Chapter 6 A Fake Marriage
Adeline shook her head at once. “Never! I’ve never even had a boyfriend, so I never would’ve received a ring from anyone. I’ve never slept with a man, either. I’m still a virgin!”
She was secretly pleased about her response. It was clearly a test, and she had passed with flying colors.
Even if she had dated over a dozen men, she would not come clean about it.
Isaac’s expression darkened slightly.
He thought that Phillip was the one who arranged the incident that took place that night six years ago. That was why when Phillip woke up and insisted that he marry the Aniston Family’s daughter, he assumed that she was the woman he was looking for.
Now, it was apparent that was not the case.
He resumed his distant demeanor and slid a contract over to Adeline. “Miss Aniston, I’m here today to discuss a deal with you.”
Adeline had never encountered a man like him before.
Wasn’t this a date? Wasn’t he interested in her? So, why is he talking about making a deal with me?
She eyed the contract in puzzlement. It was three pages long, but she only got the gist of it.
“Mr. Arnold, are you asking me to enter into a fake marriage with you?”
Isaac nodded slightly. “A fake marriage that will last one year, though I retain the right to end it sooner if necessary. Before that happens, you are free to enjoy the status that comes with being Mrs. Arnold, and once the contract ends, you will receive five million as compensation.”
Adeline was enticed by the idea of being Mrs. Arnold and wielding the power that came with it. After all, Isaac was the most eligible bachelor in Appleby, and hoards of women would kill to marry him.
If she became Mrs. Arnold, no one would dare to disrespect her. Instead, the entire Aniston Family would look at her in a whole new light, and her grandfather might even let her inherit the Aniston Family business.
Of course, if she could make Isaac fall in love with her during that one-year period, she would become the real Mrs. Arnold, and everything would be perfect!
She was exhilarated but kept her calm and suppressed her excitement with all her might.
“Why me, Mr. Arnold?”
It had to be because of her beauty. She stuck her chest out and smiled even more widely.
“Because my grandfather is gravely ill, and I want to fulfill his wish.”
All along, Isaac had been trying to find that woman, but he had not heard a word from her. When he left the room, he had left a ring for her and hoped that she would accept it.
It was his way of expressing his sincerity toward her.
He thought that it was his grandfather who drugged him to force him into marriage, so that woman would have been someone his grandfather had picked out for him, but apparently not.
Regardless of it all, he was not going to give up. He was determined to find her!
Adeline saw Isaac’s expression darkening, and she assumed that her questions had irked him.
Therefore, she swiftly signed her name on the contract.
So what if it was a fake marriage? It was still a once-in-a-lifetime for her to get close to such an eligible bachelor.
If she put in a little more effort, she was confident she could eventually become the true Mrs. Arnold!
Isaac took the contract and said in a neutral tone, “I will visit your family next Friday to ask for your hand in marriage, Miss Aniston.”
“I’ll be waiting for you, Mr. Arnold. In that case, I’ll be leaving now.”
Adeline got up to leave, and the moment she walked out of the room, she felt like she was on cloud nine.
Soon, I’ll be Mrs. Arnold! No one in Appleby will dare to cross me ever again!
All of a sudden, she saw a woman who looked exactly like Patricia Aniston, and she stared in fear.
Patricia Aniston? Isn’t she dead?
After considering it for a moment, Adeline walked over and called out, “Patricia.”
Patricia turned around and saw Adeline’s shocked expression.
All at once, her eyes filled with hatred as she fought the urge to reach out and choke that woman.
Sylvie heard someone calling her mommy’s name, so she glanced at the woman who was dressed very finely.
“Tricia, your friend’s calling you.”
When Adeline heard what the little girl said, she stepped back in shock. Patricia Aniston isn’t dead!
