Mia Kane was terrified and immediately called for the medical staff.

The man, who had been perfectly fine and eating his meal just moments ago, was now being rushed to the intensive care unit.

The nursing home frantically called his family.

Mia Kane waited anxiously outside the hospital room. After about an hour, someone rushed over.

"Officer Preston?"

"What are you doing here?" Adrian Preston frowned.

Nurse White quickly explained, "This is a volunteer at our nursing home. Grandpa Donovan is very fond of her. The old master has been complaining of shortness of breath lately and waking up frequently in the middle of the night. We didn’t expect an attack to happen so suddenly..."

Adrian Preston didn’t have time to talk to Mia Kane; he was too anxious to ask about his grandfather’s condition.

It was only then that she learned the old man’s full name—Donovan Preston.

Later, Grandpa Donovan was sent to the operating room for emergency treatment. He was wheeled out four hours later. By the time the anesthesia wore off and he woke up, it was already nighttime.

The doctor said Grandpa’s condition was very poor. His advanced age, combined with severe heart failure, meant he was at the end of his tether. Even with the best medicine, he had a year at most. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The next morning, the old master finally became lucid and spoke weakly. "Am I... not going to make it?"

"Grandpa, the doctor said you’re doing great..."

Mia Kane wanted to tell a white lie, but the old man’s words touched her.

"My dear girl, Grandpa knows his own body. Don’t lie to me. I don’t have much time left, do I? It’s all right. Grandpa is an old man. I’ve... *COUGH COUGH* I’ve lived long enough.

"Adrian, come here."

He called Adrian Preston over, then grabbed her hand and placed it in Adrian’s palm. She instinctively tried to pull back, but Adrian Preston held on tight.

His dark, almond-shaped eyes, deep and profound, fixed on her as if they could suck in her very soul.

"Mia is a good girl. Don’t let her down."

"Okay."

Mia Kane froze, looking at Adrian Preston in astonishment. She was about to object when he secretly tightened his grip on her wrist.

"Then marry her."

"Okay."

Adrian Preston’s voice was calm, revealing no emotion.

"Then get your marriage certificate as soon as possible, so I can pass on in peace."

"We’ll go right now."

The two of them left the hospital room. Adrian Preston spoke first. "I’d like to ask you, Miss Kane, to act in a play with me. We can get a fake marriage certificate; you can appear here with me from time to time to make my grandfather happy. I can pay you for your time. Name your price, Miss Kane."

Mia Kane’s heart suddenly began to pound violently. She suddenly realized the best way to get revenge on Chase Lockwood was to get together with his good friend.

Once the thought took root, she couldn’t suppress it, and she looked at Adrian Preston, the corners of her eyes turning red. "I want you to really marry me."

Upon hearing this, Adrian Preston’s brow furrowed. He stared at her intently, the whirlpools in his eyes looking like they could swallow a person whole. "I’m afraid I can’t do that. Since this deal won’t work, let’s just forget..."

Just as Adrian Preston was about to refuse, a nurse rushed out. "This is bad! The old master is coughing up blood!"

Grandpa Donovan was put back on a ventilator for observation, muttering nonstop, "Marry... marry Mia... then I can rest in peace..."

Adrian Preston kept watch until his grandfather’s condition finally stabilized, only then letting out a sigh of relief. By now, Mia Kane had calmed down. Looking at the sleeping Grandpa Donovan, she felt a pang of guilt.

She must be crazy, throwing away her own marriage just to get revenge on that scumbag! Forget it. Grandpa Donovan has been so good to her! If it’s acting for him, then she’ll do it.

"Adrian, about before..."

"Okay, we’ll get married."

Mia Kane was stunned.

"You want revenge on Chase Lockwood. I’ll help you get it."

Mia Kane’s mind went blank. "But... but I..."

"What? You don’t want revenge on Chase Lockwood anymore?"

