, Belinda conveniently stepped in. She approached Edric and patted him on the back. In a reproachful tone, she said, "Zelda, even if you're unwilling, you shouldn't provoke your father like this. He's only asking you to marry Osbert for the good of our family."

They always wrapped their self-serving actions in grandiose justifications. Zelda found their hypocrisy nauseating.

Edric managed to regain his composure and looked up at them. "Zelda, how dare you use such tactics to avoid marriage? I'm telling you, you must marry Osbert. Otherwise, don't expect any help from me with your grandfather's situation."

Upon mentioning Harlan, Edric saw an opportunity to leverage Zelda's feelings. His expression softened considerably as he continued, "Tomorrow, I'll prepare gifts. You'll come with me to apologize to Mr. Ferguson. He'll forgive you."

As soon as Edric finished speaking, Belinda quickly chimed in, "Yes, Zelda. The situation hasn't been made public. Our family is struggling right now, and your father's decision is unavoidable. You need to understand and not provoke him with some pretty boy."

Zelda looked coldly at the two of them. Their repeated use of her grandfather to threaten her was truly despicable.

Sensing her anger, Damian reached out and drew her closer. His intense eyes narrowed slightly in what seemed like a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes.

He declared, "I'm sorry, but Zelda and I have already obtained a marriage certificate. We're legally married now."

"What do you mean?" Edric was clearly incredulous.

Damian took out the marriage certificate from his pocket and spread it out. "This is the marriage certificate we just obtained today. If you don't believe me, you can verify it at the courthouse."

Edric glanced at the certificate, which did indeed list Zelda's and Damian's names. Since Zelda was raised by Harlan, and she had all her identification documents on her, it was entirely possible for her to obtain a marriage certificate on her own.

Seeing this, Edric's vision blurred with anger. Faye descended from upstairs and noticed the tense atmosphere. She curiously approached, asking, "Dad, Mom, what's going on?"

As she spoke, her gaze suddenly fell on Damian. Just one look left her momentarily stunned. His chiseled, striking features exuded a perfect refinement. It was as if his face was meticulously sculpted, with no flaws.

Dressed in a sharp gray suit, he appeared even more striking and handsome, surpassing many celebrities.

"Faye, Zelda has somehow married a pretty boy, and now, she's provoking your father," Belinda said, pointing at Zelda with scorn.

Faye redirected her gaze to Zelda. She immediately adopted a delicate, feigned innocence. "Zelda, how could you do this? Just yesterday, you agreed to everything. And Grandpa is still in the hospital. If our family can't secure the funds, who's going to cover Grandpa's medical bills?"

With Faye's reminder, Edric decided to take a hardline approach. "Zelda, you need to get a divorce immediately. You'll come with me to the Ferguson residence to apologize tomorrow. Otherwise, you can just wait to deal with your grandpa's funeral arrangements."

Chapter 5

Zelda clenched her fists, her breathing growing heavy with tension.

Damian lowered his gaze slightly. He noticed that Zelda's cheeks were flushed with anger. After all, she was his legitimate wife.

His eyes grew cold as his sharp gaze locked onto Edric.

"Today has been an eye-opener. To think that the Cantrells are so shameless as to use the life of a biological family member to coerce someone. Aren't you afraid of how ridiculous this will sound once it gets out?"

Damian raised his chin slightly, a cold smile curling at his lips.

Edric's anger flared. If it hadn't been for Damian's interference, the marriage between Zelda and Osbert would have already been finalized. With nowhere else to channel his fury, Edric directed it at Damian.

"Who do you think you are? When did an outsider get the right to meddle in our family's affairs? People like you are a dime a dozen. Don't think that just because Zelda is a Cantrell that you're somehow climbing the social ladder. I'm telling you, she's nothing in the Cantrell family."

Each word was like a sharp knife, cutting deeply and leaving Zelda emotionally wounded. The last shred of familial affection she had was completely shattered.

Damian furrowed his well-defined brows. He was about to speak up on Zelda's behalf when he felt a sudden tug on his wrist.

Zelda gave him a wry smile and shook her head. "It's fine. You should go back for now."

Edric was adamant about having her marry Osbert. Even if Damian spoke up for her, it wouldn't bring any benefit and might only lead to trouble.

Damian remained silent, his intense gaze fixed on Zelda.

"He can't leave yet. You both must finalize the divorce today!" Edric took a deep breath and continued, "Mr. Ferguson likes you. If you divorce him obediently, he won't hold it against you."

Edric was now solely focused on his interests. He didn't care about Zelda's feelings.

