S City: Elite Villa.

The translucent antique chandelier cast a warm, yellow light, diffusing a trace of warmth on the is delicate and soft woollen carpet. At this moment, the atmosphere was tense; the air seemed to have solidified. Bella Wills stood outside the carved wooden door, her right hand unconsciously gripping the hem of her dress. The old man

Mr. Woods/Victor Woods

was standing in the middle of the living room, glaring at her angrily; the veins on the back of his hand clutching the cane were clearly visible. "Smack!" Something flew past her. Bella instinctively took a step back. The blue and white porcelain cup passed her forehead and fell down, smashing beside her feet. Fragments scattered everywhere. "Ken Woods, who's this thing you brought back?" The old man's anger intensified, almost throwing the cane directly at her. Being referred to as a "thing," Bella lowered her gaze and rolled her eyes in her heart. As if she really wanted to come here. "Grandfather, you're the one who chose her." A trace of sarcasm curled Ken's lips, his dark pupils emanating icy coldness. He stepped into the living room with his long legs, walked several steps, then opened his mouth with a cold voice, "Come in, call him grandfather." Bella was holding the marriage certificate in her hand, looking at his back in an expensive dark suit; she stepped into the room.

Ken, 27 years old, chairman of Wud Corporation, has topped the Forbes young rich list for three consecutive years. Also, he was her newly wedded husband. Half an hour ago, they got their marriage certificate. What's amusing is that forty minutes ago, they met for the very first time. This divine-like man was originally the boyfriend of her half-sister, Beatrice. Three days ago, the patriarch of the Woods family, Victor, proposed to hold a wedding of the century for Ken and Beatrice. Whereas, two days ago, Beatrice suddenly disappeared and ran abroad, and a day ago, she, Bella, was forcibly recognised by her ancestral lineage, stepping in for her sister to get married into the Woods Family. "Where is Beatrice?" The sound of Victor's cane hitting the floor repeatedly echoed; his eyes were fixed on Bella. "Hello, Grandpa, I am Bella." Bella lifted her eyes; her face held a light smile. "Beatrice is my sister. She has gone missing." "Presumptuous! Dennis Wills

Bella and Beatrice's father

truly has some nerve, daring to pull a switcheroo!" Victor scowled and turned his head. "Call Dennis; tell him to get over here now!" "Yes, Mr. Woods." The butler immediately retreated and hurriedly called. Victor stared at Ken, as if trying to see something from his grandson's expression. After a while, he took a few deep breaths and sat down on the sofa. Bella slightly tilted her head, looking at the handsome and rugged profile of the man beside her and the inexplicable emotions rolling in his ink-black eyes. Her heart inexplicably ached. It was as if she was hit hard with a heavy hammer, the pain making it somewhat difficult to breathe. "Mr. Woods, Mr. Wills has arrived," the butler announced in his calm, undisturbed tone. "Send him to the drawing room," Mr. Woods replied, rising to his feet with the support of his cane. His gaze, filled with complex emotions, swept over Bella's face before he departed with firm steps. The atmosphere in the drawing room lightened slightly with the departure of the old man. Staring blankly in the direction of the door, Bella touched the corner of her mouth faintly. How did Dennis come so quickly? Oh, right, he must have anticipated this scene, waiting nearby already. Could he persuade Mr. Woods? Could she possibly be forced to divorce tomorrow? "Are you worried?" Ken's icy voice drifted into her ears, catching Bella off guard, as she hadn't realised her inner thoughts had slipped out in a whisper. "Worried about what?" She turned her head to meet his ink-black pupils, feigning an indifferent expression on her face. Alright then, she was indeed quite worried. If Mr. Woods refused to acknowledge them, their marriage certificate would turn into a dissolution agreement. Dennis's agreed provision would not be upheld, and to add to the confusion, she would unexpectedly go from a single woman to a divorced one. Losing both her dignity and wealth!

I've hit a jackpot! Ken's eyebrows carried a cold expression, the line of his jaw was slightly harsh, and the phoenix-like eyes held an unclear meaning. As their eyes met, Bella only felt that the man's gaze was like the eye of a hurricane, gradually drawing her in, surrounding and entwining her. "My grandfather will not propose a divorce." Ken leisurely adjusted his cufflinks. Bella suddenly returned to her senses, only feeling the temperature on her cheeks rise bit by bit. "I am not shamelessly trying to marry you." Bella silently turned around and fanned her cheeks in an attempt to cool herself down. What's wrong with me? After only a few seconds of eye contact with him, why was her heart racing and her face blushing? "Heh." Ken released a low chuckle; it seemed to roll directly from his throat, lazy and deep. He turned and nestled into the sofa, pulling open the bottom drawer of the pear wood coffee table next to him, and lit a cigar. Within the swirling smoke, his handsome features seemed even more mysterious and unpredictable. His long legs were elegantly crossed, a position of nobility and grace. Watching his actions, Bella silently thought to herself, "Demon, that's foul play!" Outside the room, steady footsteps echoed, getting closer and closer. "Bella, come with me to the study." Victor Woods voice was deep, yet there was no anger in his tone. The old man, leaning on his walking stick, walked towards the direction of the stairs, not even giving a glance at the two youngsters who were sitting beside the couch. "Ken, should I follow him upstairs?" Bella asked, feeling a chill crawling up her back. Rumours had it when the old Mr. Woods used to hold the reins of Wud's Group, he was a savvy and ruthless leader, his decisions clear and brutal, making his competitors tremble in their boots.

"Would your grandfather kill me without uttering a word?" Bella touched her neck nervously after inhaling deeply. "If you're slow, he'll be angrier." Ken glanced at her, his reply nonchalant. "Oh." Bella quickly rushed to follow him upstairs. It wasn't until her figure disappeared around the bend in the staircase that Ken looked up. His fingertips, clasping a cigar, turned white from the applied force.

In the study room,

Foolish! In the quaint study room, a set of antique wooden couches embellished with intricate carvings occupied the centre. "You wanted to see me," Bella stated, smiling gently as she stood beside the couch. "Now that you are Ken's wife, you have to abide by the rules. Proper etiquette still needs to be learnt," Victor said, steeping tea in a deliberately slow manner, his tone strict. Bella took a deep breath: "Yes, grandfather." The old man was basically calling her an uncouth girl. "Your father exchanged 10% of the Mang Real Estate shares for one year of time. During this year, he will find Beatrice, and then you can disappear without a trace," Victor stated bluntly. "Okay," Bella nodded. She hoped that Dennis could find Beatrice sooner so she could regain her freedom. However, Dennis really went all out in order to form a marriage alliance with the Woods family. "I hope that when the time comes, you can agree to leave as straightforwardly as you are now." Victor lifted his head, sizing up the girl in front of him from head to toe. In his eyes, a hint of undisguised disgust flickered.