Mia Kane immediately straightened her back. "Of course I do! If we’re getting married, we’re getting married. It’s no loss for me!"

Since Adrian Preston was the one who saved her back then, he should understand what she went through. Marrying an influential up-and-comer like Adrian Preston, she has nothing to lose.’

Most importantly, if it makes Chase Lockwood miserable, it’ll be worth it!

She and Adrian Preston drew up a contract. They would have to maintain their marital status until his grandfather passed away.

Her compensation was one million a month in spending money!

They went to the city hall to get their certificate. With the marriage license in her hand, she felt a bit dazed.

Did she really just get married?

What kind of face would Chase Lockwood make after he found out she had married his good friend? He’s the type of person who is incredibly domineering and tyrannical.

If it’s something he doesn’t want, no one else is allowed to have it.

So what about now...?

She brought the marriage certificate back, and the old master was so happy that his complexion improved a little.

"Then you two should live together. Take her to see the marital home. Decorate it according to Mia’s tastes, got it?"

"I know."

"You two can go home now. The old master requires quiet rest. It’s best if you visit once a week. If his condition worsens, I’ll call you.

"Keeping him in a good mood will also help his condition. Maybe the old master will live for more than a year; two or three years is possible. It’s all up to you two now!"

After the two left, the "half-dead" Grandpa Donovan sat up in bed and pulled the needle for his glucose drip out of his arm.

"Did I look like I was having a heart attack just now? My acting is pretty good, right? My grandson has such sharp eyes, and even he didn’t see through it. I’m amazing."

"Yes, yes, Old Master, you scared us to death! We thought something had really happened to you."

"If I didn’t do this, how could I force that little rascal to settle down? He’s not young anymore, but he’s still living like a monk. It’s infuriating! He really caught a lucky break. That girl Mia just broke up with her boyfriend... Hehe, I’ve struck gold..."

「...」

Adrian Preston took her back to his place first. As soon as she walked in, she got a sense of his cold personality; the entire apartment was decorated in cool tones.

Even though the sun was shining brightly outside, it felt drafty and cold in here. She subconsciously wrapped her clothes tighter around herself.

"The allowance will be deposited into your account. This is a supplementary card. There’s no limit. Buy yourself some new things."

Adrian Preston was generous; after all, he wasn’t short on money.

Mia Kane didn’t refuse. It was always good to have money on hand. She freshened up a bit, and then Adrian Preston took her out to eat, choosing a Chinese restaurant.

They got a table by a window on the second floor with a view of the water. After ordering, Adrian Preston went to the restroom. Unexpectedly, when he came back, he told her something.

"Chase Lockwood is in a private room inside. I just ran into him, and he insisted I go over for a drink. Do you want to come with me?"

Mia Kane really wanted to take Adrian Preston’s arm and show up, just to see the look on Chase Lockwood’s face. But she lost her nerve. "I’m not going."

"Then I’ll go have a drink. You go ahead and eat, don’t wait for me."

Mia Kane nodded. The meal was tasteless to her now. To make matters worse, a waiter accidentally spilled water on her clothes while refilling her glass.

"I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry! I didn’t do it on purpose! Can you please not tell my manager? I could lose my job."

"It’s fine. I’ll just go to the restroom and clean it up."

Mia Kane didn’t make things difficult for the waiter and went to the restroom to dry off. As she was coming out, she saw Vivian Lynch walking over with a few friends. They were clearly heading for the private room inside.

"I heard Young Master Lockwood is going to propose to you! How big is the diamond going to be?"

"It’s Young Master Lockwood we’re talking about! It’s got to be at least the size of a pigeon’s egg! You have to ask us to be your bridesmaids then..."

Vivian Lynch smiled shyly, her face glowing with happiness.

Mia Kane lowered her head, trying to slip away from the other side, but things never go as planned.

Someone called out to her.

"Isn’t that the other woman? Still hasn’t given up, has she? Must’ve heard Young Master Lockwood was here and came running."