"Her career probably... won’t collapse."

Sophie Shaw said.

Anne whimpered, "Stop trying to make me feel better. A celebrity’s career can be ruined in an instant."

She hadn’t gone to college after high school. Instead, she’d studied makeup and styling for a year and then hustled her way onto film sets as a makeup artist. At first, she worked with extras, then with D-list actors, and was eventually scouted by Nina Halloway. When she first started with Nina, the actress wasn’t nearly as famous as she was today.

But Nina Halloway had powerful backers—though Anne wasn’t sure who—so her career was smooth sailing. In just two years, she’d become a Best Actress winner in both film and television, achieving a grand slam of awards.

As Nina’s fame grew, so did her salary. A rising tide lifts all boats, after all. And then she got carried away and set her sights on a sprawling luxury apartment...

"I’m not just trying to comfort you."

Sophie Shaw rummaged through her bag, pulled out a pack of tissues, and pressed it into Anne’s hand. "Alaric Blackwood and I are in a contract marriage. We’ve agreed not to interfere in each other’s private lives."

Hearing this, Anne looked even more like she was about to cry. "So, you haven’t actually managed to latch onto a tycoon?"

"Strictly speaking, I’ve latched on a little."

At least it’s good for appearances. As Alaric Blackwood’s wife, that connection alone makes for a respectable front.

"By the way, Sophie, you said you quit your job?"

"Yeah."

"Then how are you going to get back the Heart of the Ocean?"

"I’ll find some time to contact a lawyer and see if there are any loopholes I can exploit."

Speaking of lawyers, Anne quickly dug through her bag. She handed Sophie a business card for Garland Chase Law Firm, from a lawyer named Jaden.

"This lawyer’s good. He’s gotten Nina Halloway out of trouble a few times. You should contact him. If he asks, just say... say that Nina recommended you."

Sophie Shaw scratched her head. "Is he... expensive?"

’A big star’s lawyer probably doesn’t come cheap.’

"Don’t worry about the cost. Just schedule a consultation first."

Sophie murmured an acknowledgment and put the card away.

As dusk fell, Anne offered to take her home and cook for her, but Sophie just smiled. "I have plans."

"With who?"

"My contract husband. We’re supposed to be buying rings. You go on ahead. If my contract husband doesn’t treat me to dinner after, I’ll come over and bum a meal off you."

"You poor puppy."

Sophie immediately played the part, nuzzling her head into Anne’s arms and rubbing against her. She hit a ticklish spot, making Anne double over with laughter.

...

Anne paid for their drinks at the cat café and left.

The moment she left, a black Maybach pulled up in front of the café.

Sophie had already sent Alaric Blackwood her location on WeChat to keep him from going to her former office to pick her up.

She slid into the passenger seat of the Maybach and fastened her seatbelt.

"You like cats?"

Alaric Blackwood glanced into the cat café at the little darlings crouched by the floor-to-ceiling window. The corner of his mouth ticked up before his eyes returned to Sophie. "What breed do you like?"

"I don’t really know the breeds. I just like them, but I’ve never had the chance to own one."

’She’d been constrained in the Kane family home, and now that she was marrying Alaric Blackwood, living together was inevitable. But his home was so spotless; he probably wouldn’t agree to a pet. As much as she liked animals, she didn’t want to cause herself unnecessary trouble.’

They dropped the subject. Alaric Blackwood started the car and headed straight for a Diamond Belle Jewelers.

’Sophie knew the brand’s founder. He was a senior from her university, several years ahead of her, and had a real gift for design. After establishing the brand, however, he rarely released his own work, focusing his energy on the business side of things.’

"Pick whichever one you like."

Alaric Blackwood led her into the store and stood by her side, letting her take her pick.

She chose a very understated pair of matching rings with tiny diamonds.

"Are you sure about these?"

"Yes."

Alaric Blackwood had a staff member measure their ring sizes and handed over a black card. "Can we get the rings before next Saturday?"

"Yes, sir."

Alaric Blackwood nodded. After taking back his card, he smoothly placed a hand on Sophie’s waist. "Let’s go."

His touch was light, without any pressure.

’Sophie didn’t show any aversion. After all, they were here to pick out wedding rings. A little ’intimacy’ in public just made them look more like a couple about to be married.’

’Alaric was probably thinking the same thing.’

She let him keep his arm around her as they walked out, and he opened the car door for her like a gentleman.

"It’s dinnertime. Would my wife be so kind as to grace me with her presence for dinner?"

’He’s actually treating me to dinner!’

After getting in the car, Sophie said with forced composure, "Okay."

"What would you like to eat?"

"I’m not a picky eater."

"So low-maintenance."

"..."

Alaric Blackwood smiled as he started the car. "Since you’re not picky, let’s go to my place. I’ll cook."

"Wouldn’t it be more convenient to eat out?"

’Being at his house, just the two of them alone... the thought was still a little awkward.’

"I’m caught up in a bit of a scandal, and the reporters are relentless. It’s more relaxing to eat at home."

"Oh."

’So he just didn’t want to be photographed in public.’

The Maybach soon arrived at Maplewood Estate.

Sophie followed Alaric Blackwood into the house and waited in the living room.

The man took off his jacket, rolled up his shirtsleeves, and walked into the kitchen.

Sophie found herself seriously sizing him up. He had broad shoulders, and his shirt tapered down to a trim waist. His back muscles looked solid, and his entire frame was tall and straight.

He had a perfect build—not a beefy bodybuilder, but he exuded a rugged, virile energy.

The muscles outlined by his shirt and trousers were perfectly proportioned, and his firm ass was particularly... visually striking.

Alaric Blackwood was the classic "lean in clothes, ripped without" type.

’No wonder he was such a hit with the ladies...’

’It was one thing to have a handsome face, but a body like that, too? Did he save the entire banking system in a past life or something?’

As she stared at his ass, a phrase inexplicably popped into her head: lean waist, powerhouse hips.

"Getting your fill just by looking?"

"Why not come over and give it a slap or two?"

The man’s magnetic voice, laced with amusement, broke the silence. Sophie’s eyes shot up and met Alaric’s alluring gaze. She froze for two seconds before she realized what he meant by "a slap or two."

Her cheeks instantly flushed, burning hot.

"Uh... I’ll... I’ll just look, thanks. No hands."

Sophie was so mortified she wanted to crawl into a coffin, have it sealed with reinforced concrete, get tossed into a celestial alchemy furnace, and be burned for forty-nine days until she was nothing but ash.

With her face beet red, she averted her eyes and looked away.

She heard footsteps approaching, and her heart pounded like thunder.

A tall figure approached in her peripheral vision. Then, a small, savory piece of marinated beef was placed in her mouth.

"Mmmph..."

Chewing the small bite, she looked at Alaric Blackwood in surprise.

"How does it taste?"

"It’s delicious."

’She couldn’t come up with any sophisticated, flowery praise. All she knew was that Alaric Blackwood was an amazing cook.’

’No wonder he was so popular with women. He was handsome, rich, a gentleman who knew how to flirt, had a prestigious background, and could cook this well...’

"Dinner will be a little while longer. Since my wife is here, why don’t you go upstairs and take a look at the rooms? Pick whichever one you like. You can move in anytime."

"It’s best for married couples to live together, don’t you think, wife?"

Hearing Alaric Blackwood’s calm words, Sophie nodded her head like a chicken pecking at grain. "I think you have a very good point."

’She couldn’t wait to move out of the Kane family’s house.’

"You get back to it, then. I’ll go have a look upstairs."

She stood up, feigning composure, and walked around Alaric to head upstairs.

She could feel a burning gaze fixed on her back.