Iris Yates turned and put the kitchen knife back in the kitchen. But when she came out, she saw Nathaniel Monroe was still there, looking at her with a strange expression that made her skin crawl.

She asked warily, "What are you doing?!"

Nathaniel Monroe’s hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. After a long moment, he finally said, "William Quinn is a madman. He’s the leader of a foreign mercenary organization. He’ll do anything for money—murder, arson, you name it. You got involved with a man like that, and he’s still looking for you... Iris Yates, don’t you know you’re in serious danger now?"

Iris Yates frowned at him. "Chloe already told me all this. I’ve been very careful. I won’t let him find me."

Nathaniel Monroe lowered his gaze. ’So, she really did sleep with William Quinn.’

’They had slept together, and William Quinn was even insisting that Iris take responsibility.’

Nathaniel Monroe took a few deep breaths to calm himself. He looked up at her and said, "Just hiding won’t solve the problem. He can’t do much here in Breyburn, but once he returns abroad, he’ll have countless ways to find you."

At his words, Iris Yates’s face turned pale. "Don’t try to scare me. There’s no way he’s that powerful..."

Nathaniel Monroe sat down on the sofa and said, "I have no reason to scare you. I’m just telling you the truth."

Iris Yates was completely stunned. ’If that’s the case, then Chloe’s plan is useless. Even if I go on a trip, William Quinn will definitely find me if he wants to.’

"Then what should I do..."

A helpless expression appeared on Iris Yates’s face.

Nathaniel Monroe looked at her steadily and said, "I have a plan. I doubt he’d still be interested in a married woman."

Iris Yates looked at him. "Are you telling me to get married?! But where am I supposed to find someone to marry on such short notice?"

Nathaniel Monroe: "...I can help you. Besides, your parents already think we’re dating. We might as well just go along with the mistake."

Hearing this, Iris Yates’s eyes widened in disbelief. She stepped forward, reached out, and felt his forehead. "You don’t have a fever. Why are you suddenly spouting nonsense?"

Nathaniel Monroe grabbed her wrist and said through gritted teeth, "I’m trying to help you! Who said anything about a *real* marriage? We can draw up a contract, get married for a year or two, and then get divorced. By then, William Quinn will have probably forgotten who you even are."

Iris Yates tilted her head and studied him. "Are you serious? What’s in it for you?"

Nathaniel Monroe lifted his chin. "Can’t a guy be merciful and save a naive girl? Is there a problem with that?"

Iris Yates yanked her hand away. "The fact that you claim to want nothing is what’s really scary. What if you’re plotting something even bigger? You should go. Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll consider it."

She grabbed Nathaniel Monroe and pushed him right to the door.

Nathaniel Monroe was stunned. "Hey, what is there to consider? Who else are you going to get to fake a marriage with? I’m offering to help, why won’t you trust me? What could I possibly want from you? What do you have that’s worth my time? How can you think so badly of me? I’m genuinely trying to help!"

"Mhm, right. Thank you, you’re such a saint. It’s late. Go home. Goodbye."

Iris Yates shoved him out and slammed the door. The moment it was closed, the casual expression on her face vanished completely.

Her face fell into a miserable expression. She was a complete wreck.

’I’m screwed.’

’What am I going to do now?’

... 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

After his shower, Walker Grant pushed open the door to Chloe Reed’s room. He saw a girl standing by the bed, her back to the door. He walked straight over, but only realized as he got closer that it wasn’t Chloe Reed.