"There's a mandatory cooling-off period for divorces. Even if I want to, I can't finalize it until a month later," Zelda said in a firm tone.

"Then tomorrow, go with me to apologize to Mr. Ferguson and explain that today's events were all because of this man. At worst, we can go ahead with the wedding first. After a month, you can get the marriage certificate with Mr. Ferguson," Edric said.

His expression softened as if he had already planned out all the details.

Zelda lowered her eyes, not rejecting his plan outright. However, her voice shook as she asked, "What about Grandpa…"

Edric, now considering his reputation, softened his tone. "Zelda, what I said earlier was just out of anger. He's my father. I can't actually do something so ungrateful."

"Alright, I'll see him out," Zelda said without adding more. She was thoroughly disappointed with this family.

Seeing that Zelda had agreed, Edric didn't stop her. His mood clearly improved. Without wasting time, Zelda grabbed Damian's hand and left the living room.

As they reached the door, Damian paused. He lowered his gaze and looked at her.

His voice was colder than before as he asked, "Are you really going to marry that man?"

Zelda lifted her head, staring at him. His strikingly handsome face stirred a confusing mix of familiarity and distance. They had only met once before, yet their legal bond was intimate.

"No. But if I refuse now, I'm afraid my dad might actually do something to hurt my grandpa. The mandatory cooling-off period for divorce is a month. I'll have enough time to settle things for my grandpa during that time."

Zelda was never one to just sit and wait for fate to decide. No one could force her into something she didn't want.

Hearing this, Damian's expression softened slightly. He nodded, his voice calm. "Since we're legally married now, if you need any help, don't hesitate to ask me."

Zelda looked at him with a mix of emotions before shaking her head. "No, you shouldn't be involved in this. After all, you're just a male escort. The Ferguson family has a strong influence here in Phoypolis. If you offend them, you could lose your job."

Damian was speechless. He thought, "Do I really look that much like a male escort?"

He couldn't help but curl his lips into a slight smile and ask, "What gave you the idea that I'm a male escort?"

Zelda gave him a puzzled glance, wondering if she had misjudged. "You were in the bar, and you agreed to my offer. Isn't that the case?"

Damian thought, "That explains it."

He smiled slightly, but he didn't clarify. "We're just helping each other out. My grandma is coming to Phoypolis soon, and her health isn't great. Her biggest wish is to see me married and have children. So, I'd appreciate it if you can play along."

Hearing Damian's words, Zelda nodded knowingly. "Alright, just text me ahead of time, and I'll make time."

No wonder Damian had agreed so easily before. It was for his grandmother.

"What are you planning to do tomorrow?" Damian asked. According to Edric's plan, he wanted to bring Zelda to the Ferguson residence to apologize.

The thought of Osbert, with his shifty eyes and sleazy demeanor, only made Damian more uneasy. He certainly didn't seem like a decent man.

Zelda forced a bitter smile. "I'll just go and take a look. Don't worry, I'm prepared. They won't be able to outwit me."

She had no choice. If she rejected Osbert, Edric might indeed resort to some desperate measures. So, despite the treacherous nature of the situation, she had no choice but to go.

Damian said nothing more, keeping his gaze on Zelda.

She took a deep breath, trying to suppress her weariness. "You should go. I'll head back now."

As Zelda walked away, Damian didn't add anything else. He turned to leave.

Just as he had taken a few steps, hurried footsteps echoed behind him, followed by a frantic voice. "Wait, stop! I need to talk to you."

Damian paused for a moment and turned to look. Faye had hurried up to him and was breathing heavily. Her cheeks flushed with a hint of shyness as she gazed at the strikingly handsome man before her.

Compared to Virgil's refined charm, Damian was breathtakingly attractive. He was the kind of man who captured one's attention instantly.

Faye had thought that once she took Virgil away from Zelda, she would be able to crush Zelda completely. She hadn't anticipated that Zelda would have such an extraordinary man by her side.

Just in terms of looks, Damian was flawless.

Clearing her throat and standing upright, Faye said, "I know you married Zelda for money, but she's just a country bumpkin that the Cantrells barely spent any money on. If you're after money, you might want to consider other options."

Hearing Faye's hint, Damian's lips curled into a slight, sarcastic smile. In a lazy tone, he asked, "Oh? Do you have any other recommendations, Ms. Cantrell?"

With her engagement to Virgil imminent, Faye couldn't openly offer herself. However, seeing such an exceptionally handsome man, she couldn't resist her feelings. She smiled and handed him her business card.

"I know many women who are more beautiful and wealthier than Zelda. If you're interested, feel free to contact me anytime."